South-East African Horizons

A dynamic coastal metropolis, Mombasa's rich history comes from a beguiling blend of cultures. Over centuries, Arabs, Portuguese, Asians, and British settlers coexisted in the old town, blending African, European, and Asian architectural styles. Perched above the sea, Fort Jesus was built by the Portuguese in the 1590s to protect the city, while the bustling spice market is packed with fragrant stalls selling pepper, ginger and cardamom.

Cosmopolitan Zanzibar Island, or Unguja, known as the Spice Island, features Zanzibar City's UNESCO-listed Stone Town(Mji Mkongwe)—a lively warren of narrow streets with 18th- and 19th-century buildings. Highlights include the Old Fort, the House of Wonders, and a spice market with stalls heaped with locally grown spices like nutmeg and cinnamon. Nearby, Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park is home to the red colobus monkey, unique to Zanzibar.

Kilwa Kivinje, on Tanzania's southern coast, was a medieval Swahili coast trading hub. Founded in the 8th century, Kilwa Kivinje thrived in the 13th and 14th centuries as a centre for ivory and gold. Today, it provides insight into medieval East Africa's opulence, with dhows in the harbour and spice markets amid jungle and mangrove estuaries. The Great Mosque and Husuni Kubwa, The Sultan's African Palace, are UNESCO World Heritage Site ruins.

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.

Sandy swimming beaches, biodiverse jungle, and vivid blue crater lakes are among the highlights of verdant Nosy Be island off Madagascar's northern coast. In Hell-Ville port, remnants of French colonial architecture charm visitors. Nearby, Lokobe Reserve beckons with guided pirogue canoe tours, where black lemurs climb ancient trees and vibrant panther chameleons, growing about a foot and a half long, play hide-and-seek in the lush foliage.

The lively northern port of Mahajanga (Majunga) is known for its charming French colonial and Arabian architecture as well as a broad seafront promenade lined with coconut palms. A gigantic landmark baobab tree towers near the water. Long sandy beaches stretch north towards Cirque Rouge, a remarkable natural amphitheatre whose crumbling rocks are a blend of red, ochre and pale pink, and are at their most dramatic at sunset.

The remote 1.97 km-long Nosy Vao, located 70 km north of Maintirano, offers an unspoilt tropical escape off Madagascar's northeast coast. With surrounding coral reefs and few visitors, Nosy Vao provides a peaceful retreat. Terns flock to the reefs, while lemurs inhabit the savannas, and palm trees dot the interior. Vezo fishers build temporary shelters and move between islands, fishing for sharks.

The relaxed west coast town of Morondava is the gateway to the iconic Avenue of the Baobabs. Lining a bumpy track, this striking grove of centuries-old giants - often nicknamed upside-down trees - is especially popular at sunset, when the trunks cast long shadows on the ground. To the south, Kirindy Mitea National Park is a protected coastal reserve home to several species of lemur along with the rare fossa, a close relation of the mongoose.

Mangroves, beaches and an offshore coral reef surround Toliara (Tuléar), near the mouth of the Onilahy River. Just southeast of the city, the Arboretum d’Antsokay was created by a Swiss botanist in 1980 amid a swathe of spiny forest. Garden guides lead you past more than 900 mostly endemic plant species, flitting butterflies or lemurs tucked into branches. Within the port, a fascinating small museum is dedicated to local marine life.

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.

A busy port town with a deep natural harbour, Richards Bay is surrounded by extensive wetlands sheltering diverse birdlife. A hotspot on the Zululand Birding Route, it's a haven for rare species like cuckoo hawks and pygmy geese. The town's large lagoon becomes a cooling spot for hippos and crocodiles. Meanwhile, Alkantstrand Beach offers laid-back charm with long stretches of golden sand and gentle waves.

South Africa’s third-biggest city, Durban is friendly and cosmopolitan. Durban's golden mile is the heartbeat of the city with long sandy beaches and rickshaw rides. Durban's Indian District awakens the senses with its aromatic curry houses and spice stalls. Peaceful Durban Botanic Gardens is renowned for its orchid and palm collections. Nearby Umgeni River Bird Park is home to around 200 species, from vibrant parrots to majestic eagles.

On South Africa's Eastern Cape, East London is celebrated for its beautiful beaches, including Nahoon and Cove Rock. The city features the Buffalo Pass, a scenic road that winds through a lush valley, crossing the Buffalo River. The East London Museum showcases fossilised human and animal footprints and artefacts from the Xhosa-speaking people. In the surrounding areas, numerous game reserves provide habitat to elephants, lions, zebras and more.

On the western edge of Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) is an unassuming city with long stretches of beaches and pockets of Victorian architecture. Pods of frolicking dolphins swim close to shore. Just outside town, Kragga Kragga Game Park is home to roaming white rhinos and cheetahs, while guided game drives at Addo Elephant National Park (about 70 km northeast) offer thrilling encounters with the world’s largest land mammal.

Set on a hillside, the laid-back seaside town of Mossel Bay was the first place where Europeans made landfall in South Africa in 1488. The area’s history unfolds at Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, which contains maritime displays, 19th-century stone cottages and a botanical garden. Nearby, Santos Beach is a wide sandy stretch for swimming and watersports. Southern right whales calve in the bay’s calm waters between July and October.

Hermanus, a seaside town southeast of Cape Town, enchants visitors with its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant marine life. Within Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a 12 km cliffside pathway provides views of seasonal whale migrations and bustling penguin colonies. The Old Harbour, now a museum, encompasses the history of the old harbour, a fishermen's village and the Whale House Museum. The town's bars and restaurants promote local wines and seafood.

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.