Witness the sights, smells, & sounds of Marrakech in Morocco

A beautiful city built in true Saadian style, one could say Marrakech is the most beautiful city in all of North Africa. Marrakech's focal point is the Jemaa El-Fna square. It's a large open space in the day, filled with fruit stands selling cheap orange juice, & everything else from snake charmers to story tellers. At nite however the area transforms with dozens upon dozens of food stalls being set up offering seating & all kinds of food dishes. The rest of the city has an understated beauty, the smell of spices, & bazaars selling everything you could ever want. Towards the southern end of the medina is Palace el-Badi, which was reputed to be one of the most beautiful palaces in the world when it was first constructed in the 16th century. If you'd like more information on travelling in Morocco take a look at my Moroccan Travelogue.

Visit the 8th continent, Madagascar

Often referred to as the "eighth continent" in reference to the island's break from Africa sometime around 160 million years ago. It's long absence from a continental body has allowed an entirely unique set of animal and plant life to develop. Madagascar is now home to one of the world's more diverse eco-systems, housing 5% of the world's animal species.
The primary attractions are the tropical rainforests that litter the island, and the unspoiled beaches lining the coast. The best way to experience the island is to stay at one of the many eco-lodges.

The easiest way to reach Madagascar by flight is from either South Africa or France. The island was once a French colony and as such there are regular flights from Paris to its capital of Antananarivo. Despite being an island nation, Madagascar does not maintain regular passenger sea links with neighbouring nations.

In modern times Madagascar has faced its largest threat, deforestation. More than eighty-percent of the nation's original forests are gone, and every year another one-percent disappear. Madagascar is one of the most threatened eco-systems in the world, however there is hope. Currently more money pours into Madagascar for conservation efforts than any other African nation.

One non-profit organization working in Madagascar is Azafady. They work with disadvantaged communities to improve living standards and promote positive coexistence with the the local environment.

Please take a look at their website: http://www.madagascar.co.uk/

Walk through the Valley of the Kings at Luxor, Egypt

The Valley of the Kings is famous for its burial chambers of ancient Egyptian kings, including the most famous of them all King Tutankhamun (AKA King Tut). The layout of the place is more or less how its name implies, it's a valley with dozens of underground walkways branching off to the burial chambers. Once inside one of the chambers you can expect a long narrow corridor accompanied by a low ceiling leading down into the centre where there's an expanse of space & generally the king's sarcophagus. It's a unique experience to say the least, walking down a dimly lit path, the walls covered in hieroglyphics. Some of the chambers even had built in booby traps such as large drop-offs on the pathway. If you'd like more information on travelling in Egypt take a look at my Egyptian Travelogue.

Touch the Pyramids at Giza, Egypt

It's obvious that the pyramids at Giza would make this list. The last surviving ancient wonder they continue to amaze today over 6000 years after their construction. Built as burial chambers for Egyptian kings, they dominate the horizon & serve as a unique setting for a sunset camel ride or anything of the sort. If you'd like more information on travelling in Egypt take a look at my Egyptian Travelogue.

See the apes before they go extinct in the Congo

A volatile nation distraught with civil war may not seem too high on your list of places to visit, but the Congo does have a few things going for it, namely it's being home to the world's largest population of Lowland Gorillas, & is one of only three countries to house the captivating Mountain Gorilla. However with only an estimated 750 left in existence you'd be wise to visit soon. If only the country could manage to make its civil war a little less bothersome.

Put on your safari hat in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Botswana is nourished and well preserved by mother nature. Boasting one of the world's most sound & protective environmental policy. Botswana has geared itself to the upmarket eco-tourist in an effort to reduce impact on the wildlife, but bring much needed financial resources to the nation. The Okavango Delta region in the north of the country is particularly well known for its animal diversity with big names such as, Lions, Cheetahs, Leopards, Elephants, Rhinos, Giraffes, & every other possible African animal you could imagine. There's nothing quite like staying in a luxurious 5-star lodge surrounded by the planet's most beautiful wildlife.

Explore the Sahara Desert

While the ravages of civil war have taken Algeria off most people's travel itineraries, there are still considerable reasons to visit. One of the best location's to visit in the nation is the Tassili n'Ajjer National Park in the southeast of the country. The park is home to a mountain range whose sandstone composition has resulted in some of the world's more stunning rock formations. Several eco-tourism operators offer trips through the Algerian interior & it's worth going on an organized tour if coming to the country.

Dakar Rally

Dakar Rally: Thrilling car race from Paris to Senegal across the desert

Charley Boorman, actor and star of The Long Way Round with Ewan McGregor who competed in the rally in 2006:

"I think the rally is vital experience and incredibly important as it is one of the ultimate races in the world. I think it is also the toughest race in the world. It takes 15 days of you driving 800 km a day which is pretty hard. It is not just the fact that it is a physical race because there is a lot of mental strain as well. Before you ever start you have got to get your team together as well as sponsorship. We live in such a nanny state these days, so to go off and push your boundaries to the limit is really healthy. By pushing pushing yourself almost to breaking point you see what you can achieve in life if you want something enough. It?s not just a race it is a test against yourself. At the time it?s not much fun. But what you get out afterwards is so much more. Even though I didn't finish [he had to retire after becoming injured] there was still a huge amount of achievement involved."