Honestly, planning a trip that spans both Africa and the Middle East sounds a little intense at first. You’ve got two continents (well, technically), dozens of cultures, countless languages, and climate zones that range from literal desert heat to lush coastlines. But when we sat down as a team to build a flexible itinerary for travelers looking to experience both regions in one go, we realized something: this might just be the most rewarding kind of travel—if you do it right.
So, whether you're a solo wanderer with a backpack or a
couple on a midlife discovery break, our goal with this piece is to help you
map a realistic, experience-rich route through Africa and the Middle
East—one that actually works in the real world, not just on Pinterest.
Let’s start with something that surprised us...
You Don’t Have to See Everything
Look—we get it. The temptation to “do it all” is strong.
Cairo, Marrakech, Dubai, Cape Town, Petra, Zanzibar, Muscat. It’s like your
passport’s begging to be filled. But unless you’ve got three months (and
frankly, a solid bank account), trying to squeeze 12 countries into 2 weeks
will just burn you out.
Our research and test routes showed that the sweet spot is 3–4
countries in 3–4 weeks, with each region getting roughly half your time.
This way, you can go deeper instead of just ticking boxes. Plus, travel between
cities in these regions can take longer than you'd expect—flights aren't always
daily, and crossing land borders (especially in East Africa or the Levant) can
be unpredictable.
A Sample Route: From North Africa to the Gulf
We based this route on a 4-week itinerary we tested earlier
this year. It's compact, diverse, and fairly beginner-friendly.
Week 1: Morocco (Casablanca – Fes – Marrakech)
We kicked off in Casablanca, which, let’s be honest,
isn’t the most charming city in Morocco. But it has direct international
flights and serves as a good landing spot. Fes was where things got real.
The medina feels like a time warp—leather tanneries, centuries-old mosques, and
a maze of alleys where Google Maps just gives up.
In Marrakech, we found the vibe more touristy but still
worth it. Our favorite experience? Taking a short day trip to the Agafay
Desert for an overnight glamping stay. No, it’s not the Sahara, but the
sunsets and food were legit.
Pro tip: Take the train between cities. It’s cheap,
fairly reliable, and a relaxing way to see the countryside. We paid about $15
USD from Casablanca to Fes, and about the same from Fes to Marrakech.
Week 2: Egypt (Cairo – Aswan – Luxor)
Egypt demands patience—but rewards you with stories you'll
retell for years. We spent four days in Cairo, mostly in Giza and
Islamic Cairo. The pyramids are obviously the headliner, but what stayed with
us was watching locals break fast during Ramadan along the Nile. The spiritual
vibe was contagious.
From Cairo, we hopped a sleeper train to Aswan—a
surprisingly chill city by Egyptian standards. Then north to Luxor, home
to Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. These places live up to the
hype. And yeah, they get hot (like, 40°C+ hot), but sunrise visits make it
manageable.
Caution: Egypt’s infrastructure is improving, but it
can be chaotic. Hire local guides for complex sites—especially Luxor. We
skipped it one day and regretted missing context that really changes how you
see things.
Week 3: Jordan (Amman – Wadi Rum – Petra – Dead Sea)
If Egypt felt intense, Jordan was its calmer cousin.
Amman doesn’t scream “exciting,” but it’s a solid base. We loved eating our
weight in hummus and falafel in the downtown area. The real showstopper was Wadi
Rum—you’ve probably seen it in The Martian or Dune. It's that
red-sand desert with wild rock formations that somehow look Martian and
biblical at once.
We spent a night in a Bedouin camp (not too rugged—real
beds, good food, stars overhead), then continued to Petra. And honestly?
It’s bigger and more physically demanding than we expected. You’ll walk a
lot. Wear good shoes and bring water. Our researcher, Tomi, clocked over
22,000 steps that day.
The Dead Sea was our way to chill after all that
trekking. Just note: the Jordanian side doesn’t have many free public beaches,
so book a hotel with private access if you’re not on a tight budget.
Week 4: UAE (Dubai – Abu Dhabi – Al Ain)
For our Middle East finale, we landed in Dubai, and
yeah—it’s flashy, hot, and not very walkable. But it’s a good contrast to
everything earlier in the trip. After all the history, there’s something oddly
satisfying about sipping iced karak in a sleek café while watching Teslas roll
by.
Bur Dubai gave us some of the old-meets-new charm,
and a boat ride across Dubai Creek cost literally one dirham. In Abu Dhabi,
we were blown away by the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque—it’s not just pretty, it’s
architecturally fascinating.
If you want a slower pace, head to Al Ain for desert
forts, date palm oases, and a glimpse of the UAE beyond skyscrapers.
Visas, Flights & Logistics (Yes, It's Tricky)
We won't sugarcoat it—traveling across both Africa and the
Middle East means dealing with visas, paperwork, and sometimes frustrating
bureaucracy. Here’s what helped:
- E-Visas:
Morocco and Jordan offer easy online applications. Egypt’s process is a
bit clunky but doable.
- Multiple-entry
strategy: If you're passing through a country more than once (like the
UAE), plan flights accordingly.
- Flight
tips: Regional carriers like Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, and
Emirates are helpful. Just don’t assume prices will be cheap like in
Europe—budget around $100–$300 for regional hops.
- Connectivity:
SIM cards are cheap. We bought one in each country except the UAE, where
we relied on hotel Wi-Fi.
What We Packed (And What We Regretted)
This part’s always personal, but here's a quick peek at what
worked for us:
- Loose
layers: Especially in conservative areas like rural Jordan or upper
Egypt. Women travelers in our group appreciated having scarves and long
tunics.
- No
jeans: Too hot, too heavy.
- Portable
charger: You’ll need it. Charging opportunities aren't always easy to
find, especially on long train rides or desert treks.
- Regret:
Not packing water shoes for the Dead Sea (those salt crystals hurt).
Real Talk: Is It Safe?
We’ve gotten this question more than anything else. And the
answer is: mostly, yes—but stay alert.
Morocco and Jordan felt the safest overall. Egypt required
more awareness, especially in crowded places. The UAE was basically worry-free.
But scams, especially in tourist-heavy zones (like Cairo or Marrakech), are
common.
A few times, we had to firmly (but politely) say “no thanks”
to overly persistent vendors or guides. If you're solo—especially as a
woman—stick to well-lit areas at night and trust your gut.
The Human Part of Travel (What Actually Mattered Most)
We could go on and on about landmarks and train schedules,
but what actually stuck with us was how this itinerary taught us to slow
down.
In Fes, we got lost for two hours and ended up having tea
with a family who insisted we stay for lunch. In Wadi Rum, the silence of the
desert made us rethink how noisy our daily lives are. And in a small Cairo
bookshop, we stumbled on a local author reading poetry to a group of teens in
Arabic and English—it felt like a secret we were lucky enough to witness.
Traveling across these regions isn’t just about history and
architecture. It’s about humility, curiosity, and sometimes just learning
to be okay with not knowing where you're going for a while.
Final Thoughts from the Cities Weekly Team
If you're planning a trip through Africa and the Middle
East, don’t try to recreate a picture-perfect itinerary. Honestly? Let the
experience shape you as much as you shape it. Leave room for the unexpected—and
for some proper downtime.
There’s a richness in this part of the world that doesn’t
translate in guidebooks or Instagram posts. You’ve got to be there, in the
thick of it. Sweating on a Cairo street corner. Laughing over mint tea with
someone you just met. Watching stars appear in the desert, one by one.
So take your time. Pack your curiosity. And go with an open
mind.
We’ll see you out there.
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