Get Inspired | Travel Tips | Montecito Village Travel

Ultimate Southern Africa Bucket List

Written by Nick Cabugos | November 26, 2018

The Land of Lions - Cruise to Namibia, South Africa & Mozambique

14 Nights | 3 Countries | From $9,649

Regent Seven Seas takes you from Cape Town's magnificent beaches and wineries to the unspoiled Walvis Bay, a natural lagoon and the only deep-sea harbor on the Namibian coast. You'll experience the rich history of Mozambique's bustling capital city, Maputo and find your own adventure in South Africa's Elephant Park, a pristine national park teeming with wildlife and rare flora. 

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Called ‘the fairest cape in the whole circumference of the earth’ and regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town offers museums, lush parks and shops. Impressive mountains, magnificent beaches and outstanding wineries add to the attraction.

Ride a cable-car to the top of famous flat-topped Table Mountain and gaze at the mosaic of towering mountains, verdant valleys and the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The historical highlight is Robben Island, once the prison holding such outstanding anti-apartheid leaders as Nelson Mandela.

Cape Town and Table Mountain

Experience the beauty of Cape Town during this scenic trip up Table Mountain, the city's most celebrated landmark. Depart the pier for the drive up Kloof Nek, the saddle between Table Mountain and Lion's Head, en route to the Lower Cableway Station. Upon arrival, you will board a Swiss-engineered Rotair cable car, and ascend from the 1,190-foot Valley Station to the 3,477-foot Mountain Station. 

Table Mountain gets its name from the flat-topped central massif of the mountain. When viewed from the city, it is surrounded by Devil's Peak on the left, Lion's Head on the right and Signal Hill in the foreground. 

From the summit, the natural protected area stretching from Signal Hill to Cape Point has been managed under the custodianship of the National Parks Board. This area is home to one of the highest concentrations of endemic plant and animal species in any area of its size; its impressive 2,285 plant species are greater in quantity than those of the entire U.K. combined.

luderitz, namibia

Founded in 1883 by a wealthy German merchant of the same name, Luderitz offers colorful colonial architecture along the beautiful Atlantic coastline. Explore the region’s past on a tour of Kolmanskop, a ghost town that was once a bustling center of the diamond trade.

The recently restored waterfront offers lovely Art Nouveau architecture, and the coastal waters are home to penguins, dolphins, sharks and seals. Enjoy local beer brewed in compliance with Germany’s strict beer purity laws, as well as local dishes and fresh seafood.

Wild Horses of the Namib

Drive into the seemingly lifeless Namib Desert to watch a herd of wild horses drink at a watering hole, during which you will learn how they have adapted to the harsh conditions.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a 90-minute picturesque drive into the vast Namib Desert, which stretches for more than 1,200 miles along the Atlantic coast. Although the land is barren and nearly uninhabited, the animals that remain have skillfully adapted to the unforgiving, yet eerily beautiful environment.

The Wild Horses of the Namib are a perfect example. While their origins are a mystery, the horses are not indigenous. It is believed that they may be descendants of horses from a shipwreck in the late 19th century, or runaways from German troops in World War I, but it’s not known for sure.

From the comfort of a covered observation stand, you will observe the horses as they drink at the Garub Water Hole. While there is no telling how many horses will show up, typically more than a dozen gather to drink their fill before heading back into mountains. You may notice the horses turning their backs to the sun so it shines along their spines not sides, which minimizes the effects of the direct sunlight and reduces dehydration.

Maputo, Mozambique

Discover the relaxed charm of Maputo with its wide, European style boulevards, lush with jacaranda, bougainvillea and other tropical foliage, where old colonial palaces are mixed in with modern high-rise buildings. Visit The Cathedral built in 1944 in the shape of a cross, then the lively Mercado Central. Enjoy a snack of freshly roasted cashews and a cold bottled drink.

Stop by the National Museum of Art then stroll along the Avenida Julius Nyerere, browsing the boutiques, vendors, and restaurants. Look for African waxprint and woven fabrics, beautiful wooden boxes and picture frames. Seek out the surreal Pancho Guedes buildings, reminiscent of Gaudi. Visit the Praça de Trabalhadores designed by Gustave Eiffel in the late 19th century. Sip coffee in one of the many outdoor cafés as you watch the world go by in this vibrant seaside capital.

Maputo Walking Tour

Stroll along the wide boulevards of Mozambique’s lovely capital, stopping at must-see attractions that include the ornate train station, central market and an 18th-century fortress. Your walking tour commences from the pier, and heads first to the Central Railway Station, where you will have some time for photos of this iconic mint-green structure, whose design is often mistakenly attributed to Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). Regardless, it’s magnificent, especially its large dome and iron latticework.

From here, you’ll walk at a leisurely pace to the Central Market, a vibrant open-air setting filled with stands of exotic fruits and vegetables, tropical nuts, colorful spices and fresh fish. It’s a wonderful cacophony of sights and sounds, enhanced by a tinge of provocative aromas wafting through the air.

At the nearby Cafe Continental, you will have the opportunity to relax over a demitasse of espresso and a signature Maputo delicacy called a “pasteis de nata.” This custard tart pastry originated in Portugal, but has a distinct local flavor.

Finally, you will visit Maputo Fort, which the Portuguese built in the 19th century atop an earlier mud-and-pole stockade. The fort houses the remains of the last chief of the Nguni tribe, who ruled over the independent African kingdom of Gaza, which is now southern Mozambique. Afterwards, you will walk back to the ship with your guide.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • 2 for 1 All-Inclusive Fares
  • Free Roundtrip Business Class Air* on Intercontinental Flights
  • Free 3-Night Pre- or Post-Cruise Land Program
  • Free Unlimited Shore Excursions
  • Free Hotel Package in Concierge Suites & Higher*
  • Free Unlimited Beverages Including Fine Wines & Premium Spirits
  • Free Open Bars & Lounges
  • Free Pre-Paid Gratuities 
  • Free Specialty Restaurants
  • Free Transfers Between Airport & Ship
  • Free Unlimited Wifi