Cape Town and Kruger National Park feature in Viking’s 2028/29 world cruise

Cape Town and South Africa’s safari destinations will feature prominently in a new global itinerary unveiled by Viking, with the cruise line opening bookings for the 142-day world voyage.

The new sailing, aboard Viking Vesta, departs Fort Lauderdale on December 21st, 2028, and concludes in London on May 12th, 2029, visiting six continents, 31 countries, and 62 ports over the course of the voyage including overnight stays in Cape Town and optional excursions to Kruger National Park.

South Africa forms part of the itinerary’s Africa segment, which also includes calls in Zanzibar and Casablanca.

Guests will have the option of a five-day overland programme to Kruger National Park focused on wildlife viewing and the search for Africa’s Big Five before rejoining the ship later in the voyage.

The itinerary includes overnight stays in 16 destinations, with Cape Town among the cities selected for extended time in port.

“Our approach has always been to focus on the destination,” said Torstein Hagen, Executive Chairman, Viking.

“Our World Cruises are thoughtfully designed for curious travellers who have the time and desire to experience dozens of phenomenal destinations around the globe in one seamless journey,” he said.

The voyage will transit the Panama Canal before sailing along the west coast of North America and crossing the Pacific Ocean. Ports of call include destinations in Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Africa before the ship continues north towards Europe.

In addition to the core world cruise, Viking is offering a number of extended voyage options.

The 170-day Viking World Voyage III continues beyond London to Stockholm, adding 21 ports across Northern Europe and Scandinavia, while the 153-day Viking World Voyage IV sails from Los Angeles to Stockholm and visits 37 countries.

A shorter 125-day itinerary, branded Viking World Discoveries, will also be available, sailing from Los Angeles to London and visiting 27 countries.

The cruise line is continuing its strategy of incorporating optional multi-day overland experiences into its longer itineraries, allowing guests to explore destinations beyond traditional port calls.

Alongside the Kruger National Park programme, options include an Uluru and Great Barrier Reef journey in Australia and a Golden Triangle tour in India.

Viking Vesta is one of the latest additions to the company’s ocean fleet and follows the same design philosophy as its sister ships, featuring all-veranda accommodation and a capacity of fewer than 1,000 guests.

Prices for the 142-day world cruise start from US$117,495 per person, including business-class airfare.

The inclusion of Cape Town as an overnight destination reflects the city’s continued importance in global world cruise itineraries, with South Africa increasingly being positioned as both a port destination and a gateway to land-based experiences such as safari tourism.