Explore with Viking—Africa & Middle East

Fly to one of Africa’s most incredible national parks and drive to prime sites for viewing wildlife. Travel to the airport, where you will board a chartered aircraft for a flight to southern Kenya. Upon landing, meet your expert guide on the runway, then drive by jeep to Amboseli National Park. Covering more than 146 square miles, the park sits in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest free-standing mountain, and is home to four of Africa’s “Big 5.” Get an up-close look at free-ranging herds of elephants and keep watch for lions, zebras, hyenas, giraffes and more during your safari. There are also more than 370 bird species that can be found here among the wetlands, woodlands, sulfur springs and savanna. Following lunch, head back out for another game drive before transferring to the airport for your return flight to Mombasa and your awaiting ship.

Enjoy an immersive experience of African music, dance, storytelling and cuisine in the heart of Cape Town. Head to an African restaurant where you will be welcomed by a griot, or West African praise singer, and live djembe drumming with a Malian Bamana puppet show: an ancient traditional art using brightly colored masks and dolls made of wood and metal. After the opportunity to participate yourself, you will be served a tasting menu of 14 seasonal, authentic African dishes. African meals are traditionally served family style, with a sumptuous feast that is designed to be shared. While you dine, you will learn about each dish's country of origin and the cooking techniques and spices used to prepare them. Throughout your meal you will see interpretive dances performed in colorful costumes to live music bringing classic African stories to life. Then, transfer back to the pier.

Discover the history and culture of East Africa’s most metropolitan port and enjoy lunch during a dhow cruise. Set out on a panoramic drive through the former capital of British East Africa. Gain a deeper understanding of the city’s rich history as you pass by several important landmarks. Pass under the symbolic metal elephant tusk sculptures that cross bustling Moi Avenue; these four tusks were built in 1952 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s visit and form the letter “M” for Mombasa. Then, discover the well-preserved Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take some time to explore the narrow streets of the old town. Continue to the Tamarind jetty, where you will board a dhow, a traditional Arab sailing vessel. Cruise along Tudor Creek, then enjoy a lunch of local fare onboard, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Explore proudly multicultural Cape Town, in which diverse traditions, cuisine and landscapes collide. Travel through Cape Town by motor coach to get oriented in the “Mother City.” In the heart of the city, you will have the chance to get out and enjoy a stroll through the Company’s Garden. With historic buildings, museums, places of worship and an art gallery, the garden is home to South Africa’s oldest cultivated pear tree and a rose garden built in 1929. Stroll past the Houses of Parliament, an inner sanctum of South African politics dating back to 1885, and the South African Jewish Museum, opened by Nelson Mandela in 2000. Then, visit the famed Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, where you will have free time to explore independently. After, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Explore the most popular isle in Madagascar’s archipelago during a panoramic drive. Board a motor coach with your guide and set off for a scenic drive around the country’s largest island. Nicknamed the “Perfume Island” because of the scent of ylang-ylang trees that grow in its tropical forests and plantations, Nosy Be also boasts an array of other distinct flora and fauna. Stop and gain a deeper understanding of local history and culture as you get a glimpse into the life of the Sakalava people, one of Madagascar’s smallest ethnic groups that are descended from settlers who arrived around the 8th century AD. As you continue through verdant woodlands, you will have the opportunity to see lemurs, small, wet-nosed primates endemic to Madagascar. Pause to enjoy refreshments, then travel through local villages en route back to your awaiting ship.

Discover the highlights of the bustling city of Maputo, capital of Mozambique. Begin with a photo stop at the grand Maputo Railway Station. See its bronze central dome, as well as the wrought-iron latticework and pillars adorning its facade. Pass by the Maputo Central Market en route to the Maputo Fort, a defensive stronghold originally built by Portuguese colonists during the late 18th century. At Independence Square, gaze at the 30-foot bronze statue of the country’s first president, Samora Machel, in the square’s center; the gleaming white Roman Catholic cathedral and neoclassical City Hall that surround it; and the nearby Iron House, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Visit Mozambique’s largest craft market, Feima, where you will have time to browse handmade items made by local artisans. Following lunch at a local hotel, return to your awaiting ship.

Discover the prolific biodiversity and rugged beauty of Walvis Bay during an excursion to its lagoon and dunes. The Walvis Bay Lagoon is a sheltered wetland that is home to around 80,000 wading birds, including a large population of greater and lesser flamingos and rare white pelicans. It is one of the most important wetlands in southern Africa, and a vital stopover point for flocks of migratory birds making their way to Etosha and Botswana. Spend time watching and photographing the abundance of wildlife around you, before continuing to Namibia’s largest salt mine to learn about the history of salt mining in the region. Finally, set out for Namibia’s famous sand dunes and stop for photos of this impressive sight; the rust-colored dunes reach up to 1,250 feet in height. Afterward, make the return journey to your awaiting ship.

Discover the wildlife of the Eastern Cape during a game drive and river cruise experience. Board your motor coach and drive to the Sibuya Game Reserve for the opportunity to view some of the region’s unique species. The East Cape valley bushveld, grasslands and coastal forests are teeming with antelope, including the rare bontebok and oribi. During your drive, keep your eyes peeled for elephants, giraffes and zebras, as well as Africa’s “Big 5,” as your guide explains about the park’s conservation efforts across the ancient floodplains and forest. After your game drive, board a boat for a river cruise through the lush wetlands in search of kingfishers, fish eagles, otters and antelope. Return to shore for a tasty buffet-style lunch before returning to your ship.

