Africa

Africa may be the poorest continent on earth, but in terms of cultures, landscapes and wildlife, this continent has more than its share.

I have only visited two countries in Africa, but even so, I've seen a wide variety of people and places. Kenya has everything from snow capped mountains to abundant game parks and idyllic sandy beaches, and a culture which is typically African, with music everywhere you turn and an attitude that says nothing is a problem. The people have nothing, but they give everything, and I'm not sure that I've ever found such open friendliness anywhere else in the world. Nairobi is not safe to walk around at night, but during the day the city is lively and friendly. Head to Uhuru Park to go boating or meet some locals. Mombassa is heavily influenced by Arabic traders, and Malindi is a pretty little town on an exotic beach where it's possible to snorkel or take a dhow trip. It's a couple of days drive from Nairobi to Mombassa, and the road runs right through the Tsavo Game Reserve, where there are plenty of elephants and giraffe, and if you're lucky you might also see a lion. Mt Kenya is equally worth a visit, but it's a 3-4 day trek up, and although the path is pretty well marked and there are good spots for camping, join a tour group unless you're an experienced mountaineer.

Morocco is a different world, where the Islamic faith is important and every town, no matter how poor, has a well kept Mosque. As in many places, development is happening fast - the new part of Marrakech could be anywhere in Europe, while the old city, if you ignore the satellite dishes on even the most modest houses, doesn't look like it's changed for centuries. The 'traditional' berber camps are staged for the tourists, but they still give a fascinating glimpse into a nomadic lifestyle, and the Sahara desert is well worth a visit. People don't pay too much attention to the outsides of their homes, but get inside a riad and the interior decoration is stunning. If you're in Marrakech, head down to Jaama el Fna in the evening to see all kinds of street entertainment from men with monkeys to musicians and boxers, as well as numerous food and souvenir stalls. Make sure you try a tagine, one of the highlights of Moroccan cuisine.

sarah@arcticdownunder.co.uk