South Africa Cruise from Cape Town to Santa Cruz de Tenerife — 21 Days

20 nights · South Africa · Departs Cape Town · Visiting Luderitz, Walvis Bay, Saint Helena Island, Dakar, Santo Antao Island, Mindelo, Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Aboard Hapag-Lloyd Cruises on the ms Europa

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ms Europa
Cape Town Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide Lüderitz Cruise Port: Ghost Towns & Expert Shore Guide Walvis Bay Cruise Port historic church exterior stone architecture
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Image courtesy of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ©

Cruise lineHapag-Lloyd Cruises
Shipms Europa
Duration20 nights
Port calls8
Departures1 sailings
Year built1999
Guests408
Cabins204
Crew285
Length198 m
Beam24 m
Cruising speed21.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    Cape Town

    Few ports make a first impression like Cape Town, where Table Mountain rises above a working harbor and the Atlantic. From the waterfront, you can reach the city’s museums, gardens and historic quarters within minutes. Ride the cableway to the summit, or follow the coast toward the Cape Peninsula’s beaches and vineyards. Look beyond the views: Cape Town’s layered history and lively food scene reward a slower visit.

  2. Day 3

    Luderitz, Namibia

    Lüderitz stands between the Atlantic and the Namib Desert, its windswept streets lined with pastel German colonial buildings. Visit the Felsenkirche and Goerke House, then follow the coast to Diaz Point, where waves break against rugged granite. Beyond town, Kolmanskop preserves the remains of a diamond-mining settlement, slowly reclaimed by desert sand. Allow time for the harbor and its fishing boats; Lüderitz rewards travelers who look beyond the shoreline.

  3. Day 4

    Walvis Bay, Namibia

    Walvis Bay is Namibia’s working harbour, where the Atlantic meets a stark sweep of desert. Its sheltered lagoon, a Ramsar-listed wetland, draws flamingos and other birdlife close to shore. Beyond town, guided 4x4 trips cross dunes to Sandwich Harbour, where sand meets the sea. Swakopmund, with its German colonial-era streets and cafés, makes an easy excursion north. Come for the rare meeting of wildlife, ocean and desert; expect wind and changing conditions.

  4. Day 9

    Saint Helena Island

    Saint Helena lies far out in the South Atlantic, 1,200 miles from Africa and 1,800 from South America. Ships once reached its steep volcanic shores after weeks at sea; today, the island’s airport makes arrival far easier. In Jamestown, Georgian streets climb a narrow valley beneath Ladder Hill, with Jacob’s Ladder rising above the rooftops. At Longwood House, Napoleon spent his final years in exile. Higher ground brings cloud forest, endemic wildlife and views from Diana’s Peak.

  5. Day 15

    Dakar, Senegal

    Dakar rewards travellers who look beyond the harbour. Senegal’s capital stands at Africa’s westernmost point, where Atlantic surf meets a city shaped by trade, faith and music. Visit the IFAN Museum of African Arts and browse the markets. Take a ferry to Gorée Island, a UNESCO-listed site whose history demands time and reflection. Allow space for thieboudienne, Senegal’s celebrated fish-and-rice dish, and a drive along the Corniche for ocean views.

  6. Day 17

    Santo Antao Island

    Santo Antão rises in volcanic peaks above Porto Novo. From the ferry quay, a winding road climbs past ravines, terraced farms and cloud-brushed ridges. The Paul Valley is lush with sugar cane and banana groves on steep terraces. Beyond Ribeira Grande, footpaths lead through some of Cape Verde’s most striking mountain scenery. Allow time for the road itself; its hairpin bends reveal a different face of the island at every turn.

  7. Day 17

    Mindelo

    Mindelo brings Cape Verde’s Atlantic character into sharp focus: a working harbour, Portuguese-era façades and a distinctive Creole culture. The waterfront faces sheltered Porto Grande, while cafés and music venues give the town a sociable rhythm. Explore Praça Nova and the Centro Nacional de Artesanato e Design, where local craft traditions are on display. For a wider view, drive up Monte Verde, São Vicente’s highest point, on a clear day.

  8. Day 21

    Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

    Santa Cruz de Tenerife is more than an island gateway. This Atlantic capital rewards a closer look. Browse the stalls at Mercado de Nuestra Señora de África, then follow the old streets towards Plaza de España. Its broad avenues, shaded plazas and market cafés make wandering pleasantly straightforward. Modern landmarks include the sculptural Auditorio de Tenerife, while palm-lined parks offer a welcome pause. Mount Teide rises inland; the golden sands of Las Teresitas lie within reach.

ms Europa Cruises

Published August 31, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard

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