World cruise (Africa)

The Mangal Mahadev is a majestic 33 meter bronze-coloured statue of the Hindu deity Shiva, located at the entrance of Ganga Talao (also known as Grand Bassin), a sacred crater lake near Bois Cheri in the Savanne district of Mauritius. Inaugurated in 2007, it is the tallest statue in Mauritius and stands facing the lake while holding the sacred Trishula (trident).

The Gorges Viewpoint in the Black River Gorges National Park near the town of Chamouny on the island of Mauritius offers sweeping, panoramic vistas of Mauritius' largest protected rainforest reserve. We looked out over a vast, emerald-green canopy, rolling mountain peaks and distant ocean views, with a small cascading waterfall visible on the far side of the valley.

The Seven Coloured Earths near the town of Chamarel on the island of Mauritius is a rare geological anomaly featuring prominent undulating sand dunes striped in seven distinct colors: red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow. The dunes are preserved within the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark. We used the wooden boardwalk around the open clearing and we found this centre view to be the best.

An up close look at the Seven Coloured Earths near the town of Chamarel on the island of Mauritius.

Being this close to these vibrant sands reveals millions of years of volcanic activity and weathering. Basaltic lava from ancient volcanic eruptions cooled and broke down over time. High levels of humidity and heat washed out soluble elements, leaving behind secondary compounds. Iron oxides stain the sand particles into deep shades of red and brown, while aluminum oxides form striking hues of violet, blue, purple and green.

We loved watching this giant tortoise in the Tortoise Enclosure near the town of Chamarel on the island of Mauritius, Africa.

This ancient, slow-moving species is one of the largest land tortoises in the world and we could safely watch them from the boardwalk surrounding the enclosure. Even though they are really slow we were 'lucky' to see quite some action when a male and female started a mating ritual and a third one came interfering, pushing the male aside who ultimately tumbled over.

We loved our mini safari in the Tala Private Game Reserve near Pietermaritzburg in South Africa. These four zebras were the first animals we spotted.

This popular wildlife conservancy spans over 3000 hectares in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. The reserve is home to plains zebras, giraffes, rhinos, wildebeest and hippos who all thrive in the open grassland and savanna environments of the park. Zebras are highly social animals that live in stable family groups called harems, typically consisting of one stallion, several females and their recent offspring.

We spotted this white rhino passing through the acacia thornfield while on a mini safari in the Tala Private Game Reserve near Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Watching this two-ton white rhino move quietly through the bushfield in front of our safari vehicle was an awe-inspiring moment. These gentle giants often wander near the roads and watering holes across the 3000 hectare reserve, offering incredible, up-close viewing and photography opportunities.

We spotting this mother and her foal while on a mini safari in the Tala Private Game Reserve near Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. This 3000 hectare, malaria-free sanctuary allows plains zebras and other wildlife to roam freely without large predators, providing a peaceful environment for close-up, family-friendly viewing. Zebra foals are precocious and will trot alongside their mothers shortly after birth. This one was learning to graze and nuzzling for comfort in the open grasslands.

A Greater Kudu mother and calf are a common sight browsing the acacia thornfield at the Tala Private Game Reserve. Located near Pietermaritzburg in South Africa, this 3000 hectare predator-free conservancy offers a perfect, safe environment for these majestic antelopes to raise their young.

Three giraffes blocking a dirt road was a quintessential and frequent highlight for us while exploring the Tala Private Game Reserve near Pietermaritzburg in South Africa. Because the reserve features no large predators like lions or leopards, the resident wildlife is remarkably relaxed, frequently creating peaceful "giraffic jams" right in front of safari vehicles.

A giraffe looking around while standing next to the 4x4 vehicle we were in at the Tala Game Reserve near Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Amazing animals, especially when you get to see them so close. Giraffes are surprisingly intelligent. Long dismissed as slow or simple, they have evolved highly complex social structures and cognitive abilities.

