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Of Baobabs and Lemurs - Mauritius to Cape Town
MS Hanseatic - December 3-19, 2012
English Excursions Guaranteed!
5% early booking discount if booked before May 6, 2012!
Lemurs in pristine nature, animals in the wild, wonderful beaches on wild and romantic coasts:
In the course of this expedition with the HANSEATIC, you will discover Madagascar's exoticism
and South Africa's animal kingdom particularly intensively - and enter new territory when
the ship calls at six "premiere ports".
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| Date |
Destination |
| 3-Dec-2012 |
Embarkation.Mauritius, departure 17.00 hrs |
| 4-Dec-2012 |
Relaxation at
sea |
| 5-Dec-2012 |
Maroantsetra (Nosy
Mangabe)/Madagascar |
| 6-Dec-2012 |
Relaxation at
sea |
| 07 Dec - 12 Dec -
2012 |
Madagascar (incl.
Nosy Be , Nosy Lakandava , Nosy Hara , Mahajanga , Morondava , Nosy Ve ,
Toliara) |
| 13-Dec-2012 |
Relaxation at
sea |
| 14-Dec-2012 |
Ilha dos
Portugueses/Mozambique |
| 15 Dec - 16
Dec - 2012 |
Relaxation at
sea |
| 17-Dec-2012 |
Port Elizabeth/South
Africa, from 5.00 to 20.00 hrs |
| 18-Dec-2012 |
Relaxation at
sea |
| 19-Dec-2012 |
Cape Town/South Africa, arrival 6.00
hrs. Disembarkation. |
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Madagascar - Heaven on Earth
An island like a
continent - on Madagascar, animal and plant species have developed that do not
exist anywhere else on Earth. With the HANSEATIC, you will set out to immerse
yourself deeply in this natural wealth. In the lush green northeast of the
island, Maroantsetra is your starting point for exciting excursions into
untouched woodland. During a hike in Masoala National Park on the offshore
island of Nosy Mangabe, you are likely to encounter lemurs in the
rainforest - if you look carefully, you may even discover the smallest
chameleon in the world which is merely the size of a thumb between many endemic
plant species. On Nosy Be, you will continue your spectacular tour of
discovery. Typical Madagascan outrigger canoes will take you to the Lokobe
Nature Reserve*, which you can explore in great detail with experienced
rangers. Gigantic trees that are up to 40 m tall offer numerous bird species
and lemurs a home. Alternatively, you could embark on a boat tour to Nosy
Komba*, which is known as the "island of lemurs". Here, various species of
the petite prosimians live in groups which are led by the oldest female and
will marvel at you with their large eyes.
Exciting expedition experiences also await you on the two islands of Nosy
Lakandava and Nosy Hara as you set out in the Zodiacs to find the most
beautiful bays for swimming between coral reefs and magnificent rock formations.
The name of Mahajanga translates into "city of flowers". Thanks to the trade
with precious spices, the former fishing village thrived to become an important
commercial hub. The tallest baobab in all of Madagascar is a very special landmark
- it is approx. 1,000 years old and has a circumference of more than 20 m!
Following a relaxing day at sea, you will reach the port town of Morondava.
With a bustling market and formerly pompous stone buildings from the colonial era,
the latter conjures up the charm of bygone days while at the same time boasting
fantastic beaches. The pirogue tour to the village of Betania* takes you
through mangroves. On the way back, a seemingly mystical road lined by baobab trees
provides an overwhelming setting for a walk. A Zodiac ride off the coast of the
island of Nosy Ve takes you very close to the colonies of seabirds that live
there. Soon after, you will visit the Antsokay Arboretum* in Toliara
and marvel at the succulent plants typical of the arid southwest - for instance up
to 6 m tall pachypodiums which retain water in their acanthaceous trunks.
Mozambique welcomes you on the small coral island of Ilha dos Portugueses
with plenty of colonial flair. Discover the isle like Vasco da Gama is said to have
done before you and visit the stately governor's palace, the cathedral and the old
fort. |
South Africa - The Cape of Wild Animals
When the HANSEATIC sets
course for South Africa, fascinating insights into this multifaceted and
multicultural country and its incomparable animal kingdom are on the agenda.
Port Elizabeth occupies a 16 km stretch of the coast, with marvellous sandy
beaches extending as far as the city centre. Starting out from here, a safari in
the Kariega Game Reserve* ensures exciting expedition moments. On a wildlife
observation tour in a jeep, you have a good chance of seeing representatives of the
"Big Five" in the wild. However, the reserve is not only home to lions, elephants,
buffaloes, leopards and rhinoceroses, but also to giraffes, antelopes, zebras,
wildebeest and more than 200 bird species. Look forward to unique encounters in
this pristine animal world or visit the Addo Elephant Park*, which was
established as a sanctuary for the stout pachyderms. With a little luck, however,
you will furthermore catch sight of antelopes, zebras and warthogs, or you gain
cultural insights into the way of life of the South Africans on a township
tour*. You will enjoy the most beautiful views of the metropolis at the foot of
Table Mountain when the HANSEATIC enters the port of Cape Town - a very
special moment at the end of an unforgettable expedition.
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* These arrangements are not included in the cruise price. The
shore activities listed here are in the planning stage and are subject
to changes. |
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5% early booking discount if booked before May 6, 2012! ²
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Each month our cruise experts select great itineraries that will be sailing within the next
6-8 months.
Check back next month to see what itineraries have been added to our 'top picks' list.
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