SOUTH AFRICA + NAMIBIA + ANGOLA

March 29 - April 9, 2027
South Africa, Namibia, Angola
tour to South Africa, tour to Namibia, Tour to Angola

Dates: March 29 - April 9, 2027

Duration: 11 days / 10 nights

Cost of participation per person:

The cost of participation in the expedition depends on the selected cabin category*:
An additional 5% discount is available when booking the consecutive expedition cruise from Luanda to Accra (April 9–22, 2027). This discount may be combined with the applicable club member discount.

• Cabin with window, 20 sqm from 9 925 $
• Cabin with balcony, 25 sqm from 10 925 $
• Junior SU, 41 sq m from 14 900 $
• Suit SU, 41 sq m from 17 375 $
• Premium Suit SU, 41 sq m from 19 850 $

*The price is indicated for 1 passenger with accomodation in the DBL cabin and may change. Availability of cabins please check with the manager.


TRAVEL PROGRAM: SEA EXPEDITION SOUTH AFRICA

Day 1–2. March 29–30, 2027 (Monday–Tuesday). CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

Our journey begins in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in Africa, dramatically situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the iconic Table Mountain. Often considered the cultural capital of South Africa, Cape Town is a fascinating blend of European heritage, African traditions, and breathtaking natural scenery.
During our stay, we will discover some of the city’s most celebrated landmarks. A visit to the renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden will introduce us to the extraordinary flora of the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. Nestled on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the gardens are home to thousands of indigenous plant species found nowhere else in the world.
We will then ascend Table Mountain by cable car, enjoying spectacular panoramic views over Cape Town, Table Bay, and Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent many years in prison. From the summit, the dramatic landscapes of the Cape Peninsula unfold in every direction, offering one of the finest viewpoints in Africa.
Free time may be spent exploring the vibrant Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, visiting museums and galleries, or enjoying the city’s renowned culinary scene. Guests may also choose from optional experiences such as a sunrise hike up Lion’s Head or a full-day excursion to the Cape Winelands, where historic estates and world-class vineyards are set against stunning mountain backdrops.
In the evening of the second day, we board our Swan Hellenic expedition vessel and begin our voyage along the coasts of South Africa, Namibia, and Angola.

Meals included: breakfast at the hotel, dinner onboard
Accommodation included: hotel in Cape Town / in cabin

Day 3. March 31, 2027 (Wednesday). SALDANHA BAY AND LANGEBAAN LAGOON

Today our vessel arrives at Saldanha Bay on South Africa’s west coast. Here lies the beautiful Langebaan Lagoon, one of the country’s most important protected natural areas and a sanctuary for thousands of migratory birds.
Surrounded by wetlands, salt marshes, and tidal mudflats, the lagoon supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including flamingos, pelicans, and numerous rare bird species. The surrounding West Coast National Park protects this unique ecosystem where desert landscapes, coastal habitats, and rich marine environments coexist.
The highlight of the day will be our visit to !Khwa ttu, a cultural and heritage center dedicated to the San people, the oldest known inhabitants of southern Africa. Through interactive exhibits, storytelling, and demonstrations, we will gain insight into the traditions, survival skills, and spiritual beliefs of one of humanity’s most ancient cultures.
Our guides will share stories of how the San lived as master hunter-gatherers, reading the landscape with remarkable precision, tracking animals, and identifying edible and medicinal plants. Practical activities and cultural encounters will offer a deeper understanding of a way of life that has endured for thousands of years.
Guests wishing to further explore San heritage may join an extended optional experience offering additional cultural activities and immersive encounters.

Meals: "All inclusive" system
Accommodation included: in cabins on board


Day 4. April 1, 2027 (Thursday). DAY AT SEA

Today we continue northward along the Atlantic coast of Africa.
A day at sea provides the perfect opportunity to relax after the first days of exploration and fully enjoy the experience of expedition cruising. Throughout the day, members of the expedition team will host engaging lectures and presentations covering the history, geology, wildlife, and cultures of the regions we are visiting.
Spend time on the open decks watching seabirds glide across the ocean, visit the library, enjoy the wellness facilities, or simply admire the endless horizon from the comfort of the ship.
As we sail toward Namibia, the landscapes of southern Africa gradually give way to one of the oldest deserts on Earth, where towering dunes meet the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Meals: "All inclusive" system
Accommodation included: in cabins on board


