NEW TRIP
From Mombasa to Cape Town aboard the expedition vessel Diana
Kenya to Cape Town Expedition Cruise
Overview
Set sail from Mombasa, cruising the scenic East African coast as you relax on Zanzibar and explore Kilwa Kivinje's ancient sites, visit Madagascar’s west coast beaches of Nosy Be and Nosy Vao, tour Mahajanga's colonial architecture, Toliara's mangroves, and discover Morondava's baobab trees. From Swahili influences to colonial history, experience the Western Indian Ocean's diverse culture. Your journey ends in cosmopolitan Cape Town, South Africa.
Arrive: Mombasa, Kenya
Depart: Cape Town, South Africa
Highlights
- Visit the fascinating "Spice Island" of Zanzibar and the old trading hub of Kilwa Kivinje
- On Madagascar, explore the tropical beaches and lush jungles of Nosy Be, Nosy Vao, and the lively northern port of Mahajanga, with its French and Arabian architecture
- Enjoy breathtaking views on the Avenue of the Baobabs
- On days at sea, watch for pods of dolphins or surfacing beaked whales
- Sail along the coast of South Africa, with stops in Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth, Hermanus, and Cape Town
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
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 center for ivory and gold. Today, it provides insight into medieval East Africa's opulence, with dhows in the harbor 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 the library that 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 the onboard professional photographers.
Sandy swimming beaches, bio-diverse 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.
Optional excursions include a walk through a fishermen's village and a visit to the Black Lemur Sanctuary, and a guided tour through Lokobe Natural Reserve, with its varieties of endemic medicinal plants and ancient trees, lemurs, reptiles, chameleons, and tropical birds
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 amphitheater whose crumbling rocks are a blend of red, ochre, and pale pink, and are at their most dramatic at sunset.
The remote 1.2-mile-long Nosy Vao, located 43 miles north of Maintirano, offers an unspoidt 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. Explore the arboretum and enjoy a folkloric show; an optional excursion includes a walk in the spiny forest and the bird sanctuary. The following two days are at sea.
A busy port town with a deep natural harbor, 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. Its 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.
An optional excursion is a 4WD game drive at Tala Private Game Reserve, viewing big game including rhino, kudu, hippo, giraffe, and the rare sable antelope.
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 fossilized human and animal footprints and artifacts 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 45 miles northeast) offer thrilling encounters with the world's largest land mammal.
An optional excursion is
meeting the tallest wildlife members, giraffes, on a walking safari.
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.
Optional excursions include visiting a local wine estate (with a wine tasting, of course!) and touring the Friemersheim Wall Art Route.
Hermanus, a seaside town southeast of Cape Town, enchants visitors with its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant marine life. Within Fernkloof Nature Reserve, a 7-mile cliffside pathway provides views of seasonal whale migrations and bustling penguin colonies. The Old Harbour, now a museum, encompasses the history of the old harbor, 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.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 1+, Easy, and is appropriate for anyone in reasonably good health who is physically active. Launch boats are used to explore the coastline and transport passengers ashore for walks to view wildlife. Options for swimming and snorkeling are available.
Review Trip Level Details
Optional excursions include game viewing by 4WD vehicle with some long drives over rough roads and rugged dirt tracks.
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With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.