ITINERARY
CRUISE ID: D3825042013
TEMA (ACCRA)
DAY 1
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’.
ELMINA
DAY 2-3
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.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
- ELMINA CASTLE & CITY WALK Included 2 h 15 m
- UPGRADED TOUR - ELMINA CASTLE, CITY WALK & BATIK
MAKING Optional 4 h 30 m
- CAPE COAST CASTLE Included 4 h 00 m
- FD KAKUM CANOPY, HIKE AND CAPE COAST TRADITIONS
Optional 8 h 30 m
- KAKUM NATIONAL PARK'S CANOPY WALKWAY Optional 4
h
TAKORADI
DAY 3
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.
ABIDJAN
DAY 4
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.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
- ABIDJAN HIGHLIGHTS AND BANCO NATIONAL PARK
Included 5 h
- COLONIAL GRAND BASSAM & CHOCOLATE FACTORY
Optional 6 h 45 m
- UPGRADE - ABIDJAN HIGHLIGHTS, BINGERVILLE GARDEN AND LOCAL
GASTRONOMY Optional 7 h
DAY AT SEA
DAY 5
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.
MONROVIA
DAY 6
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.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
- HISTORICAL CITY TOUR OF MONROVIA Included 06 h 00 m
- LIBASSA ECOLODGE: WILDLIFE SANCTUARY & FUN Optional
08 h 00 m
DAY AT SEA
DAY 7
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.
FREETOWN
DAY 8
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.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
- BUNCE ISLAND Optional 4 h 15 m
- FREETOWN HISTORICAL CITY TOUR Included 4 h 00 m
- TACUGAMA CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY Optional 3 h 45 m
DAY AT SEA
DAY 9
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.
BIJAGOS ARCHIPELAGO
DAY 10-11
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.
EXPEDITION ACTIVITES
- ORANGO PARQUE HOTEL MUSEUM Included 2 h 00 m
- BOLAMA ISLAND - THE FORMER CAPITAL OF PORTUGUESE GUINEA
Included 2 h 30 m
- CANHABAQUE AND THE TRADITIONAL BIJAGOS CULTURE Included 1 h
30 m
BANJUL
DAY 12
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.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
- BANJUL HIGHLIGHTS Included 4 h 30 m
- MAKASUTU CULTURAL FOREST ADVENTURE Optional 5 h 30 m
- OFF THE BEATEN TRACK EXPLORATION OF SOUTH GAMBIA WITH 4X4
TRUCKS Optional 6 h 25 m
DAKAR
DAY 13-14
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.
SHORE EXCURSIONS
- SAFARI AT BANDIA NATURAL RESERVE ENDING AT AIRPORT (FOR
DISEMBARKING GUESTS WITH LATE FLIGHTS) Optional 3 h 50 m
- SAFARI AT BANDIA NATURAL RESERVE AND SOMONE LAGOON (WITH
LUNCH) Optional 8 h 00 m
- DAKAR CITY TOUR Included 3 h 45 m
- GOREE ISLAND, A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
Optional 4 h 05 m
(Click image to view Ship details)
