African cruises offer a huge variety of experiences that are rich in diversity, culture and nature. From city life to wildlife, there is something to captivate and entertain every traveller.
Whichever itinerary one chooses, there are breath-taking sights at every turn, from the grandeur of Table Mountain, the stunning vistas of East Africa to South Africa's wildlife parks and vineyards, and the fabulous coastline northwards. There are visits to ex-colonial cities and ports with rich histories, to the opportunity for spotting migrating whales whilst sailing to Walvis Bay in Namibia.
En route to Africa, you can immerse yourself in the luxury of your surroundings. Whether you travel in one of the more intimate luxury cruise ships to visit locations off the beaten path for a taste of something unexpected, right up to the majesty of the RMS Queen Mary 2, which revisits the golden age of sea travel, you will be pampered in a style that you will soon believe you have always been entitled to enjoy.
Whilst some cruises begin or end in African ports such as Cape Town, it is very popular to start your cruise outside of the African continent, in either Europe, Dubai or Australia, for example.
For those luxury cruises that start in Australia, you'll begin your exotic luxury cruise by sailing the southern Indian Ocean to the eastern coast of South Africa, arriving at sunny Durban, before travelling on to Port Elizabeth and one of our favourite places, Cape Town. Cape Town is one of our favourite cities, from the majesty of Table Mountain, draped in its famous “cloth” to whale watching.
Another very popular route are those cruises that call into both south and western Africa. These luxury cruises traverse the southern cape and head north, with stops at countries such as Namibia, Ghana, and Benin before arriving in Europe, or heading off across the Atlantic to the Americas. If your cruise starts in the UK or Europe, you will experience this itinerary in reverse order and if you board in Dubai you may well have the splendours of East Africa, including Kenya and the Indian Ocean paradise of Mauritius to look forward to before you call into tropical Durban. We also offer cruises that hug the western African coast, visiting the delights and colours of São Tomé, the Ivory Coast and Senegal, before heading out over the Atlantic to the Caribbean and then north to Miami.
Cape Town is one of our favourite places and has probably the widest range of activities to please anyone. From enjoying the view from the top of the majestic Table Mountain, to whale watching in Hermanus and enjoying a long leisurely lunch at one of Constantia's famous vineyards, Cape Town has it all and is not to be missed.
At Sovereign, we have travelled extensively within Africa and can help you to choose the perfect tour to complement your luxury cruise. Three of our favourite locations to visit are Zambia, Uganda and Kenya.
Zambia is a fascinating country from the fabulous small houseboats that explore the natural beauty of Lake Kariba to the magical Victoria Falls, “The smoke that thunders”, this is a country and people that will forever stay in your heart.
The warmth and friendliness of the people of Uganda is hard to forget, as is the first time you spot a silverback as you trek through the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. We have been fortunate to experience this, and you get close enough to look into their eyes and one can see one's own soul staring back, it is quite remarkable.
Whilst visiting Uganda, it is a good idea to visit neighbouring Kenya and we recommend staying in Nairobi at Giraffe Manor. There is nothing quite like sharing breakfast with hungry giraffes who poke their heads through the dining room window in order for you to feed them and sometimes they help themselves to your breakfast. Also, not to be missed is the nearby David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. After all, who doesn't like feeding milk to baby elephants?
In all, we offer a very wide choice of cruises and tours that begin or end in Africa, taking in everywhere from the Antipodes to the Caribbean for a richness of life that simply cannot be rivalled.
Regardless of the region of this most fascinating continent that you wish to visit, the very experienced team at The Sovereign Cruise Club, including team members from South Africa, will help you to select a voyage that provides you with stunning discoveries every step of the way.
