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Extraordinary Southern Africa

South Africa: From Maputo to Cape Town 8 Day Expedition Cruise

D2723111407
Dates
11/14/23 - 11/21/23
Ship
SH Diana
Duration
7 Nights
Guests
2 Guest
Price From
$ 5,931
Per Person
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Trip Details

Explore the best of South Africa from the comfort of a boutique expedition ship as it visits ports along the Indian Ocean on our South Africa Discovery cruise. We begin our journey in the former Portuguese colony of Mozambique, starting in the capital, Maputo, exploring its culture before visiting pristine beaches. Our first venture on South African shores gives us the possibility to see rare bird species such as the cuckoo hawk and pygmy goose who make their home in the wetlands. Then it’s time for the big game reserves in the hope of spotting hippos, crocodiles, rhinos, cheetahs and the world’s largest mammal, elephants. Our voyage finishes in Cape Town. Between safaris, swimming and sandy beaches, you’ll be treated to incredible food, meet locals and discover the architecture that’s been heavily influenced by all the cultures that make this place home. Come aboard our cultural cruise of South Africa, and feel inspired by this incredible country.

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Trip Highlights
Wander past Portuguese colonial and Soviet-style buildings in Maputo
Explore Mozambique’s uninhabited islands and try local specialities
Keep an eye out for rare bird species along the Zululand Birding Route
Take a rickshaw ride along Durban’s wide seafront promenade
Search for white rhinos, cheetahs and elephants in the game parks near Port Elizabeth
Itinerary Map
Itinerary
Maputo Day 1

Mozambique’s capital city has an intriguing mix of Portuguese colonial and Soviet-style buildings on broad boulevards lined with jacaranda and palm trees. Architectural standouts include the early-20th-century domed railway station, painted in green and white, and the Smiling Lion, a distinctive post-modernist apartment block designed by Pancho Guedes. Exploring Maputo is also simply about wandering the historic district of Baixa and taking in the vibrant street scene of bustling pavement cafes, live music and busy markets.

Portuguese Island Day 2

kiosks dishing up local specialities. Umbrellas and loungers are available if you want to relax in the sun, or you can join in an energetic game of beach volleyball or tennis. Hop on a traditional dhow boat for a tour along the shore, or head to the nearby island of Inhaca to visit its marine biology museum and lighthouse.

Richards Bay Day 3

A busy port town with a deep natural harbour, Richards Bay is surrounded by extensive wetlands sheltering diverse birdlife. It’s part of the Zululand Birding Route, whose rare species include the cuckoo hawk and pygmy goose. You might also catch sight of hippos and crocodiles cooling off in the town’s large lagoon. Long stretches of sand include laid-back Alkantstrand Beach, where you can picnic in the shade, take a dip in the ocean, or watch surfers riding the waves.

Shore Excursion
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HD St Lucia boat cruise
  • Duration: 05 h 00 m
  • Included
  • St Lucia Estuary, which forms part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage site
  • Leisurely 2-hour cruise on Lake St Lucia
  • St Lucia Estuary is home to about 2000 Nile crocodile, 800 hippos and about 526 different kinds of bird species
FD Cape vidal snorkeling
  • Duration: 09 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a section of South Africa’s 1st World Heritage Site
  • The Game Reserve is divided by some of the second highest vegetated dunes in the world
  • Opportunity to do some snorkelling at Cape Vidal
HD Zulu Nyala sunset safari with dinner
  • Duration: 07 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Zulu Nyala Private Game Reserve is one of South Africa's most diverse conservation regions
  • Enjoy dinner and drinks at the open-air “boma”
Hluhluwe game reserve
  • Duration: 06 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve has become well known for its small population of the rare, white rhino
  • The reserve has a spectacular variety of bird and animal life
  • Be ready to take incredible pictures of the Big 5
Durban Day 4

South Africa’s third-biggest city, Durban is friendly and cosmopolitan, with long sandy beaches and rickshaw rides along a wide seafront promenade. Beyond the beach, you can meander among aromatic curry houses and spice stalls in the Indian District, then take a stroll through peaceful Durban Botanic Gardens, renowned for its orchid and palm collections. A handful of small museums focus on local history, and nearby Umgeni River Bird Park is home to around 200 species in a lush former quarry.

