The 1985 song lyrics by Gayla Peeve, “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, Only a hippopotamus will do…” came to mind as my husband Humberto and I looked over the tour offerings for Richards Bay, a major port in the heart of the Zululand region of Kwa-Zulu-Natal in South Africa during our 2026 Regent Seven Seas Mariner world cruise. When we saw the description for the St. Lucia Wetlands Nature Reserve tour saying the two-hour boat tour frequently encounters crocodiles and hippos, we did not hesitate and signed up.

If you think you’ve seen it all, think again. The Great Lakes & Niagara itinerary aboard the Viking Octantis is a refreshing and surprising journey. One that feels as expansive as an ocean voyage, yet remarkably close to home.

Our seven-day itinerary included stops at Bordeaux and Cadillac on the Garonne, Libourne on the Dordogne, Fort Médoc and Pauillac on the left bank of the Gironde Estuary, and Blaye and Bourg on the right bank.