Featured image: Cape Town’s Table Mountain, Lion’s Head & Twelve Apostles are popular hiking destinations for both locals and tourists all year round | Photo by Quality Master on Shutterstock

Celebrate our 30th anniversary in Africa in this once-in-a-lifetime trip

As we honour three decades of JourneyWoman, what better place to do it than Africa, where adventures are simply waiting to be found. Together, we’ll celebrate JourneyWoman’s 30th anniversary on an 8-Day Expedition Cruise With Swan Hellenic on the SH Diana to South Africa, where we’ll travel to explore less-travelled ports along the Indian Ocean in this spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Imagine waking up to the warm ocean breezes every morning, with everything organized for you! You deserve this special time to yourself!

Pricing now reduced – book before April 30

Of the 96 staterooms on this ship, we have an allocation set aside just for JourneyWoman members but we must book before the end of April. All staterooms have ocean views. The cruise fare includes drinks (beer, wine, cocktails and spirits, coffee, juice, soda), an excursion per port, wifi, room service and gratuities. One night pre-hotel is included in the cruise fare at the Southern Sun Maputo Hotel. Additional nights are also available at a discounted rate.

Discounts for JourneyWoman readers, not available online:

• Special pricing exclusively for JourneyWoman readers, based on double occupancy
• Pricing has been reduced to less than $6,000 for this 8-day trip
• The single supplement starts at 125% for the first 5 cabins, and additional single cabins can be added on request ranging from 125-150%
• See all the rooms here

How to book

• Preferred option: Fill out our form here with your contact information and room preference
• You can also call Swan Hellenic at ​1-800-537-6777​ between 9 AM and 6 PM EST Monday to Friday. Ask for Tiffany and mention the JourneyWoman 30th Anniversary trip to South Africa at the time of booking to book your room now
• Email [email protected] with the subject “JourneyWoman 30th anniversary”.

Please remember to purchase travel insurance. Check insurance rates here.

Rooms on the SH Diana

All of the staterooms have comfortable beds, a bedroom, living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom. There are two accessible rooms on the SH Diana and an elevator. There is 24-hour room service at no additional charge and special goodies every night! 

Why not make this a longer stay?

Want to spend more time in Africa?

Our Women’s Travel Directory partners are offering special JourneyWoman excursions in Africa, including safaris, wildlife conservation and wellness experiences. Check them out here! 

Stay on the ship! Get 10% on any of Swan Hellenic’s other cruises before or after this trip. Extend your stay and receive a 10% discount on:

• October 26 – November 6, 2024 (11 nights) Madagascar and its Islands: Mombasa to Maputo ​Read more here.​
• November 13 – December 3, 2024 (20 nights) Africa to America Antarctic Epic Cape Town to Ushuaia ​Read more here.

Have more questions? 

Contact us at [email protected] or call +1-437-688-8785 (Canada) phone or WhatsApp.

How to get to Maputo

If you are only doing the cruise, you will want to arrive a few days early to adjust to the time change.

Swan Hellenic will provide an airport transfer and one night hotel at the Southern Sun Maputo Hotel on November 5, and a transfer to the ship the following day (this is all included in your rate). Post-cruise nights are available in Cape Town at the Cullinan Southern Sun Hotel for a discounted rate. Please inquire when booking.

Most flights will have at least one stop, so if you can plan to be in Europe prior to the cruise, you will have time to adjust to the new time zone. Once you’ve booked the cruise, we’ll make sure that you travel with other women so that you can enjoy the journey to Africa just as much as the journey on the ship. All the major airlines have direct flights to main centres in Africa and Europe.

Option 1; Look for flights to low-cost centres such as Lisbon, and then connect directly to Maputo.

Option 2: Fly direct from the US or Canada to Cape Town, Nairobi or Johannesburg and connect to Maputo.

Option 3: Use a travel advisor to book your flight and find the best rates.  (They cannot book the cruise, these rates are not available to them. Booking has to be done through Swan Hellenic at [email protected]) 

Option 4: Use this concierge service (fees will apply) provided by Oculus Travel: https://regalwings.com/quote/oculus-travel

Check Skyscanner for flight options and rates and sign up for alerts when prices change.

North America:

To/from Mozambique: Fly direct via Johannesburg or with one stop via Nairobi. Connect to Maputo from Johannesburg or Nairobi. This route is showing at less than US$1300. Check Skyscanner for flight options and rates.

