NEW! Grand Africa to Asia Explorer

Drive through cosmopolitan Durban and immerse in its cultural mix of Indian, Zulu and post-colonial influences. Travel by motor coach past the city sights, including the Victorian-style main post office building that was erected in 1885. Pause for photos at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, then drive along the Golden Mile beachfront and pass the tree-lined Victoria Embankment, also known as the Esplanade—one of the city’s oldest and most famous streets. Admire the vistas at the Currie Road panorama viewpoint and enjoy a visit to the Durban Botanic Gardens. Currently the oldest surviving botanical garden on the African continent, it was developed in 1849 as a station for the trial of agricultural crops. Today the gardens focus on core areas of biodiversity, education, heritage, research, horticultural excellence and green innovation.

Discover African tribal culture in the stunning homeland of the Zulu. Journey into the unspoiled Valley of a Thousand Hills—the homeland of the Zulu people. As you travel, learn how this tranquil, rolling landscape was the stage for the bloody conflicts that shaped the Kingdom of the Zulu almost two centuries ago. Visit PheZulu Safari Park and experience firsthand the customs and beliefs of the Zulu. Enjoy an afternoon tea, featuring delicious scones. Afterward, take a guided tour of the village, including its traditional beehive huts and reptile park, home to several species of indigenous crocodiles and snakes. Then, enjoy an opportunity to browse the many local handicrafts before returning to your ship.

Visit the site of Nelson Mandela’s arrest and scenic Howick Falls on this excursion through the Natal Midlands. Embark on a drive to a lonely stretch of Route 103 outside of Howick. Here, on August 5, 1962, civil rights activist Nelson Mandela was arrested by armed apartheid police while returning from a meeting in KwaZulu-Natal. He subsequently served 27 years in prison before being released and eventually becoming the country’s first black president. View the dramatic 30-foot-tall sculpture of Mandela’s visage comprised of 50 steel columns, and take a guided tour of the on-site museum. After free time to explore at your leisure, continue on to the spectacular Howick Falls. Set amid lush greenery, the waters of the Umgeni River cascade down more than 300 feet from the rocks above. Admire this beautiful natural wonder before returning to your ship.

Experience the natural beauty of Africa in the stunning Tala Private Game Reserve. Nestled in the hills of the KwaZulu-Natal province, the Tala Private Game Reserve provides an exceptional collection of plants and wildlife. Board your open-game vehicle with highly knowledgeable guides who will lead you through the reserve. Get close to nature, interact with the environment and absorb the sights, sounds and smells of the African bush. The reserve covers more than 3,000 hectares and features many diverse ecosystems that are home to more than 350 different bird species and big game such as kudu, hippo, giraffe, wildebeest and antelope. Marvel at the fiery red flowers of an aloe plant in full bloom, or the smell of the fragrant wild sage. Upon your return to base, enjoy refreshments and free time before returning to your ship.

Traverse the treetop canopy of an indigenous forest during a memorable ecological zip line experience. Travel to the heart of the Natal Midlands and the Karkloof indigenous forest. Meet your guides and receive a safety briefing and lesson on sliding along the cables before taking a short drive to the launch platform. Clip in to the cable and take off, traversing among its seven platforms up to 130 feet above the forest floor. Spend several minutes on each platform while your knowledgeable guides describe the ecology of the forest and point out the different trees and giant ferns below. Keep watch for Samango monkeys, emerald cuckoos, Knysna loeries and the large number of raptors that call these trees home. You might even see the elusive Narina trogon or an endangered Cape parrot. Once back on the ground, you will enjoy a light snack before returning to your ship.

Immerse yourself in Durban's multicultural subtropical character during a sightseeing tour of the city. Spend time at Victoria Market and then explore a local herb market, a visually captivating place that highlights the differences between Western and African medicine. Meander along the passageway below the street to the traditional incense and lime market. In this fascinating bazaar, the smells of spices and incense waft through the stalls, as big balls of white and red lime wait to be selected. Browse the stalls of the Bead Market to admire colorful handcrafted designs, then drive into the city center and past Cato Square, adjacent to Durban’s century-old, neo-baroque city hall. View the Local History Museum and post office, before continuing past the old Inland Revenue Building and South African Reserve Bank. Afterward, return to the pier and your awaiting ship.

Explore Durban’s picturesque coastline and indulge in a traditional high tea overlooking the ocean. Embark on a scenic drive through Durban, along the palm tree-lined Victoria Embankment. Glimpse the magnificent golden dome and turrets of the Juma Mosque as you trace the Dolphin Coast to Ballito. Journey through the luxurious Umhlanga Rocks neighborhood, then head inland and admire the landscape as it transitions from vast sugarcane fields to the tumbling area of the Thousand Hills and hidden valleys of Zululand. Savor a delicious high tea as you relax and enjoy breath-taking views of the ocean. Your appetite sated, return to Durban with a stop at Currie Hill for breathtaking views over the city. Your journey will conclude, passing notable landmarks such as the Natural History Museum, before returning to your ship.

Explore Monkeyland, a forest sanctuary for rescued exotic primates in a natural setting. Following a scenic coastal drive to Ballito, you will arrive at the forest sanctuary of Monkeyland. Upon arrival, board a safari motor vehicle for the first part of your guided tour for a ride to explore the 56 acres of forest. Prepare to encounter capuchin monkeys, ring-tailed lemurs, buff-cheeked gibbons, squirrel monkeys, and black howler monkeys in their natural habitat. Alight your vehicle and embark on a leisurely stroll, immersing yourself in the proximity of the monkeys, while adhering to a strict no-touching policy. Learn about the forest's natural history, as your guide discusses the various threats and challenges confronting these primates. Your visit to Monkeyland will contribute to their conservation efforts and help to protect these magnificent creatures.

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.