1. MV Liemba (Tanzania)

A main character in one of WWI’s most bizarre combat theaters, this 110-years-old former Imperial German warship is considered the world’s oldest existing ferry. Built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg in 1913 as the steamer Graf von Goetzen, she was shipped disassembled in 5,000 crates to Dar es Salaam and then hauled overland to Lake Tanganyika (then in German East Africa).

When the three Meyer engineers accompanying the ship finally put her back together in 1915, the lake was one of Germany’s most strategic wartime assets in the East African battlefield. Despite its remote location (at the time), it bordered the African holdings of three other colonial powers – Britain, Belgium, and Portugal. But despite the Goetzen’s hegemony on the water, the Allies advanced on land, forcing the Germans to scuttle their prized jewel in 1916.

In 1918, the Belgians began an intricate salvage operation, succeeding to raise her in the following year, only to lose her again in a violent storm. When the British took over, they refloated the Goetzen again, deeming her fit for service and renaming her Liemba (Lake Tanganyika’s local name). Since 1927, the twice-reborn vessel has been serving faithfully on the lake, outliving both the German and British empires. Not a bad reference for Meyer Werft.

2. MV Victoria (Tanzania)

In the author’s humble opinion, this quiet 64-year-old is one of the world’s most charming and bad-ass-looking vessels. A steamy nine-hour trip on the calm waters of Lake Victoria, palm trees in the background, one feels like travelling through time rather than space. In 1959, the Yarrow shipyard in Glasgow built her as a knock-down model for the colonial East African Railways and Harbours Corporation, then hauled her from Scotland to her final destination in 1,500 crates. When she was reassembled and launched on the lake in 1961, she was the Company’s only Royal Mail Ship.

3. Bou el Mogdad (Senegal)

From 1950 to 1970, this Dutch-born French beauty served on the Senegal River from Saint Louis (today in Senegal) to Kayes (now in Mali). The ship was an indispensable logistical asset to the French colonial government in West Africa, delivering mail, drinking water, and other vital goods to the harsh desert region along the river. In 2005, after decades of changing owners and routes, a group of investors bought and refurbished the adorable Bou el Mogdad, launching it on its original picturesque route along the Senegal River.

4. Nile River Ferry to Luxor

Laying your eyes on one of the most spectacular views on the planet – the ancient city of Luxor, as seen from the Nile River – could be more affordable than you think. A ride on the unassuming “baladi” only costs a few cents, but the experience of approaching the formidable ruins like the great explorers of yore is enough to excite even the most jaded traveler. There is no firm schedule – the ferries depart as soon as most seats are sold, or when passengers begin to get restless in the heat. Sounds like the opening scene of a movie, doesn’t it?

5. MV Ilala (Malawi)

Another 1950s child of the Yarrow dockyards in Scotland, the Ilala was built for the railway company of Nyasaland, a former British protectorate and later the independent Republic of Malawi. As most lake ferries in the region, this living legend was transported in crates by sea and then by rail and road to its permanent domain on Lake Malawi. Since her debut in 1951, the Ilala has been in continuous operation between the major port cities Monkey Bay (or Lusumbwe) and Chilumba.

6. Belo Tsiribihina Pirogue (Madagascar)

Bridging the gap between ancient technology and modern demands, this jerry-made catamaran is an indispensable link on the Malagasi Tsiribihina River. Made of two wooden pirogues, connected with a deck of simple planks, this vessel relies more on the captain’s mastery and the passengers’ adventurous spirit than any technical merits. Nevertheless, the ferry is every bit as useful as it is photogenic.

7. Shire Hand-Cranked Chain Ferry (Mozambique)

The Shire is a large river that flows from Lake Malawi into the Zambezi River in Mozambique. To the Western world, it is most famous for David Livingstone’s Second Zambezi expedition in the mid-19^th century, but ship enthusiasts have a better reason to be in the know. A remarkable, well-preserved, hand-cranked ferry operates in the downstream Mozambique section. Until a few years ago, it used to be the only way to cross, but it is now headed toward a well-deserved retirement.

8. Gibraltar to Tangier (Gibraltar/Morocco)

Taking just 1.5 hours from Gibraltar to the Moroccan city of Tangier, this is one of the shortest trans-continental marine connections in the world, second only to the Bosporus in Istanbul. In addition to the thrill of two ancient continents, the historic city of Tangier is both an architectural gem and a culinary hotspot, well worth the quick boat ride.

9. Port Sudan to Jeddah (Sudan/Saudi Arabia)

At nearly twelve hours, this transcontinental ferry ride may not be the fastest, but it sure is among the most memorable. If getting to Port Sudan is not challenging enough for you (driving through the Sahara and other minor obstacles), don’t worry – tickets can only be purchased upon arrival at the harbor gate. With a bit of luck and some extra money from your emergency stash, you might even get a cabin. Nevertheless, while not the best option for the comfort-seeking traveler, sailing through the Red Sea must be the most thrilling and unconventional ways to cross from Africa to Asia.

Speaking of Asia, the next episode in the series is about the epic ferry rides on the world’s largest continent. Make sure you check the blog, or simply subscribe to get a notification when the article is out!

The Shipyard