Namibia Cruise: Skeleton Coast from Cape Town to Luanda

Meet your guide on the pier and board your transportation for a short drive to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Skirting the slopes of Devil’s Peak, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is spread over 1,300 acres on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and are home to over 8,500 species of indigenous plants. Wander through the beautiful surroundings and enjoy some free time in the well-stocked Curio Shop. After your time spent at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the coach will take you to the lower cable-way station for the ascent to the summit of Table Mountain. The journey takes just under 7 minutes and the floor rotates 360 degrees during the ascent and descent, giving you a full panorama of the area. There is nothing to beat the mountain top for fabulous views of the city, Table Bay and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. The Flat-topped Table Mountain, on the northern end of the peninsula, has long dominated Cape Town. When viewed from the city, the central massif has Devil’s Peak on the left, Lion’s Head on the right and Signal Hill in the foreground: together they form a sort of Amphitheatre, which encloses the city centre. After your visit at the top of Table Mountain you will board your transportation for a scenic drive back to the pier along the Atlantic Coast.

Disembark your ship at sunrise and transfer to Lion’s Head. Travel up Kloof Nek to Lion’s Head which has a distinctive shape of a lion’s rump. Lion’s Head is one of the most famous spots in Cape Town which summits at 669 meters above sea level. This is a fantastic hiking route as it involves great views over the city bowl, Table Mountain, Robben Island and the beautiful Clifton beach. The Lion’s Head hike starts off on a jeep track and soon leads into a rocky single path and some stone steps. There are some steep sections, and it gets harder as you reach the summit. You will see varieties of Table Mountain’s unique fynbos and impressive rock formations throughout the hike. Large Cape granite boulders are found on the lower slopes and, as we get higher, we’ll hike over the sandstone cliffs. Once at the top of Lion’s Head, we’ll take some well-deserved time to relax and enjoy the panoramic 360-degree views of the city of Cape Town, Table Mountain, Robben Island, and the white sandy beaches and suburbs of the prestige Atlantic Seaboard. The views from the summit are mind blowing and a great way to put Cape Town into a new perspective. The hike takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the summit, following a circular trail that gradually becomes steeper. Many walkers choose to stop at the plateau section, which already offers stunning panoramic views. For those seeking more of a challenge, the final section involves rocky terrain, ladders, and chains to assist with climbing to the summit. It’s a moderately challenging route, best suited to hikers with a reasonable level of fitness, sturdy footwear, and a head for heights. Enjoy a lovely “hiking” breakfast setup by your porters whilst enjoying the spectacular views and fresh air. After a lovely breakfast, descent on a leisurely walk back to your awaiting vehicle to transfer back to the ship. Minimum participation required; tour may be cancelled or subject to price changes if not met.

Experience the magical beauty of the Cape Winelands on a full day tour to the heart of the award-winning South African wine producing region. Depart the pier for your drive on the N1 National Road en route to Franschhoek. You will stop in central Franschhoek and have a chance to explore this picturesque and unique town. Franschhoek is known as the food and wine capital of South Africa, the beautiful Cape Dutch Architecture, boutique shops, world class restaurants and art galleries make this a true gem of Cape Town. During your free time you will have a chance to explore or simply grab a coffee and watch the world go by. Your second stop will be Boschendal Wine Estate, this estate offers everything from wine tasting, shopping, garden tours, is an authentic working farm and iconic landmark. Upon arrival you will get an overview of the estate, tour the Werf garden (where most of the produce comes from) and walk through their home store. After your tour you will take a short drive to the other side of the farm for a wine tasting under a large oak tree. After your wine tasting you will make your way to the Werf Picnic area for a relaxing picnic on the lawn. Picnic baskets are based on local produce and most of it comes directly from the farm. After your picnic you will board your transportation and head to Stellenbosch. Here you will have an orientation tour of Stellenbosch where your guide will point out landmarks and give you a history of the area. Stellenbosch is a university town surrounded by vineyards and mountains. You will stop at Blaauklippen Wine Estate for a delicious wine and chocolate pairing. This beautiful wine estate produces many wines, craft gin and even brandy. After your amazing day out in the winelands you will board your transportation for a drive back to the harbour. Minimum participation required; tour may be cancelled or subject to price changes if not met.