Sights in Africa
-
A
University of Cape Town
For the non-academic there’s no pressing reason to visit the University of Cape Town, but it’s nonetheless an impressive place to walk around. UCT presents a fairly cohesive architectural front, with ivy-covered neoclassical facades, and a fine set of stone steps leading to the temple-like Jameson building. Visitors can usually get parking permits at the university – call in at the information office on the entry road, near the bottom of the steps.
As you’re following the M3 from the city, just after the open paddocks on Devil’s Peak you’ll pass the old Mostert’s Mill, a real Dutch windmill dating from 1796, on the left. Just past the old windmill, also on the left,…
reviewed
-
B
IZiko South African Museum
Although there has been some reorganisation in recent years, and a few new exhibits, in general South Africa’s oldest museum is showing its age. Despite not being a must-see, it does contain a wide and often intriguing series of exhibitions, many on the country’s natural history. The best galleries are the newest, showcasing the art and culture of the area’s first peoples, the Khoekhoen (Khoikhoi) and San, and including the famous Linton Panel, an amazing example of San rock art. There’s an extraordinary delicacy to the paintings, particularly the ones of graceful elands. Also worth looking out for are the startlingly lifelike displays in the African Cultures Gallery of…
reviewed
-
Royal Jewellery Museum
It's not easy, in a country with such a long line of monarchs, to make a name for yourself, but Farouk, the last king of Egypt, succeeded. Renowned for extravagance, excess, womanising and a love of gambling, he once lost US$150,000 in a single sitting at the gaming tables, at a time when the majority of his subjects struggled in poverty. The 1952 Revolution would no doubt have happened without him, but his decadence only hastened the demise of the house of Mohammed Ali.
The Royal Jewellery Museum is a testament to his excesses, housing a glitzy collection of personal and family heirlooms. Aside from the standard (medals, jewels etc), exhibits include diamond-encrusted…
reviewed
-
C
Isla de Lobos
The bare, 4.4-sq-km Isla de Lobos takes its name from the lobos marinos (sea wolves) that lived there. They were, in fact, focas monje (monk seals), which have since disappeared thanks to the hungry crew of French explorer de la Salle, which ate them to stave off starvation in the early 15th century.
You can go on an excursion to the islet from Corralejo. Once you've disembarked there's little to do but go for a short walk, order lunch at the quay-side chiringuito (kiosk) - reserve when you arrive if you intend to lunch there - and head for the pleasant little beach.
It's a popular bird-watching destination and there are hammerhead sharks in the waters around the island.…
reviewed
-
D
Parc de la Ligue Arabe
Casa's biggest open space is the Parc de la Ligue Arabe. It's a good place for games and walks, has a choice of small cafés and the Yasmina amusement park.
Parc de la Ligue Arabe, has an essentially French layout, although the flora is more faithful to its location in Africa. Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur, built in 1930, is a somewhat neglected former cathedral. It's also an unexpected sight in the heart of a Muslim city and is symbolic of modern Casablanca's essentially European genesis. Sitting on the edge of the Parc de la Ligue Arabe, it reflects the best of the more adventurous architectural products of the Art Deco era. Deconsecrated some time ago, it has been…
reviewed
-
E
Uganda Museum
The Uganda Museum is quite run-down given that it is meant to be the showcase for the nation. It has a few good ethnological exhibits covering hunting, agriculture, war and religion, as well as archaeological and natural history displays. Perhaps its most interesting feature is a collection of traditional musical instruments, but even these are falling apart. Basically, the museum is crying out for some tender, loving care.
More recently some photo exhibitions have been held here and this could be a good way to reinvigorate the place. There is fee for cameras and for video cameras, money down the drain given the paucity of exhibits.
