African Safari Club Cruises
African Safari Club Cruises
Independent Expert Reviews by Professional Travel Journalists
African Safari Club operates Indian Ocean, Nile river and Red Sea cruises together with Kenya beach and safari holidays.
Established in 1967, the company encompasses 10 hotels in Kenya, and six safari lodges and camps.
In 1991 African Safari Club purchased the MS Royal Star to begin a year-round series of cruises from Mombasa to the paradise islands of the Indian Ocean, including the Seychelles and Mauritius, as well as South Africa.
Since 2006, African Safari Club has offered a year round programme of five-star Nile River Cruises and has also introduced Red Sea itineraries.
The company maintains a commitment to niche cruise-and-stay holidays which offer a viable and popular alternative to larger cruise lines.
The 5,600-ton yacht-like Royal Star, which carries a maximum of 200 passengers, will run as many as 50 cruise holidays in 2008, predominantly based from Mombasa, exploring the Indian Ocean in style. Many include pre or post-cruise stays in a beachside hotel on the Kenyan coast.
New itineraries include the ‘Treasures of Madagascar’ which visits the Comoros, Antsirana - the former Portuguese port of Diego Suarez, in Madagascar, Nosy Bé and Mesali, Tanzania, before returning to Mombasa for a three-night full board stay at a beach hotel.
A popular 22-night ‘Indian Ocean Odyssey’ cruise, which normally operates annually, is sailing twice in 2008, in both February and November.
Flights to join the Indian Ocean cruises operate from Gatwick and Manchester.
Royal Star will also set sail from its home port of Mombasa bound for the Red Sea as part of the latest addition to African Safari Club’s range of cruises and holidays.
Four Red Sea Cruises will operate in May 2008 sailing from Hurghada on seven-night itineraries including visits to the ports of Suez, Sharm-el-Sheikh, Aqaba in Jordan and Safaga.
Much like the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea boasts a plethora of historical, natural and modern sights. Optional excursions include visits to the Pyramids in Cairo, the West and East Banks of the Nile, the Monastery of St Catherine, the ancient city of Petra and the deserts landscapes of Wadi Rum.
Nile cruises are operated from Luxor by the MS da Vinci carrying 136 passengers, featuring a swimming pool, lounges and restaurant. Air conditioned cabins feature a shower, phone, fridge, television and ocean view.
The seven-night itineraries cover the ancient highlights of Egypt including the Valley of the Kings, High Dam at Aswan, Karnak Temple and Temple of Horus.
