For millennia, the eastern edge of Africa has stood at the crossroads of African, Asian, European and Middle Eastern cultures. Onboard Coral Geographer, take in the diverse landscapes of Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania over 17 nights. In the comfort of our state-of-the-art expedition ship, explore lands that only hardy traders in search of ancient spices ventured to in the past. Your African frontier expedition starts at cosmopolitan Port Louis in Mauritius which is well connected through its international airport. Make your first landfall in the tiny island of Reunion, a French ‘department’ and the outermost region of the European Union. Madagascar, with its extraordinary biodiversity and vast hinterland offers a fascinating contrast. Meet the semi-nomadic Vezo people at Andavadoaka who make their living from the sea, encounter native lemurs at Kirindy Reserve, and walk down the striking avenue of the giant Baobabs. Explore tiny Mozambique Island, a World Heritage site with a fascinating blend of African, Arab and European cultures. Take in the UNESCO World Heritage Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani, an island state off the coast of Tanzania and once a medieval sultanate occupied from the 9th to the 19th century. Disembark at legendary Zanzibar, a melting pot of civilisations since the first millennium. This is a truly extraordinary voyage visiting historic lands only accessible by small expedition ship.
- Walk the streets of fabled Zanzibar, and discover the palm-fringed beaches, bazaars, dhow-crowded harbour and elaborately carved doors of Stone Town
- Explore the majestic highlands of Reunion, with views from Nez des Boeuf of vast volcanic cirques
- Meet the semi-nomadic Vezo people at Andavadoaka and Bel Sur Mer, who make their living from the sea
- Encounter wildlife on forest walks at Kirindy Reserve, the best place to spot lemurs and elusive fossa
- Walk down the impressive Avenue of the Baobabs, lined with the towering bottle-shaped trees
- Visit the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest building, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora de Baluarte, and wander the historic streets of the Island of Mozambique
- Explore the ruins of the medieval sultanate of Kilwa Kisiwani, a 14th century city of grand proportions