Nothing quite beats a safari vacation in Africa: the wild animals encounters, unspoiled nature, and peaceful quiet. Not to mention, a totally spectacular, luxurious African game reserve resort in the middle of it all!

Welcome to Singita Game Reserves, located in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzanita. Here in addition to having the opportunity to spot the ‘Big 5’ (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo), you can take advantage of the glamorous and elegant unfenced lodges, lap pool, and the option to sleep on your private terrace under the starry sky. There is also a gymnasium, health spa, wine cellar, and traditional boma. Children over the age of 10 are welcome.

Singita is currently running this “best of both” promotion to give you a taste of more than one of their lodges in a bargain holiday package:

Book a minimum of 4 nights at Lebombo or Sweni and Ebony or Boulders Lodges and we will include one flight per person (worth ZAR1 590) between the lodges for free.

CLICK HERE for the Layover Guide to Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Durban South Africa.

Stuck on an Egypt layover at Sharm el Sheikh International Airport (SSH)? The airport, formerly known as Ophira International Airport, is located roughly 12 km from downtown Sharm el Sheikh, a top Red Sea destination in Sinai, which makes this destination accessible to those stuck on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your Sharm el Sheikh layover, click here for useful tips.

CLICK HERE for the Layover Guide to Cairo, Egypt

If you’re stuck inside the Sharm el Sheikh International Airport in Egypt, there’s plenty to do while you wait for your connecting flight. The airport has a number of services including duty free shopping, café and restaurants. Additional services including lounges, VIP services, banking and more can be found in Terminal 1.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, there are many hotels near the airport. Full a full list of Sharm el Sheikh area hotels of varying price points, click here.

If you plan on leaving the airport to travel into Sharm el Sheikh, taxis are available at the airport. Fares are to be agreed upon before beginning your trip, and the fare from the airport to Naama Bay by a regular taxi costs roughly EGP40. Tourist taxis run at a higher price. In addition, minibuses travel regularly, and the travel time is roughly 20 minutes.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Sharm el Sheikh Layover:

Sharm el Sheikh Tours

There’s tons of tours to do in Sharm el Sheikh and you can scuba dive (leave at least a day after diving before getting on a plane), snorkel, ride sand buggies and tons more.

Naama Bay

Sinai’s Naama Bay is located in Sharm el Sheikh and is where the action is taking place in the city. Here you can enjoy all water activities, lie in the sun, eat, shop and relax.

El Fanar

The area of El Fanar is a beach town outside of Sharm el Sheikh where you can relax in the sun, enjoy the nightlife discos, or sit back and watch the boats on the sea.

SOHO Square

A great entertainment center, with shopping, restaurants, nightclubs, ice skating rink, bowling alley and more, check out SOHO Square for a fun place to spend your layover. You can check out Africa’s first Ice Bar here!

Shark’s Bay

Only ten minutes from Sharm el Sheikh, Shark’s Bay has the Sinai desert and the ocean – all rolled up in one. Here you can do some diving, watch camels walk along the beach, or spend some time with the Bedouins.

Have a suggestion for a Sharm el Sheikh layover? Leave a comment below!

The King of Morocco is now allowing guests to stay in his lavash, palatial estate – and you can be one of them – as long as you have a couple thousand dollars to spare.

The Royal Mansour in Marrakech, Morocco is now acting as a hotel according to The Wall Street Journal.

According to the WSJ:

It’s a word-of-mouth hotel, and it is not cheap: Prices run from $1,928 a night for a one-bedroom riad (a traditional, three-story, Moroccan-style house), to $5,397 for a two-bedroom, or $38,552 for the almost 20,000-square-foot Riad d’Honneur.

So what do you get for spending this much money?

Well, for starters you get a full Moroccan experience with courtyards, ponds and fountains, posh décor including suede couches, silk curtains and velvet brocades, a rooftop pool with Beduoin tents, fireplaces and lounges, and three restaurants overseen by French chef Yannick Alleno. Not to mention a 27,000 square-foot spa.

Not a bad way to spend a lavish layover in Morocco, right?

To book a night, click here, and to read the entire write-up on the hotel, click here.

Even Paris Hilton has layovers. The heiress, on her way to South Africa for the World Cup, had to stop and refuel her private jet in Cameroon.

“Just landed in Cameroon to refuel the Jet. What a long flight!” the star tweeted earlier today.

