Best known for the legendary game reserves of Kenya in the eastern region, the great continent of Africa holds many other natural wonders including towering volcanoes, landmark waterfalls, exotic wildlife, rolling grasslands and vast deserts. Africa is also a continent of many ancient mysteries and native tribal cultures. West Africa lures travelers with its friendly people, rich history, and renowned art. And many people enjoy the beaches, vineyards and cosmopolitan cities of South Africa. Africa is generally attractive to experienced travelers with an adventurous spirit and a deep interest and appreciation for nature, the diversity of art, music and language found throughout the world.
What can I do on an Africa cruise?
Most travelers to African ports choose to take organized shore excursions and land tours available through the cruise line, so the offerings will be directly tied to the particular cruise that you take at that time. For many visitors to South Africa, Zululand is often the only taste they get of the "real" Africa. It covers much of central Kwazulu-Natal and includes the port of Richards Bay and the adjacent Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park. One tribal group, the Zulu, dominates the region; their customs, historical traditions and culture are evident throughout the area. Much of Zululand consists of attractive rolling hills in the interior and coastal areas, where it is usually hot and humid
It goes without saying that anyone visiting Africa will be keen on wildlife viewing opportunities. There are many parks and reserves throughout the continent and some can be visited on a day trip or may require overnight stays.
Africa's British roots are also still evident in many Victorian buildings found throughout the ports of call, and time spent touring is sure to include remarks about their history. In addition, outdoor street markets are an exciting place to find anything from groceries and animal parts for witchcraft to medicinal herbs, electronics, clothes, beads and baskets.
Where does an Africa cruise go?
Some cruise ships visit ports in Africa during world cruises, while others sail voyages from European countries, India and Cape Town. Itineraries to Africa, for the most part, do not strictly visit only ports on the continent. Stops along the way to Africa may include port calls in the Seychelles, Spain, Greece, India and include Egypt. Africa cruise itineraries tend to be longer than most cruises and can last more than 20 days. Some of the ports you may visit include:
- Mobassa
- Zanzibar
- Durban
- Port Elizabeth
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- Cape Town
- East London
- Dakar
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Most travelers to Africa make the journey with the intention of seeing wildlife, but this ambition requires more than just a one-day call in a coastal port. So, some cruise lines that visit Africa offer escorted safari adventures that can be combined with a cruise departure or arrival in an African port. You can expect to visit some of the following locations and national parks in South Africa.
- Victoria Falls
- Chobe National Park
- Johannesburg
Still more cruise itineraries make ports of call in Egypt while ships reposition from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Some Africa cruises may also depart from or terminate in Port Said allowing travelers to spend additional days exploring the mysteries of Egypt with optional pre- and post-cruise extensions.
When can I go on an Africa Cruise?
Cruises that visit Africa do so with a lot less regularity than cruises in most parts of the world but generally Africa can be found sometime between September and February.
How do I get there?
Very few cruise lines actually visit Africa, and those that do are generally passing by on a longer voyage, such as a world cruise. Princess Cruises usually offers opportunities to take a safari tour in conjunction with one of their cruises, while Silversea Cruises may also offer a limited number of departures that embark or disembark in an African port city such as Cape Town.
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