NEW! Grand Iberia, Africa & Asia Passage

Discover the coastal hub in the Eastern Cape known as the “Friendly City.” Now part of the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan municipality, Gqeberha was originally founded to house British settlers, as a way of strengthening the border region between the Cape Colony and the Xhosa. Your scenic city drive will take you past the Campanile—one of the most striking buildings in Gqeberha. The tower dates back to 1920 and was built to commemorate the 1820 arrival of the British settlers who came to help populate the Eastern Cape. Stop for photos at City Hall and Fort Frederick, which were strategically built on a natural vantage point overlooking Algoa Bay in order to protect the Cape Colony from the French during the Napoleonic wars. After a photo stop at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, enjoy a panoramic drive back to your ship.

Experience the exceptional scenery on a memorable ferry cruise on the Sundays River. Embark from the village of Cannonville, a 30-minute drive from Gqeberha harbor and situated in the Colchester area—the gateway to the Sunshine Coast. Leisurely cruise down to the Sundays River’s mouth along its border with the Addo Elephant National Park to the Alexandria coastal dune field, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest of its kind in the world. The reserve stretches for more than 31 miles from the Sundays River’s mouth to beyond Woody Cape, and is home to 1,800 well-preserved dunes. Weather permitting, you may have the opportunity to walk among them—some of which are 450 feet high. Vervet monkeys and a variety of bird species also can be seen living among the dunes. Afterward, return to the ferry for your return trip to your ship.

Learn about life in Gqeberha’s different townships and meet community members during this informative excursion. Take a scenic drive past city landmarks, including the national monument and the Feather Market Centre. Pass the Old Post Office building and the Donkin Reserve, and pause for photos at the Native Strangers location, a late 19th-century ghetto for Indigenous people. At Luthuli Square, stop to hear more about its history then drive through Govan Mbeki to KwaMakgxaki, and stop at a viewpoint. Head past the city’s main trading area to the gardens at Ubuntu Pathways, a charity that provides support to vulnerable children and their families. After a short stroll, continue to the Emlotheni Memorial Park, then cap your excursion with a stop at the Mlendi Craft Center, where you will meet community members and view displayed beads and craftwork. Afterward, return to your ship.

Set out in search of African wildlife during an open-top, 4x4 safari experience. Drive to the Kariega Private Game Reserve, home to an abundance of game and birdlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, hippos, giraffes, zebras and more. Upon arrival at the lodge, you will be warmly welcomed with refreshments before boarding your fully equipped 4x4 safari vehicle. The open-air setting allows you to fully immerse yourself in nature as your experienced ranger navigates the wilderness in search of wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for a sleeping lion or perhaps a dazzle of zebras grazing on the land, and make sure you have your camera at the ready to capture the moment. After your game drive, return to the lodge for a delicious buffet lunch before making the return journey to your ship.

Experience the natural beauty of the African bushland in the beautiful Amakhala Private Game Reserve. Set amid 18,000 acres of land, the area was used to farm sheep and cattle up until the beginning of the 21st century. Today, it is home to various big game species, including lions, elephants, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest and more. Board your vehicle and set off with your knowledgeable ranger through the African bush as you learn more about the conservation initiative that reintroduces wildlife to their natural habitat. You will also seek out the park’s smaller mammals, birds and insects, and discover the reserve’s distinct environment that hosts five of the world’s six biomes. Afterward, savor a delicious lunch before returning to your ship.

Embark on a journey into the African bush to view wildlife and visit the park’s rehabilitation center. Travel by motor coach to the village of Sidbury, located within the game reserve. Here, you will be warmly greeted by your host and enjoy a welcome reception with refreshments before boarding your open-air vehicle to begin your safari. The park is home to zebra, buffalo, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, elephants and more. Keep your eyes peeled for lions wandering freely around the reserve and meet their future playmates who will be released into the wild once they are ready and fully rehabilitated. The center takes care of injured and abandoned cats who would not be able to survive in the wild independently. Meet some of the current residents before sitting down to a buffet style lunch. Afterward, return to your ship.

Journey to the Bellevue Forest Reserve and take a walk with the park’s friendly giants. Set in the greater Addo region, this private game reserve is home to dense, biodiverse vegetation that supports many plant and animal species. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a warm welcome accompanied by refreshments. Then, climb aboard a 4x4 vehicle and set out with your guide on a short game drive, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife. The park is known as a “Big 5” reserve, home to lions, elephants, rhinos, Cape buffalo and leopards—if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of one of these majestic creatures. Learn about conservation efforts, the surrounding ecosystem and more throughout your game drive, then return to the lodge for a buffet-style lunch. Your meal will be served in a traditional boma, an outdoor, enclosed dining area. After, return to your awaiting ship.