Travel guides
What to expect from phones and the internet in Morocco, Egypt and South Africa, checked against official sources.
Morocco
Maroc Telecom, Orange and inwi: buying a SIM in Morocco
Morocco has three networks and a registration rule. Here is what a prepaid SIM costs you in time, what you need to bring, and how it compares with an eSIM.5 min read
Morocco plug type: C and E sockets, 220 to 230 volts
Morocco uses type C and E sockets at 50 Hz, listed at 220 or 230 volts. Which plugs fit, which adapter to pack, and charging in riads and desert camps.5 min read
Morocco travel tips: the things worth knowing first
Greetings, bargaining, Ramadan, dress, taxis and the small courtesies that make a Morocco trip smoother. Practical tips from the country’s own rules.5 min read
Morocco currency: dirhams, cards and cash
Morocco uses the dirham, a closed currency you cannot buy before you arrive. Here is what to carry, where to change money, and what an ATM will cost you.4 min read
Time in Morocco: why the clocks changed in 2026
Morocco returned to GMT in September 2026 after eight years on GMT+1 all year. Here is the offset today, and why it matters when you land.4 min read
Morocco country code: how to call Morocco
The country code for Morocco is +212 and every number is nine digits after the leading zero. Here is how to write one from abroad.4 min read
Morocco visa: who needs one, and how long you get
Morocco visa rules for visitors: the ninety days without a visa, the e-Visa and who can use it, the passport checks at the border, and how to extend a stay.5 min read
Tipping in Morocco: what to leave, and when
Tipping in Morocco: the taxi meters and minimum fares, who expects a note, what a hammam scrub and a porter cost, and the offers that turn out not to be free.5 min read
Driving in Morocco: the licence, the tolls and the checks
Driving in Morocco: the international permit the border now wants, the green card, the tolls, the mobile speed traps and the roundabouts with their own rules.7 min read
Uber in Morocco: which apps work and how taxis compare
Uber has a Moroccan service and ride-hailing works in the main cities. Here is how the apps compare with petit and grand taxis, and what to expect to pay.4 min read
Casablanca: arriving, the great mosque and the tram
How Casablanca works for a short stay: the Hassan II Mosque, the tram, the airport train into the city, what things cost and when to go.8 min read
Marrakech: getting around, getting online and what to expect
How Marrakech works for a first visit: the medina and the new town, what a taxi or the bus costs, when to go, and how to stay online.6 min read
Fez: the medina that has no cars, and how to walk it
How Fez works for a first visit: the two medinas, the tanneries, the airport bus, what the trains connect to and when to go.7 min read
Tangier: arriving by ferry or air, and staying online
How to arrive in Tangier by ferry from Spain or by air, what the trains and taxis cost, when the rain comes, and how to stay online on both sides of the strait.5 min read
Atlas Mountains: day walks, the Toubkal climb and the passes
How to visit the Atlas Mountains from Marrakesh: day walks, the Toubkal climb, the passes, altitude, weather and what to arrange before you go.5 min read
Rabat: the capital travellers skip, and why they should not
Rabat in a day or two: the kasbah, the Hassan Tower, the tram across the river to Salé, the train from Casablanca and when to go.6 min read
Chefchaouen: the blue city, and what is around it
Chefchaouen in a day or two: why the city is blue, the kasbah and the medina, the Spanish Mosque at sunset, Akchour and how to get there.5 min read
Is Morocco safe? An honest answer, with sources
An honest, sourced answer on safety in Morocco: crime and scams, the terrorism advice, border areas to avoid, local laws, health and earthquakes.7 min read
Essaouira: the wind, the ramparts and the road from Marrakech
Essaouira in a day or three: why the wind blows every afternoon, the ramparts and the medina, the buses from Marrakech, and when to go.6 min read
Moroccan food: what to eat and how to order it
Moroccan food explained: couscous on Fridays, tagine and tanjia, what to order from a menu you cannot read, and what to try at a street stall.6 min read
Agadir: the beach city, the airport and the road inland
Agadir for a beach stay: the promenade and the bay, Souk El Had, the 1960 earthquake and the rebuilt city, the airport, and the road to Taroudant.5 min read
When to visit Morocco: a season for each part of it
When to visit Morocco, region by region: the coast in winter, the cities in spring and autumn, the desert either side of summer, and the mountains in between.4 min read
Aït Benhaddou: the ksar, the studios and the desert road
Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate: the earthen ksar that UNESCO listed, the film studios next door, the Tizi n’Tichka road and when to go.4 min read
Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes: camps, camels and the drive
Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes: how the camps work, camel and 4x4 transfers, the drive from Marrakech or Fes, and what the signal is like.4 min read
Morocco weather: what the numbers do, month by month
Morocco weather by the numbers: rain in Ifrane against Ouarzazate, the swing between day and night, snow in the Atlas, and the heat of the pre-Saharan south.4 min read
Morocco beaches: surf, wind and the quiet stretches
Morocco beaches from Taghazout to Dakhla, with the surf season, the wind towns, the lagoons where the water is flat, and the numbers behind each stretch.4 min read
Taghazout: the surf village above Agadir
Taghazout guide: the point breaks and their season, the road from Agadir and the airport, the months that are quiet, and what it is like to work from the coast.4 min read
Ouarzazate: the kasbah, the studios and the road south
Ouarzazate: the kasbah in the middle of town, the film studios beside it, the Tizi n’Tichka crossing, the airport, and when to go.7 min read
Egypt
Vodafone, Orange, e& and WE: buying a SIM in Egypt
Egypt has four mobile networks and a passport rule. Here is what a prepaid SIM takes in time, what it gets you, and how it compares with a travel eSIM.4 min read
Egypt plug type, sockets and voltage
Egypt uses type C and type F sockets at 230 volts and 50 Hz. Here is which plugs fit as they are, and what to do about the voltage difference.4 min read
Egypt travel tips: what to sort out before you go
Visas, tipping, water, dress and the Cairo habits that save you time and money. Practical Egypt advice from the sources that track the rules.4 min read
Egypt currency: pounds, cash and baksheesh
Egypt uses the Egyptian pound, and cash still rules for most of what a visitor buys. Here is what to carry, what things cost, and how tipping works.5 min read
Nile cruise: what a Luxor to Aswan trip is actually like
What a Nile cruise includes, how long it takes, which temples you see and what nobody tells you about the mooring. A practical guide to the route.4 min read
Egypt country code: how to call Egypt
The country code for Egypt is +20 and numbers are ten digits after the leading zero. Here is how to write an Egyptian number from abroad.4 min read
Uber and Careem in Egypt: how ride-hailing works
Uber and Careem both run in Egypt, and cash is still normal. Here is how the apps work, what they cost and when a taxi is the better answer.4 min read
Cairo: the museum, the metro and the traffic
How Cairo works for a first visit: the new museum at Giza, the metro and its fares, the airport shuttle, the traffic, and how to stay online.7 min read
Luxor: the temples, the tombs and the day that fits them
How Luxor works: the east bank temples, the west bank tombs, the ferry and the bridge, the balloon flights, the heat and the trains to Cairo and Aswan.7 min read
The pyramids of Giza: the plateau, the Sphinx and the day around them
How the Giza plateau works: the three pyramids and the Sphinx, who actually built them, getting there from Cairo, and dealing with the people who sell.6 min read
Abu Simbel: the two temples, the move and the morning light
How Abu Simbel works: the two rock temples of Ramesses II, the morning the sun reaches the sanctuary, the rescue that moved them, and getting there.4 min read
Alexandria: the library, the lighthouse and the Mediterranean
How Alexandria works: the new library and the lost lighthouse, the catacombs, the train from Cairo, the tram, the sea and the rain that comes with it.5 min read
Valley of the Kings: which tombs to see and how tickets work
How the Valley of the Kings works: the tombs that are open, the separate tickets for Tutankhamun and Seti I, the geology, the numbering and the crowds.5 min read
Sharm El Sheikh: the reef, the bays and the airport
How Sharm El Sheikh works: which bay to stay in, the reef and the dive sites, the airport and the transfer, and the months that are worth booking.4 min read
Siwa Oasis: the oracle, the salt lakes and the sand sea
How Siwa Oasis works: the oracle of Amun, the ruined town of Shali, the salt lakes, the Great Sand Sea, and the long desert road that gets you there.4 min read
Aswan: the Nile, the Nubian villages and the first cataract
How Aswan works: the Nile and its islands, the Nubian villages, Philae and the obelisk, the dam and the lake, and the trains and flights that reach it.4 min read
Hurghada: the resort strip, the islands and the reef
How Hurghada works: the districts, the islands offshore, the diving and kitesurfing, the airport transfer, and how it compares with the Sinai coast.4 min read
Karnak Temple: the hypostyle hall and the walking order
How to see Karnak Temple: the order to walk the precinct of Amun-Re, the 134 columns of the hypostyle hall, the obelisks, the lake and the open air museum.4 min read
