Cruising to an African Safari

Sometimes a cruise is the best option to get to an exotic locale

It’s been more than a decade since I’ve taken an African safari. But the mental picture of the hauntingly beautiful scenery sticks with me as though I had gazed out on the rugged landscapes and met Africa’s amazing people just yesterday. Even today, the colors and hues, sounds and smells, and the aura of Africa’s heart and soul remain vividly etched in my memory.

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is an add-on trip on several cruise lines' itineraries

Most travelers who journey on a vacation to Africa say it’s an emotional awakening. If you’ve sent clients to Africa, you’ve likely heard that. People come back and say they’ve “changed.” After all, having a latte at Starbucks or heading to the mall may seem trite when compared to the life-and-death situations nature delivers in the wild African bush.

Certainly, you may have clients who relish the idea of a full-blown African safari experience of 10 to 21 days. But you also may have others not sure that type of vacation is quite right for them. For those people who just want a taste of safari, you might recommend the concept of what I call the “Cruise to Safari.”

On African port calls, clients will view lions, antelopes, giraffes and other exotic creatures, but they won’t spend their entire vacation doing that—a big plus for travelers seeking a snapshot experience in central and southern Africa’s game parks, but also seeking other things from their trip.

In addition, clients who don’t relish packing and unpacking every few days as they move between various lodges on land may view a cruise with safari day trips as the perfect ticket to a happy vacation.

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