South Africa
Durban is South Africa's beach and surf — the Indian Ocean coast, a curry culture, and the gateway to the Drakensberg.
Durban is South Africa's subtropical coast city — the warm Indian Ocean, surf beaches (the birthplace of South African surfing), and the largest Indian community outside India (eat a bunny chow). Use it as the gateway to the Drakensberg mountains and the Garden Route. It's the laid-back, beachy alternative to Cape Town.
How long
2–3 days
Currency
South African rand (ZAR). Cards accepted; carry cash.
Language
English and Zulu. English is widespread.
Getting around
A car or Uber; the city is spread out.
Budget range
USD 50–100 equivalent per person per day at mid-range.
See what a trip to South Africa actually costs. Travel Budget Co.
South Africa
Johannesburg is South Africa's engine — gold, Apartheid's history, and a city of energy and caution.
South Africa
Cape Town is a city between mountain and sea — Table Mountain, beaches, and wine country an hour away.
Jordan
Wadi Rum is Jordan's red desert — sandstone valleys, Bedouin camps, and a moonscape used as Mars in the movies.
Zimbabwe & Zambia
Victoria Falls is the smoke that thunders — the world's widest sheet of falling water, on the border of two countries.
Tanzania
Zanzibar is a spice island of stone town and white sand — Swahili doors, dhows, and the turquoise Indian Ocean.
Kenya
Nairobi is the safari capital — a national park inside the city, and the gateway to the Masai Mara.
Morocco
Essaouira is Morocco's windy Atlantic port — a rampart medina, fish grilled at the port, and the kite-surf capital.
Jordan
Amman is a Roman hilltop capital — citadel, souks, and the gateway to Petra and the Dead Sea.
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