One of Britain’s most loved television presenters has shared her knowledge with guests while in her hometown in South Africa.

Wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan joined Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ‘The Intrepid Beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean’ cruise for four nights in Cape Town.

From 26th to 29th January, Michaela, who has been a regular on TV screens for the past 30 years, shared her expertise with guests and joined them on a series of excursions.

Michaela said:

“Having lived in South Africa for several years, it was an absolute pleasure to shine a light on Cape Town and introduce guests to some of the absolute gems it has to offer.

“It was a real treat to take guests to Boulders Beach to see its charismatic penguin colony and the Cape of Good Hope to take in the unique flora and fauna.

“We also visited Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden – one of the great botanic gardens in the world – and Constantia Vineyard for wine tasting.”

Alongside the tours, Michaela delivered a talk about penguin rescue and conservation. Having volunteered for SANCCOB, the local sea bird rescue centre, Michaela spoke about saving the highly endangered African Penguin, her experience of hand-rearing the birds and the 2020 Cape Cormorant crisis when thousands of chicks needed rescuing from nearby Robben Island.

Michaela also took part in a live question and answer session with Entertainment Manager Andy Godfrey.

James Moss, Itinerary Product Manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“It was an absolute joy to welcome Michaela on board once again as we visited her home town of Cape Town.

“Thanks to Michaela’s local knowledge, our guests were able to enjoy authentic, immersive experiences; an opportunity that I’m sure they relished.”

The Grand Voyage has given 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 from the beaten tourist track including Mozambique, Mayotte and Ghana. Bolette is due to return to Southampton on 20thFebruary.

Other Grand Voyages set to depart in 2024 include:

Bolette’s 27-night T2417 ‘Scenic Wonders and Wildlife of Canada and Greenland’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 19thJuly.Prices start from £3,799 per person.

• Experience icebergs and glaciers in Greenland

• Perhaps spot a polar bear in Nunavut

• Learn about the Olsen family links with L’Anse aux Meadows

Itinerary: Liverpool, UK – St John’s, Canada – Halifax, Canada – Corner Brook, Canada – Cruise Humber Arm and Bay of Islands, Canada – Red Bay, Labrador, Canada – L’Anse aux Meadows, Canada – Cruise North East Coast of Akpatok Island, Canada – Cruise by Resolution Island, Canada – Cruise by Lower Savage Islands, Canada – Nuuk, Greenland – Narsarsuaq, Greenland – Nanortalik, Greenland – Cruising Prins Christian Sund, Greenland – Reykjavik, Iceland – Liverpool, UK

For more details: Visit T2417 ‘Scenic Wonders and Wildlife of Canada and Greenland’

Borealis’ 26-night S2423 ‘Canada in the Fall’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 3rd October. Prices start from £3,699 per person.

• Timed to coincide with the fall season, see colour-changing foliage

• Meet an award-winning fiddler in St John’s, Newfoundland

• Delve into the history of the indigenous Mi’kmaq people

Itinerary: Southampton, UK – St John’s, Canada – Halifax, Canada – Gaspé, Canada – Cruising St Lawrence River, Canada – Trois-Rivières, Canada – Montreal, Canada – Québec, Canada (overnight port) – Saguenay, Canada – Cruising Saguenay Fjord, Canada – Corner Brook, Canada – Cruise Humber Arm and Bay of Islands, Canada – Cruising by Spike Island, Ireland – Cobh, Ireland – Southampton, UK

For more details: Visit S2423 ‘Canada in the Fall’

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.