CRUISE
Cruising
SOUTH AFRICA By Chris Robinson
The country is a bucket-list destination that does not disappoint, but it’s a vast, sprawling country that is not the easiest to explore independently. For anyone looking for a way to experience the best of South Africa while travelling in style and with local guides, cruising is the answer.
ELEPHANTS COOLING DOWN IN A POOL OF WATER IN ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK
O
ver the years, South Africa has become a successful cruise destination, offering a different twist on the usual, land-based vacations. A cruise is luxurious, often all-inclusive and safe. It allows you to hit all the essential South African experiences — cities, safari, local culture and incredible landscapes — easily. I chose the Azamara Quest and its Indian Ocean Adventure itinerary, departing Cape Town in February 2020.
Most South African cruises depart Cape Town, which provides an opportunity for pre-departure sightseeing in the area. I stayed in the seaside community of Simon’s Town on False Bay, about an hour from the city. As we arrived, my driver said, “Mind the penguin!” and sure enough, a diminutive fellow waddled by us to reach its evening burrow. South Africa abounds in such remarkable moments.
CAPE TOWN
Over the next few days, I immersed myself in penguin encounters. The African penguin colony here is 3,000 strong, and it is possible to get up close and personal to these delightful creatures simply by strolling along the coastal trails. At the Boulders Beach African Penguin Colony, I hiked the boardwalks intersecting the main colony on the beach and watched various stages of penguin life, from courting and mating to egg sitting and young rearing. It was riveting.
I went from the depths of the Canadian winter to the soothing warmth of summer in the Southern Hemisphere with just one 15-hour flight. The final glide into Cape Town International Airport was a reminder of why the city is ranked among the world’s most spectacular for its physical setting. It subsides into the Southern Ocean with Table Mountain shredding the clouds and makes a picturesque entry point for the Rainbow Nation. 44 • Vacations ® • Fall 2021
