Sailing Africa is a wonderful way to explore the culturally rich, visually stunning continent. Africa cruises allow passengers to experience multiple parts of the region in one convenient journey. However, if you’re planning on sailing Africa, there are plenty of considerations necessary to ensure you have the best time possible.
This blog will offer some tips to guarantee you feel prepared to sail around Africa, whether traveling with family or going alone.
Prepare for a longer journey
If you’re wondering “How long does it take to sail around Africa?” it’s worth knowing that you’ll likely have to set aside a fair few holiday days to pull it off. Africa is huge so sailing it takes a pretty sizeable chunk of time, so don’t expect to cover much ground (or water) over a long weekend.
Be health-conscious
It’s vital to protect your physical health if you’re going to cruise South Africa and beyond. For one, it’s important to consider travel vaccination guidelines, especially as you’ll be visiting a variety of countries. Similarly, make sure to travel with bug spray, any necessary ointments and try to stick to bottled water when you have boots on the ground.
Don’t spend too much time on the ship
There are plenty of creature comforts to be enjoyed on a cruise ship and by all means, make the most of them on your sea days. However, if you’re making the trip to Africa, don’t waste your shore days and spend them exploring. When docked, the kinds of activities you can participate in include:
- Exploring local cities
- Trekking through the desert
- Interacting with nature on safaris
- Enjoying the local cuisine
- Learning about the colonial past firsthand
Be safe on foot
Spending plenty of time off the ship comes with some conditions. As beautiful as the continent is, sailing Africa doesn’t come without some safety considerations. It’s vital to keep your wits about you and operate within guided tours, otherwise, you could find yourself the victim of crimes, opportunistic charlatans or even violence.
Be respectful of local customs
If you’re going to sail Africa, you should take the time to familiarise yourself with the local customs and traditions of the areas you’re visiting. You’re about to visit a culturally rich continent, so make sure to treat it as such. Maybe even learn a couple of phrases for conversing with the locals!
Start sailing Africa soon!
If you’re eager to get started on your sail around Africa, look no further than Supercruises! We offer cruises across Africa along with expeditions across various other regions, so you can experience the world by sea. Check out our blog today for more guides on best enjoying cruise experiences!
