One thing is guaranteed in Africa: no shortage of variety. Explore some of this vast continent’s great cities and you’ll find natural beauty, vibrant populations, modernity, remnants of history, comfort, and occasional chaos. That you’ll never be bored is practically assured.

Nairobi

East Africa’s largest, fastest-growing , and most modern city has a few sights, a downtown dominated by skyscrapers, and some of the region’s best clubs and live bands. It is also a colourful place, from its busy streets, where Masai warrior, Kikuyu farmer, and businesswoman mingle, to the swathes of bougainvillea, jacaranda, and flame trees that line its avenues. But perhaps best of all, this is a city that’s easy to get away from. To the southwest, the Ngong Hills – made famous in Out of Africa – are a suburban sanctuary of guesthouses, boutiques, and beautiful sunsets. Also right on the urban doorstep is Nairobi National Park, where you can see Africa’s fabled wildlife with barely any effort. Don’t stop there, though: a couple of hours northwest, the great Rift Valley and safari country await exploration.
 

WHERE
Nairobi started life as a railway camp, and is ideally located in the central south of Kenya near major safari destinations.
 

WHY
East Africa’s boomtown is young, ambitious, and infused with a population of mixed cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
 

HOW
Qatar Airways has daily flights to Nairobi.
 

Cape Town

Cape Town is renowned for its natural setting: take the cable-car up Table Mountain and then drive around its famed peninsula and you’ll see why. The vibe is also excellent: this is a place that’ s neither quite African nor European nor Asian, but a unique blend of cultures. Discover Malay food, Indian immigrants, Dutch architecture, British parks – and much that makes the city uniquely South African. 
If you want to relax, the
seaside suburbs of Clifton, Muizenberg, and Llandudno have the best beaches, while wineries are only a short drive away. In the evening, head to the trendy Victoria and Albert waterfront for its collection of restaurants, pubs, shops, and theatres. Sit out on the waterfront as the sun sets, watching frolicking seals, with Table Mountain in the background: Cape Town 
at its beautiful best.
 

WHERE
On the Atlantic coast of southwest South Africa, Cape Town is within easy reach of beaches, wineries, and wildlife.
 

WHY
Without question Africa’s most beautiful city, poised dramatically between harbour, rugged coast, and mist-shrouded mountains.
 

HOW
Qatar Airways flies to Cape Town four times a week.
 

Lagos

Africa’s second-largest city , Lagos in Nigeria is a boomtown fuelled by oil and energised by rural migrants. When the buzz and thriving nightlife get too much, there are surprisingly good beaches, such as at Lekki. Just outside the city, Badagry too has a terrific beach. This former slave port is also worth visiting for its fascinating Black Heritage Museum, focusing on West Africa’s slave trade history.

 

WHERE
On the coast of southwest Nigeria, and connected to Badagry by the inland waterway of Porto Novo Creek.
 

WHY
Projected to soon become one of the world’s top ten biggest cities, this is urban Africa full of energy, exuberance, and colourful street life.
 

HOW
Qatar Airways has daily flights to Lagos.