Explore the best of South Africa from the comfort of a boutique expedition ship as it visits ports along the Indian Ocean on our 7-night South Africa Discovery cruise. We begin our journey in the former Portuguese colony of Mozambique, starting in the capital, Maputo, exploring its culture before visiting pristine beaches. Our first venture on South African shores gives us the possibility to see rare bird species such as the cuckoo hawk and pygmy goose who make their home in the wetlands. Then it’s time for the big game reserves in the hope of spotting hippos, crocodiles, rhinos, cheetahs and the world’s largest mammal, elephants. Our voyage finishes in Cape Town. Between safaris, swimming and sandy beaches, you’ll be treated to incredible food, meet locals and discover the architecture that’s been heavily influenced by all the cultures that make this place home. Come aboard our cultural cruise of South Africa, and feel inspired by this incredible country.
• Wander past Portuguese colonial and Soviet-style buildings in Maputo • Explore Mozambique’s uninhabited islands and try local specialities • Keep an eye out for rare bird species along the Zululand Birding Route • Take a rickshaw ride along Durban’s wide seafront promenade • Search for white rhinos, cheetahs and elephants in the game parks near Port Elizabeth
There are no future departures for this trip at this stage.
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.
kiosks dishing up local specialities. Umbrellas and loungers are available if you want to relax in the sun, or you can join in an energetic game of beach volleyball or tennis. Hop on a traditional dhow boat for a tour along the shore, or head to the nearby island of Inhaca to visit its marine biology museum and lighthouse.
A busy port town with a deep natural harbour, Richards Bay is surrounded by extensive wetlands sheltering diverse birdlife. It’s part of the Zululand Birding Route, whose rare species include the cuckoo hawk and pygmy goose. You might also catch sight of hippos and crocodiles cooling off in the town’s large lagoon. Long stretches of sand include laid-back Alkantstrand Beach, where you can picnic in the shade, take a dip in the ocean, or watch surfers riding the waves.
South Africa’s third-biggest city, Durban is friendly and cosmopolitan, with long sandy beaches and rickshaw rides along a wide seafront promenade. Beyond the beach, you can meander among aromatic curry houses and spice stalls in the Indian District, then take a stroll through peaceful Durban Botanic Gardens, renowned for its orchid and palm collections. A handful of small museums focus on local history, and nearby Umgeni River Bird Park is home to around 200 species in a lush former quarry.
You can spend your day at sea enjoying the many facilities available. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the jacuzzi whilst taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable on-board experts.
On the western edge of Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) is an unassuming city with long stretches of swimming beaches and pockets of well-preserved Victorian architecture. As you pull into the dock, you might spot pods of frolicking dolphins close to shore. Just outside town, Kragga Kragga Game Park is home to roaming white rhinos and cheetahs, while guided game drives at Addo Elephant National Park (about 70 km northeast) offer thrilling encounters with the world’s largest land mammal.
Set on a hillside overlooking a vast bay, this laid-back seaside town was the first place where Europeans made landfall in South Africa in 1488. You can trace the area’s history at the excellent Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex, which contains maritime displays, 19th-century stone cottages and a botanical garden. Afterwards, stroll to nearby Santos Beach, a wide sandy stretch popular for swimming and water sports. Southern right whales calve in the bay’s calm waters between July and October.
Ending our epic transatlantic journey with one of the most spectacular city sceneries in Africa . Domiated by Table Mountain , Cape town is a cosmopolitan city with plenty of nearby splendid vineyards , wonderful harbour fronts and surprising restaurants where one can indulge on the delicious seafood
Itineraries are subject to change.
Diana
| Length | 125 metres |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2022/23 |
Launched in 2023, SH Diana provides elegant and spacious 5-star accommodation for 192 guests in 96 spacious staterooms and suites, the vast majority with large balconies. Operated by an onboard team of 140 she provides a high level of personal service, exploring the Mediterranean and its famous sites of antiquity.
Now sit back, relax and take a moment to get to know this amazing new ship, purpose-designed for our unique cultural expedition cruises.
Named after the Ancient Roman goddess of light, the moon, hunting and the wilderness, SH Diana been specially designed for worldwide cruising to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on earth. Building on the outstanding amenities of her sister ships, she adds a dedicated Multifunctional Room next to the Observation Lounge, a Private Dining Room for special occasions, and two tenders which bring guests a comfortable alternative to Zodiacs for expedition landings. A Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened hull combines with extra-large stabilisers to make your journey as comfortable as possible.
SH Diana has been designed for immersive experiences, with extensive outside deck areas, multiple observation points and bright, open and relaxing public spaces with unobstructed views.
The pleasure and safety of our guests is paramount at all times, cared for by our attentive crew and seasoned expedition leaders. Cutting edge hygiene technology protects the health of all on board to the highest standards and includes air conditioning with UV sanitisation systems.
SH Diana’s 96 staterooms , including 11 suites, are each a superbly comfortable home from home and all feature panoramic sea views, a flame-effect fireplace, original works of art, plush couches, premium pocket sprung mattresses, en-suite bathrooms with glass-enclosed rain showers, and Egyptian cotton towels, bathrobes and sheets. A pillow menu offers customised head and neck comfort during rest, while a large flat screen TV, espresso machine with Illy premium coffee, tea making facilities with the finest Kusmi teas, and a minibar with refreshments enhance relaxation at any time. In-room dining is of course available at all hours.
Wheelchair access
Guests who use wheelchairs must bring their own, as we have only a small number of wheelchairs stored onboard for emergencies. To ensure ease of movement on the ship, wheelchairs and mobility aids must be no wider than 65cm. All mobility or medical equipment brought on board must be capable of being carried safely and must be declared before sailing. To ensure that all guests can safely evacuate during an emergency, guests requiring a wheelchair can only be accommodated in our ADA-accessible cabins.
We offer an Oceanview and a Balcony stateroom on Diana. These staterooms are specifically designed to be completely ADA compliant and have a fully operable wheelchair-access wet unit.
Diana has two lifts, serving every passenger deck apart from the Stargazing top deck, which is, therefore, more difficult to access, as are the Aft Marina and Swan’s Nest forward observation platform. Also, we don’t have special equipment to access the swimming pool, jacuzzi, or sauna. Otherwise, the ship is entirely at your disposal.
Many of the expeditions ashore in remote places are by Zodiac. Boarding these boats and returning aboard can present challenges for wheelchair users, as can navigating uneven terrain. These challenges are by no means always insurmountable, though, and our highly experienced crew is trained to provide reliable advice and assistance. They will make every effort to ensure wheelchair-using guests enjoy a memorable experience at each destination. Our general guidance, however, is to recommend wheelchair users travel with a companion for their ease and enjoyment.
If you prefer to remain aboard, our panoramic interiors and ample open decks ensure an immersive, intimate experience of your inspiring surroundings.
Includes
• 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
• All meals onboard
• 24-hour room service
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
• Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
• Standard WiFi
• Onboard gratuities and port taxes
• One selected shore excursion/expedition activity per port of call
• Expedition parka for Polar cruises