One of the most epic journeys of my life was circumnavigating Africa.  In 2023, I enjoyed most the ports in a 73-day cruise around Africa with Holland America.  As an Acupuncturist in their spa, I spent my days off exploring the coastline of Africa.  Overall, I wrote 18 blogs for each one of the countries I explored.  Moreover, in this article, I include all the links for the individual blogs for each port visited on the Grand Africa Cruise itinerary.    So, read on to discover what it’s like to circumnavigate Africa.

My Grand Africa Cruise Itinerary
October 10 to December 22, 2023

I requested the msZuiderdam ship the year beforehand to work as a Spa Acupuncturist.  Circumnavigating Africa just seemed like such a unique thing to do and a great way to explore this continent.  On these long journeys I am able to get my work hours in on the sea days when my acupuncture clinic is busiest.  So, it all worked out perfect for this working vacation, making money, while I experienced 15 new countries that I hadn’t seen before. 

Our journey began just a couple days after the Israel – Gaze conflict ignited.  As you can imagine, we all wondered as we crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Ft. Lauderdale what would happen.  The biggest changes they made with our itinerary were cancelling Jordan and Sharm el Sheikh ports, but adding Salalah, Oman.  And we ended up being one of the last cruise ships to go through the Suez Canal before that became such a debacle.  So our entire journey was smooth sailing.

Grand Africa Cruise Itinerary
Blog Links to Each Visited Port
October 10 to December 22, 2023

In this article, I share all my travel blog links written for each port visited.  Also, I filmed a YouTube Video embedded in most blogs.  So, this is a wonderful overview on what you can expect from such an adventure.   After a 7-day crossing of the Atlantic Ocean from Ft. Lauderdale, we spent a day in Funchal, Madeira Island.  I have been here numerous times, but it’s always a pleasant place to visit. 

Here’s my travel blog link on Madeira Island:
The Magical Madeira Island Attractions

Then, we stopped in another port that I explored before, at Lanzarote, Canary Island. 
Here’s my blog post for this unique destination:
Spectacular Lanzarote Highlights – The Canary Island of 1,000 Volcanoes

After Canary Islands, we headed for our first African ports in Morocco.  I didn’t write a blog for Agadir because we just stopped at this port-of-call for a half day. 

However, we enjoyed a very long day in Casablanca, and here is the blog post:
Incredible Casablanca, Morocco Tour Itinerary and Top Attractions

Then, we cruised east along the northern coast of Africa and stopped at the northernmost African country, Tunisia. 

Here is my blog link about my first and incredible day in Tunisia:
Tunisia Travel Guide – Carthage, Sid Bou Said & Tunis Medina

Next, we stopped in the Mediterranean island, Cyprus. 

Here’s my blog about this incredible archeological excursion:
Historic Cyprus Tour – Paphos Archeological Park, Tombs of the Kings & Limassol

From Cyprus, we ventured off through the Suez Canal.  This was my second time through the Suez Canal and here is my blogpost:
Ten Photos that will Inspire You to Take a Suez Canal Cruise

Next, we headed for Safaga, Egypt on the Red Sea.  I had my one and only sick day on this day with a very mild cold.  I am including my blog from when I visited the Luxor and Valley of the Kings 10 years ago from this port: 

Extraordinary Luxor Attractions – Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple & More

After cruising through the Red Sea and yes, I believe we were the last cruise ship through the Red Sea during the 2023 Middle East conflict.   From the Red Sea, we cruised a little west, past Yemen to Salalah, Oman. 

Here is my blog post:
My Frankincense Healing Quest in Salalah, Oman at Al Haffa Souq

From Oman, we cruised south to the pristine Seychelles Islands for an overnight stay. 

Here is my blog on Seychelles:
Mahe, Seychelles Island Tour – Beach hopping, Tortoises, Mountains & Shopping

From Seychelles we cruised south to the exotic Zanzibar.  Here’s my blog on Zanzibar:
20 Top Things to Do in Amazing Zanzibar

From Zanzibar, we headed west to Mayotte Island, part of the Comoros archipelago.  From Mayotte, we cruised to Nosy Be, Madagascar an island off its northwest coast. 

Here is my blog on Mayotte and Madagascar:
Madagascar and Mayotte Lemur Encounters with other Wildlife Adventures

From Madagascar we cruised to Maputo, Mozambique and stayed a day. 

Here’s my blog post on Maputo:
Historic Maputo, Mozambique Walking Tour 

From Maputo, we cruised to Durban, South Africa.  Here, I visited a South African friend, so I didn’t write a blog on Durban.  

From Durban we cruised around the cape of South Africa for an overnight stay at Cape Town. 

Here’s my blog post on Cape Town:
My Cape Town, South Africa 2-Day Itinerary-Table Mountain, Penguins & Cape Point

Heading up the west coast of Africa, we stopped for a long day at Walvis Bay, Namibia. 

Here’s my blogpost: 
My Walvis Bay, Namibia Tour – Dune 7, Pink Lake, Flamingos & Sandwich Harbor

Next, we cruised up to Luana, Angola.  North of Namibia, most of the ports in western Africa are less developed with less tourism opportunities.  Also, they are not as stable or safe.  So, I didn’t get a tour for Luana, but I had an amazing shopping experience with a market selling African clothing and handicrafts near our cruise port.  The shopping was incredible.  I bought 4 dresses, 2 shirts, 4 headpieces for a total of $120 and amazing quality. 

The next 2 ports, I didn’t write any blogs where the tourism industry is undeveloped in Takoradi, Ghana and Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Cruising north on the western African coast, I had wonderful day tours in both The Gambia and Senegal. 

Here is the blog link for my incredible day tour in The Gambia:
Fascinating Ecotourism at Makasutu Culture Forest in The Gambia, Africa

After The Gambia, I enjoyed a Safari Tour in Senegal and here is the blog post:
Fun Bandia Wildlife Safari in Senegal, Africa

After Senegal, we left the African mainland cruising west to the archipelago or island , Cape Verde. 

Here is my blog post link: 
Colorful Mindelo, Cape Verde Top Things to Do

After the 7-day crossing of the Atlantic back to Ft. Lauderdale, we enjoyed our last port day in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  I have spent numerous days exploring San Juan and here is my blog post: 

The Ultimate Guide to San Juan, Puerto Rico and Top 20 Attractions

Overall, Grand Africa Cruise Itinerary

To circumnavigate Africa is one of the most epic journeys anyone can make. I just feel so awesomely blessed to experience this. All African destinations are exotic and unique making each port as life changing adventures with wildlife, landscapes and beaches. If you have any suggestions on how to enjoy any of these port, please leave comments below.