The Fascination of Africa’s South Small Ship Cruise

In the barren expanse of the Namib Desert, Luderitz appears like a mirage on the edge of the Atlantic. The colonial houses with their bright facades tell the story of the town’s past, while time seems to have stood still in the ghost town of Kolmanskop. Penguins and flamingoes gather at the water and the natural beauty seems raw and untamed. Luderitz, where the desert meets the sea, is a place full of contrasts, in which tranquillity, melancholy and the beauty of solitude have a story to tell.

Walvis Bay nestles softly in the coastline of Namibia, where the dunes of the Namib Desert meet the deep blue of the Atlantic. Flamingoes and pelicans gather at the lagoons, while dolphins glide playfully through the glittering waves. The panorama of golden dunes and blue water seems surreal, as if nature is revealing its most beautiful colours. The breeze carries the salty scent of the sea over the waterfront promenade as the fishing boats bob up and down on the waves in the distance. Walvis Bay is a place in which the bleak grandeur of the desert and the tranquillity of the ocean come together in a magical way.

Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, offers visitors an inviting atmosphere with its many days of sunshine and long beaches. The coastal resort in the south-east of South Africa was given its new name in 2021, after the isiXhosa name for the Baakens River that flows through the town. Humewood and Summerstrand are particularly popular areas for long walks or watching the sailors and windsurfers. The town is characterised by the brick-red bell tower of the Settlers’ Memorial Campanile, commemorating the first settlers in 1820.

The lively city of Durban stretches out along the east coast of South Africa. Now the second biggest city in the country, long before the British arrived in 1823 Durban was shaped by its native culture, as shown by the rock carvings in the Drakensberg mountains. It has since grown into an economic hub with the biggest port in the country, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a wide range of leisure activities. Long sandy beaches attract the surfers and the beach front is a great place for sunbathing. Some of the cultural highlights on offer include the Botanic Gardens, the Old Fort and the Juma Masjid Mosque. Durban brings history together with modern life and South African spirit, also in the late evening hours.

White sand and settled weather – Mossel Bay is the perfect place for a long walk along the surf. This South African harbour town, also known as Mosselbaai, was discovered by Bartolomeu Dias in 1488 when he landed here to take on fresh water. The Dias Museum complex stands as a reminder to this historic discovery and lets visitors immerse themselves in the past. The name Mossel Bay comes from Dutch traders who noticed the large number of mussels in the bay. Its fascinating history and natural beauty make Mossel Bay a charming destination on the Garden Route.

At the foot of the imposing Table Mountain lies Cape Town, a lively metropolis and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The charming blend of Victorian villas on Long Street and modern skyscrapers in the financial district are what give the city its unique character. The popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with its boutiques, cafes and excellent restaurants will make visitors’ hearts soar, both during the day and late into the evening. A cable-car ride to the plateau of Table Mountain promises to be an exciting experience and offers a magnificent view over the city and peninsula. This stretches as far as the Cape of Good Hope, where idyllic beach resorts meet unspoilt nature, making Cape Town an even more unforgettable destination.

Itineraries are subject to change.