Nothing says “wish list” like a trip to Africa.
You’ll see wildlife, ancient wonders of the world, and some of the world’s most fascinating cultural centers all in one trip. Are you starting to see why a trip here is so unique?
Africa is a big continent, and you’ll find as many ways to travel as there are wonders to see. Whether you want to visit Africa’s tropical Seychelles archipelago in the Indian Ocean or admire the dramatic red sands of Namibia on the Atlantic coast, you can do it all on a cruise ship—even on the same itinerary.
And that’s not all! You can book intimate river cruises on Botswana’s Chobe River or Egypt’s Nile, a rite of passage for many cruise enthusiasts. (We’ve highlighted Viking below for its large number of trips, but Lindblad/National Geographic, Uniworld, and Avalon Waterways all offer Nile itineraries.)
Whether you’re looking for a quick South African safari or a multi-week adventure across the African continent, you can find an itinerary that suits you. Here are our picks for the best African safaris in 2025 and 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line: 11-13 Night South Africa and Madagascar Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line has some of the most powerful and diverse Africa Tour Options among all major cruise lines, with 13 sailings ranging from 11 to 21 nights in 2025 alone.
Among the most popular services are the Cape Town to Mauritius (or vice versa) routes on Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Dawn. These 11- to 13-night cruises combine the highlights of Cape Town with the wildlife wonders of Madagascar. Madagascar is one of Africa’s most fascinating safari destinations; 90% of the island’s plants and animals are endemic, including 103 species of lemurs. But Madagascar is also a destination that even serious safari enthusiasts often overlook because flights and accommodations are difficult to book, making cruises the perfect way to get there.
NCL’s itinerary also visits Pointe de Galets, Reunion — a lush beach and rainforest on the Indian Ocean. Norwegian Dawn’s 12-night itinerary adds a stop in Maputo, Mozambique.
Who should go?: The 1,944-passenger Norwegian Sky and the 2,290-passenger Norwegian Dawn are some of the smallest and oldest ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. They’re suited to travelers who want a more private experience than you’ll find on larger ships. Africa cruises tend to appeal to travelers who are more interested in the destinations they visit than the sights on board, but the ships will still keep you entertained with plenty of restaurants, bars and lounges, several pools and hot tubs, a casino and a theater with nightly shows.
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Related: Norwegian’s 9 Cruise Ship Classes Explained
Azamara: 18-night West Africa cruise
Azamara provide one 18 Night West Africa Trip between the Canary Islands and Cape Town. The 704-passenger Azamara Quest called at ports such as Dakar, Senegal; Banjul, Gambia; and Luderitz and Walvis Bay, Namibia, along the African coast. It also stopped at the British-controlled island of St. Helena.
Book an excursion to search for elusive wild horses in Namibia, take a scenic flight over the shifting sand dunes of Sossusvlei, race through the desert in a four-wheel drive and explore the waterways and villages of The Gambia.
Azamara also partners with Micato Safaris for pre- and post-trip programs to Africa to see the “Big Five” (Cape buffalo, lion, rhino, elephant and leopard). You can book safaris in Chobe National Park in Botswana or Kruger National Park in South Africa.
Who should go?: Azamara caters to well-traveled, affluent travelers who prefer smaller ships, a country-chic atmosphere, and itineraries that focus on immersing themselves in the destination. (You won’t find any water slides or roller coasters, which is exactly what the line’s fans love.) Azamara creates an immersive African experience by focusing on longer stays in port; for example, the ship spends two full days in Walvis Bay, Namibia. Additionally, the line’s complimentary AzAmazing Evenings program takes guests ashore to experience cultural performances in stunning locations, such as the “Desert Dinner & Fire Spinners & Marimba Band” event in Namibia.
Regent Seven Seas Cruise: 16 Nights Off the Coast of Madagascar: Cruise from Cape Town to Port Louis
Regent Seven Seas Cruise provide a 16 Nights Journey along the southern coast of South Africa and to Mozambique and Madagascar, ending in Port Louis, Mauritius. The 750-passenger Seven Seas Splendor departed on January 27, 2026 on this itinerary and then repeated the journey in reverse, from Port Louis to Cape Town, on February 12, 2026.
Along the way, Regent offers a number of unique shore excursions that set it apart from other lines. Highlights include safaris in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, from Richards Bay; cultural explorations in Durban, South Africa, with visits to Zulu villages in the Valley of a Thousand Hills; and bird watching in remote Mayotte, French Comoros.
Who should go?: Regent of luxury cruise package — including airfare, transfers, onboard drinks and dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi, and unlimited shore excursions — comes at a price that’s accordingly luxurious. Passengers are mostly wealthy professionals and retirees who enjoy the seamless ease of an all-inclusive cruise that offers high-end service.
