Top Six Cruise Destinations in Africa

• Cultural Hubs: Explore the historical depth and cosmopolitan energy of Cape Town and Mombasa, where UNESCO sites meet modern coastal life.

• Untamed Landscapes: Discover the dramatic contrasts between the lush tropical jungles of Madagascar and the soaring desert dunes of Namibia.

• Island Paradises: Learn why the Seychelles offers the ultimate laid-back retreat with its unique Creole charm and pristine beaches.

Africa is a vast, eclectic continent, home to richly diverse cultures and history, incredible wildlife and breathtaking scenery. A cruise holiday can be an excellent way to see some of its highlights all in one trip, but deciding where to go can still be a challenge when there’s so much choice.

To help make this process easier, we’ve put together our top six Africa cruise destinations. Read on to find out which destinations made the cut, and why these ports are perfect to visit as part of a cruise to Africa.

Cape Town, South Africa

With stunning coastal views, a captivating history, exceptional food and wine, plus incredible wildlife, Cape Town is a must-visit when cruising around Africa. Take a cable car ride up the notorious Table Mountain to take in the impressive vista, or get adventurous with outdoor activities such as surfing, hiking or paragliding. 

Foodies will love the outstanding variety of cuisine available here, along with the famous wine regions, including Stellenbosch, Constantia and Paarl. Meanwhile, history fans can discover a raw and compelling past in Cape Town, centred around Nelson Mandela and the apartheid. 

Cape Town is also a great place to set out on safari in an attempt to spot the ‘Big 5’: the lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros. Many cruise lines also offer escorted tour options for this as an add-on at the start or end of your cruise.

Mombasa, Kenya

Mombasa is a cosmopolitan island city connected to mainland Kenya by bridges and ferries. Its white-sand beaches that edge the warm tropical waters of the Indian Ocean make for a perfect place to relax and recharge, or even scuba dive to discover the multicoloured coral below the surface. 

The historical UNESCO World Heritage site, Fort Jesus, is worth a visit while exploring the city’s churches, mosques, and Hindu temples in this diversely fascinating city. This 16th-century treasure is Mombasa's most visited site, displaying frescoed interiors, European graffiti traces and Swahili embellishment.

Nosy Be, Madagascar

Located off the northwest coast of Madagascar, Nosy Be roughly translates as ‘big island’, compared to the smaller islands that surround it. Here, you can swim, snorkel, sail and surf; Nosy Be is regarded as having Madagascar’s best and most beautiful beach destinations to enjoy it all.

Inland, the landscape is dotted with rushing waterfalls and crater lakes, home to the island’s unique inhabitants, such as the endangered black lemur, colourful chameleons, camouflage geckos, snakes and frogs. Elsewhere, the fragrant ylang-ylang and vanilla plantations add to the serene ambience of this laid-back island. 

Explore vibrant, colourful markets with a broad selection of organic fruits and vegetables. Or, if you're on the hunt for a local delicacy, sample the popular morning treat of fried banana fritters!

Victoria, Seychelles

On the lush tropical islands of the Seychelles, between the spectacular beaches, is the small yet intriguing capital city, Victoria. It’s the island’s only city, however, with only 25,000 inhabitants, two dozen streets and majestic mountains rising in the background, Victoria’s quiet charm reflects that of the Seychellois and Creole cultures.

Wander around its old colonial buildings, take in the lively atmosphere at Sir Selwyn Clarke Market or visit the eye-catching Hindu temple, Sri Navasakthi Vinayagar.

Walvis Bay, Namibia

Day-to-day Walvis Bay is a busy fishing harbour. However, it attracts visitors from all around the globe thanks to its magnificent natural lagoon and remarkable birdlife. Among the 100,000 birds that inhabit the area, you can see flamingos, pelicans, and many other migratory birds.

Walvis Bay is also the starting place for an extraordinary adventure into one of the world’s oldest deserts. Cruise lines that stop here often offer excursions to the Namib Desert, where you’ll find Moon Landscape (rock formations eroded by the wind to carve out a lunar-like landscape) and brightly coloured shifting sand dunes recorded to be some of the world’s highest!

Durban, South Africa

Durban is a popular stop for cruise itineraries, a captivating city surrounded by fabulous beaches and a characterful mountain backdrop. The Golden Mile (which is actually three and a half miles long!) offers glorious stretches of sandy beaches, interspersed by amusement parks, shops, restaurants and high-end hotels.

Visit KwaZulu and learn more about the Zulu way of life or take a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Drakensberg Park, known for its spectacular mountain habitat.

A Note On Africa Cruise Itineraries

Many African cruises begin in South Africa, either from Cape Town or Durban, although you can also sail from the UK and Europe as part of a longer cruise.

Whichever you choose, the distances covered are extensive, and many itineraries often last for 14 days or more, so be prepared for these longer cruise itineraries to make the most of your time in this spectacular region.