Tema is a short drive from Ghana’s fast-paced capital, Accra, a city that's culturally rich, modern and historic all at once. European-built forts and Black Star Independence Square’s public monuments offer a glimpse at the past. The neighbourhood of Jamestown, a 17th-century fishing community with old colonial buildings, is its pulse with an art scene and local bites like waakye – rice and beans with sides – at a low-key ‘chop bar’.

A solemn reminder of the past, 15th century Elmina Castle in Ghana was a key slave trade hub, originally protecting gold trade before Dutch and British slave trade involvement. This UNESCO site exemplified the era's contradictions, with Europeans in luxurious quarters above filthy, cramped slave dungeons. The infamous Door of No Return opened to ships on the gruelling Middle Passage.

Elmina Castle & City Walk

Included

02 h 15 m

Gaze at colourful wooden boats sailing in and out of Elmina’s lagoon area
Stroll through Elmina’s atmospheric alleyways, surrounded by ancient history, visit the local fish market
Visit Elmina Castle, the oldest and largest European building in Africa, a former warehouse used to trade gold, ivory and eventually slaves, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Upgraded Tour - Elmina Castle, City walk & Batik Making

Optional

04 h 30 m

Upgrade your included tour with a workshop to learn how to make traditional batik cloth
A perfect way to meet with local artisans, learn the techniques of wax heating and stamping and help local women support their families
Enjoy the highlights of Elmina point by visiting St George's Castle, a UNESCO heritage site and the local fish market

Cape Coast Castle

Included

04 h 00 m

Visit Cape Coast Castle, the largest of the buildings which contains the legacy of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Learn how Cape Coast Castle played a significant role in the gold and slave trades but also contributed to the arrival of Christianity, and the establishment of the first formal education system through Castle Schools
Discover the West African Historical Museum located inside Cape Coast Castle before taking part in a traditional Ghanaian drumming and dance performance and lessons

Cape Coast Castle

Included

04 h 00 m

FD Kakum Canopy, Hike and Cape Coast Traditions

Optional

08 h 30 m

An in-depth experience of Kakum National Park with the canopy walkway, hike and bird watching
Enjoy a buffet lunch in a beautiful setting surrounded by forest and a lake
Discover the local traditions in Cape Coast with the fishermen, dances and drums

Kakum National Park's Canopy Walkway

Optional

04 h 00 m

Discover Kakum National Park and Africa’s world-famous rainforest canopy walkway
Walk on the platforms and rope bridges while searching for wildlife
Experience the peaceful tropical forest atmosphere, surrounded by exquisite nature

Cape Coast Castle

Included

04 h 00 m

The twin cities of Sekondi-Takoradi, known as Tadi, are a key commercial hub on Ghana’s deepwater port, featuring a 17th-century Dutch fort, a relaxed beachfront and Africa’s largest market offering coconuts, dried fish, and tangy jollof rice. Nearby Kakum National Park hosts an endangered Ghanaian rainforest with native wildlife, lush plant life, exotic birds, vibrant butterflies and a Canopy Walkway, suspended 100 feet above the ground.

A city pulsating with energy, Abidjan, the former capital of Côte D’Ivoire, stands as a hub of creativity and innovation. The thriving arts and music scene interweaves with the cultures, cuisines and traditions that define Abidjan. Serving as a window into West Africa, the infectious tropical mood permeates the city. Abidjan's unique atmosphere, galleries and markets, along with the fascinating National Museum, make it a captivating destination.

Abidjan highlights and Banco National Park

Included

05 h 00 m

Walk through Banco National Park, the green lung of Abidjan. See the primary forest with rare wood species
Discover the Plateau area and its impressive Cathedral, one of the city most remarkable monument
Visit the museum of civilizations boasting traditional masks, statues, musical instruments and clothes among many others

Colonial Grand Bassam & Chocolate Factory

Optional

06 h 45 m

Learn about the complex social relations between Europeans and Africans, and the subsequent independence movement
Pass by the Royal Court, and the French colonial district, before visiting the National Costume Museum, with its excellent collection of traditional clothing, masks, ornaments, and ethnographic photos
After lunch, visit a chocolate factory and learn how local cocoa is transformed into organic dark chocolate

