Southern Africa Expedition Cruises

Luxury expedition cruises in Southern Africa give you extraordinary access to a number of different locations, enabling you to explore deserts, national parks, cities and more from your comfortable and luxurious home from home. You will see extraordinary wildlife and spectacular scenery as well as learning more about the culture and history of this amazing region.

Highlights of a Luxury Southern Africa Expedition Cruise

Embarkation in South Africa is the perfect start to a cruise in this region, voyaging either the Atlantic coast to Namibia, or the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal and the islands of the Indian Ocean.

Whilst staying in Cape Town take the opportunity to visit the Cape itself, see the penguins at Boulder Beach, or travel out to the wine regions of Stellenbosch and Franschoek. In the city you should climb Table Mountain - or failing that, go to the top by cable car! The views are amazing. The city itself has great food, music and excellent hotels, particularly around the waterfront.

Port Elizabeth, East London or Durban are all gateways for huge national parks as well as an exploration of local culture. Cruises embarking or disembarking in Cape Town can be combined with a Garden Route tour, a trip on the Blue Train or Rovos Rail, a safari in Kruger National Park, or a visit to Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta.

Sometimes ships set course westwards from Cape Town en route for South America, or continue up the coast to Angola, Bom Bom Island, the Gambia, and the Cape Verde Islands.

For British travellers, the non-stop flight to Cape Town, though long, is quite easy, as the hour change is minimal, meaning no jet lag. There are also a few cruises to South Africa from the UK or Mediterranean.

The Small Expedition Ship Difference in Southern Africa

Exploring by small ship means you can linger longer in many calls, with overnights in port and optional land programmes including overnight stays in some of the most spectacular lodges in the region. Some of the ports of call will be extremely unusual, and you will be welcomed by people unused to seeing passenger ships, and anxious to introduce you to their way of life.

It is often quite a drive from your port of call to the region you are visiting, so the closer the ship can get, the more time you have ashore.

Small group shore excursions are designed to give you unique and close-up experiences such as meeting local people, learning about projects, and participating in cultural activities. On game drives it is great to be in smaller vehicles with a dedicated expert guide.

Luxury Small Expedition Ship Southern Africa Itineraries

Cape Town or Durban are the key gateways to the region with easy overnight flights from the UK and very little time difference, although certain open jaw itineraries will use other ports. Expedition durations are 10-16 nights.

Usually you will be joining a one way itinerary, from Europe, West Africa, South America or somewhere in the Indian Ocean such as Mauritius. Your itinerary will probably take you up the west coast to Namibia and beyond to Angola and Ghana, or eastwards to the Eastern Cape and further (East Africa, Madagascar, the Seychelles and on to Asia), giving you some excellent contrasts, from the vast Namib desert to the lush greenery of Kwazulu-Natal.

Look out for a variety of destinations and options ashore in order to benefit as much as possible from your trip, and consider extensions and add-ons.

Luxury Expedition Cruise Lines That Visit Southern Africa

Pick from the pretty little ships of Ponant, the Silver Cloud of Silversea Expeditions, or one of the Hapag Lloyd expedition ships for exciting in-depth itineraries on small and exclusive ships with attractive inclusive pricing.

Best Time to Cruise in Southern Africa

This southern hemisphere destination is perfect for our winter months, a warm weather getaway between November and April. This is when you will find small luxury expedition ships in this region.

Travel Tips and FAQs for Southern Africa Small Ship Cruising

What Will the Weather be Like on a Southern Africa Cruise?

Although it is easy to think of Africa as a hot destination, and you need to take precautions to protect you from the African sun, it can be cold at night so take a fleece especially if you are going to spend time stargazing, or for early morning game drives.

The Namibian coast is often foggy where the cold current from Antarctica meets the hot front coming down from Angola, so take warm layers and a lightweight waterproof.

What Should I Pack for a Southern Africa Cruise?

Your ship may provide binoculars but we recommend taking your own. Ensure you have insect repellent and sunblock and plan to wear long sleeved tops and trousers for protection from the sun and from insect bites, and comfortable walking shoes are a must. Take a hat too, and sunglasses of course.

Health and Visa Requirements for a Southern Africa Cruise

The majority of Southern Africa is not malarial but if you are visiting low lying areas in the north east then antimalarials might be needed. Take advice! And make sure all your regular routine vaccinations are up to date.

No visa is required for short stays in South Africa for UK travellers, but you will need one blank page in your passport. If you are travelling to other countries, make sure you check carefully what the requirements are.

Exploring Further Afield

If you are embarking in Cape Town, do make sure to book a longer stay to explore the city itself, and the surrounding area, including the Cape, the winelands, Table Mountain and Robben Island. Alternatively, fly in over Johannesburg for further exploration, to the Victoria Falls and Botswana, for example, or Kruger National Park.

Where to Stay in Cape Town

So many options! We recommend you choose a hotel on the waterfront as it is a great area for restaurants and activity, and quite safe. If you are staying downtown, for example at the Grande Dame which is the Mount Nelson, you might be more cautious about going out at night. For a returning visit or R&R, there are some lovely options along the coast, and in the winelands.