Best Photography Spots in Africa & the Middle East (2026)
Africa and the Middle East offer some of the most under-shot photography locations on Earth. Each guide here is built by local sources with permit info, drone rules, and GPS for every spot.
Guides in this region: 2 · Updated: May 2026
Save← Back to the full photo spots library For practitioners, see our breakdown of low-noise high ISO settings. For practitioners, see our breakdown of Lightroom dehaze for hazy skylines. For practitioners, see our breakdown of sharp mid-range aperture.
All 2 guides
- Best Photography Spots in Cape Town — local vantage points, GPS coordinates, and golden hour timing.
- Best Photography Spots in Marrakech — local vantage points, GPS coordinates, and golden hour timing.
Why these guides work
Every guide on ShutYourAperture is built by photographers who actually shoot the location. Each one includes:
Save- GPS coordinates for every vantage point
- Recommended focal length per spot
- Best months and golden hour timing
- Drone, tripod, and permit restrictions
- Gear picks and editing tips
Want every spot in one printable atlas? Grab the Photo Atlas PDF — 900+ GPS pins, dark theme, $97.
What to Pack
A focused landscape kit handles every shot at Africa & the Middle East (2026) without breaking your back. Here is the working photographer's pack list — every link goes to B&H Photo Video (our primary supplier) or Amazon (for accessories and same-day delivery in the US).
| What & Why | B&H | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
Wide-angle zoom (14-35mm range) The single most important lens for sweeping vistas. Pair with a circular polarizer for skies and water. | Shop B&H → | Shop Amazon → |
Sturdy travel tripod Carbon fiber, packs to 15 inches, holds steady in wind off the coast. Essential for blue-hour and long-exposure work. | Shop B&H → | Shop Amazon → |
Circular polarizer (77mm or 82mm) Cuts haze, deepens sky, reveals texture in water. Non-negotiable for landscape work. | Shop B&H → | Shop Amazon → |
10-stop ND filter For 30-second exposures that turn moving water and clouds into silk. | Shop B&H → | Shop Amazon → |
Extra batteries (3 minimum) Cold weather and long exposures eat batteries. Carry triple what you think you need. | Shop B&H → | Shop Amazon → |
Fast SD/CFexpress cards V90 or CFexpress depending on your body. Two cards minimum so a failure mid-trip is recoverable. | Shop B&H → | Shop Amazon → |
Microfiber lens cloths Salt spray, mist, and dust will ruin every shot if you don't carry a cloth. | Shop B&H → | Shop Amazon → |
B&H and Amazon links are affiliate links. We earn a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we use or would buy ourselves.