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Cape Town sunset

Cruising in Namibia: The Skeleton Coast

Cape Town to Luanda - Example 13 Day Cruise aboard SH Diana
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Set sail from Cape Town to Luanda on a 13-day  African coastal cruise aboard SH Diana. Begin in Cape Town, where stunning Table Mountain overlooks a bustling waterfront. Sail north to Saldanha Bay, famous for its birdlife and rich wetlands. Discover Luderitz’s German-colonial buildings and Namibia’s Walvis Bay, home to flamingo-filled wetlands, seal colonies, and optional desert excursions. Stop at the haunting Ilha Baia Dos Tigres in Angola, a deserted island with pristine beaches and eerie landscapes. Continue to Namibe, with its ancient desert flora and vibrant colonial architecture. Your cruise concludes in Luanda, Angola’s dynamic capital, blending colonial charm and modern flair.
Table Mountain and Cape Town Harbour, South AfricaA group of Lesser FlamingosSpectacular sunrises are the norm in the NamibExplore NamibiaTake the cable car during one of your days in Cape TownCape Town sunset
Highlights
  • Observe flamingos and black harriers in Saldanha Bay’s wetlands
  • Explore Namibia’s Kolmanskop ghost town and learn its history
  • Walk through Namibe’s colonial buildings and local marketplaces
  • View Cape fur seals at Pelican Point near Walvis Bay
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Cape Town

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

*specific hotel and location to be announced

Day 2: Cape Town | Embark

Nestled between mountains and the ocean, Cape Town is a dynamic, multicultural destination with a bustling waterfront filled with seafood eateries, shops, and popular attractions. Ride a cable car up iconic Table Mountain for panoramic views, or take a boat to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Visit Boulders Beach to see African penguins in their natural habitat, and enjoy wine tastings at renowned Stellenbosch vineyards surrounded by classic Cape Dutch architecture.

Day 3: Cape Town

Nestled between mountains and the ocean, Cape Town is a dynamic, multicultural destination with a bustling waterfront filled with seafood eateries, shops, and popular attractions. Ride a cable car up iconic Table Mountain for panoramic views, or take a boat to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Visit Boulders Beach to see African penguins in their natural habitat, and enjoy wine tastings at renowned Stellenbosch vineyards surrounded by classic Cape Dutch architecture.

Day 4: Saldanha Bay

Langebaan Lagoon, a watersports and fishing paradise, is renowned for its wetlands and tidal mud flats, home to flamingos, the world’s largest breeding colony of black harriers, and thousands of migratory birds. The West Coast National Park protects the lagoon and is home to the Slow Five—tortoises, whales, sand sharks, porcupines and dune moles. The Fossil Park has the oldest modern human footprint, Eve’s Footprint, over 100,000 years old.

Day 5: At Sea

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 allows you 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 our onboard lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Day 6: Luderitz

Luderitz, with a unique West African-German culture, graces Namibia's coast on a windswept, rocky hillside beside the bay. Formerly a German colony, the town preserves colonial buildings in German Art Nouveau style, including the Goerke Haus mansion and the Felsenkirche Lutheran Church built into the rocks. Beyond the town, the desolate Namib Desert extends along the coast, home to Kolmanskop ghost town, wild horses, and tales of remarkable survival.

Day 7-8: Walvis Bay

Walvis Bay offers shelter to thousands of flamingos in its natural tidal lagoon and protected wetlands. At the remote Pelican Point sand spit, a Cape fur seal colony hauls out, and marine wildlife like whales and dolphins swim by. Locally caught fish and German dishes are available in the harbor. Optional tours include desert dinners, dune jeep safaris, meeting the locals in Mondesa township, and flights or hot air balloons over the desert.

Day 9: At Sea

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.

Day 10: Ilha Baia Dos Tigres

Far from the crowds, the abandoned Ilha Baía dos Tigres, or Tiger Island, in Angola off Namibe Province's coast offers a deserted island setting. Originally a peninsula, it became an island overnight when the ocean breached the isthmus and residents abandoned their homes. Nestled in clear blue waters, the island is a pristine oasis surrounded by secluded beaches, and vast dunes, renowned for desolate landscapes and eerie ghost towns.

Day 11: Namibe

Now known as Moçamedes, the port of Namibe was settled by the Portuguese in the 19th century. This early slave trading town is the entrance to the arid Namib desert, with towering sand dunes and home to the ancient welwitschia mirabilis trees, each over 2,000 years old and threatened by climate change. Near the port, the old town has colorful colonial architecture, beaches, and historic buildings, including an abandoned spaceship-like cinema.

Day 12: At Sea

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.

Day 13: Luanda | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
As Angola emerges from colonial rule and a long Civil War, its capital, Luanda, is evolving into a forward-looking city with a rich heritage. Landmarks include Gustave Eiffel's Iron Palace and the 16th-century São Miguel Fortress. Luanda's historic upper town, Cidade Alta, features pink colonial buildings, the Presidential Palace and ministerial houses. Ilha do Cabo shows Luanda's modern side with trendy seaside restaurants and bars.

Ship/Hotel

SH Diana

SH Diana
SH Diana Observation Lounge
SH Diana Swan Nest

Cape Town - Hotels

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$4,480 2-3 travelers
SH Diana Oceanview D4
Oceanview D4
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
SH Diana Oceanview M4
Oceanview M4
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
SH Diana Balcony D5
Balcony D5
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
SH Diana Balcony M5
Balcony M5
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
SH Diana Balcony D6
Balcony D6
Located on decks 6, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
SH Diana Junior Suite
Junior Suite
SH Diana’s Junior Suites features a Super King Size bed, separate living room area with homely flame-effect fireplace, private kitchen, luxurious en-suite bathroom and a 7 sq. m private balcony.
SH Diana Suite
Suite
Our Suites features a superking bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
SH Diana Premium Suite
Premium Suite
SH Diana’s Premium Suites feature a Super King Size bed, separate living room with homely flame-effect fireplace, luxurious en-suite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe and a 12 sq. m private balcony.
Included
  • 12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
  • 12 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Wifi
  • Self-service laundry 
  • Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
  • Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
  • Onboard gratuities & port taxes
  • Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
  • Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
  • One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
  • 24-hour room service
  • Illy espresso, Kusmi tea, and minibar stocked with soft drinks and beer available in staterooms
  • Welcome champagne available in staterooms
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation

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Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
Lisa Bridge

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