Has anyone done an African Cruise with a Pre/Post Land Safari?

[petlover]

I'm new to Silversea but would love to book an African cruise with either a pre or post Safari tied in to see the Wildlife for either summer/Fall 2005 or Spring 2006. Silversea and Seabourn both offer these. I'd love to hear opinions from anyone who may have done this. Thanks!

[lkbside]

Am interested in this as well - we have not yet gone anywhere in Africa and this seems like it would be great way to sample some destinations. I think Namibia looks fascinating & imagine that a cruise might be a way to get an introduction. Would love to hear about logistics of ports and the pros and cons of a cruise to Africa destinations. Thanks. Leslie

[petlover]

Hi Leslie....hope we get some feedback. There are several of us from CC that are interested in a 4-6 day pre/post cruise safari then to board a ship for some nice "downtime" R & R. Please share any info you hear and I'll do likewise. Hopefully it will work for both of us! :) :)

[mcavanaugh]

Several years ago we did a Renaisance cruise (the small ships) to the Secheles with a 4 day safari to Kenya and Mara-Masi thrown in. The safari was worth the whole trip. We saw every animal that was native to the area. Even did a baloon trip in the AM that was a "MUST DO". Hope this helps in your thinking. Maxine.

[lkbside]

Doing more research on the Silversea offerings - the Dec. 21, 2005 Capetown-Capetown cruise looks the most intriguing to me, but it does not seem that December is an ideal time for going on a safari or to Namibia. Other offerings are in March, but not the same itinerary. Any timing comments? Thanks. Leslie

[petlover]

I too was wondering about the best time of year. It seems to vary so much within the continent. I found the following which may be helpful:

Because the weather in Africa is often upredictable - the rains can sometimes be heavy one season, sometimes they can fail altogether - this information is a rough guideline only. You can find more detailed weather information on a particular country under Country Information.

Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe - summer rainfall from late October to early April; cool to warm dry sunny winter days from May to early October

Lesotho - summer from November to January and winter from May to July, with predominantly summer rainfall from September to April

Kenya - summer from December to March and winter from July to September, with long rains from March to May and short rains between November and December

Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia - summer from around December to March and winter in Malawi from June to July; in Tanzania from March to May; and in Zambia from April to August. All three countries have long rains from November to April

Moçambique - summer from October to March and winter from April to September, with high summer humidity and showers between September and April

South Africa - summer from September to April and winter from May to August, with summer rainfall in the north and winter rainfall in the south

Swaziland - summer from September to April and winter from May to August, with predominantly summer rainfall.

[R. Harvey]

In March 2001 we were on the Shadow from Capetown to Mombassa and then took Silverseas tour from Nairobi. We were with some 60 other SS passengers and went to Samburu in Kenya for our safari. Saw the big 5, although the Rhinos we saw were in Richards Bay, SA. SS did a good job on the safari with Micato; in small busses ( 6 people max) with pop tops.
In February 2003 we were again on the Shadow from Buenos Aires to Rio across to St. Helena and then Namibia where SS has a sensational Silversea Experience into the desert and then to Capetown. From Capetown we flew up to Hoodspruit,SA and went to a private reserve in Kruger called Royal Malewane. It was one of the great experiences of our lives and we would strongly recommend doing it that way over the group option. We will be happy to share our experiences and suggestions with you.
davidroyal@peoplepc.com

[lkbside]

Thanks for the reply - what did you think about the weather in March on your 2001 trip and February on your 2003 in Namibia & South Africa? How was the heat, especially in Namibia? Also, I've been reading that other times of year (So. hemisphere wnter) are better for seeing animals as they congregate around the more limited water available in winter. Any thoughts there? Thanks, Leslie

[Acrusa]

We booked the Silver Wind March 2, 2005 Cape Town to Port Louis.We did a safari in Kenya 3 years ago off the Princess,It was Bombay to Mombasa,The Safari was run by Micato it was fantastic,On this cruise they offer a pre Safari with the same company,We found it very expensive,How ever on the cruise we are on now they stop at Ricahrds Bay for 2 nites,The ship offers a safari game run on both days with meals in the Camps.

[petlover]

Not sure if we'd do the cruiseline pre-cruise or do our own pre-cruise. Ideally we'd like to spend a couple of nights in Cape Town; then go on a 3-4 night safari; then board a cruise for some R & R.

I'll have to wait until I have a chance to see what Silverseas has to offer as well as Seabourn. Radisson may bring back South Africa on a segment of their 2006 World Cruise too. I'm just sorry that it's so far off but the soonest we can do any of this will be Fall 2005 or later!!

Have any of you visited Seychelles? There are also cruises which go there but then they don't go to Cape Town. So many decisions when trying to choose a good itinerary.

If you have anything else you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you: marciematassa@adelphia.net

[Acrusa]

You cant do a safari from Cape town,No Game reserses nearby.You can do it from Johansberg then fly to Cape Town for your cruise. Weve been to the sychels and there beautiful.you schould look for a cruise that does the Schels and docks in Africa either before or after.Then its easy to do your safari.

[ClaudiaF]

If they were still around and they were doing this cruise and safari on their little ships I'd be packed!

[SJGOCH]

Please e-mail me at Highlandpark@mindspring.com and will e-mail you our trip story

[petlover]

SJGOCH, I sent you an email requesting a copy of your African itinerary but it came back "bounced" as your mail box was full.
Could you email me a copy at: marciematassa@adelphia.net

Thank you!

[gosubro]

Try Contacting ********************* And See If They Can Help You. Im Sure They Will Give You The Best Advise.

[RobbieS]

I was just reading through the ResidenSea itineraries for The World and saw that they have programs for both East Africa and South Africa at the end of this year. The great advantage is that the ship stops for several days in a port which makes it possible to have in-depth land tours.

Has anyone sailed The World recently?

[petlover]

To anyone who did this cruise, did you also do a safari pre or post cruise? I'm wondering about the means of transportation to get you to the actual game lodging site....vehicle or airplane?? Thank you.

[Acrusa]

If they were still around and they were doing this cruise and safari on their little ships I'd be packed!
The Silversea does Cape Town to Port Louis,March 2005,They offer a Pre Safari in South Africa run by Micato, Get the Silversea brochure from them,it explains everthing.

[ClaudiaF]

In March 2001 we were on the Shadow from Capetown to Mombassa and then took Silverseas tour from Nairobi. We were with some 60 other SS passengers and went to Samburu in Kenya for our safari. Saw the big 5, although the Rhinos we saw were in Richards Bay, SA. SS did a good job on the safari with Micato; in small busses ( 6 people max) with pop tops.
In February 2003 we were again on the Shadow from Buenos Aires to Rio across to St. Helena and then Namibia where SS has a sensational Silversea Experience into the desert and then to Capetown. From Capetown we flew up to Hoodspruit,SA and went to a private reserve in Kruger called Royal Malewane. It was one of the great experiences of our lives and we would strongly recommend doing it that way over the group option. We will be happy to share our experiences and suggestions with you.
davidroyal@peoplepc.com

How did the ship transport the "group" to the safari lodge? By bus or plane?

[R. Harvey]

The group was flown from Nairobi to Samubur

[gosubro]

Hi, I Think You Need To Find A Good Travel Agent . We Used ********************* And The Owner There Was Great. We Saved A Ton Of Money And She Took Care Of Everything. The Service Was Great. See What You Think.

[ClaudiaF]

The Silversea does Cape Town to Port Louis,March 2005,They offer a Pre Safari in South Africa run by Micato, Get the Silversea brochure from them,it explains everthing.

Got it, saw it and it looks great..