A wildebeest passing by while on a mini safari through the Tala Game Reserve near Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Spotting a wildebeest (gnu) ambling across the acacia thornveld and open grasslands is a classic highlight of the KwaZulu-Natal wilderness.

Going up to Table Mountain by means of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway in the city of Cape Town, South Africa.

Our excursion took us to the Lower Cable Station which was easily reached by bus. We got up to the 1067 meters high summit by using the rotating ⁠cable system, offering 360-degree views of Cape Town in just 5 minutes.

Looking towards Cape Point in the South while walking around on the top of Table Mountain in the city of Cape Town, South Africa. We loved the breathtaking, rugged landscape where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. Set within the ⁠Table Mountain National Park, this iconic stretch of the Cape Peninsula features sheer cliffs towering over the sea, dramatic fynbos vegetation, and the historic Cape Point lighthouse.

The Sentinel is a prominent, iconic mountain peak rising 331 meters directly from the Atlantic Ocean at the western entrance of Hout Bay near the city of Cape Town in South Africa. Known for its sheer cliffs and dramatic, sharp profile, it acts as a symbolic natural guardian to the harbour below.

Approaching the open tunnel on Chapmans Peak Drive, south of the city of Cape Town in South Africa.

This 155 meter feat of civil engineering is built directly into the base of the mountain to protect motorists from natural rockfalls. As we were driving underneath the overhanging rock-mass, we experienced thrilling, unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean below Chapman's Peak scenic drive en route from Hout Bay to Fishhoek.

The Cape Point cliffs tower over 200 meters high. They sit on the Cape Peninsula near the city of Cape Town in South Africa. This landscape resides within the protected Table Mountain National Park. The scenic views here are truly magnificent.

Dias Beach is a secluded, spectacular, and wild beach located within the ⁠Cape Point Nature Reserve at the southwestern tip of the ⁠Cape Peninsula in South Africa. Framed by towering 200 meter cliffs, it is famous for its raw natural beauty, panoramic views from the old Cape Point lighthouse and pristine white sands.

The old Cape Point Lighthouse is a decommissioned 19th century beacon located on the highest peak of the Cape Peninsula within ⁠Table Mountain National Park, close to the city of Cape Town in South Africa.

Constructed in 1857 and lit in 1860, it sits 249 meters above sea level. It quickly became clear that it wasn't a good location at all as it was too far from the ocean and many ships were not able to avoid hitting the rocks. A new one was built closer to the ocean and the old lighthouse serves as a major tourist landmark today.

The Table Mountain range at False Bay as seen from the Cape Peninsula, close to the city of Cape Town in South Africa.

The Table Mountain range spans the entirety of the ⁠Cape Peninsula, stretching all the way south from the central city to the spectacular ⁠Cape of Good Hope. Along its eastern flank, the rugged mountains plunge directly into the warmer, sheltered waters of False Bay.

African penguins doing their thing on Boulders Beach near the village of Simon's Town, close to the city of Cape Town, South Africa.

The African penguin colony is world-famous for its highly social, monogamous and affectionate flightless birds. This unique coastal habitat, located just one hour outside Cape Town, allows visitors to witness these endangered animals displaying deep bonding behaviors right on the shoreline.

African penguins near the ocean on Boulders Beach in Simon's Town near the city of Cape Town, South Africa. The beach consists of a series of beautiful secluded coves and beaches. It is sheltered from wind, heavy waves and currents by the large rocks that look like giant marbles.

Cuteness overload! We were not exactly sure what these two were doing but they sure looked like two very affectionate African penguins on Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, near the city of Cape Town in South Africa. This beach is world-famous for its highly social, monogamous and affectionate flightless birds.

This is the staircase in a parking garage opposite the Victoria Wharf mall at the V&A Waterfront in the city of Cape Town, South Africa. We really admired the lines and architecture of this particular staircase and the fact that there were no people around made it an interesting object for a photo.

Heading for the Victoria Wharf mall, located at the V&A Waterfront in the city of Cape Town, South Africa. The mall is one of Cape Town's largest, and the Waterfront features numerous other retail spaces, including the Watershed, and Alfred Mall.

