In Mossel Bay, follow in the footsteps of Bartolomeu Diaz, the first European to sail around Africa’s southern tip. Alternatively, take a scenic tour to Knysna* in the heart of the Garden Route or visit an ostrich farm*.

You will reach East London along the stunning beaches of the Sunshine Coast. From here, your days will focus on the fascinating wildlife – lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants and buffalo. The legendary “big five” are not actually the largest animals in Africa, but were once considered the most defensive by big-game hunters. Today, South Africa’s focus is on protecting its species – a respectful distance is maintained at all times on game drives. You just might experience your first animal sightings as you cross the vast Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve*. Explore the South African bushland in open-top safari jeeps. The numerous rivers that spring from the Drakensberg mountain range are a lifeline for mammals and birds. Take a kayak tour on the Nahoon River* and explore shores that attract cormorants, kingfishers and herons. There is no way of knowing which species you will see – but this is what makes each game drive so exciting.

From Richards Bay, you have a wide variety of opportunities to experience Zululand. The overland excursions* to the nearby wildlife reserves are a particular highlight. An overnight stay in the middle of the wilderness, a night-time soundtrack of animal noises, stunning sunrises and sunsets: an intensive African encounter. Go for a game drive early in the morning when the animals are at their most active. Elephants, giraffes, zebras and lions: which species will you manage to see before you return to the ship? 

On a city tour*, you will experience Durban as a unique melting pot of Indian, European and African cultures. From here, a game drive through Tala Game Reserve* will take you through the bush, and with a little luck past hippos, ostriches and various species of water birds and birds of prey. Further overland excursions* into the South African hinterland promise safari adventures with wildlife observation and overnight stays in unique lodges.

The HANSEATIC spirit will spend two days in Gqeberha, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore the surrounding area. Just outside the city, wild hearts beat in Kariega Game Reserve*. One of South Africa’s richest biotopes, it is home to giraffes, antelopes, zebras, gnus and around 200 species of bird. Addo Elephant National Park* is all about the world’s largest land mammal. Encounters with giraffes and buffalo* is a very special African safari adventure, providing you with opportunities to see the animals up close.

Welcome to Namibia. Colourful Luderitz will greet you on the edge of the Namib desert with numerous buildings from the German colonial era. Not far from here is Kolmanskop*, a former diamond mining town – the image of the abandoned settlement is now characterised by houses blown away by sand and is reminiscent of times gone by.

Walvis Bay is your starting point to explore the desert city of Swakopmund*. Alternatively, you can experience a sea of sand on an off-road journey through the dunes* or from high above on a scenic flight over the desert*. Even if your cruise comes to an end here, your colourful memories of Africa are sure to never fade.