Upgrade - Abidjan highlights, Bingerville garden and local gastronomy

Optional

07 h 00 m

Visit the main sites of Abidjan and continue towards Bingerville, the Capital of Colonial Ivory Coast back in the early 1900s
Visit the lush Botanical gardens before enjoying a local lunch
Discover how to prepare Attieke, a cassava couscous used as a base in the Ivory Coast cuisine

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

The bustling capital of Liberia, Monrovia, was founded in the 1800s as a settlement for formerly enslaved people from North America. The National Museum is custodian to the region’s history and art. Today’s city is a mix of architectural styles, lively beaches and street markets, such as the jumbled Waterside Market, filled with colourful fabric and crafts. Liberia's Creole cuisine fuses flavours brought from West Africa to America.

Historical city tour of Monrovia

Included

06 h 00 m

Visit the Centennial Pavilion that was built to mark the 100 years to melodious independence that the nation had enjoyed uninterruptedly
See Providence Island, the landing ground where freed American slaves settled in Liberia in the early 1820s
Enjoy the panoramic view over the Atlantic from Ducor Hill

Libassa Ecolodge: Wildlife Sanctuary & Fun

Optional

08 h 00 m

Discover this beautiful resort located within an original tropical forest, at the junction of a virgin lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean
Visit the wildlife sanctuary where they care for and rehabilitate wild confiscated or injured animals like endemic monkeys
After lunch, enjoy the many resort facilities: Relax or slide down the lazy river, kayak on the lagoon... there are activities for all tastes!

Historical city tour of Monrovia

Included

06 h 00 m

Visit the Centennial Pavilion that was built to mark the 100 years to melodious independence that the nation had enjoyed uninterruptedly
See Providence Island, the landing ground where freed American slaves settled in Liberia in the early 1820s
Enjoy the panoramic view over the Atlantic from Ducor Hill

Libassa Ecolodge: Wildlife Sanctuary & Fun

Optional

08 h 00 m

Discover this beautiful resort located within an original tropical forest, at the junction of a virgin lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean
Visit the wildlife sanctuary where they care for and rehabilitate wild confiscated or injured animals like endemic monkeys
After lunch, enjoy the many resort facilities: Relax or slide down the lazy river, kayak on the lagoon... there are activities for all tastes!

Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.

Sierra Leone’s portside capital city occupies a major position in history as the home of formerly enslaved people from North America and Britain. Sites like Cotton Tree and the King’s Yard Gate symbolise the town’s sombre past. Freetown today is a diverse city with a rich heritage – colourful Krio architecture, hearty, rice-based cuisine and lively beaches. Nearby, the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary rescues endangered primates in a rainforest.

Bunce Island

Optional

04 h 15 m

Enjoy a ferry ride from Freetown to Bunce Island
Watch out for local waterbirds on the Sierra Leone River Estuary
Explore the island’s ruins, including the factory house, prison, and watchtowers

Freetown Historical City Tour

Included

04 h 00 m

Discover the history of the country's fallen heroes and heroines at the National Museum
Visit the Peace and Cultural Monument, which celebrates Sierra Leone’s independence
See the Cotton Tree, one of the city's most famous landmarks

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Optional

03 h 45 m

Learn about the sanctuary’s important work with primates
Watch chimps swing from branches and attentively groom each other
Admire more than 100 bird species that can be found in Tacugama Forest Reserve

Today as you sail, you’ll bask in the endless comforts of your ship. From the deck, marvel at the dramatic sea views. Relax with a nurturing facial treatment or massage in the spa or delve into the ship’s learning resources. Or, simply take refuge in your cabin and enjoy the opportunity to rest.

The remote Bijagos archipelago off Guinea-Bissau has 88 islands of mangroves, mudflats, savannahs and palm forests, protected as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. On Canhabaque island, local culture retains coming-of-age ceremonies like difuntu and fanado. The former capital Bolama, now sits abandoned, while Orango National Park’s biodiverse ecosystems include wooded savannahs and isolated villages led by matriarchal queen-priestesses.