However, Paris didn’t fly commercially like many other celebrities often do. She had her own private jet, and like many things in her life it was super-sized.

“This Private Jet takes Huge to Another Level. Loves it!” she posted to her Twitter account along with this picture of her large jet sitting on the runway.

She also shared via TwitPic some of the finer inside features.

“Love the comfy bed on board. Amazingness!” the heiress wrote, linking to this photo of her on a large white bed.

Sure beats a first-class fully reclining chair!

“Paris the Pilot ” she tweeted. Paris even posed in the cockpit before the plane took off.

One thing is for certain, Paris Hilton knows how to travel in style!

Stuck on a layover at King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) in South Africa? The airport replaced the pre-existing Durban International Airport and is located at La Mercy, which is roughly 22 miles from Durban’s city center, making it an accessible destination for those stuck on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips. For more information about Visa requirements and tariffs, click here.

If you’re stuck inside the new Durban airport during your layover in South Africa, you’ll find plenty of services and activities. The airport has a number of bars and restaurants in both the food court and landside piazza, and a number of shops in the Arrivals Hall and in Domestic Departures. The airport has retail consultants available to assist you during office hours (call 032-436-6666 for more information).

In addition, the airport also has a number of banks on the ground floor of the passenger terminal building that can assist with currency exchange. There is also shoe shine and baggage shrink wrap facilities, mobile rentals, a pharmacy, and a hair and beauty salon available in the Departures terminal and the Arrivals Hall.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, there are many hotels along the “Golden Mile” beachfront of varying price points, including the five-star Beverly Hills Hotel and the famous Oyster Box Hotel. To locate hotels in Durban, click here.

If you’re planning on leaving the airport and exploring Durban, there are many forms of transportation available including metered taxis (although it is possible to get discounts on meter rates), car rentals, shuttle buses and mini coaches. You may want to read the following links for Durban security and health advice.

LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Layover In Durban, South Africa:

The Valley of a 1000 Hills
Located a half hour from Durban’s city center in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, the Valley of a 1000 Hills is a stunning location. Only viable for those stuck on long layovers, the area is named after the picturesque hills that meet the Umegeni River.

Durban Botanical Gardens
Looking for a place to stretch your legs while on your layover? Check out the beautiful Durban Botanical Gardens, which has a mix of Arican, Asian and American trees. There’s also an impressive collection of palms and orchids.

Golden Mile
Durban’s Golden Mile is a stretch of beach that is the city’s biggest attraction. The beach is protected by shark nets, and the area has pools, fountains, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels and more.

uShaka Marine World
Located in the Golden Mile of Durban, the uShaka Marine World is a great stop for those traveling with kids. There are many activities and exhibits to check out – click here for the list.

None of these interest you? You can find many more suggestions here.

Have any advice for a Duban, South Africa layover? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a layover at Kenya’s Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)? The airport is the busiest airport in Eastern Africa, the 6th busiest in Africa, and serves as the main hub for Kenya Airways. Located approximately 9.5 miles from Nairobi’s business district, the city if an accessible destination for those stuck on a long stopover. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips.

If you’re stuck in the airport during your Nairobi layover, there are a number of duty free and regular shops that can keep you entertained (click here for the list of stores in the airport). The airport also has Forex Bureaus and banks onsite, a number of nearby hotels in Nairobi for those interested in resting or who arrive at night, a Left Luggage facility, and tour and travel agents (listed here) to help assist you with planning and activities.

There airport also has two pay-per-access lounges at the airport (roughly $20 USD), for a quiet, comfortable place to relax, as well as a VIP lounge. The airport also has an Internet café for online access.

If you plan on traveling to Nairobi during your layover, fixed-fare taxis are available outside the airport. For a full list of taxi companies and their contact information, as well as rental car companies available, click here. Bus stops are outside Terminals 1 and 2, and travel between the airport and downtown Nairobi. For information on train and bus transportation around Nairobi, Kenya click here.

For general traveler information including currency, security and safety, visas, credit cards, and health, click here and here for more information.

LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions Of Things To Do During A Nairobi Layover:

Nairobi National Park
Kenya’s first national park, the Nairobi National Park is home to, most notably, the black rhinos, and tons of other animals including lions, hippos, zebras, giraffes and more. There’s a lot of ground to cover so make sure you have quite a few hours to take advantage of the park.