To/From Cape Town: United (Star Alliance) has a direct flight from Washington D.C.-Cape Town flight at 6:40 p.m. on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, arriving in Cape Town the following day at 4:10 p.m. local time. Return flights leave Cape Town at 8:50 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arrives in Washington at 5:50 a.m. the following day. The new service is operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring 48 business suites, 21 premium economy, 39 Economy PlusSM and 149 economy seats. Return price departing November 4 – 14, as of March 5, is $1320 USD. Expedia has special deals on flights here.

From Cape Town to Maputo: Via LAM Airways (recommended by our partners), for less thn $200 Canadian return.  Check Skyscanner for flight options and rates.

To/From Lisbon: TAP Portugal has return flights to Lisbon for less than $400 Canadian. From Lisbon there is a dirett flight to Maputo. Check Skyscanner for flight options and rates.

From Canada: Multiple airlines including KLM, American Airlines, Luftansa/Air Canada, Air France and  (Star Alliance) have direct flights from Toronto to Cape Town and/or via Frankfurt for under $1300 CDN as of March 5, 2024 on Expedia.  (November 4 – 15). Check Skyscanner for flight options and rates. Expedia has special deals on flights here.

Other options to get to Maputu: 

Airlink is one of the most trusted airlines in Africa. They offer flights from Cape Town via Johannesburg to Maputo.

CemAir and South African Airways operate on this route. If you are flying into Cape Town or Johannesburg, it’s not difficult or expensive to get to Maputo.

From Europe: 

• London, UK: Direct flights are approximately £800 from London to Cape Town. Check Skyscanner for flight options and rates.
• Paris, France/Frankfurt, Germany: Flights are approximately 805 € from Paris to Cape Town and there are direct flights for 798 € from Frankfurt. Check Expedia for special deals on flights here.
• Fly through Doha with a direct flight to Maputo. Check Skyscanner for flight options and rates.

From Sydney, Australia: Flights are approximately $1300 with one stop via Dubai. Check Expedia for special deals on flights here.

From South America:  Check Skyscanner for flight options and rates.

From Africa: If you’re already in Africa, fly directly to Cape Town or Maputo.  Check Skyscanner for flight options and rates.

Where to stay

Maputo hotels: One night before the cruise is included at the Check our Places to Stay Directory here and search for Maputo. 

Nairobi hotels: See our recommendations here or check our Places to Stay Directory here and search for Nairobi. 

Cape Town hotels: See our recommendations here OR check our Places to Stay Directory here and search for Cape Town.

Johannesburg: If you need to overnight in Johannesburg, there is a beautiful Intercontinental Hotel right at the airport (walk out of arrivals, wheel your luggage across the road and you’re in reception. Couldn’t be easier or safer. And then you’re at the airport for your flight early the next morning, if needs be. Has a great spa and restaurant too. 

As an added benefit, this voyage includes a program Swan Hellenic has developed in partnership with world-renowned personal transformation pioneer Deepak Chopra. For those who wish to participate, there will be a range of transformative activities, including sunrise yoga sessions; meditation sessions close to nature; exclusive, expert-led workshops, and 5-star Ayurveda-inspired meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s included in the cost of registration?

Everything is included – food, beverages, accommodation, speakers, tipping and excursions. Please note there is separate pricing for the Chopra inclusions.  Activities like meditation, massages and yoga sessions are additional. You can book these when you’re on the ship.

2. Is there flexibility with pricing and cancellation?

Swan Hellenic offers flexible payment options. We recommend you purchase travel insurance to cover any unexpected situations. Check insurance rates here.

3. How do I book a room with a friend/partner/spouse/family?

Please tell Swan Hellenic when you book your place who you’d like to room with!

4. Are there pre and post trips offered?

Yes. You can join earlier or stay on the ship with Swan Hellenic or book safaris and other experiences with  JourneyWoman partners in the region.

5. Does the price include airfare?

No. The price does not include transportation to and from the arrival and departure city. However, airport transfers are included as is the first night before the cruise. 

 6. Can women with mobilty issues, a walker or a wheelchair come on this ship? 

Absolutely, there are also two accessible rooms available.

7. Will there be Wi-Fi?

Yes, there is Wi-Fi available but don’t expect too much. We hope you’ll use this time to connect with each other.

8. What should I pack?

We’ll have more information on packing, visas, vaccines, and more coming soon. It’s casual but we’ll want to dress up for our 30th anniversary party!

More about our 30th Anniversary