Shore Excursion
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Discover Durban
  • Duration: 05 h 00 m
  • Included
  • Explore the culture and traditions of Durban
  • Visit to the well know Victoria Street Market
Tala Game Reserve
  • Duration: 05 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Embark on a 4 X 4 Game Drive at Tala Private Game Reserve, viewing big game including rhino, kudu, hippo, giraffe and the rare sable antelope
  • Have a superb game viewing experiences
  • At Tala the aim is to get you close to nature
Scenic Drakensberg Helicopter Flight & Lunch
  • Duration: 08 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Take Scenic Helicopter flight to the Drakensberg Mountain range
  • Enjoy magnificent views of the World Heritage Site of the Drakensberg Mountains
  • Enjoy a fresh produce local lunch in the Drakensberg
Day at sea Day 5

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.

Port Elizabeth Day 6

Port Elizabeth is a coastal city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is known for its beautiful beaches and excellent water sports opportunities. The city also has several wildlife reserves and national parks, including Addo Elephant National Park, home to over 600 elephants.

Shore Excursion
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Pumba Private Game Reserve
  • Duration: 07 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Take the opportunity to view Big Five in their natural environment
  • Leran how Pumba was the first of the Eastern Cape Game reserves to introduce a White Lion breeding programme
  • Enjoy the day in contact with nature
Penguin Cruise
  • Duration: 05 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • View the largest breeding colony of African penguins on the planet
  • You might also encounter schools of Bottlenose dolphins in groups
Port Elizabeth City tour
  • Duration: 04 h 00 m
  • Included
  • you will have a good overview of Port Elizabeth City and history
  • Meet a Khoisan Chief and Khoi Historian
4 x 4 Addo Elephant Park Safari
  • Duration: 06 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • The Addo Elephant Park, which consists of + 51 000 ha of bush country, is the home to over 450 elephants
  • Take an incredible game drive in 4x4 open vehicles
  • You might see the unique flightless dung beetle, which is found almost exclusively in Addo
Walking with the Giants and Buffalo Encounter
  • Duration: 06 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Experience a unique close adventure walk with the reserve’s tallest wildlife members – the Giraffe
  • Enjoy an intimate walk through the heart of the Addo Valley Bushveld
  • View the Cape Buffalo from your 4 x 4 vehicle
Mossel Bay Day 7

Set on a hillside overlooking a vast bay, this laid-back seaside town was the first place where Europeans made landfall in South Africa in 1488. You can trace the area’s history at the excellent Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, which contains maritime displays, 19th-century stone cottages and a botanical garden. Afterwards, stroll to nearby Santos Beach, a wide sandy stretch popular for swimming and water sports. Southern right whales calve in the bay’s calm waters between July and October.

Shore Excursion
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Friemersheim Wall Art Route
  • Duration: 02 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Visit the Friemersheim Wall Art Route
  • Local coffee roastery
  • Beautiful scenery on route to Friemersheim
Garden Route Wine Tasting
  • Duration: 03 h 30 m
  • Optional
  • Visit a local Wine Estate
  • Wine Tasting of various local wines
Mossel Bay City
  • Duration: 02 h 30 m
  • Included
  • Don't miss the opportunity to listen to Mossel Bay history
  • Enjoy a Wine and Mussel tasting
Ocean Zipline Adventure
  • Duration: 02 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Longest over the ocean Zipline in the world
  • 1150m Long with an average 80km/h
  • Once in a lifetime experience
Cape Town Day 8

Ending our epic transatlantic journey with one of the most spectacular city sceneries in Africa . Domiated by Table Mountain , Cape town is a cosmopolitan city with plenty of nearby splendid vineyards , wonderful harbour fronts and surprising restaurants where one can indulge on the delicious seafood

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Rates Include
Regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (ONLY available for Antarctica cruises starting or ending in Ushuaia, Arctic cruises starting and ending in Longyearbyen and Kangerlussuaq)
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
All meals onboard
Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
24-hour room service
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
Standard WiFi
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
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Itinerary Map

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK
Stateroom
Number of Guests
Oceanview D4
20 m2 Sleeps 2
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Oceanview M4
20 m2 Sleeps 2
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony M5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D6
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on decks 6, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Junior Suite
35 m2 Sleeps 2
SH Diana’s Junior Suite features a Super King Size bed, separate living room area, walk-in closet, luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 7 sq. m private balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Suite
44 m2 Sleeps 2
Our Suites feature a Super King Size bed and separate living room with a soothing flame-effect fireplace, a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a 6 sq. m. private balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Premium Suite
47 m2 Sleeps 2
SH Diana’s Premium Suites feature a Super King Size bed, separate living room with homely flame-effect fireplace, luxurious ensuite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe and a 12 sq. m private balcony.
Price From
$ 0

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK