The Seychelles and Highlights of Southern Africa - Cruise & Land Journey: 20 days Mahé, Seychelles to Cape Town

Your tropical cruise begins on Mahé island, the largest in the Seychelles and home of the capital, Victoria.  Transfer to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht this morning and embark on an unforgettable journey through this idyllic Indian Ocean paradise. In the afternoon, you’ll sail to Sainte Anne Island.

Please book your flight to arrive into Mahé, Seychelles prior to 01:00 PM.

Sainte Anne Island is encircled by a Marine National Park that’s home to incredible marine life including more than 150 species of fish. Sainte Anne is also a significant nesting site for Hawksbill turtles.

Late in the morning, you’ll sail to Cousin, a small island renowned as a haven for seabirds. The granitic islet was a private property until 1968 when it was purchased by the International Council for Bird Preservation to transform it into a nature reserve. It’s the most protected island in the archipelago, providing a breeding ground for 11 seabird species annually and a habitat for five birds native to the Seychelles.  Later, you will sail to Praslin to stay overnight.

Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles, is visually stunning with tropical jungle-fringed beaches, emerald waters and powdery sand. Anse Lazio beach has been voted one of the world’s best several times and there’s a dazzling reef just offshore brimming with coral and marine life. On land, coconut palms and granite boulders create a picture-postcard landscape. In the centre of the island, discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve.

Early in the morning, set sail for La Digue Island, the smallest of the three populated islands in the Seychelles. Like Praslin Island, it is also fringed by world-famous beaches. One of the most recognisable is Anse Source d'Argent – it has pink-hued sands contrasting with granite boulders and aquamarine waters. Sail to Curieuse later in the evening.

Curieuse is a rugged island swathed in unspoilt wilderness and home to hundreds of Aldabra giant tortoises. Apart from its obvious natural beauty, it has a fascinating history. The island was once a quarantine station, and the original French colonial doctor’s house now has a museum and visitor’s centre. Nature trails wind through the island, passing mangrove swamps and the native coco de mer palm trees.

Early in the morning, sail to the lush, green island of Aride, a nature reserve managed by the International Conservation Society. Nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers flock to this island, where more than 30 rare bird species nest in the verdant vegetation. The landscape is enticing with fine-sand beaches, coconut palms and soaring cliffs. 

Return to Mahé for the final days of your voyage.  The capital city, Victoria, was founded in the French settler period in 1778 and named later by the British for Queen Victoria. The island of Mahé has pristine beaches dotted with huge rocks and tranquil nature trails threaded through the Morne Seychellois National Park.

Today, your Emerald Cruises luxury voyage concludes in Mahé. This afternoon, fly onwards to Nairobi, Kenya’s vibrant capital, where bustling markets, leafy neighbourhoods and a thriving arts scene reflect the city’s energy and diversity.

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, to discover one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Stretching more than a mile across, the falls form an immense curtain of water that plunges into the gorge below. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’, this natural spectacle fills the air with a powerful roar and clouds of rising spray.

Included Excursion
View Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side, where panoramic lookouts reveal the scale, power and drama of this extraordinary natural spectacle.

Three Night Stay: Ilala Lodge Hotel

The Zambezi River shapes life on both sides of the border, creating experiences here that range from wildlife encounters to unforgettable sunset scenes.

EmeraldPLUS
Visit rescued elephants at a nearby sanctuary, where you’ll learn their stories and the care and protection they receive.

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Later, enjoy a special sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, just upstream from the falls. Watch for wildlife along the banks as the evening light softens and the sun sets over the water.

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Helicopter Flight over Victoria Falls (extra expense) 
Elevate your experience with the chance to see Victoria Falls from the air, revealing the full breadth, power and beauty of this natural wonder from above.

Chobe is shaped by the river that sustains it, and along its fertile banks wildlife gathers in extraordinary numbers. Today, experience the park from two different perspectives, on the water and on land, for a fuller appreciation of one of Botswana’s most biologically diverse reserves.

This morning, embark on a safari along the shores of the Chobe River, where elephants, buffalo and a remarkable range of other wildlife are often seen gathering on the floodplains.  Take in the changing scenes along the riverbank, watching animals drink, graze and move through this rich habitat. Later, continue your exploration with another exhilarating drive through Chobe National Park, keeping watch for wildlife among the grasslands and woodland as your guide shares insights into the animals and their behaviour.

Fly to Johannesburg and check into your hotel for your two-night stay. Known as the ‘City of Gold’, Johannesburg is South Africa's largest city and a vibrant hub of art, culture, and history.

Spend the remainder of the day relaxing at your hotel or enjoying its facilities. As a city that played a pivotal role in South Africa’s past and present, Johannesburg offers insight into both its dynamic arts scene and its complex history.
Two-night Stay: The Maslow Hotel Sandton

Johannesburg, often referred to as Jo'burg, pulses with energy, reflecting the rapid transformation from a gold-mining settlement to a modern metropolis. The city is a gateway to South Africa's northern regions and offers diverse cultural experiences, from trendy galleries and world-class theatres to hip cafes and moving Mandela-related sites. This vibrant spirit is complemented by lush green spaces like the Johannesburg Botanical Garden and Emmarentia Dam, providing a tranquil retreat from the urban hustle.

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Explore Soweto, visit Nelson Mandela’s house and walk the streets he once did. Discover the Apartheid Museum, which chronicles the rise and fall of apartheid and the history of 20th century South Africa.

This morning, fly to Skukuza, gateway to Kruger National Park, and transfer to your lodge on the Sabie River. The area lies in southern Kruger, a wildlife-rich region where river systems attract a wide range of animals and create excellent game-viewing opportunities.

Included Excursion
Later this afternoon, set out on your first safari in search of Africa’s iconic wildlife, including the Big Five. With expert guides leading the way and the bush coming alive around you, this first game drive is an unforgettable introduction to one of Africa’s great safari landscapes.

Three Night Stay: Kruger Shalati - The Train on the Bridge

Few places capture the essence of safari quite like Kruger, where changing light and shifting landscapes bring a different rhythm to every game drive. Today offers a deeper immersion in the bush, with time to appreciate  everything from herds of elephants and graceful giraffes to colourful birdlife and smaller creatures often overlooked.

Included Excursion
Enjoy both morning and evening game drives through Kruger National Park, , keeping watch for the Big Five, lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo, alongside zebra and antelope. Your guide will help interpret tracks and animal behaviour, revealing the connections that sustain this intricate ecosystem.

Another day in Kruger brings another chance to encounter the wildlife that makes this reserve so revered. Travelling in specially adapted Land Rovers, continue exploring the park with expert rangers who help track animals and interpret the behaviour of the species you encounter.

Included Excursion
These unrestricted game drives offer precious time to observe animals in their natural habitat. Learn how each species adapts to this environment and about the conservation efforts supporting their future. Every drive is different, and that sense of unpredictability is part of Kruger’s enduring appeal.

Fly to Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautifully situated cities, framed by Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. South Africa’s ‘Mother City’ brings together colourful streets, historic architecture and a vibrant food scene, reflecting its diverse cultural heritage. Stay near the lively Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where harbour views meet restaurants, boutiques and galleries.
Three Night Stay: Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront Cape Town

Cape Town’s dramatic setting is never more apparent than along the Cape Peninsula, where mountain, ocean and rugged coastline come together in spectacular views. Today, follow the Atlantic coast to Cape Point within Table Mountain National Park, an area known for panoramic sea views, rich biodiversity and its remarkable position on this wild southern peninsula.

Visit Cape Point and the historic Cape of Good Hope, a legendary maritime landmark associated with the great sea routes around southern Africa. Later, continue to Boulders Beach, part of the Table Mountain National Park marine protected area, where a sheltered boardwalk brings you close to a celebrated colony of African penguins.

Cape Town rewards every change in perspective, from its lively waterfronts and colourful neighbourhoods to the commanding heights of Table Mountain above. Today, take in the city from one of its most iconic vantage points, then choose from a selection of DiscoverMORE experiences that reveal another side of this captivating destination.

In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant celebrating South Africa’s cultural diversity.

Included Excursion
Ride the rotating gondola to the summit of Table Mountain, where sweeping views open across the city, coastline and ocean beyond. As you ascend, Cape Town’s striking geography unfolds beneath you, offering a memorable introduction to this World Heritage-listed site.

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Harley Davidson™ Ride (extra expense, weather dependent)
Explore Cape Town’s coast on a two-hour ride as a passenger on a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

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Township Tour (extra expense)
Discover Langa through visits to local families, businesses and the Langa Dompass Museum.

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Bo-Kaap Tour (extra expense)
Explore this colourful neighbourhood on a guided walking tour, sampling its distinctive cuisine at local eateries.

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Cape Winelands Tour (extra expense)
Discover Stellenbosch and the surrounding vineyards, with a cellar tour and tastings of local wines and cheeses.

Your journey comes to an end today. Transfer to the airport, taking with you the memories of southern Africa’s remarkable beauty, history and wildlife.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will be operated unaltered from the itinerary states above.