If you need a reason to travel to Africa this July then perhaps these events will inspire you:

• Festival of the Dhow Countries. This festival is East Africa's premier cultural event and it takes place annually on the historic island of Zanzibar. You can enjoy music, arts, literature, film and more, from all over Africa and countries bordering the Indian ocean. The theme of the festival this year is “Monsoons and Migration”. Dhow races do in fact take place throughout the festival (in case you were wondering).

  Where: Zanzibar (Tanzania)
  When: July 1-10 (2005)

• Marrakech Popular Arts Festival. This annual festival attracts folk singers, dancers, fortune-tellers, acting troupes, snake charmers, fire-swallowers and more, from all over Morocco. Since 2000 the festival has also attracted many artists and entertainers from Europe and Asia. The main events take place in the ruins of the 16 century Badi Palace and the Djemma el Fna (main town square). Not to be missed, outside the city walls at night, is the Fantasia. A horse-riding spectacle that includes hundreds of charging horsemen (and women) wearing traditional clothing.

  Where: Marrakech (Morocco)
  When: July 3-10 (2005)

• Shango Festival. The Yoruba religious calendar is marked by many festivals and the Shango is just one of them, but it's a good one. According to Whatsonwhen.com: "It reaches its climax after 20 days of preparation and involves sacrifices made at the shrine of the god in the compound of the hereditary priest in Lagos, who becomes possessed by the god, gains magical powers, eats fire and swallows gunpowder. A procession then follows the priest to the Oba's palace, where there is a feast." Enjoy.

  Where Yoruba land (Nigeria)
  When: July 24-25 (2005)

• Grahamstown National Arts Festival. With over 600 performances including techno music and ballet, Grahamstown transforms into a riot of creativity for 11 glorious days every July. The "fringe" festival is as exciting as the main event (a bit like at theEdinburgh Festival), drawing troupes and groups from all over South Africa.

  Where Grahamstown (South Africa)
  When: June 30 - July 9 (2005)

And let's not forget that July also marks the annual migration of the wildebeest, the greatest wildlife show on earth. Travel to the Masai Mara in Kenya for your front row seat.