One of the largest and most popular continents for travellers, Africa is a land that boasts a range of adventures, from wild animal safaris to gorgeous mountain hikes to regional wine tours. Today, cruises to Africa are becoming increasingly popular and cruise lines are finding that tourists love the idea of discovering this huge continent via a cruising holiday.
Australia to Africa
It may be surprising, but cruises to Africa from Australia, specifically Fremantle are available. and can take you via Mauritius, Reunion or Madagascar. Setting off from here means that you will visit Mauritius, Réunion Island and Madagascar along the way.
However, if you don’t have a great deal of time up your sleeve (or if you’re embarking from somewhere other than Western Australia), it may be more beneficial to fly to a different embarkation point.
Destinations
You will need to keep in mind that Africa is a huge continent with plenty to see and do. Your preferences and desired destinations will help your travel agent determine what kind of cruise holiday will best suit your needs.
Northern Africa: Cruises to the northern parts of Africa most commonly involve exploring countries like Morocco or Egypt, possibly in conjunction with destinations in the Middle East or throughout the Mediterranean. If Egypt is on your agenda, this is also a great opportunity to steer your cruise holiday down the Nile, and embark on a river cruise.
Which cruise line?: Silversea Cruises
East Africa: If you prefer to cruise on the east coast, you’ll encounter some of the most wonderful beaches, impressive safaris and glorious mountains in the continent. Ethiopia is a popular cruise destination on the east coast, as are Kenya and Tanzania.
Which cruise line?: Oceania Cruises
West Africa: West Africa is most renowned for its diverse history and vibrant culture, giving travellers the chance to explore ancient cities and temples, trek across deltas, get up close with native wildlife like gorillas, elephants, chimps and whales or simply relax on a west-coast beach. The most popular destinations here include Mali, Gabon, Senegal, Ghana and Cameroon.
Which cruise line?: Crystal Cruises and Seabourn
Southern Africa: Southern Africa is a beautiful region of its own and many cruises will feature Durban, South Africa as one of their major ports of call. From here, tourists can head out on safari to see the Big 5, explore the deserts and wildlife of Namibia, embark on a wine journey in South Africa, or shop and eat like crazy in Cape Town.
Which cruise line?: MSC Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises
How to choose your cruise
- Think about what you most want to see and do in Africa; each country is large and diverse, so spend a little bit of time deciding where you want to go
- Book your trip through a travel agent; there are lots of regulations for visiting Africa, not to mention certain regions you may want to avoid. A Travellers Choice agent will be able to give you the right advice and find you the right cruise
- Consider how luxurious you want your onboard experience to be! Are you after a suite with a balcony or something more cosy below deck?
- Consider how much time you want to spend in Africa vs. how much time you want to spend onboard the ship; do you prefer coastal day-tours off the boat or do you want to explore the inner regions of Africa in more detail?
Top tip!: Don’t forget to ask your cruise agent about any port charges and government taxes involved in the cruise and make sure these are included in your cruise package.
If you want to start planning your cruise to Africa, contact a Travellers Choice agent today.