Giraffe Center
Here at the Giraffe Center you can learn all about and get close to giraffes, and even feed them. The center is non-profit and was set up to help save the Rothschild giraffe. For rates and more information, click here.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
A safe haven for elephants and rhinos, at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust you can visit the young elephants (4 weeks to 3 years old) for only 1 hour each day between 11am-12pm. If you sponsor an elephant for $50 USD, you can view them all being put to bed at 5.30pm

Village Market
At this big shopping and recreation complex in Nairobi, you can shop for all kinds of goods including fashion, crafts, jewelry and gifts. There’s also mini golf, bowling, waterslides, and tons more.

Long Layovers – Tours and Safaris
If you have a long layover in Kenya, you can take a tour depending on the length of time you have. There are tons of tour companies to choose from in Nairobi, including Kibera Tours, Safari Legacy, and tons more.

Have some suggestions for a Nairobi, Kenya layover? Leave a comment below!

The O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa is a frequent layover stop as the airport is the air transport hub of Southern Africa. The airport has recently expanded and offers a lot to do for those stuck in the airport, as well as plenty of nearby options for those on long layovers. (If you’re trying to figure out if you can leave the airport, click here for Layover Guide’s tips.)

If, during your layover, your stuck in the airport, you’ll find over 100 stores and 45 restaurants to help you bide your time as well as an impressive list of services including massage services (at Letsema in Terminal A), Pharmacies and Money Services in Terminal A & B, and a Post Office in Terminal B. Click here to find a list of services best suited for your needs. In additional, cell phones can be rented at competitive rates in the terminal foyers. (The GSM network covers most of the country.) There’s also Internet connection throughout the shopping and dining area, for those with wireless cards installed in their laptops. Passengers can also use wireless connections at the Airport Online facility (located in both terminals). If you have trouble finding any facility, you can ask an airport porter (dressed in bright orange and blue uniforms).

If you’re looking to lock up your luggage/bags and see some sites, there’s a Lock-Up Luggage shop location in Terminal A. (To contact, email garry.ferreira@absamail.co.za or call +27 (0)11 390 1804.)

If you’re looking to catch some zzz’s, check out the airport hotel, the InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport which is walking distance from the airport terminals. Special features include a fully equipped gym, business meeting rooms and the Camelot Health Spa. The hotel has a heated pool with a panoramic view of Johannesburg. For an additional list of hotels near the airport, click here.

The airport is located near the city of Johannesburg (about 32 kms, roughly 20-30 minutes depending on where you travel in the city) which makes it accessible for those interested in seeing some sites on a long layover. Keep in mind, traffic can be bad during peak hours, so plan accordingly and pad your itinerary with plenty of time on both ends. You can book a taxi or minibus shuttle from the baggage claim area. In addition, five bus city lines, operated by Metrobus and Putco, stop at the airport twice a day in the morning and evening. A Rail transit is currently being build which will eventually link the Gautrain station from Johannesburg to the airport. For general tips about traveling in South Africa, click here.

LayoverGuide.com’s Suggestions Of Things To Do In Johannesburg:

Lion Park
About 45 minutes away from Johannesburg by car, is the Johannesburg Lion Park, which gives you an up-close encounter with the giant cats. You can pet small cubs – after receiving precautionary tips – and you can also see a number of other animals including ostriches, zebras and giraffes, and drive into enclosures of fully grown wild lions and lionesses.

Top of Africa
The Carlton Centre is the tallest building in Africa at 202 meters high. From the fiftieth floor the view offers a visual tour of Johannesburg in all directions. The Centre is an important part of Johannesburg’s business sector, it also contains a hotel, cinemas and Egoli’s biggest shopping centre.

Sabi Sands Safari Lodges
For long layovers, check out the Sabi Sands Safari Lodges in Kruger National Park, where you can find 5-star lodges, and exceptional wildlife encounters. There’s a number of lodges – click here for more details.

Hot Air Ballooning, Skydiving And More!
For you looking for a memorable experience, there’s a lot to do in Johannesburg. Try Skydive Joburg, Hot Air Ballooning or a Canopy Tour. If you’re looking to be pampered in a spa, there’s plenty of that too!

None of these strike your fancy? For tons more layover activities in Johannesburg, click here!

Have a suggestion for a Johannesburg layover? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a layover at Morocco’s Casablanca Airport (CMN)? The airport offers a number of things to help keep you occupied during your wait. Located in Nouasseur, a suburb 30 km south-east of Casablanca, this airport is the busiest airport in Morocco. If you’re trying to figure out if you have enough time to leave the airport, click here for some helpful tips.

