Shooting nearly 20,000 feet in the air, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and among the continent’s most epic sites. “Kili” demands healthy lungs and legs, though it is accessible to anyone with a sense of determination and an adventurous spirit.

Five- to twelve-day treks take hikers through the banana- and yam-farming croplands of the lower slopes to lush tropical forest to misty heath and moorlands to alpine desert to – finally – the glacier-topped Arctic ice cap of the summit. Travelers looking for something extraordinary will find it here.

From beginner-friendly trails through grasslands to rigorous multi-day journeys, South Africa brims with hiking routes for all levels. Not to be missed is the magnificent Table Mountain, a natural wonder commanding unreal views of Cape Town and the Atlantic. Table Mountain National Park’s 15 miles of hiking trails begin at intermediate and go all the way up to expert-only, but there is also a cableway to whisk visitors to the top. Want to combine trekking with wildlife? Several tours of Kruger National Park guide visitors through wilderness trails on foot, allowing them to get up close to elephants, giraffes, hippos, zebras, and more. 

The 1,000-plus tiny islands that form the Maldives fall into the “must be seen to be believed” bucket. The postcard-perfect destination delivers true seclusion and pristine tropical-island scenery in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives’ fantastically clear waters and pure white-sand beaches merit all the renown they receive. Below the water’s surface is a wonder world of sea turtles, nurse and whale sharks, and other aquatic creatures. On top of dive and snorkel trips with perfect visibility, visitors can kayak, canoe, fish, and even surf the Maldives’ variety of uncrowded waves and breaks (July and August bring the biggest swells). 

Want to see the Big Five: elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo? The world-famous Masai Mara – the northern arm of Tanzania’s Serengeti Plains – in Kenya is the greatest gathering of wildlife on the planet. Endless stretch of acacia-flecked savannah, dependable rains, and wide-open grasslands make this the stomping ground of millions of migrating zebras, wildebeest, impalas, elephants, and giraffes – and the cheetahs, crocodiles, and other predators who hungrily pursue them. Head to Amboseli National Park to for the stunning site of big animals roaming near Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest free-standing mountain on earth. 

The rolling plains of the savannah give way to Uganda’s dense primeval forests, snow-capped mountains, and mighty alpine lakes. About half of the world’s highly endangered mountain gorillas dwell in the lush jungle of Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Tracking the magnificent creatures through their natural habitat is one of the great African travel experiences. Add Murchison Falls National Park (aka Kabalega National Park) to the itinerary for a Ugandan safari spotting hippos, elephants, lions, and crocodiles. One of the park’s most popular nature trails shows the River Nile rolling through a narrow gorge before diving 140 feet. 

In Lebanon, a rich and complex culinary heritage joins awe-inspiring archeological sites and gorgeous Mediterranean Sea locales. Found through the ancient cities and rugged countryside are wonderfully fragrant dishes, such as lemony tabbouleh, sumac-scented fattoush (tomato and pita salad), and the national dish of kibbe (football-shaped savory snacks filled with meat, onion, and cracked bulgur wheat). In Lebanon’s coastal ports, boats haul in fresh snapper, bream, shrimp, and other local seafood, which is often served with buttery basmati rice.