To get here, catch a Kamjokya shared…
reviewed
-
F
Fishawi’s Coffeehouse
There are few specific things to see in the khan but Fishawi’s Coffeehouse, in an alley one block west of Midan al-Hussein, is an absolute must. Hung with huge mirrors and packed day and night, it claims to have been open continuously since the year 1773, except during Ramadan, when everyone is fasting. Entertainment comes in the form of roaming salesmen hawking wallets, carved canes, pistol-shaped cigarette lighters and packet after packet after packet of tissues.
reviewed
-
G
Two Oceans Aquarium
Always a hit with the kids, this excellent aquarium features denizens of the deep from the cold and the warm oceans that border the Cape Peninsula, including ragged-tooth sharks. There are seals, penguins, turtles, an astounding kelp forest open to the sky, and pools in which kids can touch sea creatures. Qualified divers can get in the water for a closer look. Get your hand stamped on entry and you can return any time during the same day for free.
reviewed
-
H
1001 Nights
In the 1950s Tangier's kasbah was the setting for a legendary café called 1001 Nights, which was established by Brion Gysin, the artist who introduce the cut-up writing technique to William Burroughs. The café was famous for its house band of trance musicians - the Master Musicians of Jajouka - who later released a record produced by the Rolling Stones' Brian Jones. Long-closed for renovation, no one seems to know if it will ever reopen.
reviewed
-
I
Bo-Kaap Museum
This small museum provides some insight into the lifestyle of a prosperous 19th-century Cape Muslim family, and a somewhat idealised view of Islamic practice in Cape Town. The most interesting exhibit, although it lacks decent captions, is the selection of black-and-white photos of local life displayed in the upstairs room, across the courtyard. The house itself, which was built between 1763 and 1768, is the oldest in the area.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Medersa Bou Inania
A short walk down Talaa Kebira from Bab Bou Jeloud, the Medersa Bou Inania is the finest of Fez’s theological colleges. It was built by the Merenid sultan Bou Inan between 1350 and 1357. The medersa underwent extensive restoration a few years ago, and the results are amazing: elaborate zellij and carved plaster, beautiful cedar mashrabiyyas (lattice screens) and massive brass doors.
reviewed
-
Mvog-Betsi Zoo
This zoo is one of the better ones in West Africa. Co-run by the UK-based Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund (CWAF, www.cwaf.org) it has a sizeable collection of native primates, including gorillas, chimps and drills, mainly rescued from poachers and the bushmeat trade. Well worth a visit, the zoo also houses a few lions, hyenas and a smattering of birds, snakes and lizards. A shared taxi to Mvog-Betsi should cost around CFA200.
reviewed
-
Casa Bernard
From the Domus Romana, walk south along Triq San Pawl for around 200m to reach Casa Bernard. You’ll be personally guided through this privately owned 16th-century pallazzi by one of the home’s charming owners, who will explain the history of the mansion and the impressive personal collection of art, objets d’art, furniture, silver and china.
reviewed
-
K
Hippo Point
Grassy and palm-laden Hippo Point sticks into Lake Victoria at Dunga, about 3km south of town, and is a pleasant spot to head for, though you're not guaranteed to see any hippos. There also used to be a cool restaurant here, but it burnt down years ago. If reconstruction maintains its current pace, it will reopen March 18, 2073.
reviewed
-
L
Jamahiriya Museum
Tripoli's Jamahiriya Museum houses one of the finest collections of classical art in the Mediterranean. Built in consultation with Unesco at enormous cost, it's extremely well designed and the 47 galleries provide a comprehensive overview of all periods of Libyan history, from the Neolithic period right up to the present day.
reviewed
-
M
Village Market
The beautifully conceived Village Market shopping centre has a selection of entertainment activities to while away an afternoon, including the Nu Metro cinema, a bowling alley, pool hall, water slides, mini golf and a children's playground complete with toy-car rides and a mini-train circuit.
reviewed
-
Crocodile Farm
The community-run crocodile farm is basically all the encouragement you need to keep your hands and feet inside the mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) while cruising through the Okavango Delta.
reviewed
-
N
Ramoma Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art
In Upper Hill, the impressive-sounding Ramoma Rahimtulla Museum of Modern Art is actually a small gallery in a large skyscraper, promoting and selling work by Kenyan artists.
reviewed
-
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is to the north of the Quartier Habous (Nouvelle Medina).
reviewed