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South Africa Small Ship Cruises

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Experience the wonders of South Africa with Adventure Life's array of 7 small ship cruises for 2026. Join us on a cruise journey through the vibrant heritage and breathtaking landscapes of Maputo to Cape Town. Sail on the Extraordinary Southern Africa cruise aboard SH Diana to explore Maputo's Soviet-style buildings, Mozambique's islands, and spot rare bird species while enjoying a rickshaw ride in Durban. Engage in local market visits, wildlife viewing, and more. Delve into the South Atlantic Semi-Circumnavigation aboard SH Vega to discover the wildlife of Antarctica, Gough Island, and sail to Tristan da Cunha. Learn about the region's legends, explore Chobe National Park, tour Victoria Falls, and visit Impalila's local school on the Southern Africa: Travel to the Ends of the Earth cruise aboard African Dream. With activities like wildlife viewing and village visits, these adventures offer a relaxed pace suitable for all travelers. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the captivating nature, history, and culture of South Africa. Contact one of Adventure Life's tour specialists for help planning your next seamless trip.
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    • South Africa
Elephants cooling down with a mud bath, Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
from $7,890
EXPLORE

South Africa and Namibia by Sea - with Smithsonian Journeys

Durban to Walvis Bay - 11 Day Itinerary aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville
  • Xhosa heritage village visit
  • Visit Cape Town and Table Mountain
  • Spot Walvis Bay flamingo colony
  • See Luderitz colonial architecture
Starts / Ends
Durban / Walvis Bay
Activity Level
Variable
Sail on a 11-day South Africa and Namibia cruise aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville. Explore South Africa’s Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, and Cape Town, plus Namibia’s Luderitz. Enjoy cultural sites, wildlife, desert landscapes, ocean views.
Cruise Details
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Elephants cooling down with a mud bath, Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
from $8,860
No SS
EXPLORE

Namibian & South African Coastlines

Walvis Bay to Durban - 11 Day Itinerary aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville
  • Spot flamingos in Walvis Bay lagoon
  • See Cape fur seals in Pelican Point
  • Hike Cape St. Blaize trail
  • Explore Addo Elephant National Park
Starts / Ends
Walvis Bay / Durban
Activity Level
Variable
Take an 11-day cruise from Walvis Bay to Durban aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville. Experience Walvis Bay’s birdlife and seal colonies, Lüderitz’s colonial history, Cape Town’s Table Mountain, Mossel Bay’s wildlife, and Port Elizabeth’s Addo elephants. Enjoy days at sea with spa, fitness, lectures, and ocean views before ending in multicultural Durban.
Cruise Details
0
Table Mountain and Cape Town Harbour, South Africa
from $7,960
EXPLORE

Namibian and South African Coastlines

Walvis Bay to Richards Bay - 12 Day Itinerary aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville
  • Addo Elephant Park safari
  • Hermanus coastal port call
  • Chapman's Peak scenic drive
  • Table Mountain experience tour
Starts / Ends
Walvis Bay / Richard's Bay
Activities
Wildlife Viewing, Urban Exploration, Archaeological Site Visits, Village Visits, Hiking
Activity Level
Variable
Sail aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville from Walvis Bay to Richards Bay on a 12-day cruise. Explore Namibia’s coastal desert, visit Kolmanskop ghost town, and spot seals and dolphins at Pelican Point. Discover Cape Town’s landmarks. Travel along South Africa’s coast through Hermanus, Mossel Bay, and Port Elizabeth, and enjoy a safari in Addo Elephant Park.
Cruise Details
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The tranquil tropical views of Madagascar
from $9,140
No SS
EXPLORE

Madagascar & South Africa

Durban to Nosy Be - 12 Day Itinerary aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville
  • Explore Durban cultural city
  • Experience snorkeling at Nosy Hara
  • See Nosy Komba lemurs
  • Experience Zulu heritage excursions
Starts / Ends
Durban / Nosy Be
Activities
Snorkeling
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail on a 12-day cruise from Durban to Nosy Be aboard Le Dumont-d'Urville. Explore Richards Bay’s wildlife reserves, Toliara’s botanical treasures, Morondava’s baobabs, Majunga’s Cirque Rouge, Nosy Komba’s lemurs, Nosy Hara’s marine life, and Nosy Be’s forests and beaches.
Cruise Details
0
from $15,850
50% Off
EXPLORE

South Atlantic Cruise: from South Africa to Antarctica

Cape Town to Ushuaia - 22 Day Itinerary aboard SH Diana
  • Discover Cape Town
  • Explore the South Shetland Islands
  • Enter the Antarctic Peninsula
  • Zodiac cruises
  • Explore the Antarctic Peninsula
Starts / Ends
Cape Town / Port of Ushuaia
Activity Level
Variable
This 22-day Africa to America Antarctic Epic Expedition Cruise departs from Cape Town, South Africa, and sails south to the Antarctic Peninsula. Along the way, see glaciers, icebergs, and wildlife, such as penguins, seals, and whales. Visit some of the most important historical sites in Antarctica, including Port Lockroy and the Shackleton Icefall.
Cruise Details
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Cape Town sunset
from $8,100
EXPLORE

Cruising in Namibia: The Skeleton Coast

Cape Town to Luanda - 13 Day Itinerary aboard SH Diana
  • Birdwatching at Saldanha Bay
  • Visit Kolmanskop ghost town
  • Explore Namibe’s colonial sites
  • See Cape fur seals at Pelican Point
Starts / Ends
Cape Town / Luanda
Activities
Local Market Visits
Activity Level
Variable
Embark on a 13-day African coastal cruise from Cape Town to Luanda aboard SH Diana and explore Cape Town’s vibrant waterfront, Saldanha Bay’s rich birdlife, and Luderitz's German architecture. This adventure combines scenic landscapes, rich history, and diverse ecosystems, offering a captivating African coastal adventure.
Cruise Details
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Dozens of Adelie Penguins gather on an ice flow in the seawater near Brown Bluff on the Antarctica Peninsula.
from $15,600
50% Off
EXPLORE

South Atlantic Cruise: From Antarctica to South Africa

Ushuaia - Cape Town - 22 Day Itinerary aboard SH Diana
  • Observe penguins, seals, and whales
  • Explore the wildlife of Antarctica
  • Navigate through towering icebergs
  • See different seabird species
Starts / Ends
Buenos Aires / Cape Town
Activities
Photography Seminars
Activity Level
Variable
Set sail on a 22-day cruise from Ushuaia to Cape Town aboard the SH Diana. This polar adventure offers a chance to explore remote and pristine locations with opportunities to see penguins, seals, and whales, combined with learning experiences and onboard relaxation.
Cruise Details
0
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Jess H.
Hoyo-Hoyo Safari Lodge
South Africa

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