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Safaris of the Southwest Coast

Cape Town to Luanda - Example 11 Day Cruise aboard SH Vega
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Cruising the west coast of the southern region of Africa from Cape Town up to Luanda on a boutique expedition ship provides a fascinating insight into a continent with so many different aspects. You board the 10-night West Coast of Africa-South Africa to Angola cruise in the buzzing, cultural city of Cape Town. The journey explores the Atlantic coastline of Namibia, the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa, and Angola, a post-colonial country that is slowly emerging from the ravages of war. From the harsh conditions of the Namib desert to the unspoiled Angolan coastlines, spotting flamingos, pelicans, whales, and dolphins, you get to truly experience these exquisite landscapes before ending the cruise in the Portuguese-influenced city of Luanda.
Table Mountain and Cape Town Harbour, South AfricaCape Town sunsetStop in an abandoned mining town along the coast of Luderitz, Namibia
Highlights
  • Explore the Kolmanskop ghost town in the barren Namib Desert near Luderitz
  • Spot flamingos and pelicans in their thousands at Pelican Point
  • Look for the rare tree or Welwitchia mirabilis in Namibe Partial Reserve
  • Learn more about Angola’s colonial and military history
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
0

Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Cape Town, South Africa

Arrive in Cape Town, relax, and spend the overnight in Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront Cape Town or similar.

Day 2: Cape town | Embark

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner
Starting this 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 harbor fronts and surprising restaurants where one can indulge on the delicious seafood

Day 3: At sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Day 4: Luderitz

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Between the weather-beaten South Atlantic coast and the unforgiving Namib Desert, Luderitz is a quaint harbor 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.

Day 5-6: Walvis Bay

  • Ship
  • 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
The natural harbor 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.

Day 7: At sea

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Day 8: Namibe | Angola

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 live. 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 you sail by.

Day 9: Lobito

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
The pretty port city of Lobito is known for its unique natural harbor - 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.

Day 10: Luanda

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

Day 11: Luanda | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
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.

Ship/Hotel

SH Vega

SH Vega
SH Vega Club Lounge
SH Vega Club Lounge

Cape Town - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Deals

Adventure Sale
Book any voyage departing before 30th November 2023 and save $2,023 per person. This offer ends on 7th April 2023 and applies to new bookings only. Additional restrictions may apply. Please contact us for details.
Applies to Mar 25, 2023 departure

Per person starting at
$9,939
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
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Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
SH Vega Suite OceanViewOceanview
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Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Balcony
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Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
Balcony
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Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
SH Vega SuitePremium suitePremium Suite
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Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
SH Vega Suite PremiumSH Vega Suite PremiumPremium suitePremium Suite
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Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.
Included
  • 9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
  • 9 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Room Service 
  • Wifi
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
  • All transfers between Airport, Hotel and Ship
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses

Map

When to Go

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen

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