Africa & Middle East Destination Guides

The term Um al-Dunya, which means "Mother of the World" in Arabic, is often used to describe Egypt. No wonder. Recorded history in this fascinating country dates back more than 5,000 years, but Egypt's story is so much more than pyramids and hieroglyphics. From its run-in with Alexander the Great to occupation by the Roman, Ottoman, and French empires to the construction of the Suez Canal to the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, the region has played an important economic and political role in the world.

Much of what we know about Israel's early history can be traced back to the Hebrew Bible. Israel's origins can be traced back to Abraham who is widely considered to be the father of both Judaism and Islam.

The Republic of Kenya, located in East Africa, borders the Indian Ocean and has nearly 50-million people. Its largest and capital city is Nairobi. Before you go on safari, here's everything you need to know about the country to prepare for a fantastic visit.

Archaeological evidence in Damaraland, Twyfelfontein, and Brandberg demonstrates that while Portuguese explorers may have made landfall in 1485, Namibia has been inhabited by hunter-gatherers for over 25,000 years. Before Namibia became independent, it was formerly known as South-West Africa and became a German colony in 1884. During World War I, this region was taken over by South Africa and it wasn’t until Resolution 435 of the United Nations, that gave Namibia independence in 1990. Today, over 35,000 San peoples still live semi-nomadic lives, along with the Nama, Damara, Himba, and Herero who are part of the 11 ethnic groups that call Namibia home.

South Africa is the world's 25th largest landmass and Southern Africa's biggest nation. The country is so big that it has three capitals, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Pretoria. South Africa is the biggest manufacturer of platinum, gold, vanadium, alumino-silicates, manganese, and chromium. It is also the home to over 850 species of birds and 300 exotic mammal species, including giraffes, buffalo, cheetahs, and warthogs. Over 55-million people also inhabit the nation.