Enjoy a day of learning and leisure, taking in the sights and pristine nature of Africa’s western Atlantic Coast. Embark on a scenic drive and pause to take in the sweeping views of the city and the ocean from the Fortress of São Miguel, a well-preserved national monument. Built as a center for defense during the 16th century, it now houses the Museum of Armed Forces. Continuing south, you will encounter an obelisk memorial to Angola’s first president, Dr. António Agostinho Neto. Afterward, you will board a boat and transfer to Mussulo Island, a palm-fringed ecological reserve of white-sand beaches. After lunch, you can relax in the sunshine, take a dip in the calm, warm waters, or stroll along the sand dunes. En route back to your ship, pass examples of colonial architecture, some still bearing Portugal’s insignia, a reminder of the city’s past.

Witness the majestic beauty of African wildlife in their natural habitat at an intimate private game reserve. Upon arrival at the reserve, enjoy a delicious lunch at the lodge before boarding your 4x4 safari vehicle. Meet your guide and embark on an unforgettable journey as you navigate through breath-taking landscapes in pursuit of the wildlife that inhabit this reserve. This park is a sanctuary for a diverse array of animals, including rhinos, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes. The majestic rock formations that encircle the reserve stand guard over Gwahumbe, contrasting with the expansive plateau grasslands and lush riverine forests. Explore the banks of the Gwahumbe River to discover an abundance of bird life, making this location a paradise for birdwatchers. Afterward, return to the lodge and reboard your motorcoach for the transfer back to your ship.

Explore picturesque towns and beautiful landscapes in the heart of South Africa’s renowned wine-producing area. Travel to the UNESCO-listed Cape Floral Region, to Franschhoek Wine Valley at the foot of Simonsberg mountain. Stop to explore the vibrant diversity of fruit and vegetable gardens at Babylonstoren, one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms in the country. Continue to the Boschendal Wine Estate, a working farm with spectacular views and indigenous gardens, where you will be served one of their award-winning wines followed by a delicious picnic lunch. Next, head to the Huguenot Monument, commemorating the cultural influences of French Protestants on South Africa, where you will have time to explore. Drive to university town of Stellenbosch to stroll oak-shaded streets dotted with cafes, shops, and galleries in the shadow of its namesake mountain. After, you will return to your ship.

Summit Table Mountain—a celebrated Cape Town landmark—and admire its extraordinary views. Start your tour of the iconic mountain at Kloof Nek’s lower cableway station, where you will ride the Rotair cable car up the mountainside. Enjoy the panoramic views courtesy of its 360° rotating floor. Take in the spectacular scenery as you ascend 2,300 feet from the Valley Station to the Mountain Station. On the summit, gaze at Devil's Peak on the left, Lion's Head on the right and Signal Hill in the foreground, with Cape Town and its suburbs lying in between. Stand on top of the approximately 500-million-year-old rocky formation and reflect on nature’s enduring power and majesty as you take in your surroundings. Later, descend back to sea level and return to your ship.

Step outside Algiers to visit a remarkable royal tomb and a former outpost of the Roman Empire. Join your guide for a coastal drive to Tipasa, once a military colony of the Roman Empire that today is recognized by UNESCO. Throughout this extensive site, you will see remains of early Christian churches alongside cemeteries, bathhouses and the unusually shaped amphitheater. After your visit, you may choose to browse the nearby shops. Next, enjoy lunch before continuing to the mysterious Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This huge circular structure was built in 3 BC to entomb the King and Queen of Mauritania. As you explore, you can observe the influence of the Egyptian pyramids upon its construction. After free time, return to Algiers for a panoramic city drive as you journey back to your ship.

Experience the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Bonamanzi Game Reserve during an early morning game drive. Privately owned, Bonamanzi is spread across 15 square miles, with the Hluhluwe River forming its eastern border. It is a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site in recognition of its biodiversity, a combination of sand forests, savanna and wetland. Upon arrival, you will transfer to the main lodge, where you will receive a welcome drink and cooled towels. Then, board your nine-seat, open-top vehicle for a game drive, accompanied by experienced ranger guides. The reserve is home to a diverse population of African wildlife, including the “Big 4”—elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopards—as well as giraffes, zebra, nyala, hyenas, crocodiles, kudu, wildebeest and a variety of birdlife. Upon your return to the lodge, enjoy a delicious buffet lunch before returning to your ship.

Observe soaring pelicans and playful seals during an excursion to the Pelican Point peninsula. Meet your guide at the pier and drive to the marina, where your vessel awaits. After a short safety briefing, board your speedboat for a wildlife cruise to the Pelican Point peninsula. Keep your eyes peeled for pelicans as they glide overhead—the long beaks and large throat pouches of these unique marine birds are used to scoop prey from the ocean. You may also witness curious Cape fur seals as they playfully swim alongside to investigate visitors. On an empty beach, your boat will run ashore, and you will transfer to your two-person kayak to explore the tranquil waters of the bay. Return to the beach and relax as you savor a delicious snack and hot refreshments before climbing into your 4x4 vehicle for the return drive back to your awaiting ship.