Le Dumont D’Urville, 10 Night South Africa and Namibia by Sea: Around the Cape of Good Hope ex Durban, South Africa to Walvis Bay, Namibia – 21 Feb 2027 – Cruise Traveller

Le Dumont D’Urville, 10 Night South Africa and Namibia by Sea: Around the Cape of Good Hope ex Durban, South Africa to Walvis Bay, Namibia

Cruise Line
Ponant
Ship
Le Dumont D'Urville
Cruise Departs
21 Feb 2027
Cruise Duration
10 Nights
Embark Ship
Durban, South Africa
Disembark Ship
Walvis Bay, Namibia
Prestige Deck 5 Prestige Deck 6 Prestige Deck 5 Suite Prestige Deck 6 Suite
AU $16,160
per person
 AU $17,020
per person
 AU $31,190
per person
 AU $32,760
per person

Cruise Itinerary

DateActivityArriveDepart
21 Feb 2027
Durban, South Africa
 6:00 PM
22 Feb 2027 At sea    
23 Feb 2027
East London, South Africa
 7:00 AM 6:30 PM
24 Feb 2027
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa
 7:00 AM
25 Feb 2027
Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa
 6:30 PM
26 Feb 2027 At sea    
27 Feb 2027
Cape Town, South Africa
 6:30 AM
28 Feb 2027
Cape Town, South Africa
 2:30 PM
01 Mar 2027 At sea    
02 Mar 2027
Luderitz, Namibia
 6:30 AM 11:30 AM
03 Mar 2027
Walvis Bay, Namibia

All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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Category Twin Per Person Triple Per Person   Single Per Person
Prestige Deck 5
   
Prestige Deck 6
   
Prestige Deck 5 Suite
 
Prestige Deck 6 Suite
 
Privilege Suite Deck 5
 
Privilege Suite Deck 6
 
Owner's Suite
 

Please select your preferred category and cabin configuration/price. Then scroll down and select Continue to provide your contact details and preference. Our cruise specialists will check availability and respond to you as soon as possible.

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

This voyage along the southern coast of South Africa can be thought of as an expedition in two parts. The first five days, from Durban to Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), are devoted to what might be called a ‘safari by sea’ as you explore the great game parks of the Eastern Cape, encountering elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and a host of other animals, including an amazing variety of bird species. The second part, focused on Cape Town and its surroundings, explores the natural beauty of the Cape Peninsula and the vineyards and whitewashed farmhouses of Stellenbosch, while also providing opportunities to delve into the city’s role in the struggle against apartheid and the ongoing work of building a multi-racial society.

From Durban, begin with a day at sea, attending lectures and preparing for the experiences that lie ahead, before calling in East London. Here, your choice of excursions includes two private game reserves, both showcasing the wildlife of South Africa’s Eastern Cape; a visit to an authentically reconstructed Xhosa village, for performances of traditional dance and displays of Xhosa handicrafts; or exploration of the fascinating East London Museum, which played a crucial role in discovering and identifying fossil footprints that are the earliest evidence of homo sapiens in Africa.

Your next stop is Port Elizabeth, now officially known as Gqeberha, where Le Dumont-d’Urville remains docked for two full days, allowing for extensive exploration of the many varied game reserves in the surrounding countryside. Two of these focus on particular species—the Addo Elephant Park, home to 450 of these endangered animals, and the Bellevue Forest Reserve, which offers the unique experience of a ‘walking safari’ among giraffes. The other game reserves, all of which are actively involved in conservation efforts, provide possibilities for viewing the “big five”— lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard—in a variety of environments ranging from bushveld and grasslands to coastal forests. They are also home to an abundance of other wildlife, including zebra, hippo, cheetah, warthog, and hyena, as well as myriad bird species.

A day at sea provides an opportunity to relax and recharge before you reach cosmopolitan Cape Town, South Africa’s oldest city, where, just as in Gqeberha, your ship will be in port for two days. Options for activities ashore include panoramic drives on the Cape Peninsula—one a full day excursion along the entire length of the Peninsula, with stops at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden; and another focusing on the northern end of the Peninsula around Hout Bay, including the world-famous Chapman’s Peak Drive. A tour of the city center includes Company Gardens, the South African Museum, Desmond Tutu’s St. George’s Cathedral, and the Truth to Power exhibit that chronicles the fight against apartheid. You may visit Robben Island, home to the prison that housed political opponents of apartheid including Nelson Mandela, designated a World Heritage Site in 1999. You may venture into the wine country east of Cape Town and explore the lovely town of Stellenbosch and enjoy a tasting at a local vineyard. Or you may choose an excursion to the boutiques and artisanal shops of Kalk Bay. Whatever combination of activities you choose, however, you are likely to find yourself at some point atop Cape Town’s emblematic Table Mountain.

On the final day of the voyage, visit the Namibian town of Lüderitz. Founded as a German colony in 1833, Lüderitz became a true boom town in the early 20th century, when diamonds were discovered nearby. Tour the town and its unmistakably Bavarian legacy, or travel across the desert to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, whose ruins provide a glimpse of what life was like during the region’s time at the center of a diamond rush. Your voyage ends the following day in Walvis Bay.

Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed cabins, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 cabins and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.

As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Dumont d’Urville will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.

Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.

Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.

Ship Profile & Stats

  • Length: 131 metres
  • Tonnage: 9,900 gross tons
  • Maiden Voyage: 2019
  • Passenger Capacity (dbl): 184
  • Officer Nationality: France
  • Ship Registration: French

Ship Amenities

  • 110/220 volts outlet
  • Bath Robes
  • Flat Screen Television
  • Hair Dryer
  • In Room Safe
  • Individual Climate Control
  • Ipod (TM) Players
  • Minibar
  • Satellite Direct Line Telephone

Ship Facilities

  • Swimming Pool
  • Main Lounge
  • Shopping Boutiques
  • Theatre
  • Art Gallery
  • Bars
  • Fitness Centre
  • Hydraulic Platform for Water Sports / Swimming
  • Main Restaurant
  • Panoramic Lounge
  • Spa

EXPERIENCE CRUISING ANOTHER WAY, DISCOVER THE MAGIC OF YACHT CRUISES.

Our mission is to transport you to mythical destinations and secret ports only accessible to small capacity ships.

To offer the delights of a French-inspired cuisine in an intimate environment – a discreet service where no attention to detail is spared – and unforgettable moments of relaxation on board elegant yachts of character.

To combine sophistication and conviviality, with priority given to authentic experiences, emotions and the ongoing quest for excellence.

Yacht cruises: more than a cruise, a privilege…

Attentive, professional, discreet and elegant, the fully bilingual service on board will meet your every desire. Our unique atmosphere is filled with a signature sentiment: a warm welcome from an experienced crew who are passionate about what they do, in the tradition of private yachting.

In the dining areas, our gourmet cuisine is worthy of top fine dining restaurants: exquisite wines are available, and menus are created with expertise by our skilled chefs with a French-inspired menu enhanced by specialties from our various ports of call.

Pleasure, enrichment, discovery: relax – we take care of everything…

Select the Cabin to view detail.

* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.

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vid: 104418 | cfid: 143863-cruise