Traditional feluccas sailing on the River Nile at sunset

Africa Cruises on Small Ships

Cruise the River Nile between Luxor and Aswan, sail deep into West Africa along the Gambia River or island-hop through the volcanic Cape Verde archipelago, with few guests on board and plenty of time ashore.

Africa · Small ship cruises

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  • ATOL protectedFlight-inclusive holidays
  • ABTOT memberHolidays without flights
  • Independent since 1995A family company
  • Avg. passengersper vessel
Cruising Africa

Africa, from the river and the sea

Africa is best discovered slowly, and a small ship makes that possible: a Nile riverboat that moors beside the temples, or a 49-guest yacht that sails 240 miles up the Gambia River, where large cruise ships could never go.

Every Africa cruise we offer is a complete holiday: return flights from the UK, transfers and a seven-night cruise on a full-board basis, with hotel nights in Cairo, Dakar or on the island of Sal on most itineraries.

Choose between the temples and tombs of ancient Egypt, explored with expert guides, the birdlife, wildlife and villages of the Gambia River, or the volcanic landscapes and Creole culture of the Cape Verde islands.

7Nights on board, full board
49Guests at most on M/Y Harmony V
30+Years of specialist expertise
98%Would book with us again
Itineraries

Our Africa cruises

Four holidays, from classic Nile cruising in Egypt to river and island voyages off the Atlantic coast of West Africa.

  • Hatshepsut Temple on the West Bank at Luxor

    River cruiseMV Mojito

    Nile Cruise

    Seven nights between Luxor and Aswan aboard the 5-star MV Mojito, with guided visits to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Kom Ombo.

    8 days · All year round

    From £1,675 pp
  • The Pyramids of Giza

    River cruiseCairo stay

    Nile Cruise & Cairo

    The classic Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise, followed by two nights in Cairo, within reach of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.

    10 days · All year round

    From £2,119 pp
  • Traditional West African fishing boats on a sandy beach, seen from above

    Mega yachtHarmony V

    Rivers of West Africa

    From Dakar along the coast of Senegal and up the Gambia River: birdlife, river wildlife, villages and markets, with two nights in Dakar.

    10 days · January to February

    From £3,421 pp
  • Volcanic landscape on the Cape Verde islands

    Mega yachtHarmony V

    The Islands of Cape Verde

    Island hopping from Sal to Boa Vista, Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente and Santo Antão, with two nights at the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort.

    10 days · November to March

    From £2,770 pp
Your holiday, your way

Four ways to book your Africa cruise

Take a complete holiday with flights and hotels, book the cruise on its own where available, or let us shape the trip around your dates.

  1. 01

    Complete holiday

    Return flights from the UK, transfers, the cruise and hotel nights before or after you sail, all arranged together and ATOL protected.

  2. 02

    Cruise only

    On the West Africa and Cape Verde voyages you can book the seven-night cruise on its own and make your own travel plans.

  3. 03

    Tailor-made

    Add extra nights, upgrade your flights or combine your cruise with a stay elsewhere: the holiday is shaped around you.

  4. 04

    Expert advice

    We know these ships and itineraries well, and can help you choose the right cruise, cabin and dates.

The ships

A Nile riverboat and a small expedition yacht

Two very different ships, each chosen for the waters it sails, and each small enough to feel personal.

  • The 5-star deluxe MV Mojito on the River Nile

    MV Mojito

    The recently refurbished 5-star deluxe MV Mojito was designed and built for cruising the Nile, combining modern comfort with timeless elegance. Used on both of our Nile cruises.

  • The mega yacht Harmony V at sea

    M/Y Harmony V

    A sleek 55-metre yacht with 25 ocean-view cabins and a maximum of 49 guests, a spacious lounge and bar and a swimming platform. Used on the West Africa and Cape Verde cruises.

Why Africa

What makes an Africa cruise special

  • Kom Ombo Temple on the banks of the Nile at sunset
    Kom Ombo, Egypt

    Ancient Egypt

    Karnak and Luxor temples, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Kom Ombo, explored with guides who bring their stories to life.