The airport has shopping, a variety of restaurants and bars, ATMs and a post office. There is also a VIP Lounge, first aid service and a business center. If you plan on traveling with a pet, please read these tips from the airport.

There are no hotels at the airport. The following hotels are situated in the centre of Casablanca: the Hyatt Regency Casablanca, the Idou Anfa tel: (022) 200 235, Le Royal Mansour Meridien, and the Sheraton Casablanca Hotel and Towers tel: (022) 439 494. Many hotels provide an airport shuttle service.

Taxis are found outside the terminal and can take you into Casablanca for the fixed rate of 200 dirham in daytime and 250 dirham at night. (See the sidebar on right for currency exchange rates). In addition you can rent a car from stands inside the airport, take a roughly one-hour bus ride into the city through the CTM bus company, or take the train, ONCF. The train station is located at level one of arrivals, and trains depart every hour from 06:50 to 22:30. The trip will take roughly a half hour. There are Left Luggage facilities at the train station.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions For Things To Do On A Casablanca Layover:

Hassan II Mosque
The Hassan II Mosque is the second largest mosque in the world, and the only one in the city that non-Muslims may visit. The Moroccan mosque part has a section of floor made of glass so worshippers can kneel directly over the sea. The minaret towers at 200 meters and releases a powerful laser beam. The mosque can only be reached by car or bus trip via the port.

Old Medina
Considered to be the old part of Casablanca that was originally a walled city, Old Medina has a lively market where you can find spices and food stalls. This is definitely a place to barter. You can also stop by the fishing harbor and visit the nearby shrine of Sidi Allal el- Kairouani, Casablanca’s patron saint.

Quartier Habous
Considered “New Medina” the Quartier Habous is located southeast of the city centre and a great place to wander and check out the local merchants’ wares. The Arabian style markets offer carpets, copper and brass goods at the markets. There is also one of Casablanca’s best pastry shops, Chez Bennis, for a quick bite.

Port of Casablanca
The modern Port of Casablanca is a great way to spend some time in the sun. You can stop for a bite at one of the seafront seafood restaurants and the Centre 2000 offers luxury shopping. The port can be reached via the fishing harbor in Old Medina.

Le Royal Mansour Meridien
If you have a higher budget, check out staying at the plush Le Royal Mansour Meridien. Here you can take in the Moorish architecture and splurge on some pricey but delicious meals. The hotel is situated at 27 Avenue des F.A.R

The Cathedral Notre Dame de Lourdes
The Cathedral Notre Dame de Lourdes is a Catholic church known for its floor to ceiling magnificent stained glass windows. Currently, it is not used for worship, but instead exhibits ancient Roman artifacts.

Have a suggestion for a Casablanca layover? Leave a comment below!

Stuck on a layover in Cape Town, South Africa? Considered as one of the top ten airports in the world , South Africa’s Cape Town International Airport (CPT), offers plenty to do for those stuck on a layover. And located 13 miles east of Cape Town, this airport makes it easy for those looking to explore the city on a long layover. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your Cape Town layover, click here for useful tips

There’s a wide host of shopping in the airport, where you can pick up everything from African souvenirs to jewelry and pharmacy items. There’s also a medical clinic, prayer rooms, free wireless Internet and even a wine shop. For business services, there is the Zenith Airport Conference Venue in the Domestic Terminal.

You can drop off your luggage at the baggage storage facilities in both the Domestic and International arrivals (021) 936-2494. Also, for a small tip, porters can move your luggage between terminals.

If you’re looking to catch some zzz’s, there’s a 90-room Road Lodge Hotel, located next to the airport. It has Internet Access in all room and a guest office. +27 (0)21 934 7303

The best way to get into the city center and see the sights would probably be taxi, which would take about 20 minutes each way. The airport’s authorized taxi company is “Touch Down Taxis” and they recommend that you use them instead of unauthorized taxis. There are also door-to-door minibus services for R150, including Randy’s Tours (021) 934-4440.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Cape Town Layover:

Table Mountain
Check out the sights from the top of Table Mountain, only about 5km from Cape Town. If you don’t have the time (or energy) for the 1½ hour climb, you can take the cable car which will take you to the top in 5-10 minutes (costs R130). Here you can check out the view of Cape Town and walk along to McLear’s Point. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and a hat!