Orango Parque Hotel Museum

Included

02 h 00 m

Get a better insight of the Bijago's culture, their spiritual life and their very unique celebrations
Visit the exhibition at the Orango Parque Hotel that will bring you closer to this mythical but at the same time very real community

Bolama Island - The former capital of Portuguese Guinea

Included

02 h 30 m

Discover the former capital of Portuguese Guinea from 1871 to 1941 and admire the beauty of the ancient colonial buildings
Explore sunny avenues, empty squares, dry fountains and overgrown gardens - Bolama’s classic style, which was based on a Roman citadel
Admire the Governor’s Palace where goats now graze peacefully and the basketball field, now used to dry cashew nuts

Canhabaque and the traditional Bijagos culture

Included

01 h 30 m

Marvel at how little the inhabitants of Bijagos have been influenced by the outside world
Visit a Bijagos village and see how the population process cashew nuts and palm oil
Immerse yourself in local lifestyle and tradition

At the meeting point of the Gambia River and the Atlantic, Gambia’s relaxed capital city, Banjul, sits on a little island filled with colonial buildings and vibrant markets. The 19th-century Albert Market sells souvenirs and the vibrant traditional clothing of The Gambia’s diverse ethnic groups. Locals invite visitors to their typical Gambian home or ‘compound’ and tell stories of their heritage while offering herbal tea and traditional snacks.

Banjul Highlights

Included

04 h 30 m

View the Katchikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau, which has been in existence for more than one hundred years, and is today home to over one hundred crocodiles
Attend a demonstration at the tye and dye Batik factory to learn about this ancient craft and technique used in Africa for decorating fabrics
Discover the history, culture, traditions and customs of the city as you visit the National Museum and St Albert Market

Makasutu Cultural Forest Adventure

Optional

05 h 30 m

Explore the Makasutu palm forest and its many ecosystems
Keep your eyes peeled for a tantalising glimpse of the local wildlife
Enjoy a walk through the forest and appreciate the local flora and fauna

Off the beaten track exploration of South Gambia with 4x4 trucks

Optional

06 h 25 m

Go off the beaten track to see a different side of Southern Gambia
Stop at small villages, see how the palm wine is made and observe the locals in their authentic daily life before some relaxing time at the beach
Visit to a local school in Sanyang, where you can find out more about the ground roots of education in Gambia

Fabulous museums, a thriving art scene and elegant seaside dining showcase Dakar's rich culture and forward outlook. The bustling traditional Medina quarter with its mosques, tea shops and street markets contrasts with the Senegalese capital's French-influenced architecture and cuisine. Mbalax music dominates the vibrant nightlife. Traditional crafts like woodcarvings and paintings sell at Soumbédioune market, making it the perfect souvenir stop.

Safari at Bandia Natural Reserve ending at airport (for disembarking guests with late flights)

Optional

03 h 50 m

A last African experience before flying back home!
An unforgettable safari in the reserve of Bandia where you can meet the big mammals of Western Africa in 3.500 ha of grand nature
See the diverse flora like huge baobabs, thorny bushes, whimsical lianas while trying to spot giraffes, rhinoceros and ostriches among many other species

Safari at Bandia Natural Reserve and Somone Lagoon (with lunch)

Optional

08 h 00 m

An unforgettable safari during your stay in Senegal in the reserve of Bandia where you can meet the big mammals of Western Africa in 3.500 ha of grand nature
See the diverse flora like huge baobabs, thorny bushes, whimsical lianas while trying to spot giraffes, rhinoceros and ostriches among many other species
Experience a boat ride across the Somone Lagoon and observe the animals of the mangrove forest

Dakar City Tour

Included

03 h 45 m

Discover Dakar, the large and vibrant African metropolis that was the cultural and intellectual capital of French West Africa
See the impressive Cathedral of African Memory built in Byzantine Style but also the Great Mosque in this cosmopolitan city
View the African Renaissance Monument, a 52 m tall copper statue located on top of one of the twin hills known as Collines des Mamelles, and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean

Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Optional

04 h 05 m

Board a ferry to Goree island and explore the place where slaves used to be crammed and then shipped to the Americas. Some restored buildings remain to bear witness of those times
Learn intersting facts about this dark period visiting Fort of Estree and its historic museum and the house of the slaves
Stroll through the beautiful alleys of the island, lined with houses which date back from colonial times

Crucibles of West Africa

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