x
Unspoilt Wilds of Southwest Africa
V0924040413
Dates
04/04/24 - 04/17/24
Ship
SH Vega
Duration
13 Nights
Guests
2 Guest
Price From
$ 17,801
Per Person
BOOK NOW
Trip Details

Cross the equator from the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern on our West Coast of Africa - Angola to Ghana cruise, and you will realise the diversity of this vast continent. Leaving from the Southern African country of Angola, we cruise up the Atlantic coast via the Central African countries of Congo and Sao Tome to West Africa’s Benin and Togo, finally arriving on the Gold Coast in Ghana. Your journey starts by experiencing a pristine, biodiverse shoreline that harbours volcanic islands, mangrove forests, rainforests, beaches and lagoons, where elephants, lowland gorillas, leopards, hippos and chimpanzees live. In West Africa, we meet the people and dive deeper into cultures where voodoo is a state religion. Your incredible adventure on our boutique expedition ship ends in Ghana, where you will have encountered unique customs and landscapes in some of the least-visited parts of Africa.

READ MORE
Trip Highlights
Sample traditional cuisine and get to know the Congolese locals at Grand Marché market
Learn about conservation efforts in Congo’s biodiverse Conkouati Reserve
Keep an eye out for forest elephants and buffalos, lowland gorillas and chimpanzees in Gabon’s South Loango National Park
Sneak a peek at animal skins, skulls and talismans in the world’s oldest voodoo market
Itinerary Map
Itinerary
Luanda Day 1

As Angola emerges from years of colonial rule and a long Civil War, its capital Luanda is fast becoming a forward-looking city with a rich heritage. Delve into its colonial past at the Old City’s Portuguese-style buildings and the 16th-century Fortress of São Miguel. Museums across the city offer a glimpse of local culture through their exhibits on traditional art, hunting equipment, and masks. At Ilha do Cabo, chic seaside steak restaurants and bars showcase a modern side of the city.

Day at sea Day 2

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.

Pointe-Noire Day 3-5

The Republic of Congo’s second city offers up a slice of French Africa with two distinct quarters – European and African. Explore lively La Cité on foot, sampling traditional cuisine and stopping in at the vibrant Grand Marché for a glimpse of local life. Relax at a waterfront restaurant at Côté Sauvage – a laid-back city beach. Just outside the city, the Diosso Gorge offers tropical rainforest and sweeping views of red canyons.

Shore Excursion
view
Discovery of Pointe Noire and African Circle Museum
  • Duration: 05 h 00 m
  • Included
  • View the highlights of this bustling port city: Notre Dame Cathedral, colorful markets, the railway station dating back from the French colonization and Pointe-Noire beach
  • Visit the African Circle Museum and its exhibition of local masks, statues and objects from rituals. Don't miss the contemporary Congolese paintings!
  • In this very interesting museum, learn also about the construction of the Congo-Ocean railway and the development of the oil sector displayed on historical pictures
Makola Salt Glacier
  • Duration: 04 h 50 m
  • Optional
  • Learn about the old Compagnie des Potasses du Congo mining site
  • Discover how flooding transformed the area
  • Take photos as you explore the salt glacier
Loango Museum and Diosso Gorges
  • Duration: 04 h 15 m
  • Optional
  • Learn about the colonization of Congo from your expert guide
  • Enjoy dramatic, sweeping views from cliffs up to 50 metres high
  • Experience the beauty of an unspoilt tropical rainforest
Day at sea Day 6

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.

Port-Gentil Day 7-8

Port-Gentil is located in Gabon, on the west coast of Africa. It is known for its beautiful beaches and rich culture. Visitors can enjoy various activities in Port-Gentil, including swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the city’s many museums and art galleries. Port-Gentil is an excellent place for those interested in African culture and history.

Sao Tome, Sao Tome Day 9

Today you arrive at a tropical idyll with lush rainforests, beaches and waterfalls. São Tomé island is the largest in a collection of far-flung volcanic isles that straddle the equator in the Gulf of Guinea. São Tomé Peak rises to 2,024 m, and on its slopes you may also spot some of the island’s bird species such as the ibis and grosbeak. The capital city of São Tomé has 15th-century Portuguese architecture and a long colonial history.

Shore Excursion
view
Sao Tome History and Chocolate Factory
  • Duration: 08 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Enjoy fresh seafood and local specialities.
  • Learn how chocolate is produced, from planting and maintaining the cocoa to enjoying the finished product
  • Taste some of the world’s best chocolate
Nature of Sao Tome
  • Duration: 08 h 25 m
  • Optional
  • Enjoy views of the island’s cocoa and coffee plantations
  • Spot endemic birds at the Botanical Gardens
  • Admire the beautiful São Nicolau Waterfall
Santo Antonio, Principe Day 10

This laid-back, compact capital has less than 3,000 inhabitants and is the smallest city in the world (according to the Guinness Book of Records). Time seems to move more slowly in this dream-like place with its pastel-coloured buildings and salty sea air. Pay a visit to the Nossa Senhora da Conceição church with the beautiful stone carving of St Anthony, the city’s namesake saint, inside.

Day at sea Day 11

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.

Cotonou Day 12

Benin’s vibrant port city is defined by its colonial legacy and voodoo (the state religion). As a former French colony, Cotonou retains a certain European flair in its cuisine and architecture. For an insight into local culture, there’s no better place than the sprawling Dantokpa market, filled with local crafts and an entire section devoted to sacred voodoo items. Along the lakeshore, visit Ganvie, a lake village with bamboo houses and the world’s only town on stilts, where residents get around in canoes.

Shore Excursion
view
Ganvie and Egun Masks
  • Duration: 04 h 50 m
  • Included
  • Enjoy a a wooden boat ride to reach the atmospheric village
  • Watch the Tofinou ethnic group row their dugout canoes
  • Immerse yourself in the traditions of this special place
Lome Day 13

Voodoo traditions, colonial history and beautiful beaches: Togo’s capital city offers plenty of history, culture, and outdoor fun. Learn about the country’s heritage at the National Museum, housing artefacts like pottery, masks, and Togolese art. Akodessewa Fetish Market, selling animal skins and voodoo talismans, offers a fascinating insight into the region’s traditional customs. Trace the country’s colonial past at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, built by the Germans, and the Independence Monument, a symbol of the country’s freedom gained in 1960.

Shore Excursion
view
Cultural wonders of Lome
  • Duration: 04 h 30 m
  • Included
  • The Togo National Museum is an establishment of profound cultural significance. The interiors are an alluring blend of history, culture, and art. With an assortment of ethnographic, cultural, and artistic exhibits, the museum presents a comprehensive panorama of Togo's past and present
  • Grand Marché or big market in Lomé. Although it might seem chaotic, you will be surprised at the orderliness and the hectic pace of this incredibly vibrant and beautiful market
  • View the legacy of Germany at the Sacred Heart Cathedral and discover the local handicrafts at the Artisan's village
Togoville and the Voodoo world
  • Duration: 07 h 00 m
  • Optional
  • Togoville is historically known as the center of Voodoo in Togo. Many Voodoo practitioners were taken as slaves from here to Haiti. Explore the village as you discover its special history
  • Witness the frenetic rhythm of an authentic voodoo ceremony
  • Cross lake Togo on a pirogue
Tema (Accra) Day 14

Sail into the coastal city of Tema, a short drive from Ghana’s buzzing capital, Accra. Once named ‘Africa’s Capital of Cool’ by the New York Times, Accra has become one of West Africa’s top destination cities. Marvel at the towering statues in the city’s Black Star Square, wander through Kwame Nkrumah National Park, the resting place of Ghana’s first prime minister and president, or shop for locally made arts and crafts in the Centre for National Culture.

SHOW MORE
Rates Include
Return regional flights to the port of embarkation and/or disembarkation (where specified)
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
All meals onboard
Onboard accommodation in a stateroom selected category
24-hour room service
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programmes by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions
Standard WiFi
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
SHOW MORE
Itinerary Map

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK
Stateroom
Number of Guests
Oceanview D4
19 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 4 at the centre of the ship. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Oceanview M4
19 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 4 at the bow. Light, bright and crafted from natural materials Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the bow and aft, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony M5
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 5 at the centre of the ship, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Balcony D6
28 m2 Sleeps 2
Balcony stateroom is a Swan Hellenic guest favorite. Located on Deck 6, staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom, living room, luxurious bathroom and your own 6 m2 panoramic balcony.
Price From
$ 0
Suite
44 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 5 and 6 at the centre of the ship, our spacious Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are a favorite with discerning guests, and those that prefer a little more space and comfort.
Price From
$ 0
Premium Suite
49 m2 Sleeps 2
Located on Deck 6 at the aft, our Premium Suites with a 12 sq.m. private balconies are the most luxurious accommodation on board. A favorite for those who want nothing but the best.
Price From
$ 0

We are providing a list of sample excursions that Swan Hellenic may offer on this itinerary, which are subject to change. We constantly update our shore excursion program with exclusive and genuine experiences, so please do not hesitate to review your excursion program choice closer to your departure date.

We invite all guests to visit swanhellenic.com for the most updated information.

09:00 AM – 05:30 PM (EST)

+1 (800) 537 6777
ARRANGE A CALLBACK