Day 5. April 2, 2027 (Friday). LÜDERITZ, NAMIBIA

Today our vessel arrives in Lüderitz, one of the most unusual towns in southwestern Africa. Isolated between the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the endless sands of the Namib Desert, Lüderitz resembles a small German town from the early 20th century rather than an African port.
Founded during the diamond rush, the town has preserved a remarkable architectural heritage from the colonial era. During our exploration, we will stroll through its quiet streets lined with German Art Nouveau buildings, visit the iconic Felsenkirche, admire the Goerke House, and discover other landmarks from the period when Lüderitz was one of the most prosperous diamond centers in southern Africa.
The expedition team will introduce us to the fascinating history of this remote coastline, sharing stories of early settlers, diamond prospectors, and the challenges of building a thriving community in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
Guests may also choose to visit Kolmanskop, Namibia’s famous ghost town. Once a prosperous settlement filled with elegant mansions, schools, and hospitals, it is now slowly being reclaimed by the surrounding desert. Sand-filled rooms and abandoned buildings create one of the most atmospheric and photogenic locations in Africa.
The surrounding waters are home to dolphins, Cape fur seals, and numerous seabirds, while the dramatic desert landscapes create a true sense of standing at the edge of the world.

Meals: "All inclusive" system
Accommodation included: in cabins on board


Day 6–7. April 3–4, 2027 (Saturday–Sunday). WALVIS BAY AND SWAKOPMUND

Walvis Bay is home to one of Namibia’s most remarkable natural environments, where the world’s oldest desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. Vast lagoons, salt pans, and coastal wetlands provide sanctuary for thousands of flamingos, pelicans, and migratory birds.
During our stay, we will explore this fascinating region and its contrasting landscapes. At Pelican Point, one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals in southern Africa thrives on a remote sand spit, while dolphins and whales are frequently spotted in the bay’s rich waters.
One of the highlights of our visit will be the exclusive “Dinner Under the Stars” experience in the famous Moon Landscape. Millions of years ago, ancient rivers carved deep valleys through soft rock formations, creating an extraordinary terrain that resembles the surface of another planet. Surrounded by dramatic canyons and desert silence, we will enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring local entertainment, traditional Namibian rhythms, fine cuisine, and the spectacular star-filled African sky.
During one of the days, we will also visit Swakopmund, a charming coastal town founded by German settlers in the late 19th century. With its colonial architecture, palm-lined streets, and unique blend of European heritage and African wilderness, Swakopmund is often described as the most German town in Africa.
Optional activities may include marine wildlife cruises, cultural encounters with local communities, dune adventures in the Namib Desert, and scenic flights over the desert and Atlantic coastline.

Meals: "All inclusive" system
Accommodation included: in cabins on board


Day 8. April 5, 2027 (Monday). DAY AT SEA

After several exciting days exploring the Namibian coast, today offers a chance to relax and enjoy life aboard our expedition vessel.
Spend time on the open decks admiring the endless expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, unwind in the jacuzzi with panoramic views, visit the sauna, or stay active in the modern fitness center.
For those interested in learning more about the regions we are exploring, the expedition team will host a series of engaging lectures and presentations throughout the day. These sessions provide a deeper understanding of the nature, history, and cultures of the countries visited during our journey.

Meals: "All inclusive" system
Accommodation included: in cabins on board


Day 9. April 6, 2027 (Tuesday). TIGRES ISLAND, ANGOLA

Today we visit one of the most extraordinary locations of the entire voyage — Tigres Island, off the coast of southern Angola.
Once connected to the mainland by a narrow sandbar, the peninsula became an island almost overnight when powerful ocean currents broke through the isthmus. The fishing settlement that once thrived here was abandoned, leaving behind a haunting landscape where nature has slowly reclaimed what was once inhabited by people.
Today Tigres Island is a surreal combination of endless dunes, deserted beaches, and abandoned buildings. The remains of the former village stand as silent witnesses to the forces of nature that transformed the region. The sense of isolation is profound, and the untouched beauty of the island creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else along the African coast.
During our landing, we will explore the remnants of the settlement, walk along remote beaches, and experience one of the most unusual and rarely visited destinations in Africa.

