Press release - 28 September 2023 09:45

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to welcome well-known TV wildlife presenter on board cruise to South Africa

One of Britain’s most loved television presenters will be joining Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ grand voyage in South Africa for four nights.

Wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan has been a regular face on our screens for more than 30 years and will be joining guests on board Bolette for The Intrepid Beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean cruise.

From 26^th to 29^th January, in her hometown of Cape Town, Michaela will be sharing her knowledge with guests and accompanying them on a selection of tours.

Speaking about the forthcoming cruise, Michaela said:

“Having lived in South Africa for many years, I’m really excited to show off my hometown of Cape Town and introduce guests to some of my highlights.

“I have hand-picked four tours to join guests on looking at Boulders Beach with its wonderful, charismatic penguin colony, the Cape of Good Hope with its unique flora and fauna, hiking trails of the world-famous Table Mountain National Park and my local seal colony at Hout Bay where I live.”

Michaela will also be delivering two insightful talks with one behind the scenes of wildlife programme making and what makes British wildlife so popular.

Having volunteered for SANCCOB, the local sea bird rescue centre, Michaela’s other talk will focus on African penguins with a first-hand account of why these iconic residents are so endangered.

James Moss, Journey Experience Coordinator at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming Michaela on board for a third time as we sail around Africa and the Indian Ocean.

“Having Michaela join us for the duration of the cruise’s visit to Cape Town will allow our guests to enjoy real, immersive experiences with the added value of her local expertise.

“We know that our guests truly valued the opportunity to learn more about nature and wildlife from Michaela while she was on board Borealis to Iceland and again on Balmoral to the Norwegian Fjords, and there is no doubt that they will relish this experience in January.”

Michaela added:

“Cape Town is a stunning city, full of beauty, culture, history, wildlife, great restaurants, amazing wines and friendly people.

“Whether you do the obvious tourist attractions or trips that are slightly more off the beaten track, a little bit of Cape Town will always remain in your heart and soul.”

The tours Michaela will be accompanying are Cape of Good Hope with The Fynbos Guy, Penguins and Silvermine, Table Mountain Hike and Snorkelling with Seals at Duiker Island.

The 93-night grand voyage offers guests the chance to walk the colossal dunes of the world’s oldest desert in Namib, seek out the Big Five in the African savannahs and take in the cultures and traditions of destinations far away from the beaten tourist track including Mozambique, Ghana, Mayotte, São Tomé and Senegal.

Bolette’s 93-night T2330 ‘The Intrepid Beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 19^thNovember 2023. Prices start from £7,999 per person.

Join one of TV’s best-loved presenters, Michaela Strachan, on board this cruise
Go in search of Africa’s wildlife
Discover the cultures of African and Indian civilisations
Encounter lesser-known African destinations

Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Tangier, Morocco – Valletta, Malta – Alexandria, Egypt – Port Said, Egypt – Cruising the Suez Canal, Egypt (overnight port) – Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Safaga, Egypt – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Salalah, Oman – Mumbai, India - Mormugão, Goa – Mangalore, India – Kochi, India – Uligamu, Maldives – Hithadhoo, Maldives – Victoria, Seychelles (overnight port) – Praslin Island, Seychelles – La Digue, Seychelles – Mombasa, Kenya (overnight port) – Zanzibar, Tanzania – Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania – Mamoudzou, Mayotte – Andoany, Madagascar – Antisranana (Diego Suárez), Madagascar – Réunion, Reunion – Port Louis, Mauritius (overnight port) – Toamasina, Madagascar – Port D’Ehoala, Madagascar – Maputo, Mozambique – Richards Bay, South Africa – Durban, South Africa – East London, South Africa – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa – Mossel Bay, South Africa – Cape Town, South Africa (overnight port) – Walvis Bay, Namibia - São Tomé, Sao Tome and Principe – Cotonou, Benin – Lomé, Togo – Takoradi, Ghana – Dakar, Senegal – Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain – Funchal, Portugal – Southampton, UK
For more details: Visit Bolette’s T2330 ‘The Intrepid Beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean’

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is also offering shorter sailings as part of The Intrepid Beauty of African and the Indian Ocean cruise. These are:

Bolette’s 60-night T233201 ‘Seychelles to Southampton’ cruise, departing from Victoria, Seychelles, on 21^stDecember 2023. Prices start from £7,999 per person.

Join one of TV’s best-loved presenters, Michaela Strachan, on board this cruise
Discover exotic flora and wildlife in the Seychelles and Maldives
Go in search of the Big Five in South Africa
Explore the lesser-visited gems of São Tomé and Zanzibar

Itinerary: Victoria, Seychelles (overnight port) – Praslin Island, Seychelles – La Digue, Seychelles – Mombasa, Kenya (overnight port) – Zanzibar, Tanzania – Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania – Mamoudzou, Mayotte – Andoany, Madagascar – Antisranana (Diego Suárez), Madagascar – Réunion, Reunion – Port Louis, Mauritius (overnight port) – Toamasina, Madagascar – Port D’Ehoala, Madagascar – Maputo, Mozambique – Richards Bay, South Africa – Durban, South Africa – East London, South Africa – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa – Mossel Bay, South Africa – Cape Town, South Africa (overnight port) – Walvis Bay, Namibia - São Tomé, Sao Tome and Principe – Cotonou, Benin – Lomé, Togo – Takoradi, Ghana – Dakar, Senegal – Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain – Funchal, Portugal – Southampton, UK

For more details: Visit Bolette’s T233201 ‘Seychelles to Southampton’

Bolette’s 36-night T2332 ‘Iconic Wildlife and Vast Landscapes of Africa’ cruise, departing from Victoria, Seychelles, on 22^ndDecember 2023. Prices start from £5,299 per person.

Join one of TV’s best-loved presenters, Michaela Strachan, on board this cruise, where she’ll host insightful talks and accompany guests on the Boulders Beach tour
Go in search of the Big Five in Kenya and South Africa
Discover an array of marine life in Indian Ocean islands
Make time to explore the iconic city of Cape Town

For more details: Visit Bolette’s T2332 ‘Iconic Wildlife and Vast Landscapes of Africa’

Bolette’s 24-night T2401 ‘Exploring Cape Town, The Namib and Lesser Known Africa’ cruise, departing from Cape Town, South Africa, on 27^th January 2024. Prices start from £3,599 per person.

Join one of TV’s best-loved presenters, Michaela Strachan, on board this cruise, where she’ll host insightful talks and accompany guests on the Boulders Beach and a hike in Constantia
Explore the iconic city of Cape Town
See the world’s oldest sand dunes in the Namib desert
Discover lesser-known African gems

Itinerary: Cape Town, South Africa (overnight port) – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa – Mossel Bay, South Africa – Cape Town, South Africa (overnight port) – Walvis Bay, Namibia - São Tomé, Sao Tome and Principe – Cotonou, Benin – Lomé, Togo – Takoradi, Ghana – Dakar, Senegal – Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain – Funchal, Portugal – Southampton, UK

For more details: Visit Bolette’s T2401 ‘Exploring Cape Town, The Namib and Lesser Known Africa’

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com Book online, call Reservations on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.