Luxury Cruises

Africa Cruise Vacations

Our voyage is extraordinary in its diversity and scope, visiting five countries and a remarkable number of different habitats. Beginning in Cape Town, South Africa, and ending in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, you’ll see the Cape of Good Hope; the wildlife of South Africa’s bush country; Mozambique’s coastline and capital; lemurs and other wildlife of Madagascar; cultures and wildlife of Mayotte in the Comores Islands, and the storied “spice island” of Zanzibar. Our expedition staff will make sure that you learn all about the many facets of the things you’ll see.

Day  4 — Cape Town/Embark
Take the cable car (weather permitting) to the top of Table Mountain, with tremendous views all around the Cape Peninsula. Then visit renowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, showcasing the Cape’s flora (including a great collection of proteas) in a beautiful setting. We embark National Geographic Endeavour in the afternoon, and sail along the Atlantic coast for sunset views of the Cape of Good Hope. (B,L,D)

Day  5 — Hermanus
The seaside town of Hermanus is our base for a choice of activities. The adventurous can travel to Gansbaai for the heart-pounding experience of entering the water to observe great white sharks from the safety of a steel cage (conditions permitting) off “Shark Alley.” You may also see African penguins, cormorants, gannets, and fur seals. Alternatively, visit the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, renowned for the beauty and diversity of its plant life, and walk through the fynbos (“fine bush”) in search of flowers and wildlife that includes birds, baboons and mongoose. We continue sailing in the afternoon. (B,L,D)

Day  6 — Mossel Bay/Knysna
From Mossel Bay, take an excursion along the coastline to Knysna, gateway to South Africa’s “Garden Route.” Cross the Knysna Lagoon by ferry to explore the private Featherbed Nature Reserve, and take a leisurely downhill walk with great views through forest, seeing the steep sandstone cliffs and ancient Khoi Khoi sea caves. There are many bird species and great views across Knysna Lagoon. After a buffet lunch under a canopy of milkwood trees, we return to Mossel Bay and sail. (B,L,D)

Day  7 — Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is a bustling city full of history. Drive through the city centre and visit the Ubuntu Education Fund, dedicated to developing quality education and healthy communities. Visit Cape Recife, a nature reserve on a headland at the tip of Algoa Bay, offering great birding and walking opportunities, a beautiful beach and a historic lighthouse. (B,L,D)

Day 8 — At Sea (B,L,D)

Day  9 — Richards Bay/Hluhluwe-Imfolozi/St. Lucia
Drive to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve, renowned for its big game populations that include rhinoceros, elephant, lion, giraffe, antelopes and buffalo. Take a game drive in an open safari vehicle in search of the park’s exceptional bird life and big game. Continue to St. Lucia and iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly called the St. Lucia Wetland Park), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a boat cruise in search of large groups of hippos, crocodiles, fish eagles and much more. Among the park’s habitats are forested dunes and papyrus marshes. (B,L,D)

Day  10 — Maputo, Mozambique
Tour Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, a city full of character and charm. Visit the Museum of Natural History, the Steel House, Fortress, Botanical Garden and Cathedral and walk through the colorful Central Market, before sailing north in the evening. (B,L,D)

Day  11 — Expedition Day: Ponta da Barra
We drop anchor off Ponta da Barra. There are miles of unspoiled coastline here, and we go ashore to enjoy the idyllic beaches, swim or snorkel. You can also take a birdwatching excursion to the nearby freshwater pans. Our ship then heads eastward, across the Mozambique Channel. (B,L,D)

Day 12 — At Sea (B,L,D)

Day 13 — Toliara, Madagascar
We dock in Toliara, Madagascar, and set off on a long day’s excursion to Isalo National Park. This spectacular habitat has striking sandstone cliffs and interesting botany, and the adventurous can take a four-wheel drive ride and hike to a canyon with lemurs including sifakas and ring-tails. We’ll also visit some of Madagascar’s quintessential “spiny forest.” (B,L,D)

DAY 14 — Morondava
Drive to the renowned “Avenue of the Baobabs,” with a large stand of photogenic Adansonia grandidieri trees. Also visit the Kirindy Forest to look for sifakas and other lemurs, chameleons, iguanas and, with luck fossas (striped civets). (B,L,D)
 
DAY 15 — At Sea (B,L,D)

Day 16 — Anjajavy
We’ve made special arrangements to visit a private reserve called Anjajavy, where we look for Coquerel’s sifakas, brown lemurs, fish eagles, ibises and flocks of lovebirds. There may be kayaking opportunities at a nearby river mouth and a chance for some fine Zodiac cruises along the coast. (B,L,D)

Day  17 — Mayotte, French Comoros
Although geographically within the Comoros Group, Mayotte is a territory of France. Our visit shows us French colonial architecture, colorful local cultures and a distinctive style of dress. We’ll see the fragrant ylang-ylang tree, cultivated here, whose oil is prized by perfumers. We plan to board Zodiacs and head off to Ile M’Bouzi in search of brown lemurs, and there may be a chance to snorkel. (B,L,D)

Day 18 — At Sea (B,L,D)

Day 19 — Zanzibar, Tanzania
We have the day on the storied “spice island” of Zanzibar, where cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon are still cultivated. We take a walking tour of the historic Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and learn about traditional Swahili culture and the island’s rich history, visiting Zanzibar’s museum, the Sultan’s Palace and Old Fort. Walk through the forest of Jozani Natural Forest Reserve, home to the endemic red colobus monkey. (B,L,D)

Day  20 — Dar es Salaam/Disembark
Disembark and transfer to the airport for flights home, or continue on the extension to the game parks of Northern Tanzania. (B)

Lindblad Expeditions Africa Cruise Vacations

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