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Coastal Treasures of Southwest Africa

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Home / Cruises / Coastal Treasures of Southwest Africa
03.26.25-04.07.25
SH Diana
11 Nights
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CRUISE ID: D3625032611

Details

Board your voyage exploring the west coast of the Southern Region of Africa in Cape Town. Sail from the Atlantic coastline of Namibia, the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa, to the unspoiled coast of Angola, a post-colonial country slowly emerging from the ravages of war. Watch out for flamingos, pelicans, whales and dolphins as you discover exquisite landscapes, with your journey ending in the charming, Portuguese-influenced city of Luanda.

Trip Highlights

Explore the Kolmanskop ghost town in the barren Namib Desert near Luderitz
Spot flamingos and pelicans in their thousands at Pelican Point
Look for the rare (and weird) tree lumbo or Welwitchia mirabilis in Namibe Partial Reserve
Learn more about Angola’s colonial and military history at the Portuguese-built Fortress of São Miguel

Itinerary

Cape Town
Day 1-2
Between mountains and the ocean, Cape Town is a vibrant, multicultural city with a lively waterfront featuring seafood restaurants, shopping and attractions. A cable car transports visitors to distinctive Table Mountain with sweeping views. Boats head to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated. Nearby Boulders Beach is home to African penguins, and world-class Stellenbosch vineyards offer wine tastings amid Cape Dutch architecture.

Lions Head Hike at Sunrise

Optional
04 h 00 m
  • Witness a breathtaking sunrise with views over the city, Table Mountain and Robben Island
  • Hike through the scenic fynbos vegetation with a specialised guide
  • Learn about Cape Town's flora and fauna as you head towards Lion's Head

Stellenbosch & wine and cheese pairing

Optional
05 h 00 m
  • Discover one of South Africa’s premier wine-producing regions
  • Explore Stellenbosch, a living museum with oak-lined streets and Cape Dutch architecture
  • Enjoy a wine and cheese pairing session at a private estate

Shuttle service to V&A Waterfront

Included
03 h 00 m
  • Visit the vast VA Waterfront with the freedom to shop or dine at your leisure
  • Discover culture and heritage in the harbourside attractions
  • Enjoy flexibility, and stay as long as you like in this bustling area using the shuttle buses

Cape Town & Table Mountain

Optional
04 h 00 m
  • Soar above Cape Town with a Table Mountain cable car ride for panoramic vistas
  • Skip the lines with fast-track cable car access to the summit
  • Discover unique flora in a protected area known for its endemic plant species

Boulders Beach & Kalk Bay

Optional
05 h 45 m
  • Encounter a lively African penguin colony at Boulders Beach
  • Enjoy tea/coffee and scones at a scenic restaurant
  • Spend free time in the charming fishing village of Kalk Bay, where seals play in the harbour

Shuttle service to V&A Waterfront

Included
03 h 00 m
  • Visit the vast VA Waterfront with the freedom to shop or dine at your leisure
  • Discover culture and heritage in the harbourside attractions
  • Enjoy flexibility, and stay as long as you like in this bustling area using the shuttle buses

Boulders Beach & Kalk Bay

Optional
05 h 45 m
  • Encounter a lively African penguin colony at Boulders Beach
  • Enjoy tea/coffee and scones at a scenic restaurant
  • Spend free time in the charming fishing village of Kalk Bay, where seals play in the harbour

Cape Town & Table Mountain

Optional
04 h 00 m
  • Soar above Cape Town with a Table Mountain cable car ride for panoramic vistas
  • Skip the lines with fast-track cable car access to the summit
  • Discover unique flora in a protected area known for its endemic plant species

Stellenbosch & wine and cheese pairing

Optional
05 h 00 m
  • Discover one of South Africa’s premier wine-producing regions
  • Explore Stellenbosch, a living museum with oak-lined streets and Cape Dutch architecture
  • Enjoy a wine and cheese pairing session at a private estate

Lions Head Hike at Sunrise

Optional
04 h 00 m
  • Witness a breathtaking sunrise with views over the city, Table Mountain and Robben Island
  • Hike through the scenic fynbos vegetation with a specialised guide
  • Learn about Cape Town's flora and fauna as you head towards Lion's Head
Day at sea
Day 3
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.
Luderitz
Day 4
Lüderitz, with a unique West African-German culture, graces Namibia's coast on a windswept, rocky hillside beside the bay. Formerly a German colony, the town preserves colonial buildings in German Art Nouveau style, including Goerke Haus mansion and the Felsenkirche Lutheran Church built into the rocks. Beyond town, the desolate Namib Desert extends along the coast, home to Kolmanskop ghost town, wild horses and tales of remarkable survival.

Kolmanskop Ghost Town

Optional
03 h 00 m
  • Explore Kolmanskop, the abandoned diamond mining town engulfed by the Namib Desert
  • Uncover the town's history and its significant role in Africa's diamond industry
  • Take photos of the scenery in this haunting desert backdrop which has featured in several movies

Halifax Island Penguin Cruise

Optional
03 h 00 m
  • Witness African penguins and Cape fur seals in their natural habitat
  • If you're lucky, encounter playful dolphins escorting the boat
  • Relax on your catamaran, taking photos and watching for sea birds

Luderitz Walking Tour AM

Included
02 h 30 m
  • Wander through the town's desolate streets lined with colonial German-style architecture
  • Tour impressive landmarks, including Goerke Haus and Felsenkirche
  • Discover the Lüderitz Museum's rich displays of flora, history and ethnology

Luderitz Walking Tour PM

Included
02 h 30 m
  • Wander through the town's desolate streets lined with colonial German-style architecture
  • Tour impressive landmarks, including Goerke Haus and Felsenkirche
  • Discover the Lüderitz Museum's rich displays of flora, history and ethnology
Walvis Bay
Day 5-7
Walvis Bay offers shelter to thousands of flamingos in its natural tidal lagoon and protected wetlands. At the remote Pelican Point sand spit, a Cape fur seal colony hauls out, and marine wildlife like whales and dolphins swim by. Locally caught fish and German dishes are available in the harbour. Optional tours include desert dinners, dune jeep safaris, meeting the locals in Mondesa township, and flights or hot air balloons over the desert.

