Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Independent flights to Douala, Cameroon. Upon arrival, enjoy a complimentary transfer to your included hotel for overnight.
Day 2: Embark the Island Sky
After breakfast set off to explore Douala, including the colorful, open-air market where a vast array of crafts illustrate the country’s rich artistic tradition. Continue to the port and embark the Island Sky, enjoy lunch on board, and settle in.
Day 3: Principe Island, São Tomé & Principe
Spend the day anchored off idyllic Bom Bom Resort on Príncipe’s northern tip. Birders and hikers set off for the interior to discover exotic endemic trees, orchids, and birds. The rest drive to supremely photogenic Santo Antonio, home to 1,500 welcoming residents, lovely Portuguese architecture, and fresh produce markets. Return to the ship for lunch on board. This afternoon Zodiacs take you to Banana Beach for a swim in the warm, crystal-clear waters with the option to snorkel among the ancient volcanic rocks.
Day 4: São Tomé
Set out by Zodiac for the town pier at São Tomé. Drive into the interior and take a short walk through the lush forest to the stunning Sao Nicolau Waterfall. From here continue to the Monte Café Coffee Plantation for a guided tour and tasting of what some consider the world’s best coffee. You may then choose to enjoy lunch at the Bombaim plantation, view and photograph another beautiful waterfall, and continue to tiny, picturesque Trinidade Village. Or, opt for lunch in São Tomé and a tour of the town; visit the Cathedral, the National Museum, the local artisans gallery, and enjoy a folkloric dance performance.
Day 5: At Sea
Spend a day at sea as lecturers enlighten you on what lies ahead.
Day 6: Cotonou, Benin
Arrive in Benin early this morning and disembark in Cotonou, the birthplace of voodoo. Board pirogues for a fascinating tour of Ganvie, said to be Africa’s largest lake village — made up of wood and thatch houses on teak stilts — and home to some 15,000 people. A traditional mask dance awaits you here; symbolizing the purification of the village and its people. After lunch ashore visit Ouidah, one of the foremost slave-trading posts between Europe and the Dan-Homey Empire. Visit the Sacred Temple and the Ouidah Museum of History.
Day 7: Lome, Togo
Togo’s vibrant capital, Lome, was the only African town colonized by the Germans, the British, and the French. This morning learn more about voodoo and enjoy a rare opportunity to take part in a traditional ceremony. Also tour the city where in and among the faded colonial architecture, kaleidoscopic marketplaces hum with activity. The famous Nana Benz, in the Grand Marché, create and sell some of the world’s finest batik cloth, while the nearby Fetish Market offers curative lotions and magical potions for every need imaginable.
Day 8: Accra, Ghana
A country of many contrasts, Ghana’s “Gold Coast” topography includes a sandy coastline, saline lagoons, and dense rain forest. Today drive into the mountains to the Krobo region, where artists are famous for their magnificent beads made with colorful crushed glass. After watching the intricate process, try your hand and create a bead of your own. A tour of Accra, Ghana’s capital, visits the National Museum and the Krumah Mausoleum, as well as a coffin builder, specializing in fantasy coffins whose shapes include animals, fish, automobiles, airplanes, and fruit.
Day 9: Takoradi
This morning choose a tour of the Cape Coast Castle, a World Heritage Site, built by the Swedes in 1653 and subsequently conquered by the Danes, the Dutch, the local Fanti tribe, and finally the British, who established the seat of the British administration of the Gold Coast here until 1877. Or, elect to travel into the Kakum National Park for a rain forest canopy walk that includes the longest and highest suspended rope bridge in the world. Both groups enjoy lunch at a nearby beach resort before setting off to visit the 15th-century Portuguese Elmina Fort—Africa’s oldest permanent building.
Day 10: Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Cosmopolitan Abidjan is the economic capital of the Ivory Coast and a city tour takes you through the business district of Le Plateau, filled with gleaming sky-scrapers, chic boutiques, and outdoor cafes. Observe interesting colonial architecture and colorful markets as you continue on to Abodo, Africa’s largest outdoor laundry where hundreds of Fanicos (washers) crowd together in a stream to wash their clients’ clothes.
