HIGHLIGHTS
- Namibia’s
flamingo lagoons
- Tropical
beaches
- Portuguese-inspired
cuisine
- Pulse-raising
desert sport, like sand skiing or sandboarding
- Handmade
goods at crowded public markets
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Apr 11, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | 13,160 |
13,721 |
Rates are listed per person
|
| Start Date | End Date | From EUR | From USD |
|---|
| Apr 11, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | 13,160 |
13,721 |
ITINERARY
Days
1, 2
Cape
Town, South Africa
Sprawling
across endless, staggeringly blue coastline, and watched over by the
iconic plane of Table Mountain, Cape Town is without doubt one of the
world’s most beautiful cities. A blend of spectacular
mountain scenery, multiculturalism and relaxed ocean charm awaits in
the Mother City, where you can venture out to rolling vineyards, dine
in laid back sea suburbs, or spend days exploring cool urban culture.
Cape Town’s natural splendour fully reveals itself as the
cable car rears sharply to the top of Table Mountain. From the summit,
3,500 feet above sea level, you can let the scale of the panoramic
vistas of the city rolling down towards the ocean wash over you.
Another heavenly perspective waits at the top of Lion's
Head’s tapering peak. A sharp hike and an early start is
required, but the views of the morning sun painting Table Mountain
honey-gold are some of Cape Town’s finest. Cape
Town’s glorious sunshine and inviting blue rollers can be a
little deceiving - these oceans are anything but warm at times, with
nothing between the peninsula’s end and
Antarctica’s icy chill. This cool water has upsides though,
bringing a colony of adorably cute African penguins to Boulders Beach.
Boarded walkways offer the perfect vantage point to see the cute
creatures dipping into the sea and lounging in the sun. Nearby, journey
to the end of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope, where you can stand at
the bottom of this mighty continent, watching out over the merging
waves of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Cape Town’s beauty
is counterpointed by the ominous island form, which sits four miles
offshore from the bustling restaurants and lazy seals of the lively
V&A Waterfront. A living history lesson, you can sail in the
ships that transported prisoners out to Robben Island, before a former
prisoner tells of the traumas of life on this offshore prison. Your
guide will show you the cramped cells, and render Mandela’s
long walk to freedom in heartbreaking, visceral clarity.
Day
3
Day
at sea
International
Waters
Days
at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with
what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to
the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading
or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect
balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.
Day
4
Luderitz,
Namibia
The
scorched desert that surrounds Luderitz means the city’s
collection of German art nouveau architecture couldn't look more
unusually placed along the Namibian coastline. This quirkiness is what
gives the destination its charm. See gangs of playful penguins skipping
across the waves, pink flamingos wading by the coast, and dolphins
leaping into the air near Penguin Island and Seal Island. A much more
haunting location, with an incredibly dark past, is Shark Island -
which witnessed the deaths of between 1,000 and 3,000 people when it
was the location of a German concentration camp, between 1905 and 1907.
Inland from Luderitz is Kolmanskop, the site of a famous diamond mine
and ghost town.
Days
5, 6
Walvis
Bay, Namibia
Home
to a beautiful lagoon, washed pale pink by a colony of resident
flamingos, Walvis Bay is a colourful African call, where you can meet
some of the continent’s most flamboyant wildlife. A small
Namibian city on the Atlantic coast of southern Africa, the city takes
its name from Whale Bay - which gives a clue as to the wonderful
wildlife watching opportunities available here. The deep-water blossoms
with rich levels of plankton, drawing curious marine mammals in large
numbers to feast. As Namibia’s only deep-water harbour,
Walvis Bay is an important fishing centre for the country, and its
sunny shores and natural wonders make it a popular spot for
holidaymakers. Walvis Bay is a bird lover's paradise, and hundreds of
thousands of birds assemble here, to make the most of the tidal lagoon.