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Set up against Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront is the cultural and commercial heart of Cape Town, where you’ll find plenty of shops, museums and restaurants. You can download a map of the area, with all the attractions, here.

Cape Point And Cape Peninsula National Park
The southernmost top of the mountains that include Table Mountain, Cape Point National Park is a dramatic park with sweeping ocean views, and home to many different plants, wildlife and birds. You can visit the lighthouse, which can be reached by the use of a funicular.

Helicopter Rides And Flight Tours
A great way to quickly see the sights of South Africa is by air! There are many companies that offer helicopter and small plane flights over the area, such as this company. They also offer tons of other more extreme activites, such as kite surfing, rock climbing, river rafting and bungee jumping.

Cheetah Outreach
You can visit the Cheetah Outreach Facility to learn about the plight of the cheetah and even, cat willing, get a cheetah encounter. Personal encounters are from 11:00–13:00 and 14:00-17:00, and you can find the various prices here.

Have a suggestion for a Cape Town, South Africa layover? Leave a comment below!

The Cairo Airport is 13.5 miles from central Cairo, which makes it a very do-able stop for long layovers, allowing you to get out the airport and see some of the sights. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your Cairo layover, click here for useful tips.

The Cairo airport also offers plenty to do for the traveler stuck inside the airport on a layover. The airport has a host of services including hotels agents that can pre-book reservations for you, tourism agents, restaurants and cafes, banking, lounges, duty free shopping and medical services. Click here for more information on the services provided.

If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, there are a number of hotels in the area for varying price points. For a comprehensive list of Cairo hotels, click here.

The Cairo airport does not currently offer a left luggage facility at the airport, but for those looking to drop off some bags, you can check into a cheap hotel (some have hourly rates, ask the agent at the airport – look at the bottom of this page for a list of hotel representative agent counters at the airport) and drop off your bags in your room.

As for transportation, you can pre-book the airport’s newly established Shuttle Bus that can take you to any of the following destinations: Heliopolis, Nasr-City, Downtown Cairo, Giza, Mohandesin, Zamalek, Maadi, and Haram (the Pyramids area). For a full price list, you can call the office at the Cairo Airport company at +2022653937. Buses depart each half hour and charges in Egyptian pounds.

You can also grab a Cairo International Airport taxi at any time (they are usually black and white, while Alexandria taxis are black and orange). You can catch a taxi outside the terminal.

There is a travel agency in the airport, named Karnak, that handles layover and can advise you on timing your layover to see the most you can in the limited period of time. Always keep in mind that it takes time for immigration, customs, security, as well as miscellaneous tasks such as transferring money. And always make sure you’re back at the airport with plenty of time before a connecting flight.

Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do On A Cairo Layover:

Giza Pyramids and Sphinx
A lot of travelers with a brief layover try to squeeze in a visit to the pyramids and Sphinx but this is something layoverguide wouldn’t advise unless you have ample time. The pyramids are a minimum of 45 minutes to one hour each way from the airport (can often times take much more time in case you run into bad traffic). The pyramids open at 8am, and if you can manage to see them are well worth the visit! For around $20 you gain access to the areas around the pyramids. The Sphinx, which guards the Giza Plateau, is quite impressive.

Step Pyramids of Djoser at Saggara
One of the most expansive archaeological sites in Cairo, the Saggara Pyramids encompass the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Pyramid of Unas, the Pyramid of Sekhemket, and the Mastaba of Ti. You can also visit the deep underground Persian Tombs. You can check out pictures and learn more about the history here.

Khan Al-Khalili
A place for shoppers and those who want a feel of the Cairo culture, stop by this open air market. Located in Islamic Cairo, the Khan Al-Khalili is bustling bazaar is a great place to do some shopping and take in the sights. From spices to souvenirs, this is a great place to pick up some exotic keepsakes.

The Egyptian Museum
At the Egyptian Museum you can view the treasures of King Tut’s tomb. The museum has 107 halls which houses statues, jewels, Tutankhamon treasures and mummies. There is also a photography section and a huge library. Price of admission is 20 pounds (10 for students).

The Citadel
This huge stone fortress was built in 12th century and on a clear day provides amazing views of the city and even the pyramids. The Citadel offers walking tours and is only a short walk from the Khan Al-Khalili (described above). For more information on the Citadel, click here.

Have a suggestion for a Cairo layover? Leave a comment below!