Luxury small ship cruise line Aqua Expeditions, named #1 Best River Cruise for the second consecutive year in Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2024 World’s Best Awards, has announced it will expand to East Africa with a new expedition ship.
This is big news for travellers seeking unique luxury experiences in East Africa. Known for its luxury river cruises along the Amazon and Mekong rivers and luxury yachts in the Galapagos Islands, Aqua Expeditions will now explore the stunning landscapes and wildlife of the Seychelles Islands and Zanzibar, Tanzania, in its signature luxury.
“It has long been a dream of mine to set foot in East Africa on a luxury expedition ship and explore the region, and I am thrilled that I can finally show my existing guests the beauty of the Indian Ocean and the famous Aldabra Atoll.”
Few travelers have heard of or even seen this fascinating atoll, home to more than 150,000 giant tortoises. “Considered the Galapagos Islands of Africa, the islands are home to hundreds of species of plants and animals and some of the most incredible marine life in the world,” says CEO and Founder Francesco Galli Zugalo.
The first voyage is scheduled for December 2025 and will offer four different itineraries. Expeditions on the expedition yacht will include five- and nine-night trips around the inner and outer islands of Seychelles, which can be combined for a 14-night Seychelles archipelago exploration, plus alternating 10- and 11-night voyages for an in-depth experience of the islands of Seychelles and Tanzania.
Guests will enjoy a superyacht experience featuring an exclusive 1:1 crew-to-guest ratio that meets Aqua Ships’ high standards. Enjoy personalized service, savour exquisite cuisine created by world-renowned chefs and take part in expertly guided small-group tours showcasing the best that each destination has to offer.
I spent seven nights aboard the 163-foot yacht Aqua Mare, the first superyacht to establish a permanent anchorage amid the volcanic grandeur of the Galapagos Islands. Experiencing the incredible wildlife and scenery of the Galapagos from this luxurious vessel and talented crew was truly unforgettable. It’s no wonder Aqua Expeditions has received numerous awards and accolades, and I have no doubt they will bring the same level of luxury and exclusivity to East Africa.
But with its expansion into East Africa, travelers can expect even more from Aqua Expeditions. New itineraries to Seychelles and Tanzania offer opportunities to explore lesser-known destinations and demonstrate Aqua Expeditions’ commitment to sustainable tourism practices. The expansion will also provide a greater understanding of the local culture, conservation efforts and wildlife protection efforts in these regions.
“East Africa is a beautiful mix of familiar and unexplored landscapes,” says Gali Zugalo of the destination’s inspiration. “We see giant turtles roaming the beaches, just like in the Galápagos Islands where we sail on Aqua Mare. We’re immersed in history and see remnants of the centuries-old spice trade, much like the Spice Islands that Aqua Blue explores in Indonesia. But we also see scenery we’ve never seen before, from the raised coral reef of Aldabra Atoll, to the unique marine life of the Seychelles islands, to coral reef walls that resemble the Grand Canyon.”
Since the brand began with a single ship in the Peruvian Amazon in 2007, Aqua has grown to sail to eight destinations with three river vessels and two superyachts. This latest fleet expansion will see Aqua’s sixth ship spearhead the company’s expansion into Africa, delivering Aqua’s signature experiences that have been meticulously constructed and refined in the waters of South America and Southeast Asia.
“At Aqua, we have always been inspired by visiting remote places, so it was inevitable that our travels would eventually lead us to the shores of Africa,” added Gali Zugalo. “We are thrilled to bring our unique brand of small ship exploration, with a focus on luxury and sustainable travel, to a third continent.”
While sailing the Seychelles and Tanzania on Aqua, guests will be able to explore biodiversity hotspots such as Aldabra, Cosmoledo, Astove, Farquhar Atoll, Kilwaki Siwani and Pemba. True to Aqua’s renowned style, the expedition will also visit rarely visited locations such as the African Banks, offering a unique experience not commonly available on other cruises in the region.
