Embark Silver Discoverer this afternoon and depart on your exciting 6-day voyage – East African Expedition -From Zulus to Dugongs. After a mandatory safety drill, head out to the Pool Deck for a ‘Sail Away’ party, leaving Durban behind. During the afternoon, the Expedition Team and important crew members will be introduced.In the evening, enjoy the first of many fine dining experiences in The Restaurant and relax in one of the lounges or on the open deck.

Depart from the quayside in Richards Bay and journey to an authentic Zulu cultural village located around the St Lucia Wetlands. On arrival at Khula Village we will be met at a traditional Zulu “Kraal” (Central meeting place). There you will gain insight into the life of a Zulu as you are taken through customs and rites of passage, to the solemnity of gender roles, marriage rites, courting rituals, lobola (the bartering for the bride’s hand in marriage), the family structure and Zulu spirituality. A Sangoma (witch doctor) will introduce us to her herbal and magical medicine, while a tour of the surrounding area also portrays modern Zulu life, as several of the local people will open their homes to us showing off their beautiful beadwork, various crafts and the looms that produce the much sought-after mats that often form the basis of their livelihood. The Umakweyane and other musical instruments will be played by traditional musicians. With the African bushveld as a stage, Zulu dancers will appear, their bodies pulsating to drums. Following this performance, you will have the chance to taste traditional Zulu beer and have some time for independent exploration of the village and the handicrafts stalls.We continue our journey to Hluhluwe Game Reserve. A scrumptious light snack on arrival will be followed by an open vehicle game drive in the Hluhluwe Reserve. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is the oldest game reserve in all of Africa. Set in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, the park offers an array of waterholes that guarantee wildlife spotting at close range. The park extends itself over 96,000 ha, has an immense variety of flora and fauna, more than 300 bird species recorded and is not only interesting for its “Big Five”, but has the largest population of white rhinos, apart from hundreds of black rhinos.Following the game drive we will transfer back to join Silver Discoverer again.

While Silver Discoverer heads north along the coast of Southern Mozambique and the Reserva de Maputo our lecture staff will keep you informed about Mozambique’s special natural history.Around noon, Silver Discoverer will have rounded Ilha dos Portugueses and entered Maputo Bay.Inhaca is an island that shelters Maputo Bay from the Indian Ocean. A few small villages exit, and although cultivated fields can be found in the central area it is still partly covered in subtropical evergreen forest and windswept dunes on the eastern side. Because of the extensive beaches that attract loggerhead and leatherback turtles, much of the shore is a nature reserve. Silver Discoverer will anchor on the protected side of Inhaca, south of Ilha dos Portugueses. Inhaca, Santa Maria and Ilha dos Portugueses all have beautiful beaches and there are a number of great snorkelling sites. A few kilometres south of the main settlement Inhaca is the Marine Biology Station and Museum, run by the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique’s largest and oldest university.Bottlenose dolphins and Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins frequent Inhaca’s waters, as well as some dugong.Our Marine Biologists will look for the best snorkelling spots, while birders will be looking for Long-tailed Cormorants, Greater Crested Terns, Black-backed Puffbacks and Collared Sunbirds.

Our day at sea will be a good opportunity to attend a seminar, join our experts in the Discoverer or Explorer Lounge for talks or lectures and learn about the culinary specialties our Chef might want to present.Other onboard activities might be a soothing massage or a vigorous workout in the Gym. Our Bar Team will likely offer exotic cocktails, can prepare special coffees and will be at hand for Team Trivia at teatime.

The Bazaruto Archipelago is characterized by its wildlife, the azure waters, huge dunes and unbelievable beaches. The whole archipelago and its surrounding waters –a total of 1,430 square kilometres- were declared a national park in 1971. It is the only marine park in Mozambique and has been created to protect the dolphins, turtles and dugongs in its waters. The park can claim to have the largest concentration of dugong in the Western Indian Ocean. Bazaruto itself is the largest and most important of the islands. Stunning coral reefs surround the island, all the more surprising, if one considers the closeness to mainland Mozambique. Huge sand dunes cover the eastern part, and the southern coastal plains have numerous small lakes. We will venture ashore for exploratory walks and will enjoy the beaches. Snorkelers might see stingrays, devil rays, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, leatherback, loggerhead and green sea turtles, apart from the many colourful reef fish found among the coral. Some of the islands’ lakes have crocodiles and flamingos –exploration ashore will be quite special.

Silver Discoverer will be sailing southward and our lecture staff will be on hand to enhance some of the things seen in the Bazaruto Archipelago. Attend informative talks or join our naturalists on the outer decks looking for cetaceans and seabirds. The Spa and Gym offer alternative activities, and relaxing on the Pool or Sun Deck will certainly keep stress away.During the afternoon, our onboard Photographer/Videographer will present the Voyage-DVD.

Following breakfast, disembark Silver Discoverer.

Expedition highlights and wildlife listed here are possible experiences only and cannot be guaranteed. Your Expedition Leader and Captain will work together to ensure opportunities for adventure and exploration are the best possible, taking into account the prevailing weather, wildlife activity and ice conditions. Expedition Team members scheduled for this voyage are subject to change or cancellation.