Africa Cruises
As a vast and largely untouched continent, a cruise around Africa offers a wealth of awe-inspiring encounters. The landscape is hugely diverse; imposing mountains stretch down to vast plains, beautiful, paradise beaches wrap around the coastline and rolling sand dunes offer opportunities for exhilarating adventures.
Africa is home to some of the most majestic species on the planet; lions and giraffes that wander across the vast plains of the savanna, and monkeys and gorillas that inhabit the lush canopies of the rainforests in South Africa. A cruise to Africa offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to set eyes on these incredible sights and create ever-lasting memories.
Discover colourful, exotic cultures, where ancient traditions are still upheld and stories are shared, filled with mystery. Learn about native everyday life, so far removed from the Western world.
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African Cruise Itineraries
Many cruise itineraries begin their journey in South Africa, but from there, with 54 varied countries to explore, you have the choice of which direction to take. By cruising around Africa, travel to your destination is a pleasure. Return to the comfort on board and relax at the end of an eventful day, before waking up the next morning to discover what new extraordinary experience awaits you.
Top Tip
Enjoy a longer holiday! With greater distances to cover, cruises around Africa often exceed the standard week. Allow 10 and 14 for your African cruise and enjoy a more relaxed time, giving yourself the opportunity to see more of its amazing sights.
Top Africa Cruise Harbours
Cape Town
Situated at nearly the southernmost tip of Africa is the Port of Cape Town. With the presence of Table Mountain looming in the background and the vast expanses of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans merging into the deepest blue, Cape Town provides a dramatic stage to begin your voyage. Take a moment to wander along the waterfront, lively with trade, and admire the impressive warships, such as HMS Iron Duke.
Cape Town has something for everyone: impressive hiking routes, a cool urban, creative culture and gourmet restaurants and wineries.
Don’t miss an aerial cable ride up to the top of Table Mountain. With its 360-degree rotating floor, the views are simply breath-taking.
Did you know…?
Cape Town is the host to Africa’s only species of penguin. The African Penguin, also known as the Jackass Penguin and Black-footed Penguin, has grown from just two breeding pairs to thousands of inhabitants on the southernmost tip of Africa.
Durban
Situated on the east coast, Durban is the busiest port in Africa. It’s gorgeous Golden Mile, which actually consists of 6km of beach, draws a line between the city and the Indian Ocean and provides a perfect opportunity for surfing, swimming and fishing. Its promenade is lined with shops, restaurants and entertainment complexes, and here, you can also find uShaka Marine World. This 16-hectare theme park features the largest aquarium in the southern hemisphere and offers the opportunity to get up close to some wild and fascinating sea animals.
Durban is a cosmopolitan city and its complex history has led to a rich ethnic diversity. Immerse yourself in this multiculturalism by visiting the Zulu and Indian markets, full of aroma of exotic spices.
--> Durban cruises
Fun fact
The world’s tallest bungee swing is found at the Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban.
Walvis Bay
A small, historic Namibian town, Walvis Bay is the gateway to some outstanding natural attractions. Many take an excursion into Africa’s oldest desert; the Namib Desert. With the highest sand dunes in the world, its surreal beauty is captivating.
Close by to Walvis Bay is Dune 7, the tallest in the coastal area. This sand dune is one you can hike up and the views from the top make the effort more than worthwhile.
Flocks of flamingos and pelicans feed at the 45,000-hectare lagoon on the outskirts of town, providing a colourful, photo opportunity for your African cruise album. --> Walvis Bay cruises
Did you know…?
Walvis Bay, is called Walfischbucht in German, which translates to ‘Whale Bay’, also its previous name in English, and is in reference to its whaling history.
When is the best time for Africa cruises?
Due to its vast landmass stretching across the equator, climates across Africa can vary; from the subtropical desert temperatures of Namibia to the temperate, regions of South Africa.
It is best to plan the timing of your visit by prioritising what you want to see and where.
