$11,499—Africa cruise, 5-day private safari & all flights

Africa is often reduced to safari, but this 18-night journey reveals the continent’s range. Ecruising flies you to Mauritius for a two-night stay before you board Azamara Onward. The ship’s smaller, destination-led style suits this route. It sails to seven African and Indian Ocean ports across Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar and South Africa. That gives the holiday cultural depth before the bush begins. You move from island ports and coastal cities to Cape Town, then Greater Kruger. From Cape Town, you fly into South Africa’s bushveld for three nights at Moditlo River Lodge^. This is a private-reserve stay, not a one-and-done wildlife outing. Fewer vehicles, lodge-led drives and four chances in the bush make the safari feel properly built. Wildlife is never on command, so repeated drives matter. Morning and afternoon drives reveal different sides of the reserve. Between them, lodge time and open bush views become part of the experience too. May is well timed for this pairing, with warm Indian Ocean days and cooler safari conditions. Vegetation begins to thin, improving visibility and making the Big Five easier to spot. Flights, stays, tours and transfers are included, keeping a complex route clean and properly joined.

This is not an easy itinerary to piece together yourself. It combines international flights, island stays, an Azamara cruise, domestic flights, a Greater Kruger safari lodge stay, touring and transfers. Safari lodges can also sell out well in advance. Our research found you cannot put the lead-in package together for less. Starting from $11,499 per person, this Ecruising holiday saves up to $1150 per person and keeps the full 18-night journey seamless.

What's included

• Economy class flights from Australia* to Port Louis, return from Johannesburg
• 2-night, 4-star stay in Mauritius
• 12-night cruise onboard Azamara Onward from Port Louis to Cape Town
• Ports of call: Pointe des Galets, Taolagnaro, Richards Bay, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and an overnight in Cape Town
• All meals (specialty dining excluded)
• Speciality coffee and teas
• Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including house spirits, wine and international beers
• 24-hour room service
• Pre-paid gratuities
• All port fees and government taxes
• 5-day South Africa & Wild Safari Adventure:
• One-way flight from Cape Town to Kruger Region
• 3-night safari lodge stay at Moditlo River Lodge^ or similar
• 10 meals included: 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
• Authentic safari stay includes all meals, teas, coffees, snacks, all local drinks and all park fees
• Morning and afternoon game drives each day at Moditlo Private Game Reserve^
  One-way flight from Kruger Region to Johannesburg
• 1 night boutique accommodation in Johannesburg
• Tour of Soweto in Johannesburg with an English-speaking tour guide
• All transfers throughout Cape Town, safari lodge and Johannesburg

When

This itinerary departs Australia on 25 April 2028.

Book by 8 June 2026.

Cabin upgrades

Featured prices are based on an Inside cabin while cruising. We've also found savings on cabin upgrades. Upgrades start at $700 per person:

• +$700 for an Oceanview cabin
• +$1200 for a Veranda

To find out more, see our partner's website.

Holiday snapshot

Australia* - Port Louis - Pointe des Galets - Taolagnaro - Richards Bay - Durban - Port Elizabeth - Cape Town - Johannesburg - Australia*

Itinerary highlights

In Port Louis, colourful market streets unfold beneath volcanic peaks, where Creole, Indian and French influences shape the atmosphere of Mauritius’ lively capital.

At Pointe des Galets, Réunion’s dramatic volcanic interior rises sharply from the coastline, with lava fields, waterfalls and rugged mountain scenery dominating the island.

In Taolagnaro, Madagascar’s wild southern coastline combines rainforest, beaches and red-earth landscapes that feel remote and largely untouched.

Through Richards Bay, South Africa’s subtropical coastline introduces estuaries, wetlands, and wildlife-rich landscapes shaped by the Indian Ocean.

In Durban, warm beaches, a spice-filled food culture, and a strong Zulu heritage create a city known for its coastal energy and laid-back rhythm.

At Port Elizabeth, long stretches of coastline and nearby wildlife reserves reveal the beginning of South Africa’s southern landscapes.

An overnight stay onboard in Cape Town allows time beneath Table Mountain to explore the V&A Waterfront, coastal drives and nearby wine regions before flying into the Greater Kruger region.

Within Moditlo Private Game Reserve, open plains, riverine forest and unfenced wilderness create a fully immersive safari experience, where morning and afternoon game drives track the Big Five through landscapes shaped entirely by the rhythms of nature.

In Johannesburg, a final overnight stay brings the journey back into the city after days spent deep within the South African bush.