South Africa, the nation with a thousand and one faces
As its name suggests, South Africa is located in the extreme south of the African continent. This vast territory, which encircles the state of Lesotho, covers almost 1,220,000 km² and shares borders with Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and Swaziland. Most of this area is desert, but this aridity has not prevented nature from performing feats in South Africa. The country's contrasting terrain features desert savannahs overlooking fields of cotton and wheat, high peaks and sandy beaches. Numerous species of flora and fauna have made this natural hotchpotch their home, much to the delight of safari and nature walk enthusiasts. Like its terrain, South Africa is a land of contrasts: white, black, Indian, Asian, almost every community in the world is represented here. A source of conflict during apartheid, this difference is now the strength of the country that calls itself the rainbow nation. Discover this multicolored people and its mosaic of cultures on your cruise to South Africa.
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Southern Africa
Itinerary : Durban, Pomene, Durban
8 other departures
MSC Armonia
5 d
Inside Stateroom
Durban
01/18/2027
from
$ 522
Other departures:
30 Nov 2026
07-14 Dec 2026
11-25 Jan 2027
Other departures
Itinerary : Durban, Maputo, Durban
MSC Armonia
5 d
Inside Stateroom
Durban
02/08/2027
from
$ 522
Itinerary : Durban, Pomene, Durban
1 other departures
MSC Armonia
6 d
Inside Stateroom
Durban
02/14/2027
from
$ 747
Other departures:
21 Dec 2026
Itinerary : Cape Town, Walvis Bay, Cape Town
MSC Armonia
6 d
Inside Stateroom
Cape Town
03/21/2027
from
$ 876
Itinerary : Venice, Split, Heraklion, Rhodes, Suez Canal, Suez Canal (outing), Aqaba, Sharm El Sheikh, Victoria - SC, Nosy-be, Diego Suarez, Port Louis, La possession, Durban
MSC Armonia
27 d
Inside Stateroom
Venice
11/01/2026
from
$ 2,625
Cape Town is the first port of call on a cruise to South Africa. This city, dominated by Table Mountain, attracts visitors with its rich and varied architectural heritage. Take a stroll between Strand Street and the southern part of the mountain, and you'll appreciate an architectural mosaic that blends Victorian and Georgian austerity with Cape Dutch fantasy and contemporary design. It's also here, among the markets, mosques and alleys, that you can best appreciate South Africa's cultural melting pot. Local colors are sometimes adorned with Asian touches, and European influences are never far away. Before getting back on board your cruise ship, head for Stellenbosch, Paarl or Franschhoek and their wineries, where you can sample the country's finest wines while taking in the mountain scenery.
A cruise to South Africa also includes Durban, the country's third-largest city. Take advantage of your stopover in Durban to visit Ushaka Marine World, an amusement park housing Africa's largest aquarium. If you're feeling a bit adventurous, head for The Valley of the 1000 Hills for a hike through dense forest or caves. If you're interested in history and culture, head for the nearby traditional villages to learn about Zulu culture. If you spend enough time on land, head for the Blue Lagoon for a spot of fishing or simply to enjoy the beauty of nature.
Most cruise lines also include Port Elizabeth in their itineraries. This windswept seaside resort offers ideal conditions for surfing or simply enjoying the sea on the beaches of Wildside and Horizon Bay. Art lovers and the curious will leave the beaches for a while to visit the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum to admire paintings and other masterpieces by local and British contemporary artists. At the Humewood Museum, you can learn more about South Africa's marine ecosystem. Its ocenarium reveals the marine species endemic to the region. To round off your cruise, take the time to sample local specialties such as biltong, a dish made from strips of dried meat, on the terrace of one of the town's restaurants.
South Africa's climate varies from region to region, but around Cape Town, where most South African cruise calls take place, the climate is a mixture of Mediterranean and temperate. Between September and April, temperatures are fairly high and rainfall minimal. The best time to cruise South Africa is spring, from April to June, but that doesn't mean you should avoid the other seasons. The scenery is simply the best, and temperatures are just right - neither too cold nor too hot - for this time of year. A cruise to South Africa is possible all year round. As the country lies in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. So, if you'd like to escape the winter and its pristine landscape for a while, plan your cruise for the beginning of the year or between November and December. At this time of year, the sun is often out during your stopovers.
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