The Egyptian Museum in Cairo: what is still at Tahrir
What the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square still holds, what has moved to the new museums, how to walk the galleries, and how it fits a day in Cairo.4 min read
Dahab: the Blue Hole, the Canyon and the dive town
How Dahab works: the Blue Hole and the Canyon, the shore dives, the Bedouin coast north to Abu Galum, the windsurfing, and the road from Sharm or Cairo.4 min read
Is Egypt safe? The advice, region by region
How to read the Egypt travel advice: which regions are advised against, what has happened historically, and what actually goes wrong on a normal trip.4 min read
When to visit Egypt: the coast against the Nile valley
Choose the month by region: the Red Sea works all year, the Nile valley wants October to April, and the khamsin rewrites the plan in spring.4 min read
Egypt visa: the e-visa, the stamp on arrival and the Sinai rule
How Egyptian visas work: the e-visa, the visa on arrival, the free 15-day Sinai stamp, passport validity, fees and the currency rules at the border.4 min read
Egypt weather: month by month, on the coast and the river
How Egyptian weather works: the Mediterranean coast, the Red Sea and the Nile valley, the rain that falls in the north, and the khamsin wind.4 min read
Red Sea diving: where to go, when, and what it costs
How Red Sea diving works in Egypt: the sites from Dahab to Marsa Alam, liveaboards, the seasons and water temperatures, certification and what a day costs.4 min read
Egyptian food: koshary, ful medames and where to eat
What to eat in Egypt: koshary, ful medames, molokhiyya, grilled fish and street food, where to find it, what it costs, and how to drink the water safely.4 min read
Egypt trains: Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, and the sleeper
How Egyptian trains work: first and second class, the overnight sleeper to Luxor and Aswan, booking through ENR, the Cairo to Alexandria run and what to expect.4 min read
Tipping in Egypt: baksheesh, and how much to give
How baksheesh works in Egypt: who expects a tip, how much to give for guides, drivers, hotels and toilets, how to refuse, and how to keep small notes ready.5 min read
South Africa
Vodacom, MTN, Cell C or Telkom: buying a SIM in South Africa
South Africa registers every SIM under RICA. Here is what you need to bring, which of the five networks to pick, and how it compares with a travel eSIM.4 min read
South Africa network coverage: which network reaches where
Vodacom and MTN reach furthest, Rain sells data only, and signal disappears in the valleys. Here is what to expect from coverage on a South African trip.4 min read
Load shedding in South Africa: what it means for a trip
Load shedding ran South Africa for years and stopped in May 2025. Here is what the stages meant, what still causes local outages, and how to travel ready.4 min read
South Africa plug type, sockets and voltage
South Africa uses the large three round pin plug, with the newer type N socket alongside it, at 230 volts and 50 Hz. Here is what fits and what to bring.4 min read
South Africa travel tips: safety, driving and health
How to travel South Africa sensibly: staying safe in cities, driving on the left, malaria areas, tipping and distances. Advice from the official sources.4 min read
South African rand: cash, cards and tipping
South Africa uses the rand, and cards work almost everywhere. Here is what to carry, what to tip, and how to use an ATM without becoming a target.4 min read
South Africa country code: how to call South Africa
The country code for South Africa is +27 and every number is nine digits after the leading zero. Here is how to write one from abroad.4 min read
Cape Town: the mountain, the beaches and the wind
How Cape Town works: the mountain and the cableway, which beach, the townships, the wind and the rain, and how to move around the city and the peninsula.4 min read
Johannesburg: Sandton, Soweto and how to move around
How Johannesburg works: Sandton against the inner city, Soweto and its museums, the Gautrain, OR Tambo airport, and what to do with a day or a stopover.4 min read
Durban: the Golden Mile, the Indian quarter and bunny chow
How Durban works: the beachfront and the warm Indian Ocean, the Indian quarter and its food, uShaka, the airport at La Mercy, and the day trips inland.4 min read
Table Mountain: the cableway, the hikes and the cloud
How to get up Table Mountain: the cableway and its queues, the walking routes, the tablecloth cloud and the wind, and what to carry when you go on foot.5 min read
Kruger National Park: gates, camps and self drive
How Kruger works: the gates and the rest camps, self drive against guided game drives, the winter and summer seasons, malaria and the park rules.4 min read
South Africa safari: reserves, parks and what a day costs