Fans of fine dining will appreciate the many dining options on board, including Chartreuse for fine French cuisine and Prime 7 for a steakhouse menu. Other onboard entertainment includes the lavish Serene Spa and pool deck, along with boccie, golf and putting greens to spice up days at sea.
Related: 9 Most Luxurious Cruise Lines for Elegance and Exclusivity
Oceania Cruises: 14 Nights Cruise from Cape Town to Cape Town
If you want to explore more of Southern Africa, check out Oceania Cruises’ Cruise from Cape Town to Cape Town From January 19 to February 2, 2026, explore the South African coast in an unusual reverse itinerary, first exploring the east coast to Richards Bay, then heading to the island of Madagascar, then returning to the mainland and stopping in Maputo, Mozambique before returning to Cape Town.
Highlights include Durban, with its golden beaches and charming Indian Market, and Port Elizabeth on South Africa’s south coast, an area nicknamed the “Garden Route” for its lush foliage. Port Elizabeth is also a popular migration route for southern right whales, which you may see, along with pods of dolphins, as you cruise.
Oceania offers longer itineraries from Cape Town to Lisbon, Portugal and Cape Town to Barcelona (as well as Lisbon and Barcelona to Cape Town itineraries) that last 25 and 26 nights. Ports include the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast and Ghana. Along the way, you’ll stop at Walvis Bay on the west coast of Namibia, with its iconic red sand dunes; here, you’ll have the chance to spot flamingos, pelicans and thousands of other migratory birds.
Who should go?: Oceania Cruise offers an upscale cruising experience with the feel of a luxury estate. The intimate 670-passenger Nautica has a relatively secluded setting, with a higher crew-to-passenger ratio than most mass-market ships. On board, guests will enjoy several fine dining restaurants and luxurious accommodations.
Viking: 11-Night Cruise to Pharaohs and Pyramids
Not all African cruises are by sea. A cruise along the Nile River is a bucket list item for many travelers, and Viking offers one of the easiest booking options with seven vessels in service Pharaohs & Pyramids Cruise. In 2025 and 2026, sailings will depart almost daily during the peak season from October to March, although no sailings are scheduled from the second half of June to the end of July.
The round trip to Cairo feels incredibly exclusive, with The ship only carries 82 passengers. on board. The journey begins with several days in Cairo, where you can visit the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, museums and souks before sailing down the Nile. Your ship will make several stops in Luxor, Egypt, home to the Valley of the Kings; spend a day in Qena, Egypt to visit the Dendera Temple complex; and make stops at the Egyptian ports of Esna, Aswan, Kom Ombo and Edfu.
Who should go?: Adults Only Cruise Line Viking appeals to travelers who prefer a relaxing onboard experience that focuses on learning about the destination through guest lectures — in this case, Egyptologists — and shore excursions. Its passengers are typically retirement age or older.
Viking fans love the ships’ clean, Scandinavian-style decor and prices that include wine and beer with lunch and dinner, gratuities, and a complimentary shore excursion to each port. The ships don’t have an onboard casino or entertainment space beyond the main lounge area, but a shaded pool and sundeck provide a relaxing outdoor spot to enjoy the river views.
Related: 10 Amazing River Cruises to Book This Year
AmaWaterways: 9-Night Africa Discovery Cruise
If you’re someone who enjoys the food equivalent of a travel buffet and likes to have a little bit of every experience on your plate, then Ama Waterway‘ extremely unique Cruise to discover Africa is for you. (AmaWaterways also offers a Nile cruise.) For this itinerary, you’ll start with two days of guided sightseeing and three nights at a luxury hotel in Cape Town before flying to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and transferring to the Chobe River, where you board the 28-passenger Zambezi Queen for a four-night cruise through Botswana’s wildlife areas, including safaris into the savannah.
Afterwards, return to Victoria Falls to see the thundering falls and explore the area by both steamboat and smaller sailing vessel during your two-night stay. The adventure ends with a flight to Johannesburg, where you can continue your adventure independently or with a post-tour extension or fly home.
Who should go?: AmaWaterways attracts active travelers who appreciate the wide range of included excursion options at every port and the line’s attention to both wellness and exceptional dining. The river cruise line’s Africa trips use a charter ship, so you won’t find the line’s signature Wellness Host leading fitness classes or cuisine curated by the prestigious culinary organization La Chaine des Rotisseurs. However, the Zambezi Queen offers unique activities like fishing and birdwatching, as well as dining on what AmaWaterways calls “five-star home-cooked cuisine.” A local mother-daughter duo from a nearby village prepares all meals for an authentic taste of the region.
The Zambezi Queen also has a small pool on the sundeck, so you can soak up the African views while you take a dip. All rooms have balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows, so you’re never far from the safari views.
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