Mauritius, Madagascar & South Africa Paradise Cruise

A private vehicle with driver will provide a transfer to the port.

Welcome aboard!

Take some time to get settled in to your stateroom and to explore the length of the ship. Your first dinner on board this evening will provide a perfect opportunity to meet some of your new cruisemates.

Today is a full day spent relaxingly at sea, sailing onward to your first encounter with Madagascar. The anticipation builds immensely on board. Lectures and discussions by a team of experts will give you a sense of what's to come.

On Ile Sainte-Marie (or Nosy Boroha), the aroma of vanilla, cloves, coffee and cocoa will bewitch you. Explore the former pirate island with the experts or enjoy long walks along the beach.

Go ashore on Nosy Nato, where you might encounter some of the famous lemurs. Time seems to have stood still on the small island without any car traffic, and you can bathe and snorkel on its white beaches to your heart’s content.

Make landfall at Nosy Be, a volcanic island on which French sugar barons settled during the colonial era. Besides the magnificent colonial villas, nature is the true treasure of the island. On the island's Lokobe Nature Reserve, you can gaze upon gigantic trees which reach heights of up to 40 m. With a bit of luck, you may catch a glimpse of numerous bird species including the drongo typical of Madagascar in them. Perhaps black lemurs will also cross your path, and you might observe the nocturnal sportive lemur sleeping in a tree.

Marvellous beaches and colourful snorkelling areas await you on the two islands Nosy Lakandava and Nosy Hara (tomorrow's stop). With the Zodiacs, you will explore the most beautiful swimming bays between coral reefs and bizarre basaltic rocks, making a dip irresistable.

At Nosy Hara today, just relax in the fine sand, refresh yourself in the clear waters of the Pacific or dive into the iridescent underwater world with its sea fan corals and colourful fish.

It is said that the devil pulled the baobab out of the earth to then ram it into the ground again upside down, or the baobab hides its head in the sand for shame – there are many legends about the emblem of Madagascar. The strange giant trees can live for more than 1,000 years. You can find a particularly impressive representative of the species in Mahajanga. Founded around 1700 by the Arabs, the city thrived to become a significant centre due to trading with precious spices.

You will encounter baobabs once again in Morondava, where the gnarled fingers of the numerous giants reach for the sky in the famous avenue, and the lively market invites you for a stroll.

Your fantastic days in Madagascar will end with the typical hustle and bustle of the island of Toliara, located off the southeast coast of mainland Madagascar.

Today is your first of two consecutive days spent relaxingly at sea, as you sail back toward mainland Africa. Your onboard dining experience will keep you delighted as you cruise.

Today you will continue sailing en route to Richard's Bay, South Africa, enjoying the facilities of the top deck.

Discover the black heart of South Africa in Richard’s Bay. Here is the traditional settlement area of the proud Zulus, whose culture you could come into contact with, should you choose to make a visit to the Zulu village of Kwabhekithunga. The nearby Hluhluwe Umfolozi Nature Reserve is home to lions, buffalos and giraffes, is as well as threatened black and white rhinoceros.

One final day spent entirely at sea, relaxingly sailing toward Mossel Bay, South Africa.

Mossel Bay owes its name to mussels and langoustines and received it from Dutch seafarers. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Outeniqua Mountains, you can explore the town and then look forward to an unforgettable finale.

Cape Town is the second most populous city in South Africa, famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Popular day activities include; Robben Island (Nelson Mandela's prison), Cape Point, Stellenbosch winery tour, diamond buying shops, and great white shark diving.

This half day tour winds its way to the heart of the Cape Winelands, through superb mountain ranges, vineyards and Cape Dutch homesteads. Starting with Stellenbosch, which boasts beauty and culture, and is steeped in South African history, framed by canal-lined avenues and giant oak trees. The first tasting of the day is at the Waterford Estate, one of the most picturesque settings in the Blaauwklippen Valley. Here you enjoy a unique flavour experience, as custom-made chocolates are paired with red and dessert wines. Then travel over the Helshoogte Pass to the town of Franschhoek, billed as the Gourmet Capital of South Africa, while retaining its French Huguenot style charm. Here you do a tasting at the Cape Chamonix Wine Farm, which produces a range of premium wines, export fruit and superior German-style schnapps. Depart the 18 th  century "Blacksmith's Cottage", and head back to the bustle of city to return to your hotel by 13:30 - or by 17:30, respectively.

This morning, you'll disembark your ship after breakfast, bidding farewell to your fellow cruisemates.

You will be picked up at your hotel and transferred to the port where you will meet up with your cruise ship.

The tour commences with collection from your hotel and transfer to the lower cable car station at Table Mountain. Ascend by aerial cable car (included) for a very easy but spectacular walk with an accredited walking / hiking guide. The walk begins at the upper cable station and traverses the entire front table to Maclears Beacon – the highest point at 1087m. The walk returns via a different route providing a variety of vistas. On a clear day the views throughout are exquisite. The entire walk takes about 2 hours. Note: Routing of hike is dependent on the cable car being operational. If the cable car is not operational on the day, and depending on clients’ fitness levels, the walk would be adapted accordingly.

Once you descend the mountain, transfer to the colourful Bo-Kaap where you will enjoy a traditional lunch (to own account) while learning about the contribution of the Cape Malay people to South Africa’s, and Cape Town’s in particular, heritage. Drive through the cobbled streets of the Malay Quarter after lunch and proceed on the remainder of your tour of the Mother City. Enjoy a stroll through the Company Gardens Company – a large public park and botanical garden set in the heart of Cape Town. The tree-lined avenue forms a pathway between the suburb of Gardens and the city centre, and there are a number of other important buildings within the garden such as the South African Museum. Established in 1852, the museum has been adding to its collections for over 200 years and offers a diverse range of exhibitions. From here you will continue to the Castle o fGood Hope which is the oldest surviving building inSouth Africa. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Enjoy a private transfer between the airport and your hotel.