Boat tours can take you out amongst the preening crowds, or you can
admire the flamingos, herons and carefully treading wading bird species
from afar. Meet the pelicans at nearby Pelican Point – a
sandy spit, which calms the waves heading for the waterfront. With
whales and dolphins frolicking offshore too, there’s a wide
variety of wildlife to see here. On the cusp of the sun-scorched Namib
Desert beyond, Dune 7 rises up to form the highest sand dune in the
country, with sands piling up 380 metres. Perfect for a picnic, or a
pulse-raising desert sport, like sand skiing or sandboarding. Climb to
the top for views from its heights, or you can take a flight tour to
see further afield and spot some of the extraordinary land animals who
roam the landscapes. See the natural drama of Sandwich Harbour, where
the golden sand dunes plummet directly into the ocean’s waves.
Days
7, 8
Day
at sea
International
Waters
Day
9
Luanda,
Angola
A
study in contrasting economies, Luanda is a boisterous coastal city of
haves and have-nots. As capital of Africa’s second-largest
oil-producing country, it has been deemed the world’s most
expensive city, and since independence in 2002, everyone seems to be
gunning for a piece of the post-civil war economy. Its renaissance
offers a range of experiences, from cushy hotels to a restaurant-lined
oceanfront promenade to locals hawking handmade goods at crowded public
markets.
Days
10, 11, 12
Day
at sea
International
Waters
Day
13
Tema
(Accra), Ghana
From
a modest fishing port to the biggest in Ghana, Tema’s
industrial activity has all but tarnished the charming, postcard
scenery of the region. The neighbouring white-sanded beaches remain
immaculate, still serving as a testimony of the rich variety of birds
that can be found in the area.In the way Mother Nature intended it,
gannets, boobies and kingfishers amongst other species fish in and
around the cerulean waters of the coast. A light breeze tickles the
inflamed, iron-filled soil of the mainland on which the railway linking
Tema to Accra lures hundreds of visitors each day. On board one of the
carriages to Accra, distinctively noticeable by their painted coats of
red, yellow and green that echo Ghana’s national flag, a peek
out of the window will offer scenic views of the harbour and coast, as
well as the fields that separate Tema from the capital.
Day
14
Takoradi,
Ghana
Ghana's
fourth-largest city plays serene beaches against a bustling commercial
centre. People from around the world visit the shore, both for its
beauty and to enjoy the fresh seafood served right on the sands.
Frantic city life awaits a short distance inland, where an economy
fuelled by Ghana’s oil industry is most apparent in the maze
of vendors at Market Circle. Takoradi is also the gateway to the UNESCO
World Heritage sites of Elmina and Cape Coast Castle.
Day
15
Abidjan,
Ivory Coast
Located
on Africa’s Ivory Coast, Abidjan lies amid canals and
waterways. It’s a modern African city, affectionately known
as Babi by locals, or, more optimistically, Paris of West Africa. This
last moniker could be due to two things: one, Abidjan is both the
economic and cultural capital of West Africa and two: it truly is a
city of lights. It is also the most populous French speaking country in
the continent, so welcome, bienvenue to Abidjan! Looking at
Abidjan’s towering skyscrapers, you would be surprised to
think that the sprawling city was originally a small fishing village.
The French established a protectorate in Abidjan in 1842, and
eventually colonised the region in 1893. Under French rule Abidjan
quickly became a major port terminus, exporting mainly timber and
coffee to Europe. Cote d’Ivoire was granted independence in
1960 but Abidjan remained the country’s capital until 1983.
Today it considered one of the foremost African cities in terms of
fashion, culture and the standard of living. Like much of West Africa,
Abidjan has cachet and soul in buckets. The civil war of 2007-2007 may
have left some pock marked remnants, but that should and must be easily
overlooked. The city is bubbling with energy, enjoying a diversity of
cultures from the aforementioned French connection to the steady stream
of travellers that come to Abidjan looking for a destination with a bit
of authenticity. If travelling outside of the city, the UNESCO World
Heritage Site of Grand Bassam is less than an hour away.
