North Africa Travel Guide

Africa

North Africa Travel Guide

Egypt’s ancient monuments, Morocco’s medinas and desert, and a region with a distinct history and culture from the rest of the continent.

Egypt

The Pyramids & the Nile

Cairo’s Pyramids of Giza remain one of the world’s most recognizable sights, and a Nile river cruise between Luxor and Aswan is the classic way to see Egypt’s temple sites. The Red Sea coast adds diving and beach time to a history-focused itinerary.

Morocco

Marrakech & the desert

Marrakech’s medina, souks and riads are a compact, walkable introduction to the country, and a popular jumping-off point for multi-day trips into the Sahara or through the Atlas Mountains.

Before you go

Visa & entry

Egypt offers e-visas and visa-on-arrival for many nationalities; Morocco allows visa-free entry for many nationalities for short tourist stays. Confirm current requirements with each country’s immigration authority before booking.

Money matters

Currency

Egypt uses the Egyptian pound and Morocco the Moroccan dirham — neither currency is generally available outside the country, so plan to exchange money on arrival. Cards are widely accepted in tourist areas and hotels.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for both Egypt and Morocco, avoiding the intense summer heat.
Rarely in one trip — the distances and flight connections make North Africa and East/Southern Africa better suited to separate trips rather than combining them.
Not strictly, but a local guide can be genuinely useful for navigating the medina in Marrakech or the sites around Cairo and Luxor, especially on a first visit.

Ready to plan your trip?