Meals: "All inclusive" system
Accommodation included: in cabins on board


Day 10. April 7, 2027 (Wednesday). NAMIBE, ANGOLA

Today our expedition arrives in Namibe, the gateway to one of the most ancient and fascinating landscapes on Earth.
This region marks the northern reaches of the Namib Desert, where vast sand plains, rocky plateaus, and dramatic desert scenery stretch toward the horizon. It is also home to the extraordinary Welwitschia mirabilis, one of the oldest living plants on the planet. Some specimens are believed to be over 2,000 years old and survive in conditions that seem almost impossible for life.
Our excursion takes us deep into the desert, where we will discover remarkable geological formations and hidden natural treasures. One of the highlights is Arco Lagoon, a secluded oasis surrounded by striking rock formations and vibrant vegetation. Its surreal scenery often evokes comparisons to science-fiction landscapes or distant planets.
Following our desert exploration, we return to Namibe for a short city tour. We will discover the colonial heart of the town, with its Portuguese architecture, historic churches, and scenic Atlantic waterfront.

Meals: "All inclusive" system
Accommodation included: in cabins on board

Day 11. April 8, 2027 (Thursday). DAY AT SEA

As the vessel continues north toward Angola’s capital, today offers another opportunity to enjoy the comfort and atmosphere of expedition life at sea.
Relax on deck, exchange stories with fellow travelers, or attend lectures presented by our expedition experts. Topics may include Angola’s history, the cultural diversity of southwestern Africa, and the remarkable natural environments we have encountered throughout the voyage.
The Atlantic Ocean accompanies us on the final sea passage before reaching Luanda.

Meals: "All inclusive" system
Accommodation included: in cabins on board

Day 12. April 9, 2027 (Friday). LUANDA, ANGOLA

Today our expedition comes to an end in Luanda, the vibrant capital of Angola.
Founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century, Luanda has long played a significant role in the history of the Atlantic world. Today, the city is transforming rapidly, combining modern development with a rich colonial and cultural heritage.
During our exploration of the city, we will discover some of Luanda’s most important landmarks, including the 16th-century Fortress of São Miguel overlooking the bay and the historic district of Cidade Alta, where elegant colonial buildings, government institutions, and panoramic viewpoints reflect the city’s historical importance.
Among Luanda’s architectural curiosities is the famous Iron Palace, often attributed to the workshops of Gustave Eiffel. Along the waterfront, modern cafés, restaurants, and public spaces showcase the energy and optimism of contemporary Angola.
As our journey concludes, Luanda offers a fitting finale to an expedition that has taken us through some of the most remote deserts, coastlines, cultures, and landscapes of southern Africa.

Meals included: breakfast
Accommodation included: not included

* Please do not book tickets without prior approval from us.

** The program is subject to change due to weather conditions. All activities during the cruise are subject to weather conditions and are determined by the Expedition Leader and the Captain. The actual course of the expedition may differ from the published itinerary. This itinerary provides general information about each destination. Please be aware that some attractions, sites, and points of interest mentioned may be closed or unavailable on the day of the visit.

Cost includes:

• All transfers: from the airport to the hotel the day before boarding the ship, from the hotel to the port on the day of boarding, from the port to the airport at the end of the cruise (group).
• Accommodation at the hotel before the cruise (1 night with breakfast), as well as on board in the cabin of your choice categories during the cruise, tips on board and port fees.
• Meals on board and room service, 24 hours a day, including soft drinks and some alcoholic drinks.
• Lecture programs of expeditionary experts and invited speakers.
• Shore excursion of choice by Swan Hellenic at each port along the route.
• Basic WIFI package.
• Port and service fees.



Cost excludes (additionally paid):

• International flight to the port of the beginning of the cruise and back at the end of the cruise.
• Health insurance.
• Travel cancellation insurance.
• Alternative shore excursions at ports of call along the route.
• Premium brand alcoholic beverages, Spa and beauty treatments, laundry services, purchases in retail stores on board.


To take with:

• clothing sets appropriate to weather conditions, including light clothing sets (shorts, T-shirts) and warm clothing (sweatshirt, fleece, pants, breathable jacket), as well as long-sleeve shirts
• hats for different weather conditions: a cap / hat / sun hat and a hat for cold evenings
• swimsuit
• raincoat
• closed-toe trekking boots and comfortable lightweight shoes (sneakers)
• malaria prevention pills (up to you to decide but recommended)
• yellow fever certificate (is a must!)
• personal hygiene products
• personal medication (including analgesics, antiseptics, antibiotics, antivirals, intestines, multivitamins, regidron, plaster)
• sun and wind protectors (cream)
• sunglasses
• repellents: sprays, creams
• large suitcase or backpack for belongings
• small backpack for radial routes (25-30 liters)
• photo and video equipment, extra batteries