South Africa to Angola: Cape Town to Luanda 10 Day Expedition Cruise

Starting our epic 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

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.

Between the weather-beaten South Atlantic coast and the unforgiving Namib Desert, Luderitz is a quaint harbour town with a uniquely West African-German culture. Lavish colonial-style mansions and churches in the German Art Nouveau style reflect a history deeply rooted in the diamond rush of the 1900s. Further afield, the barren Namib Desert stretches along the coast, home to Kolmanskop ghost town, wild horses and incredible stories of survival in a harsh landscape.

The natural harbour of Walvis Bay - literally meaning Bay of Whales - offers a sheltered home to marine life like whales and dolphins, and flamingos and pelicans congregate here in the thousands. Opposite, at Pelican Point sand spit, a Cape fur seal colony hauls out. A wander around the town will introduce you to colonial architecture, local-style silver cob fish dishes and German cuisine. Inland, a dune safari will track desert animals such as lizards, geckos, chameleons and sidewinder adders.

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.

Settled by Portuguese in the 19th-century, this port town sits at the gateway to the arid Namibia desert with large sand dunes. The draw for visitors is the Namibe Partial Reserve, where indigenous animals including black rhino, oryx, elephants, ostrich, wildebeest, mountain zebra and meerkats liive. One of the world’s oldest living plants thrives in this harsh environment - the rare (and weird) tree lumbo or Welwitchia mirabilis. Along the sandy coast, keep an eye open for dolphins as we sail by.

The pretty port city of Lobito is known for its unique natural harbour - protected by a long sand spit. For many years it was one of Angola’s busiest ports, exporting material extracted from the mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. The civil war between 1975 – 2002 slowed trade significantly, but business has since returned. A visit to the Fort of São Sebastião offers an intriguing insight into Angola’s trading past, and the Lobito Ethnography Museum explores the diversity of Angolan culture.

As Angola emerges from years of colonial rule and a long Civil War, its capital Luanda is fast becoming a forward-looking city with a rich heritage. Delve into its colonial past at the Old City’s Portuguese-style buildings and the 16th-century Fortress of São Miguel. Museums across the city offer a glimpse of local culture through their exhibits on traditional art, hunting equipment, and masks. At Ilha do Cabo, chic seaside steak restaurants and bars showcase a modern side of the city.