Days
16, 17, 18
Day
at sea
International
Waters
Day
19
Banjul,
Gambia
Emerging
from The Gambia’s wild mangrove swamps, Banjul sits at the
spot where the River Gambia’s yawning mouth opens up to meet
the salty tang of the Atlantic. Punctuated by a soaring 35-metre arched
gateway, constructed following the coup d’etat that broke out
in 1994, The Gambia’s capital is a place of scorched sunlight
and faded colonial history, which provides flavours of laidback
beachside relaxation mixed with exotic old-world African seaport charm.
Despite its capital status, Banjul, with its soft lyrical name, often
has more of a village feel to it. You’ll feel it most acutely
as you explore the tight-knit labyrinth of Albert Market. The
orchestral sounds of bartering rise to a pitched crescendo in the early
morning – the perfect time to plunge in for a dizzying hit of
sensory overload. A beloved gathering spot since the 19th century, the
market is a riot of colour, with spit and nail stalls buckling below
the weight of print fabrics, salt-crusted fish and colourful textiles.
While the market can be a disorientating whir of activity, the city as
a whole tends to move at a more lackadaisical, laidback pace. Visit
Oyster Creek, to let an afternoon float by fishing rod in hand, as the
sunlight slants across the water, and you treasure the hint of an
afternoon breeze. Cormorants and pelicans step gingerly across the
sinking mudflats that line the riverbank. Those craving cultural
immersion can visit a local home for a cooking experience, helping to
descale fresh red snapper, sipping baobab juice, and mixing spices into
an authentic benachin pot.
Day
20
Dakar,
Senegal
Capital
of Senegal, and a major gateway to Western Africa, the former colonial
trading post of Dakar stamps the Cap-Vert peninsular with glorious
surf-fringed beaches. Enjoy the thrum of markets - where colourful
textiles are exchanged - and wander streets where jazz, sambar and
mbalax spill from every ajar door. Offering tropical island-style
beaches in an incongruous urban setting, Dakar is a wild and urgent
experience for the senses. Watch on as surfers revel in consistent
rollers on this, the most westerly peninsula of continental Africa.
Scuba divers can explore worlds below the surface in Dakar's diving
areas, or you can head to sandy beaches like Plage des Mamelles' cove,
which provide endless options for cooling off. Looking for a little
more activity, loosen up and play on golf courses that unroll along the
sun-kissed Senegalese coastline, or visit startling natural sites like
the vivid pink water of the salty pink Lake Retba. Cultural relevance
abounds in Dakar - those wanting to delve a little deeper into the dark
history of Senegal should visit the House of Slaves on the UNESCO World
Heritage Site listed Goree Island, or duck into the Theodore Monod
Museum to pour over an incredible collection of masks, artefacts, and
treasures. Sandaga Market is a full-on experience of choreographed
chaos, sound and flavours. Tear into fish fresh off the boat, and don't
be afraid to get your hands a little greasy while handling Dibi - the
national street food - soft mutton, simmered with onions and zesty
orange spice.
Silver Dawn (Luxury Expedition, 596-guests)
Silver Dawn inherits the best features of her sister ships Silver Muse and Silver Moon, but is in a class all of her own. With sumptuous suites, outstanding itineraries, plus cutting-edge design and technology and the outstanding OTIVM wellness concept, Silver Dawn sets new standards of luxury. Wake up to a new dawn with Silversea.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
STAFF
& SERVICES
- Butler
services in every suite
- Nearly
one crew member for every guest
- 24-hour
dining service
- Complimentary
transportation into town in most ports
LEISURE
ONBOARD
- Choice
of restaurants, diverse cuisine, open-seating dining
- Beverages
in-suite and throughout the ship, including champagne, select wines and
spirits
- Onboard
entertainment
- Spa
and Fitness Center
