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Cruising in Namibia: the Skeleton Coast

Cruising in Namibia: the Skeleton Coast

From AUD $15,375

Description

Set sail on a captivating luxury cruise along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, a journey beginning in the vibrant city of Cape Town. Your voyage will navigate the diverse coastline of Namibia, cruise through the serene Atlantic, and conclude in Angola’s charming capital, Luanda, reflecting a blend of historical depth and emerging modernism. Discover Walvis Bay’s wetlands teeming with flamingos and Cape fur seals, and absorb the haunting beauty of Angola’s remote Ilha Baia dos Tigres and Namibe’s colonial remnants. Engage in unforgettable experiences as you cruise: ascend Lion’s Head at sunrise, explore marine life on a wildlife cruise in Walvis Bay, or delight in a wine tasting amid Stellenbosch’s vineyards. Whether you opt for a 4×4 desert expedition or a relaxing spa day, each activity enhances this luxurious Skeleton Coast exploration.

Trip Name
Cruising in Namibia: the Skeleton Coast
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 125 meters Passenger Capacity: 192 Built: 2022/2023 SH Diana is the newest and largest ship in the Swan Hellenic fleet, designed for modern expedition cruising with a strong sense of elegance and purpose. Built in Finland’s renowned Helsinki Shipyard, she combines cutting-edge hybrid diesel-electric propulsion and a Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened hull, enabling smooth exploration of the world’s most remote and rugged destinations. With space for just 192 guests, SH Diana offers a boutique 5-star experience across nine decks, featuring expansive viewing areas, a grand staircase, and refined interiors accented with exclusive onboard artwork. On board, guests enjoy exceptional facilities including the panoramic sauna, open-deck jacuzzi, heated outdoor pool, and dedicated expedition areas like the Swan’s Nest and BaseCamp. Cabins are thoughtfully equipped with Champagne, Lajatica toiletries, Nikon binoculars, and Illy coffee machines, ensuring comfort at every turn. Dining is a delight with venues like the Swan Restaurant and Pool Bar & Grill, while the crew’s attentive and personalised service ensures you feel truly cared for from the moment you step aboard. SH Diana is the perfect vessel for those seeking adventure wrapped in luxurious simplicity.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Days 0 - 2 Pre Cruise & Cape Town (South Africa)
Group return transfers from airport to cruise port and to the hotel (where included)One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel (exemptions apply)Between mountains and the ocean, Cape Town is a vibrant, multicultural city with a lively waterfront featuring seafood restaurants, shopping and attractions. A cable car transports visitors to distinctive Table Mountain with sweeping views. Boats head to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.Boulders Beach is home to African penguins, and world-class Stellenbosch vineyards offer wine tastings amid Cape Dutch architecture.
Day 2 - Day 3 Langebaan (South Africa)
Langebaan Lagoon, a watersports and fishing paradise, is renowned for its wetlands and tidal mud flats, home to flamingos, the world’s largest breeding colony of black harriers, and thousands of migratory birds. The West Coast National Park protects the lagoon and is home to the Slow Five—tortoises, whales, sand sharks, porcupines and dune moles. The Fossil Park has the oldest modern human footprint, Eve’s Footprint, over 100,000 years old.
Day 3 - Day 4 Day at sea (At Sea)
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Day 4 - Day 5 Luderitz (Namibia)
Lüderitz, with a unique West African-German culture, graces Namibia's coast on a windswept, rocky hillside beside the bay. Formerly a German colony, the town preserves colonial buildings in German Art Nouveau style, including Goerke Haus mansion and the Felsenkirche Lutheran Church built into the rocks. Beyond town, the desolate Namib Desert extends along the coast, home to Kolmanskop ghost town, wild horses and tales of remarkable survival.
Day 5 - Days 6 - 7 Walvis Bay (Namibia)
Walvis Bay offers shelter to thousands of flamingos in its natural tidal lagoon and protected wetlands. At the remote Pelican Point sand spit, a Cape fur seal colony hauls out, and marine wildlife like whales and dolphins swim by. Locally caught fish and German dishes are available in the harbour. Optional tours include dune jeep safaris, meeting the locals in Mondesa township, and flights or hot air balloons over the desert.
Day 6 - Day 8 Day at sea (At Sea)
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Day 7 - Day 9 Ilha Baia dos Tigres (Angola)
Far from the crowds, the abandoned Ilha Baía dos Tigres, or Tiger Island, in Angola off Namibe Province's coast offers a deserted island setting. Originally a peninsula, it became an island overnight when the ocean breached the isthmus and residents abandoned their homes. Nestled in clear blue waters, the island is a pristine oasis surrounded by secluded beaches, and vast dunes, renowned for desolate landscapes and eerie ghost towns.
Day 8 - Day 10 Namibe (Angola)
Now known as Moçâmedes, the port of Namibe was settled by the Portuguese in the 19th century. This early slave trading town is the entrance to the arid Namib desert, with towering sand dunes and home to the ancient welwitschia mirabilis trees, each over 2,000 years old and threatened by climate change. Near the port, the old town has colourful colonial architecture, beaches and historic buildings, including an abandoned spaceship-like cinema.
Day 9 - Day 11 Day at sea (At Sea)
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Day 10 - Day 12 Luanda (Angola)
As Angola emerges from colonial rule and a long Civil War, its capital, Luanda, is evolving into a forward-looking city with a rich heritage. Landmarks include Gustave Eiffel's Iron Palace and the 16th-century São Miguel Fortress. Luanda's historic upper town, Cidade Alta, features pink colonial buildings, the Presidential Palace and ministerial houses. Ilha do Cabo shows Luanda's modern side with trendy seaside restaurants and bars.
Day 11 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
28-03-202709-04-2027AUD $15,375Oceanview D4
28-03-202709-04-2027AUD $16,150Oceanview M4
28-03-202709-04-2027AUD $16,925Balcony D5
28-03-202709-04-2027AUD $17,700Balcony M5
28-03-202709-04-2027AUD $18,475Balcony D6
28-03-202709-04-2027AUD $23,100Junior Suite
28-03-202709-04-2027AUD $26,925Suite
28-03-202709-04-2027AUD $30,775Premium Suite

Inclusions

    • Enjoy a magical dinner under the stars in Walvis Bay’s Moon Landscape, surrounded by dramatic desert rock formations
    • Learn more about Angola’s colonial and military history at the Portuguese-built Fortress of São Miguel
    • Look for the rare (and weird) tree lumbo or Welwitchia mirabilis in Namibe Partial Reserve

Map