Adventurers will have the chance to seek out lemurs in Madagascar, spend time with a Dabbawala in Mumbai and walk the dunes of the Namibian desert aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ brand new Grand Voyage in 2023.

The cruise, which will set sail from Southampton in November 2023, has been hand-crafted by Fred. Olsen Jnr himself alongside his team of dedicated Journey Planners, and takes in well-known destinations from Mumbai in India to Victoria in Seychelles, as well as discoveries away from the well-sailed routes, including to São Tomé and Zanzibar.

Guests will enjoy plenty of time to explore ashore in each of the destinations, including overnight stays in Victoria, Seychelles and Mombasa, Kenya, a two-night stay in Port Louis, Mauritius, plus a three-night extended stay in Cape Town, South Africa, where historical sites such as Signal Hill and Robben Island await.

To help them make the most of their time between explorations, guests will receive up to £500 per person to spend on board Bolette, while those booking before 30^th June 2022 will also receive free door-to-door transfers covering up to 200 mainland miles to the port.

Martin Lister, Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experience at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“This sailing is a real adventure, and working closely with Mr Olsen Jnr himself, we have curated this itinerary to allow guests to have real, immersive experiences ashore.

“Whether that’s visiting the spice plantations or helping Dabawallas deliver tiffin boxes to locals in Mumbai, walking the colossal dunes of the world’s oldest desert in Namib, or taking in the cultures and traditions of destinations away from the beaten tourist track, including in Mozambique, Ghana, Mayotte and Senegal.

“There will also be so many opportunities to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat, from seeking out the ‘Big Five’ in Kenya and South Africa or spotting endemic species such as the giant tortoise in Seychelles and lemurs and chameleons in Madagascar.

“It is a cruise that offers countless highlights, and we can’t wait to share these experiences with our guests.”

More details of Bolette‘s new Grand Voyage are as follows:

Bolette’s 93-night T2330 ‘The Intrepid Beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 19^th November 2023. Prices start from £9,999 per person.

Itinerary: Southampton, England – Tangier, Morocco – Valletta, Malta – Alexandria, Egypt – Port Said, Egypt – Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Safaga, Egypt – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Salalah, Oman – Mumbai, India – Mormugao, India – Mangalore, India – Kochi, Kerala, India – Uligamu, Maldives – Hithadhoo, Maldives – Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles (overnight stay) – Praslin Island, Seychelles – La Digue, Seychelles – Mombasa, Kenya (overnight stay) – Zanzibar, Tanzania – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Mamoudzou, Mayotte – Andoany, Nosy Be, Madagascar – Antsiranana, Madagascar – Port Réunion, Réunion Island – Port Louis, Mauritius (two-night stay) – Toamasina (Tamatave), Madagascar – Port d-Ehoala, Fort-Dauphin, Madagascar – Maputo, Mozambique – Richards Bay, South Africa – Durban, South Africa – East London, South Africa – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa – Mossel Bay, South Africa – Cape Town, South Africa (three-night stay) – Walvis Bay, Namibia – São Tomé, São Tomé & Príncipe – Cotonou, Benin – Lomé, Togo – Takoradi, Ghana – Dakar, Senegal – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – Funchal, Madeira – Southampton, England