Cape Town to Cape Town with land extension

[GenaSTaylor]

Anyone done this cruise?  Thoughts?

[TLCOhio]

1 minute ago, GenaSTaylor said:

Anyone done this cruise?  Thoughts?

 

YES!!  Have done and you can see and read many details from my live/blog detailed below.  

 

We did five days for in and around Cape Town prior to the cruise, plus a couple of private tours during our sailing.  Then, as the "Cherry on top of the Sundae", we did Victoria Falls and amazing Botswana after completing our cruise.  When you fly this far, we wanted to "MAXIMIZE" the adventure experience. 

 

Happy to answer any and all questions.  Did we enjoy?  Below are a few visual evidence examples.  

 

Some of cruise excursions are OK, but our private ones, including with an overnight staying in a National Park there, provided excellent experiences that ship tours could not match.  In an area such as Africa, you want to research and plan accordingly.  

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

AFRICA?!!?: Fun, interesting visuals, plus travel details from this early 2016 live/blog. At 54,237 views. Featuring Cape Town, South Africa’s coast, Mozambique, Victoria Falls/Zambia and Botswana's famed Okavango Delta.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2310337

 

From our two different private safari tours over three days, here are a few examples of the special wildlife observed and enjoyed.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

 

 

We visited a school in the Zulu area of eastern South Africa during our private tour.:

 

Does this hippo need to brush his teeth more often?:

[Bethcb]

On 6/16/2023 at 5:05 AM, GenaSTaylor said:

Anyone done this cruise?  Thoughts?

We are doing the Capetown to Athens next January. We looked at the land extension but booked a private tour company instead for 12 days before cruise. Includes Victoria falls. We had the time and it seemed less rushed and more flexible. We were also able to customize things we wanted to include. 

[drron29]

If possible tack on a private tour before or after the cruise. I would recommend Botswana. We added on a 13 day Sanctuary lodge tour after our Capetown to Ghana cruise. We had to get back to South africa as it is the only place for direct flights to Australia. It was supposedly at the wrong time of year for safaris but it was fantastic and cheaper than the recommended time of year. The final camp was in Zambia where we walked with rhinos and saw Victoria falls.

[LAexNY]

We also did a Sanctuary Lodge tour in Botswana and Zambia.  Four different lodges.  Excellent.

[WesW]

Terrific South African wildlife photos Terry, thanks 4 sharing.

 

We enjoyed Capetown, East London, Durban, and Richards Bay on our Silver Cloud Capetown to Mahe voyage in Apirl. We will enjoy Mossel Bay, and Walvus Bay and Capetown  on Conrad Combrink's (SVP, Silversea Destinations (Classic & Expedition itineraries) hosted Walvus Bay to Port Elizabeth voyage next march. 

 

And we relish South Arfica and its East Coast up to Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros and the Seychelles so much;  we will do a  back 2 back, doing the 66 day Grand Indian Ocean voyage on the Silver Cloud next April thru June.

Edited June 19, 2023 by WesW

[TLCOhio]

3 hours ago, WesW said:

Terrific South African wildlife photos Terry, thanks 4 sharing.   We enjoyed Capetown, East London, Durban, and Richards Bay on our Silver Cloud Capetown to Mahe voyage in Apirl. We will enjoy Mossel Bay, and Walvus Bay and Capetown  on Conrad Combrink's (SVP, Silversea Destinations (Classic & Expedition itineraries) hosted Walvus Bay to Port Elizabeth voyage next march.  we will do a  back 2 back, doing the 66 day Grand Indian Ocean voyage on the Silver Cloud next April thru June.

 

Appreciate the kind comments and follow-up from Wes.  Looks like exciting, upcoming travels for Wes.   Plus, good comments from Dr. Ron, LAexNY, Beth. 

 

Wes' Cape Town visuals make the key point that there is so very much in and around Cape Town to see, do and enjoy.  Cannot resist sharing more and planting a number of added ideas and great options.     

 

Need more options and potentials?  Don't be shy with any and all questions, comments and visuals from your fun in this amazing region. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour.  Visual Summary:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

 

Much in Cape Town revolves around Table Mountain, the busy waterfront area, etc.  I did a helicopter tour over the region and was able to capture this overall view in the second picture.  Plus, taking the cable car up, UP to the top Table Mountain is significant fun!  Many, many options for in and around Cape Town.  You cannot do "it" there in just a day or two.  Plan accordingly!!:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

 

In the wine country region near Cape Town, these are the 400-year-old camphor trees that date way back to the early history for this area being a re-fueling location for traders going to India, etc.:

 

Along the scenic coast south of Cape Town, there are lots to see, including these cute creatures.:

Edited June 19, 2023 by TLCOhio