There is limited availability for two of the four cultural expedition cruises of Southwest and West Africa taking place between March and May 2024. Those ran in 2023 and have been refined in terms of their itineraries and shore excursions.
Swan Hellenic CCO Patrizia Iantorno remarked, ‘We’re proud and delighted that these expert-designed African cultural expedition cruises have met with such an enthusiastic response. Combining in-depth encounters with pristine nature, extraordinary wildlife and unique cultures, they each offer exceptional experiences…’
Southwest Africa
The first cruise in the 2024 Africa series is ‘Coastal Treasures of Southwest Africa,’ which leaves Cape Town on March 25 for Luanda. The 13-night voyage offers a range of experiences, from hot air ballooning over the Namib Special Nature Reserve desert to kayaking with seals at Walvis Bay.
The ‘Unspoilt Wilds of Southwest Africa’ itinerary follows, sailing from Luanda for Tema on April 4 and touching seven countries in 13 nights. National parks in Republic of the Congo and Gabon feature, where orangutans, gorillas and elephants may be spotted. The voyage, selling fast, also incorporates immersive experiences in the Ganvie lake village in Benin and an authentic animist Voodoo ceremony in Togo.
West Africa
‘Crucibles of West Africa’ leaves Tema for Dakar on April 17, taking passengers on a 13-night odyssey of contrasts, from historic strongholds of the slave, gold and ivory trades to the Bijagos Archipelago. The latter is recognised as a UNESCO biosphere reserve; commonly regarded as the Maldives of Africa, it allows for an exceptional anthropological experience. SH describes demand for the voyage as having been ‘exceptionally high.’
Leaving from Dakar on April 30, the eight-night ‘Pristine Islands of West Africa’ programme concludes the series to focus exclusively on the Bijagos Islands. Having remained largely unaffected by colonial influence, the local culture retains many traditional features, including coming-of-age ceremonies like the Difuntu for women and Fanado for men.
Offering a high degree of personalisation and unrepeated itineraries, these cultural expedition cruises can be combined for longer voyages.
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