Cruising around the southernmost tip of the African continent is made easy from South Africa’s capital, Cape Town. The city is known for its harbour and landmarks such as Table Mountain and Cape Point. In 2014, it was declared the best place in the world to visit by The New York Times and The Daily Telegraph. Locally nicknamed the Mother City, it is home to V&A Waterfront, which attracts about 24 million visitors a year.
When is the best time to cruise from Cape Town?
The best time to cruise from Cape Town is during the summer months — December, January and February. South Africa is located between the two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian, and it belongs to the Southern Hemisphere’s subtropical zone. Therefore, its coolest days come from June to August.
Which cruise lines sail from Cape Town?
Cruise lines, such as Azamara, NCL, and MSC Cruises, operate a short season from Cape Town. Other lines, such as Cunard, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas, offer repositioning cruises when they move from the Pacific and Indian Oceans to the Atlantic.
Apart from the itinerary, the different cruise operators offer a variety of onboard experiences. They say that guests sail with Azamara for the destination but come back for the remarkable hospitality of its international staff and crew. Cunard’s cruises, on the other hand, are known for their remarkable attention to detail.
Where do cruises from Cape Town go to?
Cruises from Cape Town go to the South African coast, Namibia, and Ocean islands such as Mauritius and the Seychelles.
South Africa lies at the very tip of the continent with a long coastline of more than 2,850 kilometres. It stretches from Namibia in the west around the southern tip of Africa to Mozambique in the east, providing some of the best beaches in this part of the world, such as Margate, Umlalazi Nature Resort, Dolphin Coast, and Victoria Bay. On the other hand, Port Elizabeth and East London are the region’s best-known surfing spots.
Namibia is situated in southwest Africa. Being home to diverse wildlife, it is proud to preserve a significant cheetah population. Still, German colonial buildings can also be seen in Windhoek, the capital, and Swakopmund on the coast.
Mauritius and the Seychelles are abundant in lagoons and reefs. The first offers the opportunity to visit the Black River Gorges National Park with rainforests and waterfalls, while the second is home to a few rare animals such as giant Aldabra tortoises.
What should you do whilst you’re in Cape Town?
Whether interested in wildlife, history, or nightlife, you can find it all in the Mother City. One of the best-known attractions is the Cape Point Nature Reserve. It provides magnificent views of the Atlantic and the False Bay coastline. Cape Point is also popular for its Flying Dutchman Funicular, which takes visitors to the lighthouse for another dose of panoramic views.
Cape Town’s centrepiece is Table Mountain, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. There are cable cars departing every 10 to 15 minutes to take visitors up the mountain, but hiking trails are also available. The cableway is generally quieter in the afternoon, and it will provide a view of the sun setting over the city.
Another popular attraction is the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, situated on the slopes of Table Mountain. Even though it’s only 13 kilometres from the city centre, the garden is home to 7,000 species of plants from southern Africa. Here, you can see the famous 130-meter Centenary Tree Canopy. In addition, this place hosts a series of summer concerts from November to April.
No visit to South Africa is complete without tasting its wine. Groot Constantia is the oldest wine farm in the country. Its Grand Constance dessert wine was so famous in the 19th century that it was even mentioned by Jane Austen and Charles Dickens in their literary works.
Cape Town has a diverse selection of beaches like Boulders, Clifton, Fish Hoek, and Glen Beach, but at the same time, it accommodates different tastes in shopping and nightlife. Its International Jazz Festival in March allures jazz lovers from all over the world.
Extend Your Stay?
Still, South Africa is so much more than Cape Town’s great views and bustling harbour. For instance, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is about 3.5 hours from the city, and it is the only reserve in the world where free-roaming white lions can be seen in their natural habitat. Aquila Private Game Reserve is a quick two-hour drive from Cape Town, where you can enjoy a half or full-day safaris.
The Blue Train is extremely popular as a moving five-star hotel on wheels, either among honeymooners or celebrities. It takes guests from Cape Town to Pretoria and Johannesburg. The 31-hour journey covers 1,600 kilometres, while the luxury train takes a ride through different South African landscapes.
