With its prime ports along the Atlantic, Indian, and Mediterranean oceans, Africa is a perfect destination for cruisers. Make a stop at the tropical Cape Verde Islands and explore the Gold Coast of Africa on the Atlantic Ocean. On cruises departing from Cape Town or Durban in South Africa, passengers often visit Namibia's plains and plateaus between the Kalahari Desert. Stunning Seychelles can be reached by sailing north or snorkeling off Madagascar's coast.
It is often the best way to experience many of the highlights of Africa in one trip to take a cruise across the continent. There is a lot to see and do in Africa, including exotic wildlife, rolling grasslands, vast deserts, safaris, and relaxing on its beaches. Cruises to Africa offer everything from museums to close encounters with wildlife, including the Old Town of Mombasa in Kenya, the magnificent wine-producing valleys around Cape Town, and the dramatic views of the coastline.
Pre- or post-cruise, most cruise lines offer escorted safari tours to central and eastern Africa, where you can observe the big game and other wildlife. There is no better time to take an African cruise than between September and March because they are typically longer than most, sometimes lasting more than 20 days. Zanzibar's Stone Town, Mombasa's Mombasa, South Africa's Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town can all be included in an itinerary.
Many of the best mainstream cruise lines sail to Africa, such as MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America, and Costa Cruises.
Historically, expedition cruise lines like Hapag-Lloyd, Silversea, and Cunard were the only luxury ships that cruises to Africa. Many mainstream cruise lines now visit African ports, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Costa, and Holland America. Read about hrere cruise lines that go to africa.
An Azamara cruise to Maputo in Mozambique features wildlife and Winelands. The Sunshine and Wild Coasts offer pristine white sand beaches and dunes. Stay overnight in Richards Bay to experience a safari at Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, known for conserving white rhinos. Sip and savor world-famous wines at the end of your sailing in Cape Town.
On an epic round-the-world sailing of up to 128 days that covers Southern Africa, set sail in Italian style. A number of South African ports are expected to be visited, including Richards Bay, Durban, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), and Walvis Bay. A children's club is on board the 2,826-passenger Costa Deliziosa, and cabins can sleep four guests. There is also babysitting available. The pizzeria is a favorite of everyone - and the Aperol Spritz bar is a must-see for adults.
Cunard will celebrate its 100th year of grand world voyages in 2023 with a bucket list itinerary. Africa and Mauritius are the most tempting options. On your voyage, you will sail to Durban, a port on the edge of KwaZulu-Natal that is a gateway to local villages' savannas, music, and dance. In every port, you can take a shore excursion to see the flat-topped Table Mountain, the most majestic natural monument in Cape Town.
Holland America Line has added Grand Africa to its extended cruises, giving guests another way to explore the world. This voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Cape Town, South Africa, will take place in 2023. An Africa and Arabia cruise with Holland America Line is an adventurous, unique, and sometimes mysterious vacation experience. Take a cultural tour of North African countries with Mediterranean influences, such as Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, and many more. Enjoy the dance, cuisine, and history of Egypt and Arabia while finding treasures. You may get acquainted with Africa's wildlife and visit Africa's crown jewel, South Africa. Take a Holland America Line cruise to Africa & Arabia for a unique and memorable journey.
Also, Read: Top 10 African Beaches
This remote and unspoiled archipelago offers a unique history and vibrant culture. The Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde perfectly combine unique cultures and rare wildlife. A trip to either archipelago will surely be an adventure and a discovery. The islands' wildlife, ecology, and local cultures and beliefs will be explained. With our MS Spitsbergen ship, we will be able to get close to volcanoes and walk around them, while in the Bissagos Islands, we can go sea kayaking, go on expedition boats among the mangroves, and visit the locals of the islands.
The MSC Sinfonia, a 1,960-passenger ship from MSC Cruises, sails to and from Cape Town for five nights, offering guests a taste of what this region offers. Namibia's Walvis Bay provides two days of wildlife watching in a natural lagoon filled with pelicans, flamingos, and thousands of migrating birds yearly. Sandboarding, quad biking, and dune buggy racing can be enjoyed along the coast road to Swakopmund, an Atlantic harbor town.
Also, Read: What is not allowed on MSC cruises?
It operates the Norwegian Jade, which can accommodate 2,402 passengers, on cruises to southern Africa. Among the shore excursions offered on round-trip Cape Town sailings are a game drive through Addo Elephant Park and a visit to Walvis (Whale) Bay. More than 150 species of bird have been recorded in the Namib Desert's deep-water harbor. Sandboarding and hiking are two activities you can enjoy inland at Namibia's highest dune, Dune 7, which stands at 383 meters.
For those who seek variety in their cruises, Oceania is the line to book with. Every port on their itinerary has been carefully selected based on the variety of experiences it offers - from a tour of a pineapple farm in Richards Bay to a sustainable farming project outside Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) to an exciting off-road tour in the Namib Desert. Alternatively, you can take a shore excursion with your own driver and car to explore destinations independently.
This cruise line offers an authentic excursion to experience a mesmerizing ritual in Sanguera, a village just outside Lomé, Togo's capital. There are itineraries destined for Cape Town that also call at Dakar, Senegal, and Banjul, Gambia. In addition to visiting Kruger National Park, one of South Africa's largest game reserves, land programmes can be arranged.
Taking a cruise around this vast continent allows for longer itineraries. With Seabourn, you can sail around Africa's Atlantic coast to the Canaries on a 30-day cruise. The cruise will begin at the equator, then make its way to Benin's capital city of Cotonou, and Lake Nokoue's stilt-village of Ganvie, where people live on boats or in their homes without ever touching land. Accra, a city bursting with Ghanaian music, is also on the itinerary of the 458-passenger Seabourn Sojourn.
Also, Read: Top 5 reasons to cruise with Seabourn Cruises
Silversea offers more than just the opportunity to spot the Big Five. The cruise line's African itineraries include regular sailings and exciting expedition cruises; our favorite sails up the east coast from Cape Town to Zanzibar via Madagascar. Three days will be spent in Aldabra coral atoll, a UNESCO marine world heritage site home to two-thirds of the world's population of giant tortoises and mangrove forests full of great frigate bird colonies.
The idea of cruising in Africa may not be the first thing that strikes one's mind, but that is precisely what makes it such a memorable experience. There has not yet been an invasion of mainstream tourism in the region, which enables it to maintain its refreshing authenticity. So to book your African cruises, visit CruiseBooking.com today!
