Arrive in Mombasa, relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

*specific hotel and location to be announced

A dynamic coastal metropolis, Mombasa draws you in with its rich history and beguiling blend of cultures. For centuries, Arabs, Portuguese, Asians, and British settlers have lived side by side in the enchanting old town, whose buildings meld African, European, and African 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.

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 which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of your onboard lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from your onboard professional photographers.

A tranquil white-sand beach stretches for miles alongside brilliantly turquoise water on the west coast of Assumption Island. Part of the Aldabra Group, the kidney-shaped island lies more than 1,000 km southwest of Mahé and is known for its colorful butterfly species, including the belenois aldabrensis. You may bump into sauntering giant tortoises or catch a flash of green as an Assumption day gecko scampers past. Keep an eye out for evidence of nesting sea turtles near the shoreline.

Comprising 13 islands around a lagoon, this massive raised coral atoll is home to the world’s largest tortoise colony. More than 100,000 lumbering giant tortoises inch their way around the isolated archipelago’s protected landscape, which features hundreds of flowering plant and fern species. You might be lucky enough to spot swooping Aldabra drongos - endemic to the islands - or wading pink flamingos. Look out too for scavenging white-throated rails, the only flightless bird remaining in the Indian Ocean.

Sandy swimming beaches, biodiverse jungle, and vividly blue crater lakes are among the highlights of this verdant island off Madagascar’s northern coast. After exploring the French colonial buildings in the port of Hell-Ville, head to nearby Lokobe Reserve, accessed via guided pirogue canoe. Black lemurs clamber up the park’s centuries-old trees, and you might also catch a glimpse of a vibrantly hued panther chameleon, which typically grows to around a foot and a half long.

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. Be sure to look for the gigantic landmark baobab tree towering 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. The colors are at their most dramatic at sunset.

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

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, creating spectacular photo effects. 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 to the mongoose.

Mangroves, beaches, and an offshore coral reef surround Toliara (Tuléar), near the mouth of the Onilahy River. Just southeast of the city, you can explore the Arboretum d’Antsokay, created by a Swiss botanist in 1980 amid a swathe of spiny forests. Garden guides lead you past more than 900 mostly endemic plant species, and you might spy flitting butterflies or lemurs tucked into branches. Within the port, there’s also a fascinating small museum dedicated to local marine life.

Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

Mozambique’s capital city has an intriguing mix of Portuguese colonial and Soviet-style buildings on broad boulevards lined with jacaranda and palm trees. Architectural standouts include the early-20th-century domed railway station, painted in green and white, and the Smiling Lion, a distinctive post-modernist apartment block designed by Pancho Guedes. Exploring Maputo is also simply about wandering the historic district of Baixa and taking in the vibrant street scene of bustling pavement cafes, live music, and busy markets.