For example, if you are interested in safari, the best times for viewing varies between Southern and Eastern Africa and even the type of game you are hoping to see. In general, the drier seasons provide a better opportunity for viewing; between May and October in the south and January to March in the east. However, if you are hoping to catch the infamous and spectacular, Serengeti wildebeest migration in Tanzania, this occurs between November and August.
If you are seeking relaxation on some of Africa’s beautiful beaches, South Africa enjoys its warm summer months between December and March. Although, many resorts further north, such as Mauritius and the Seychelles, are considered year-round destinations, it is still worth double-checking for rainy seasons, risk of cyclones and extreme heat and humidity.
Top Tips
Prepare for big swings in temperature, especially when exploring the desert. Day times can be scotching hot, but then at night, temperatures fall dramatically and it can become very cold.
Top Sights in Africa
Wildlife Safaris
The top of many people’s lists when planning a cruise around Africa is going on a wildlife safari. Describing it as an unforgettable experience simply does not do it justice, as it is truly epic. From South Africa to Kenya and Tanzania or across to Namibia, the opportunity to see lions, giraffes, elephants or gorillas in their natural habitat cannot be missed.
Victoria Falls
Although taking a trip to Victoria Falls may involve venturing a little further from your cruise, if you have the opportunity to visit this stunning natural wonder, do not hesitate to go. Known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ - ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ by the local Kololo tribe, it is also aptly described in modern terms as ‘the greatest curtain of falling water in the world’. The beauty and ferociousness of nature it displays is breath-taking.
Robben Island
There are significant moments in African history that have captured the world and the release of Nelson Mandela, after 18 years’ incarceration, is one of them. Visit Robben Island and gain an insight in the oppression of the apartheid regime and its impact on Africa culture.
Top tip
Africa is quite a religious area, with Christianity and Islam widely practised, therefore it is respectful to dress conservatively.
Regional African Dishes
Bobotie
Bobotie is South Africa’s national dish and consists of a mixture of curried meat, often spiced mince, and fruit, topped with a creamy, egg-based sauce, similar to that of Moussaka.
Bunny Chow
With a large Indian influence in South Africa, particularly in Durban, which has the highest population of Indians outside of the country, their spicy cuisine is prevalent. In Durban, ‘Bunny Chow’, a mutton or bean curry served in a hollowed-out bread loaf, is a local city favourite.
Nshima
Nshima is a carbohydrate side, made of cornmeal and although a common staple in Central Africa, it is mostly unheard of outside of the continent. It shares similarities with ugali or posho of East Africa and sadza of Zimbabwe. These staples are eaten frequently for lunch and dinner and like most carbohydrate dishes, are quite bland, so absorb other flavours readily.
Did you know…?
Fruit is one of the most consumed foods in Africa, with watermelon being the clear favourite; delicious on a hot day!
Fascinating Facts about Africa
There are well over one thousand languages spoken in Africa, some estimates suggest closer to two thousand. English is an official language in many countries and is widely spoken, nonetheless learning a few local phrases will be welcomed.
Africa is home to some of nature’s largest and longest: the longest river (the Nile at 4,132 miles), the largest waterfall (Victoria Falls at 355 feet high and one mile wide) and the largest desert (the Sahara at an area of 9,200,000 square kilometres, comparable to the size of China or the United States!) and that’s before we even address the stats of its magnificent animals!
Over half the gold ever mined on the Earth was sourced from Witwatersrand, South Africa. The Witwatersrand Gold Rush in the 1800s led to extensive social and political implications. Gold mining in South Africa continues today and led to their currency gaining the name of ‘Rand’ in 1961.
Top Africa Tip For Your Africa Cruise
Take time to carefully plan your cruise around Africa to ensure you maximise your time on holiday. As well as considering the climate and what you would like to see and where, consider also visa requirements, travel vaccinations and any specialised equipment needed, i.e. binoculars, hiking boots or portable mosquito nets.
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