  • A felucca under sail on the Nile
    The Nile

    Life on the river

    From the deck you watch everyday life along the banks of the Nile and the Gambia: feluccas, fishing villages, fields and markets.

  • Three pied kingfishers perched on a branch above the Gambia River, a common sight on West Africa cruises.
    The Gambia River

    Birds and wildlife

    The Gambia River is rich in birdlife, and hippos, crocodiles and monkeys can be spotted along its banks.

  • Lush green valleys and towering peaks seen during a Cape Verde cruise island-hopping adventure
    Cape Verde

    Islands of contrast

    Cape Verde blends African and Portuguese heritage with volcanic peaks, green valleys and wide, empty beaches.

Why book with Seafarer

Small ship cruise specialists since 1995

For three decades we have arranged small ship cruises and the flights, hotels and transfers that go with them.

  • 01

    Three decades of experience

    Trading since 1995, with first-hand knowledge of our ships, itineraries and destinations.

  • 02

    Complete holiday packages

    Cruise, flights, hotels and transfers arranged together, around your dates.

  • 03

    Small ships, closer access

    Rivers, islands and harbours that large cruise ships cannot reach.

  • 04

    Independent and family run

    A family company, independent since 1995.

  • 05

    UK agent for Variety Cruises

    Official UK General Sales Agent for Variety Cruises boutique yacht cruises.

  • 06

    ATOL and ABTOT protected

    Full financial protection on every booking, with or without flights.

Good to know

Africa cruises: FAQs

When is the best time for an Africa cruise?

Our Nile cruises run all year round. The Rivers of West Africa cruise sails between January and February and the Cape Verde cruise between November and March, so both make a good winter-sun escape.

Are flights included?

Yes. All four Africa holidays include return flights from the UK and transfers. Package prices depend on availability in the flight class booked, and supplements may apply for regional flights. The West Africa and Cape Verde cruises can also be booked as cruise only.

What is included on a Nile cruise?

Seven nights aboard the 5-star MV Mojito on a full-board basis, with guided sightseeing led by a qualified Egyptologist as set out in the itinerary. The Nile Cruise & Cairo holiday adds two nights in Cairo on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

How many guests are on board?

M/Y Harmony V, which sails the West Africa and Cape Verde itineraries, carries a maximum of 49 guests in 25 ocean-view cabins. On the Nile you cruise aboard the 5-star MV Mojito, a riverboat built for the Nile.

Which Africa cruise should I choose?

For ancient history, choose a Nile cruise, adding Cairo if you would like to see the Pyramids. For wildlife, birds and village life, choose the Rivers of West Africa. For beaches, hiking and island culture, choose Cape Verde. Our team is happy to help you decide.

Can you tailor-make my Africa holiday?

Yes. We can add extra nights before or after your cruise, arrange different flights or build a longer trip around it. Tell us what you have in mind.

Speak to a specialist

Plan your Africa cruise

Tell us when you would like to travel and which cruise appeals, and we will check availability and put your holiday together.

Call our cruise team020 8324 3117
Our sister brand

Prefer to sail yourself?

Seafarer Cruises is the small ship cruise brand of Seafarer Cruising & Sailing Holidays.

If you would rather take the helm, our sister brand Seafarer Sailing offers flotilla holidays, bareboat and skippered yacht charter and RYA sailing courses in Greece and Croatia.

Visit Seafarer Sailing

Other cruise destinations
Peace of mind

Book your Africa cruise with confidence

Every payment you make to us is financially protected, from deposit to balance. Holidays with flights are covered by our ATOL licence, and cruises without flights by our ABTOT membership. Trading since 1995.

ATOL protected
ATOL protected: licence 9511All flight-inclusive holidays are fully ATOL protected
ABTOT member 5660
ABTOT member: No. 5660Financial protection for bookings without flights
Guest reviews

98% of our customers say they’d book with us again

Independent reviews of Seafarer, collected by Feefo.

Excellent

4.6out of 5

Based on 639 guest reviews of our service on Feefo

Feefo Platinum Trusted Service AwardFour years in a row