Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards highlight readers' top choices for cities, city hotels, and resorts across Africa and the Middle East, revealing a blend of historic charm, modern luxury, and unparalleled natural beauty. The annual survey engaged nearly 180,000 T+L readers who cast over 657,000 votes across more than 8,700 properties. Cities were rated on sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value, while hotels and resorts were assessed on rooms/facilities, location, service, food, and value. Respondents used a rating scale from excellent to poor, with final scores representing the average of these responses.

For cities in Africa and the Middle East, readers showed a strong preference for destinations in North Africa and the Middle East, with only one city from outside these regions making the top list. This year’s selections were remarkably diverse, featuring ancient sites celebrated for their historical ruins, such as Luxor in Egypt and Petra in Jordan, alongside dynamic modern metropolises like Dubai and Doha. Beyond culture and cuisine, safety emerged as a significant factor in readers' appreciation for these destinations. Cape Town, South Africa, ascended to the top spot, moving up from second place last year, to be crowned T+L readers' favorite city in the region. Praised as "one of the most beautiful cities in the world," Cape Town captivated visitors with its stunning views of Table Mountain, Constantia vineyards, and the Atlantic Ocean. Its "amazing" food and wine scene, "friendly and welcoming" populace, unique wildlife encounters like the Boulders Beach penguin colony, and excellent value for money were all instrumental in securing its win.

The full list of top cities in Africa and the Middle East for 2025 is as follows:

• 1. Cape Town, South Africa (Reader Score: 88.98)
• 2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Reader Score: 87.38)
• 3. Jerusalem, Israel (Reader Score: 87.02)
• 4. Marrakesh, Morocco (Reader Score: 86.44)
• 5. Tel Aviv, Israel (Reader Score: 85.90)
• 6. Fez, Morocco (Reader Score: 85.00)
• 7. Luxor, Egypt (Reader Score: 83.63)
• 8. Petra, Jordan (Reader Score: 83.08)
• 9. Doha, Qatar (Reader Score: 82.89)
• 10. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (Reader Score: 82.56)

In the category of city hotels in Africa, T+L readers expressed a clear fondness for properties with sparkling water views—whether ocean, beach, or riverside. Location, scenery, and exceptional service were paramount considerations. Cape Town once again proved its dominance, with four of the top five African city hotels located in the "Mother City." Notably, Ellerman House (No. 2), One&Only Cape Town (No. 3), and Cape Grace, a Fairmont Managed Hotel (No. 5), were singled out for their ocean or harbor views. Service also received high praise, with mentions of "friendly staff" at Cape Grace and "over-the-top" service at Ellerman House. The coveted first place, however, went to Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya, rising from fifth place last year. This unique hotel is celebrated for its resident herd of Rothschild’s giraffes that freely roam its grounds and famously interact with guests during breakfast, poking their heads through windows for treats—an experience many readers described as "delightful" and "one of the best stays of my life."

The top city hotels in Africa for 2025 are:

• 1. Giraffe Manor: Nairobi, Kenya (Reader Score: 97.33)
• 2. Ellerman House: Cape Town (Reader Score: 96.80)
• 3. One&Only Cape Town (Reader Score: 96.57)
• 4. Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, Cape Town (Reader Score: 96.14)
• 5. Cape Grace: Cape Town (Reader Score: 93.80)

Africa's resort hotels, as chosen by T+L readers, showcased a continent-wide appeal, ranging from a serene wine farm in South Africa to a luxurious beach resort in the Seychelles. Scenery was a crucial determinant for these favorites, with comments frequently using words like "Paradise!" and "beautiful." Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe was the only destination to feature twice on the list. Debuting as the 2025 favorite African resort hotel, Kilindi Zanzibar in Tanzania secured the top position. Located on the island of Zanzibar off Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast, this beach resort was lauded for its idyllic location and, most notably, its exceptional service and management. Readers highlighted the staff as "attentive to fulfill guests needs" and villa hosts as "attentive, smart, and hardworking," contributing to an unforgettable experience for honeymooners and other visitors alike.

The leading resorts in Africa for 2025 include:

• 1. Kilindi Zanzibar: Tanzania (Reader Score: 99.50)
• 2. Matetsi Victoria Falls: Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Zimbabwe (Reader Score: 97.47)
• 3. Babylonstoren: Simondium, South Africa (Reader Score: 95.41)
• 4. Four Seasons Resort Seychelles (Reader Score: 94.75)
• 5. The Victoria Falls Hotel: Zimbabwe (Reader Score: 86.55)

These awards reflect Travel + Leisure readers' appreciation for diverse travel experiences across Africa and the Middle East, from the cultural richness of ancient cities to the luxurious comfort of world-class hotels and resorts, all underpinned by high standards of service and breathtaking natural backdrops.