Day 11-12: At Sea
Our two days at sea offer the chance to relax and attend lectures on western Africa’s momentous history, diverse cultures, and natural wonders.
Day 13: Aberdeen, Sierra Leone
Today arrive in Aberdeen, a suburb of Freetown, with beautiful white sand beaches lined with lively shops and restaurants. Permission pending, visit the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. After lunch continue on to the Greatest Goal Ministries, a volunteer organization started by a Seattle medical team who founded a soccer club in Sierra Leone to help amputee war victims. Here enjoy a lively soccer match and meet with the team.
Day 14: At Sea
Your lecture series continues as you enjoy a relaxing day at sea.
Day 15: Banjul, The Gambia
Birders set out this morning for the Abuko Nature Reserve where more than 290 bird species can be seen — including African paradise flycatchers, violet turacos, little greenbuls, and Abyssinian rollers. A second group departs for a tour of the Makasutu Culture Forest showcasing the five ecosystems protected here. Traditional Joal tribal dancing, a pirogue ride, and palm wine tasting are highlights. During lunch sail upriver and take Zodiacs to Albreda Village and James Island, a World Heritage Site, where The Gambia’s slave history began.
Day 16: Dakar, Senegal / Disembark
Your final day in Africa brings you to Senegal’s energetic, eclectic, and cosmopolitan capital. Visit the infamous slave-trading center, Gorée Island, a World Heritage Site. Witness the contrasts between the dungeon-like slave quarters and the elegant colonial mansions of the slave traders and explore the moving 18th-century House of Slaves, the Women’s Museum, and the fortified Le Castel. Return to the ship for lunch. This afternoon join a tour of Dakar which includes the Great Mosque, French colonial buildings, the President’s Palace, and the impressive new American-African monument. After dinner, disembark the Island Sky for your late evening flight and return home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Standard Suite
Magellan Deck, Suites #255-262. Averaging 226 sq. ft. (21 sq. m) and equipped with two single beds which can be configured as a double bed upon request. Separate sitting area, spacious closets, private facilities with walk in shower, television, vanity with stool, small refrigerator, and portholes with exterior views.
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Superior Suite
Columbus Deck, Suites #329-348. Averaging 237 sq. ft. (22 sq. m) and equipped with two single beds which can be configured as a double bed upon request. Separate sitting area, spacious closets, private facilities with walk in shower, television, vanity with stool, small refrigerator, and a large window with exterior views.
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Premium Suite
Marco Polo Deck, Suites #416-428. Averaging 226 sq. ft. (21 sq. m) and equipped with two single beds which can be configured as a double bed upon request. Separate sitting area, spacious closets, private facilities with walk in shower, television, vanity with stool, small refrigerator, and a large window with exterior views.
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Corner Suite
Marco Polo Deck, Suites #414-415. Averaging 237 sq. ft. (22 sq. m) and equipped with two single beds which can be configured as a double bed upon request. Separate sitting area, spacious closets, private facilities with walk in shower, television, vanity with stool, small refrigerator, and large windows with exterior views.
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Deluxe Balcony
Erikson Deck, Suites #505-512. Averaging 225 sq. ft. (21 sq. m) and equipped with two single beds which can be configured as a double bed upon request. Separate sitting area, spacious closets, private facilities with walk in shower, television, vanity with stool, small refrigerator, and a private balcony.
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Owner's Balcony
Explorer Deck, Suites #601-604. Averaging 237 sq. ft. (22 sq. m) and equipped with two single beds which can be configured as a double bed upon request. Separate sitting area, spacious closets, private facilities with walk in shower, television, vanity with stool, small refrigerator, and a large private balcony.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Cabins may be available for single occupancy at 1.6 times the double occupancy rate. The supplement for a suite is 2 times the shared rate.
Mandatory medical insurance: Travelers should have a minimum US$50,000 (or equivalent) of emergency medical coverage prior to embarkation. It is recommended that you and all members of your party have comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, trip delay (interruption or after departure coverage), baggage, and repatriation.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.