AFRICA
The world changes very quickly, and as fast as the Suez canal closes, ships fight to book ports around the African coast. You can end up cruising Africa even when you felt you were going somewhere else. But, worry not, it has many amazing places to explore.
Africa is a gem. The best beaches, the best wild life, the sun and sand and nice people. As each place offers slightly different features, some birds, others large animal safari, others the beach used for the Bounty commercial… you need to plan what to do where. Things sell out when ships are in, so, take some time and look at what you are about to experience.
Inevitably, this coast line features in the CSCI cruise crime novel BLOOD DIAMONDS.
Probably our biggest ever holiday surprise is Zambia. A suggested stop-over our travel agent suggested – it was AMAZING!
NOTE The ports are listed by country, in order they appear as you sail east to west, from Cape Verde. The near African coast is on the map with the CANARY ISLANDS, MOROCCO and CAPE VERDE and the far African islands are grouped in with the INDIAN OCEAN if you can’t find them here.
CANARY Islands to CAPE VERDE INDIAN OCEAN inc MADAGASCAR
AMAZON & SOUTH USA
The name derives from the Berber kingdom. It is a strict Islamic state and part of the Arab world. It is said to have poor human rights and slavery still exists.
It is a poor country with natural resources including iron ore and oil. Once a Roman prince which flourished in the seventh century. In the 1600’s it was invaded by Yemeni Maquil Arabs.
Not a common cruise port. You will need a Yellow Fever certificate and not wish to use many toilets. Don’t take local money out of the country.
Senegal nearly surrounds its neighbouring Gambia. French and a local version of African French are spoken. Mining, agriculture and fishing are the main trades, tourism is building.
Name comes from the Senegal River, a Portuguese derivation of other words derived from a word for Canoe. ‘Sunuu Gall’. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the area came under the influence of the empires to the east; including the Jolof Empire of Senegal.
Dakar
Portuguese arrived here in 1455. British took over in 1765. 1965 it gained independence and since then there have been a few changes of power. Gambia has been part of the Economic Community of West Africa and the language is English. You will find English ex pats there and others with holiday beach homes.
The Port of Banjul is located on the estuary of the River Gambia. Ships do stop here including Azamara and Seabourn. We have friends with properties here. It is a holiday area.
Guinea is a French speaking African nation. It is a container port.
Tokeh is about 20 miles from the Sierra Leone capital of Freetown. Said to be an undiscovered gem, about seven ships stopped here in 2024 inc the Silver Wind
Aberdeen is the coastal side of Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown. Sierra Leone is said to be an undiscovered gem, about seven ships stopped here in 2024 including the Silver Wind
Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence and is Africa’s first and oldest modern republic. They have a container dock, few cruise ships stop here.
Ships dock in the Vridi Canal. Abidjan City is the economic centre of the Ivory Coast and smaller adjacent inland countries.
A major busy city with a busy harbour, and great beaches.
Flag and in brief
Flag and in brief
Equatorial Guinea is a small Central African country comprising the Rio Muni mainland and 5 volcanic offshore islands. WE know of no tours or ships stopping there.
But the island off the coast, São Tomé is on a number of regular routes including NCL.
São Tomé is an island republic off the Africa Coast founded in the 15th century, it is one of Africa’s oldest colonial cities. (Portuguese for St Thomas)
Flag and in brief
Gabon’s original people were Pygmy people, Bantu immigrants arrived in the 14th Century (now 95% of the population) and it was known as a French Republic until its independence in 1960. Language is still French.
It is an example of how figures can cast strange results, because it is one of the wealthiest African nations in terms of per capita income, but, many are very poor.
Beaches, bars and very expensive fun. NCL, Regent, Crystal, Seabourn, Oceania, Phoenix and others stop here.
Luderitz in Namibia
Walvis Bay
Table Mountain and the prison of Nelson Mandela, is also the wine garden of golf courses.
Durban
East London in South Africa
Mossel Bay in South Africa
Gqeberha in South Africa was previously known as Port Elizabeth
Richard’s Bay
Normally docked so it is a short walk into town.
Each time I research an African gem I think I have found the world’s greatest beach, but, stop – Zanzibar just kicked the others out of the park.
This flag was adopted in 1964 to replace the individual flags of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, and is is now the flag of the United Republic of Tanzania, a country within the Great African Lakes region.
An island just off the coast of Tanzania. Holland and America, Silverseas, and Seabourn stop here for the most amazing beaches. It is where Freddie Mercury was born, but he is not openly advertised because of the county’s stance on sexuality – although it is a place that has allegedly got a holiday female sex trade.
We had the most unforgettable family safari holiday in Kenya, and despite taking the kids to Disney three times, this is the one they remember.
Is considered a no go area. It lies between Northern Kenya and the Yemen,
Most nations have had their time as pirates, even royal or government sanctioned pirates. It is now the time of Somali and the Yemen. They operate far beyond Somali national waters and into the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Cruise ships avoid this area.
Hold tight!