Go Wild in Johannesburg!

Johannesburg is the heart of Africa with it being the social, economic, and cultural center of the country. There’s a lot happening in this busy city and one is sure to never run out of things to do. Although it was not originally intended to be a tourist hot spot, the fact that this bustling city lies in the center of it all has made it at least a pass-through city for travelers that are visiting other areas of Africa. As it has seen more people throughout the years, it has built many attractions and sights to cater to the tourists and entice them to stay! You can start your wild adventure by heading over to Lion Park where you can see some of the wildlife native to Africa. The lions are kept in a high-security area to keep the human kind safe but there are opportunities to take supervised photographs with lion cubs – truly a photo opportunity that is one of a kind! Also be sure to snap shots of the rare species of white lion. You’ll have a chance to get up close and personal with other animals as well and you can even step up onto the giraffe platform to hand feed the giraffes that call the park home. As you drive through the rest of the park, you will have a chance to see hyenas, cheetahs, jackals, wildebeests, zebras, and much more! The Johannesburg Zoo is another place where you can get your fill of the wild animals that call Africa home. Here you will not only find lions, tigers, elephants, gorillas, antelopes, polar bears, and bat-eared foxes but also beautiful walkways, an abundance of nature, and educational and entertainment activities. This is the only zoo in the world that has had success breeding Siberian tigers and it is also the home of “Twist,” a male Siberian tiger weighing an astounding 320 kilograms. Twist is the dad of all Siberian tigers in South Africa. Gold Reef City is another area where you can unleash your wild side. This huge entertainment park is named for the old gold mine that it sits on and the entire park is themed around the gold rush of the Witwatersrand. The staff at the park all wear costumes in keeping with the theme and buildings are also designed to reflect that time period. A museum on the grounds provides an educational experience where people can see how gold ore veins work and how gold is poured into barrels. The Hippodrome is also here and this is the taping location of Idols South Africa. Along with all of this entertainment you can also find water rides, roller coasters, and other displays and entertainment to delight you! Once you have your dose of thrills and you are looking for a quieter type of excitement, you can find it in any number of Johannesburg museums. The Johannesburg Art Gallery displays many different paintings that are both figurative and show amazing landscapes or you can head on over to Museum Africa, where you can learn about the history of the city and view a huge collection of rock art.

Cario, the Jewel of Egypt

Cairo, Egypt is perhaps one of the most exotic and beautiful places one could ever see in a lifetime. One of the oldest cities in the world, Cairo is the capital of Egypt and is home to over sixteen million people. Because it is so large and things seem to happen at such a fast pace, it’s easy to become confused and wonder where you should be going and what the top sites to see are. This travel guide will explain the main sights to see, how to get around, and everything else that this wonderful city has to offer!

If it’s mainly the history of the city that interests you, you will have to go to Old Cairo, an area of the city that has housed many different civilizations for over two thousand years. Not only are there many churches to explore that are centered around Coptic Christianity including the Hanging Church but there are also intriguing remains of Babylon. Walk along the charming cobbled streets and feel as though you have been transported back in time!

For those that would rather shop than tour mosques and churches, Cairo definitely has some unique shopping experiences that are nothing like anything else you will ever find! Forget about malls for this shopping experience, you will have to head on over to the many different bazaars that are offered where you can find everything from camels to veils to carpets. The Khan Al-Khalili is one of the oldest bazaars in the entire world but that’s not the only reason that this bazaar ranks among the top for a lot of visitors. Practice your bartering skills and collect some great treasures that will forever be a wonderful reminder of your trip! Also be sure to enjoy a cup of tea with any of the shop owners that offer it. It’s a nice custom and does not mean that you are required to buy anything.

It would be a real shame to travel to Egypt and not even catch a glimpse of the pyramids so be sure to make visiting these world wonders a priority. Just outside of Cairo if Giza and it is here that thousands of people flock to every year to experience the three main pyramids that have been around for over five thousand years. Ride on the back of a camel to the pyramid and when it’s time to explore the inside, you can choose to walk or continue on the back of you new four-legged friend. The pyramids inside are extremely steep and narrow so prepare yourself if you don’t like cramped quarters.

When travelling to all of the wonderful sites within Cairo, you can usually get their by foot but because it is such a large city, you may want to give your soles a break once in a while. For an experience that you will never forget, you can choose a donkey-drawn carriage or a taxi. A taxi ride in Cairo is much different than it is in other parts of the world as the meters don’t run, stops are made along the way, and the driver tries to keep up with the pace of the traffic.