Starry Night Dinner in the Moon Landscape

Included
05 h 30 m
  • Dine under the stars with a three-course meal in the Moon Landscape canyons
  • Enjoy private dining set up with live entertainment
  • Experience panoramic desert views during this unique evening

Swakopmund Highlights

Optional
05 h 00 m
  • Tour the Bavarian-style seaside resort town of Swakopmund
  • Discover the art of rug and carpet-making at the Karakulia weavery
  • Explore Swakopmund's history at the museum and enjoy free time at the Mole Promenade

Walvis Bay Marine Wildlife Cruise

Optional
04 h 00 m
  • Cruise the tranquil waters of Walvis Bay, watching playful dolphins in their natural habitat
  • Get up close to a colony of Cape fur seals at Pelican Point
  • Enjoy complimentary sparkling wine onboard and marvel at the diverse bird species

Pelican Point Kayaking Adventure

Optional
04 h 30 m
  • Get up close to the marine life: A large seal colony and a school of heaviside and bottlenose dolphins often swim alongside
  • Kayak around Pelican Point and enjoy hot beverages on a remote beach
  • 4x4 drive upon return across the peninsula, lagoon and saltpans

Sandwich Harbour Off-road Drive

Optional
04 h 30 m
  • Explore the usually inaccessible UNESCO-listed Sandwich Harbour Lagoon by 4x4
  • Observe a variety of sea birds at Walvis Bay Lagoon
  • Finish your off-road adventure atop Lookout Dune after navigating steep dunes

Scenic Sossusvlei Flight

Optional
04 h 30 m
  • Take in the breathtaking views of diverse Namib Desert landscapes from the air
  • Marvel at Sossusvlei's giant shifting sand dunes from above
  • Fly over lappet-faced vulture breeding grounds, seal colonies, shipwrecks and salt mines

Namibian Cultural Tour

Optional
04 h 00 m
  • Immerse yourself in Namibian culture during a Mondesa Township tour
  • Interact with local tribes and gain insights into their traditions
  • Savour local cuisine, including the famous mopane caterpillars

Walvis Bay Lagoon Cruise & 4x4 Dune Adventure

Optional
07 h 30 m
  • Experience an exhilarating 4x4 dune tour at Sandwich Harbour, including riding up and down steep dunes
  • Savour a beach barbecue lunch
  • Embark on a relaxing cruise through Walvis Bay Lagoon to Pelican Point to witness the playful Cape fur seals

Sunrise Ballooning Adventure over Namib Desert

Optional
03 h 30 m
  • Experience an early morning hot air balloon flight over the world's oldest desert, the Namib
  • Soar above the ancient desert for an hour with an expert guide
  • Conclude your adventure with a sparkling wine breakfast in the desert after a gentle landing

Treasures of the Namib Off-road Adventure

Optional
05 h 00 m
  • Learn about the plant life unique to the Namib Desert
  • Drive through the Swakop River Valley’s ancient rock formations
  • Visit Dune 7, the largest dune in Walvis Bay
Day at sea
Day 8
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.
Ilha Baia dos Tigre
Day 9
Far from the crowds, the abandoned Ilha Baía dos Tigres, or Tiger Island, in Angola off Namibe Province's coast offers a deserted island setting. Originally a peninsula, it became an island overnight when the ocean breached the isthmus and residents abandoned their homes. Nestled in clear blue waters, the island is a pristine oasis surrounded by secluded beaches, and vast dunes, renowned for desolate landscapes and eerie ghost towns.
Namibe
Day 10
Now known as Moçâmedes, the port of Namibe was settled by the Portuguese in the 19th century. This early slave trading town is the entrance to the arid Namib desert, with towering sand dunes and home to the ancient welwitschia mirabilis trees, each over 2,000 years old and threatened by climate change. Near the port, the old town has colourful colonial architecture, beaches and historic buildings, including an abandoned spaceship-like cinema.

Namib Desert Adventure

Included
05 h 00 m
  • Discover the ancient Welwitschia mirabilis plant, an endemic rarity
  • Stroll through the prehistoric oasis of Arch Lagoon with unique rock formations
  • Glimpse at Namibe's old town with historic architecture, stadiums and churches

Extended Namibe Desert and Beach

Optional
08 h 00 m
  • Discover unique natural wonders, including ancient plants and towering rock formations
  • Marvel at the Colinas do Curoca hills with wind-sculpted towers
  • Unwind at a beach restaurant, savouring lunch and enjoying the beautiful Namibe beach
Day at sea
Day 11
Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.
Luanda
Day 12
As Angola emerges from colonial rule and a long Civil War, its capital, Luanda, is evolving into a forward-looking city with a rich heritage. Landmarks include Gustave Eiffel's Iron Palace and the 16th-century São Miguel Fortress. Luanda's historic upper town, Cidade Alta, features pink colonial buildings, the Presidential Palace and ministerial houses. Ilha do Cabo shows Luanda's modern side with trendy seaside restaurants and bars.
SHOW MORE

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