East Africa

East Africa

 

Discover East Africa & the Indian Ocean Islands - Enjoy Breathtaking Scenery, Wonderful Plants & Trees, Countless Varieties of Birds & Abundant Wildlife 

East Africa is home to some of the continent's most famous sights, but also some of its least explored corners. Kenya and Tanzania are rightly famous for their wildlife, there's nothing quite like seeing lions and giraffes in their natural setting.

But there is far more to East Africa than the Masai Mara, including alluring islands such as Zanzibar, with its fascinating history of sultans and slave traders, and Madagascar, home to unique indigenous species such as the lemur, an animal not found on the African mainland in spite of its proximity.

The term ‘unique’ is often an overused description in the travel world but certainly applies to the island of Madagascar. The animals, plants, landscapes and people that make up this thousand mile long island are unlike anywhere else in the world. This extraordinary country long remained obscure as a destination and is still relatively unknown amongst even the most serious of travellers. There is minimal infrastructure in many parts of the island and for those wishing to explore the island in some depth, doing so by small ship is far preferable to exploring by any other means. In addition to the breathtaking scenery, the region abounds with strange and wonderful plants and trees, countless varieties of birds and abundant wildlife including the iconic lemur. 

Further east still are the scattered islands of the Indian Ocean, whose isolation has fostered a variety of indigenous bird and marine life unreplicated anywhere else on earth. The major tourist destinations of the Maldives and Mauritius are but a gateway to an extraordinary natural world, and as you travel to the remote islands of the Comores, Seychelles and Mascarenes you will view some of the world's most endangered species.

The Seychelles archipelago - one of the most popular cruise destinations in East Africa & the Indian Ocean - is often mentioned in the same breath as the lost 'Garden of Eden.' Situated some 1,500 kilometers east of mainland Africa, and northeast of the island of Madagascar, this tiny island group boasts a population of just 90,000 inhabitants, with a warm, tropical climate all year-round and some of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in the world. Mahé, the largest island, is home to the majority of the population and represents the archipelago's commercial and transportation hub, with the country's only international airport linking the islands to the rest of the globe. The island is characterised by its towering granite peaks, lush mist forests and dozens of striking coves and beaches. The second largest island, Praslin, is home to the legendary Vallée de Mai, the UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Coco de Mer grows in abundance. La Digue, the third-most populous island, moves at an even slower pace: bicycles remain the most common mode of transportation, for both its residents and visiting tourists. The huge granite boulders that adorn the coastline at Anse Source D'Argent have led some to believe that it could very well be the most photographed beach in the world. While Mahé, Praslin and La Digue may be the principal islands, dozens of smaller 'satellite' isles nearby offer further opportunity to explore and admire. Every island has a character and charm all of its own, with colorful individual histories and unique natural features, some with steep granite cliffs and others comprising pristine coral atolls. Together, they make up a surprisingly diverse destination of great natural beauty, rare flora and fauna that have been cocooned in isolation for millions of years, and a friendly multi-cultural people eager to welcome you to their shores.

If you’re after a small ship cruise or an expedition ship cruise to East Africa & Indian Ocean Islands Wild Earth Travel can help you find a trip of a lifetime. We are ready to guide you through our range of different options with impartial advice so you can experience the very best of this unique destination. Our team are all passionate expedition & small cruise ship travellers and our knowledge and stories come from our own personal experiences.

 

Our Associates Include

Adventure Canada
Heritage Expeditions New Zealand
UnCruise Adventures
Hurtugruten
Ponant
Pandaw