How a South African safari works: national parks against private reserves, the malaria-free options, the shape of a safari day, and what drives the cost.4 min read
Stellenbosch and the winelands: tasting, lunches and getting back
How the Cape winelands work: Stellenbosch and its wine route, what a tasting costs, where to eat, how to drive it safely and how to get back to Cape Town.4 min read
Malaria in South Africa: where the risk is, and where it is not
Which parts of South Africa carry a malaria risk, which are free of it, when the season runs, what prevention involves, and what to do if you get a fever.4 min read
Robben Island: booking the ferry and what the tour covers
How to visit Robben Island: the ferry and its cancellations, booking ahead, and what the three and a half hour tour covers.4 min read
Soweto: Vilakazi Street, the museums and the food
How to visit Soweto properly: the museums and Vilakazi Street, the 1976 uprising, township tours with local guides, shisanyama food and staying respectful.5 min read
Garden Route: where to stop and how many days
How to drive the Garden Route: the stops from Mossel Bay to Tsitsikamma, how many days it needs, the passes and hikes, and what the weather does.4 min read
Hermanus: the cliff path and the whale season
How Hermanus works: the southern right whale season, where to watch from the cliff path, the drive from Cape Town, the whale crier and the whale festival.4 min read
South African wine: the regions, the grapes and the rules
How South African wine works: the Western Cape regions and what they grow, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, the Wine of Origin labels, and carrying bottles home.4 min read
South Africa visa: who needs what, and the rules for children
How South African entry works: visa-free countries, the electronic travel authorisation, passport validity and the rules for children.4 min read
South African food: braai, bunny chow and bobotie
What to eat in South Africa: braai and biltong, bobotie and Cape Malay cooking, Durban curry and bunny chow, pap and chakalaka, and where to find all of it.4 min read
Is South Africa safe? The reputation and the reality
How to read the safety picture in South Africa: what the crime statistics describe, where the risk concentrates and the habits that keep a trip ordinary.4 min read
When to visit South Africa: safari season against Cape summer
Choose the month by what you want: the dry winter for safari, the Cape summer for beaches and wine, whale season, wildflowers and the school holidays.4 min read
South Africa weather: the Cape against the Highveld
How South African weather works: winter rain in the Cape, summer storms on the Highveld, the subtropical coast and the dry interior, month by month.4 min read
Cape Town airport: arrivals, transfers and buying data
How Cape Town International works: the terminals, the transfer to the city, the MyCiTi bus, ride-hailing and car hire, and buying a SIM or an eSIM on arrival.5 min read
Tipping in South Africa: ten per cent, and the car guard
How tipping works in South Africa: ten per cent in restaurants, what to give guides, porters and housekeeping, the car guard convention, and petrol attendants.4 min read
Driving in South Africa: licences, tolls and petrol stations
What you need to drive in South Africa: foreign licences, speed limits, tolls, petrol stations, car hire, the hazards of night driving and cross-border rules.4 min read
Any trip
What is an eSIM? How it works, which phones take one, and what it changes on a trip
What is an eSIM? A SIM built into the phone. How it downloads from a QR code, how many a phone holds, which phones take one, and what it changes on a trip.5 min read
eSIM or physical SIM: which one do you need?
An eSIM is built into the phone and a physical SIM is a card you swap. Here is what each one is good at, and when the card is still the better choice.4 min read
What is data roaming? What it costs in Morocco, Egypt and South Africa
What data roaming is, why EU roam-like-at-home rules stop short of Morocco, Egypt and South Africa, and what UK, EU and US networks charge there a day.6 min read
How much data do I need for a trip?
Work out the data a trip needs from what you actually do each day, with a calculator and the published figures for streaming and video calls.4 min read
WhatsApp with two SIMs: how to set it up
A data only eSIM gives you no number, so WhatsApp needs a plan. Here is what works, what does not, and how to keep your number reachable.4 min read
Africa eSIM: when one plan for several countries makes sense
A regional eSIM covers several African countries on one plan, which suits a road trip across borders. Here is when it works and when a local SIM is better.4 min read
eSIM QR code: how to scan it and what to do
The QR code is what installs your eSIM. Here is where it arrives, how to scan it, what to do when scanning fails, and why it should not be shared.4 min read