Cape Town to Mauritius

When you step on the dock in Mossel Bay you’ll be following in the footsteps of 15th century Europeans; this is where they first made landfall on South African soil. The Bay of Attraction, as it is often called, Mossel Bay offers almost 40 miles of wide, sandy beaches and at least 300 days of sunshine.

Vast, vibrant Port Elizabeth stretches along Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape. Discover the city's rich architectural heritage in Market Square, enjoy the beautiful local beaches, or look for the 'Big Five' (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros) at Shamwari Game Reserve.

Durban is an attractive city, whose long beach front and glass buildings look out onto the Indian Ocean. Inland, spectacular landscapes and Africa’s unique wildlife are waiting to captivate you. Durban resides on the edge of the KwaZulu-Natal province, and it could be the springboard for an adventure inland to experience the stunning scenery and rich local customs. One excursion could whisk you into the evocatively named Valley of a Thousand Hills, with its rippled ridges and green slopes in the heart of Zulu country. There you can pay a visit to a cultural village for traditional demonstrations of beadwork, spear making, drumming and dancing. Durban can be thought of as South Africa’s Riviera, basking as it does in a pleasant subtropical climate. Its enticing beachfront, known as the ‘Golden Mile,’ actually offers over three and a half miles of sandy shore where surfers and swimmers flock to waters warmed by the Mozambique Current.

Situated on the deepest natural harbour in the Southern Hemisphere, Richards Bay will thrill both nature and culture seekers. Spend the day walking through the Umlalazi Nature Reserve where you might see one of the rarest birds of pray in South Africa, the Palm-Nut vulture or catch some sun or some waves at Aklantstrand Beach.

Situated on the deepest natural harbour in the Southern Hemisphere, Richards Bay will thrill both nature and culture seekers. Spend the day walking through the Umlalazi Nature Reserve where you might see one of the rarest birds of pray in South Africa, the Palm-Nut vulture or catch some sun or some waves at Aklantstrand Beach.

Immerse yourself in Madasgascar's largest and most popular destination, Nosy Be. This "Big Island" off the northwest coast is famous for its natural splendor and Ylang Ylang trees that make up a major part of the local economy. Spend the day hanging out with lemurs and chameleons at the Lokobe Reserve. Indulge in local cuisine like the diverse and delectable variations of Laoka.

A gateway to Northern Madagascar, Antisiranana, once Diego Suarez, is at once a buzzing city and a sleepy one. Most residents nap from noon to 3pm and so normally bustling shops and restaurants are closed for a few hours around this time. But even when shops are shut, there's plenty of architecture and natural beauty to wander through.

With its lush rainforests and beaches bordering coral reefs, Pointe des Galets, Réunion will dazzle you with its natural splendor. This island in the Indian Ocean is a French department and is known for Piton de la Fournaise, a climbable active volcano that rises to 8,635 ft.

The beating heart of Mauritius is Port Louis, its capital city. Combining a rich array of cultures, languages and influences, Port Louis is a truly fascinating place to sit and watch the world go by. Port Louis offers shopping bargains at the old-fashioned central market. Go bird watching at Casela Bird Park. Or set out on a catamaran to admire the sun-drenched beauty of the island, landing on dazzling white beaches and snorkeling amongst shoals brimming with kaleidoscopic fish.