That's a Zulu word that roughly translates as "lets gather together and have a chat" (it's the same thing as the Native American "Pow-wow"- for those that know what that is). It is fitting, then, that Africa's largest international Tourism Trade Show that invites foreign tour companies to see and discuss what the best of Southern African tourist-oriented companies have to offer is called Indaba. Indaba 2006 was held, as it traditionally has done in the past years, at the Durban International Conference Centre in KwaZulu-Natal and naturally Cruise South Africa was there to promote southern Africa. As a tourist destination this region is becoming more and more popular every year as the world slowly discovers what we have known since antiquity, that there always comes something new, something wonderful, out of Africa.

This month the new BIG news is that Cruise SA is promoting unique, exclusive African safaris and excursions to Malawi and Zambia! Malawi is a little-known gem of a country in the heart of central-southern Africa that offers a true African experience at a relatively low cost. One third of the country is made up of a great lake bearing the same name of the country it dominates and it is nearly 600kms long and 80kms wide and forms the southern part of the African Rift Valley. The whole country is breathtakingly beautiful and its people are warm and welcoming. Indeed Malawi is affectionately regarded among all of us on this continent as the "warm heart of Africa".

Malawi's immediate neighbour to the west is Zambia - a vast peaceful country that offers superb natural and wildlife encounters and is one of the least travelled but most rewarding destinations in Africa. Zambia's most well-known landmark is one of the natural wonders of the world, the mighty Victoria Falls which are just as astonishing to visitors as when David Livingstone discovered them 1861. Yet the Victoria Falls are just one instance of Zambia's incredible natural heritage - the mighty Zambezi River, the Luangwa Valley, the Kafue Wilderness all teem with wildlife that combine to make up the definitive African Safari.
As travel destinations Zambia and Malawi combine superbly with one another, so watch this space for the travel packages which will be posted on this website in a matter of days.

Moving down South and slightly to the east, Cruise Sub Aqua's first ever Sardine Run expedition to the Wild Coast of South Africa is happening between the 13th and 19th of June. Rumour has it that the sardines have already begun their "run" or migration, and this smacks of a bumper season. So those who want the most adrenaline scuba diving rush EVER or to capture award-winning photographs (like the ones on our website), book those plane tickets to South Africa NOW! The best way is to fly in to Cape Town and from there either to take the Cruise Bus to the Wild Coast or an internal flight to Umthatha and get picked up by a Cruise SA representative.. Cruise SA will handle all the arrangements. Click on the Dive packages link for prices.

Of course the Wild Coast (formally the Transkei) is not just about the Sardine Run, it is, as its name suggests, a wild, rugged but exceptionally beautiful frontier-land, the traditional home of the proud Xhosa tribe - a people whose daily lives have changed little over the eons as the rolling hills are dotted here and there by traditional huts and meandering bands of Nguni cattle. It is also the birthplace of Nelson Mandela and countless other famous South Africans. But the best part of the Wild Coast is that it remains almost completely undiscovered to the world and that what makes it so attractive. Its Africa as it was before the modern era, before colonialism. Of course, the modern adventure-traveller can still indulge in his or her chosen modern activity especially those, like kayaking, abseiling, rock climbing, hiking, horse riding and surfing, as the region, as an unspoiled wilderness, lends itself perfectly to this kind of traveller. Cruise SA is offering a select few the chance to spend a week among the people, the place and its wildness. See the expeditions link for a more detailed itinerary.

Back to Cape Town and back to scuba diving. We at Cruise Sub Aqua have launched a number of PADI Specialty Dive Courses for those divers who want more out of their diving. We have already begun the PADI Drysuit Specialty Course, The PADI Wreck Specialty Course and the PADI Videographer Specialty Course. On the cards are two distinctive Specialty Courses - the Shark Specialty Course and the Full-Face Mask Specialty Course. Most unique (and this is entirely due to popular demand) Cruise Sub Aqua is looking at starting Apnea Dive Training (what? I hear you ask). If you have ever watched the Big Blue, you will know what I mean...and those that do, give us a shout this is the course all us hard-core divers want!

NEWSFLASH: Next month is the start of the WHALE SEASON - see what Cruise South Africa is offering this time around. And, as this site mushrooms in size and variety by the second, check out our new itinerary, flight, transport, accommodation and booking structure on this site.