The Victoria Wharf shopping mall is South Africa's premier shopping mall, situated at the heart of the historic, 123-hectare V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Set against the backdrop of Table Mountain, this modern shopping centre masterfully integrates an upscale indoor retail ecosystem with a lively, working ocean harbour.

The Old'e English shaving shop (trading as Mr. Cobbs the barber) is an iconic, upscale traditional men's grooming salon located in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Operating since 2002 at Victoria Wharf, this legendary shop is renowned for transporting patrons back to a bygone Victorian era with its nostalgic 1940s atmosphere, old-school decor, and premium artisan services.

Huge piles of salt near the town of Walvis Bay in Namibia, Africa. They are part of the industrial landscape at the Walvis Bay Salt Works. It's the largest solar sea-salt production facility in sub-Saharan Africa, spanning more than 5000 hectares of coastal land. The operation channels millions of cubic meters of ocean water through giant evaporation pans. Over time, the sun and desert winds dry out the water, leaving behind massive mounds of pure white salt crystals that look like snowy mountains next to the Atlantic Ocean.

The pink salt lakes of Walvis Bay in Namibia, Africa, are a series of man-made salt evaporation ponds that create a stunning, surreal landscape. The vibrant hues—ranging from pastel to deep rose—are the result of a hypersaline environment that encourages the growth of salt-tolerant algae and bacteria. As the water evaporates and salt concentration increases, these microorganisms produce a reddish-pink pigment called beta-carotene, which colors the water.

The high dunes look amazing in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, part of the Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa.

The majestic sand dunes are a surreal masterpiece. Rising up to 300 meters, their yellowish-orange colour comes from oxidation, making them some of the oldest and tallest dunes on Earth. Exploring this vast landscape offers an unforgettable adventure.

Overlooking Sandwich Harbour in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, part of the Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa.

Sandwich Harbour is one of Africa’s most visually stunning landscapes, where the giant sand dunes of the Namib Desert collapse directly into the Atlantic Ocean. This unique coastal lagoon offers an extraordinary contrast between arid desert sands and crashing ocean waves.

Golden sand dunes at Anichab plunging into the Atlantic Ocean in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, part of the Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa. This is one of the few places on Earth where colossal, shifting sand dunes meet an ocean. This surreal landscape features 300-meter-high dunes shaped by ancient winds.

Sharp ridges on a golden sand dune in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, part of the Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa.

Razor-sharp ridges on towering, golden and crimson sand dunes are the hallmark of the Namib-Naukluft National Park. Shaped by centuries of Atlantic winds, these majestic formations can reach over 300 meters in height and are celebrated as some of the tallest and oldest desert sands on Earth.

A 4x4 vehicle descending a sand dune in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, part of the Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa.

Descending steep sand dunes in a 4x4 vehicle requires specific techniques to maintain control and prevent the vehicle from rolling over. Driving in areas like the Namib Desert involves navigating some of the highest dunes in the world.

Passing a massive crescent-shaped Barkhan dune while on a road trip through the Namib-Naukluft National Park, part of the Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa.

Rising over 300 meters into the sky, the massive, crescent-shaped Barkhan (or Barchan) dunes are among the oldest and tallest sand dunes in the world. Driven by unidirectional winds, their sweeping sands shift and migrate across the arid horizon.

After having explored the sand dunes for over an hour it was time to return. Here we are coming down the final sand dune on this tour in the Namib-Naukluft National Park, part of the Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa.

This 4x4 drive through the Namib Desert was definitely the ultimate off-road adventure, offering the unmatched freedom to traverse the world's oldest desert.

Since we did not get off the Queen Mary 2 this view was the only one we had of the city of Dakar in Senegal, Africa. It's the small harbour where the the ferries to Ile de Gorée leave.

The end of the only day we did not get off the cruise ship. We did get a decent sunset over the port of Dakar though while sailing away on the Queen Mary 2 near the city of Dakar in Senegal, Africa.