Gold Coast to Skeleton Coast

Day 2 Lome, Togo

Dock early in the morning and head out to explore the lush Plateaux Region north of Lome. The destination is Kpalime, situated nearby Mount Agou, the highest point in Togo. Here meet a local etymologist and his team for an educational walk in the Kloto Forest, during which you will identify many of the endemic birds and butterflies and learn about the local usage of plants.

During lunch in the forest, friends from Kouma Village will introduce you to the local Ewa culture with a performance of traditional song and dance. On the return journey to Lome, stop at the Centre Artisanal de Kpalime, where local artisans will demonstrate their skills, teach you more about batik, and offer their craftwork for purchase. Next stop is at a bush school in a traditional Ewa village where you will meet the teacher and school children. Learn about the difficulties and importance of education in these rural areas.

SPECIAL REQUEST: guests are encouraged to bring a donation of school supplies from home when packing for your voyage. Much-needed supplies include pens, pencils and writing pads. Supplies will be collected on board by the Expedition Team and distributed to the local Ewa village school on your behalf during the voyage.

Day 3 Cotonou, Benin

Cotonou, Benin is referred to by many as the ‘Latin Quarter of Africa’. After receiving clearance from the local authorities, head out on tour to Voodoo Country and Ouidah, a town typically and profoundly African. Ouidah is known as the religious capital of the country due to the numerous festivals with singing, chanting, drumming and dances that take place here. These celebrations bear witness to a tradition of beliefs and local superstitions interpreted over hundreds of years. Voodoo was born in the villages that lie between Abomey and Ouidah – a religion whose rites were transported across the Atlantic by the slaves and is still practiced today in the Caribbean.

Historically, Ouidah was one of the busiest of the West African slave embarkation points, and an important reminder of the slave trade that occurred along these shores. Walk along the “Route des Esclaves” down to the shoreline where there is an imposing arch with bas-relief sculpture to memorialize the people who were shipped out from here. Visit the Sacred Forest and walk through majestic coconut groves. Sculptures, including the Tree of Forgetfulness, serve as reminders of the slaves’ plight.

After lunch at a local beach resort, travel to Lake Nokoue where you will board small motorboats to visit a fishing village built on stilts. Ganvié village is made up of bamboo houses resting on teak stilts, perched above the water. The village is scattered and all travel between homes is done in wooden boats on the waterways that separate them. Have the chance to see the floating market and boatloads of chattering children heading to and from school. The welcoming Tofinu people like to show off their fishing skills.

Day 4 At Sea

Gather in The Theatre to hear fascinating tales of adventure and to learn more about the region’s endemic wildlife and remarkable nature. Knowledgeable Lecture Staff members are experts in a variety of scientific fields. Other onboard diversions include spa treatments, a workout in the Fitness Center, and, of course, exquisite dining experiences.

Day 5 Malabo, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea

The city of Malabo is located on the northern coast of Bioko – an island formed by three extinct volcanoes. Learn of Bioko’s native peoples – the Bubi tribe – of the island’s history as a naval station and its attempts to suppress the slave trade, and also of its current attempts to protect its remarkable biodiversity. Explorations for this day are still in the planning stages, but may include a city tour to see the colonial cathedral at Independence Place as well as the Malabo Cathedral, Government Building and Court Building. Venture inland to Pico Basile, the dormant volcano that rises 3,011 metres over Malabo to hike along a paved road to the summit. Along the way, watch for endemic birds such as the Great Blue Turaco, the rare Mountain Saw-wing and Ursula’s Sunbird. Bioko’s lush rainforest is home to nearly 200 bird species. Weather and schedule permitting, visit the white sand beaches of Arena Blanca where scores of butterflies "mudpuddle" along the side of the trail. Today will be a true expedition day with an attitude of adventure to take advantage of the unexpected, unpredictable and unforgettable.

Day 6 Bata, Equatorial Guinea

Located on the mainland (Río Muni), Bata was once the capital of Equatorial Guinea. This little gem of a travel destination has a number of superb beaches and plenty of opportunities to observe traditional African culture despite the mid-1990s discovery of oil in the Gulf of Guinea and the town’s inevitable growth spurt. Activities for today may include swimming excursions led by your onboard marine biologist, and/or a chance to browse the various colorful markets.

Your concierge is currently working on also offering an optional tour to Monte Alen National Park. Approximately 2-3 hours inland, this is one of Central Africa’s best kept secrets. Here, local guides will lead a hike through virgin rainforest, following well groomed trails and helping us to spot wildlife including chimpanzees, giant frogs and many birds. Please note: Local conditions and infrastructure at the time of the visit will determine whether you are able to visit the park.

Day 7 Príncipe , São Tomé and Príncipe

Príncipe’s extraordinary landscape, an irregular scattering of soaring volcanic peaks, is 70% covered by primary forest where up to 20% of the trees, orchids and birds are said to be endemic. Today’s destination is, amazingly enough, a place that still has barely been changed by its 5,000 inhabitants or the outside world.

In the afternoon, the Prince Albert II will drop anchor and take the Zodiacs ashore to explore this beautiful island paradise. On this tiny tropical island find deserted beaches, crystal-clear waterfalls that cascade into the bluest of waters, and dense rainforest teeming with exotic birds. Possible sightings include African grey parrots, Principe weaver and sunbirds, palm swifts, bronze-naped pigeons, bronze mannikins and cattle egrets.

Other options include a tour of the quaint town of Santo Antonio to visit the fish and/or fresh produce markets, maybe sample some local delicacies and perhaps purchase a souvenir or two. Or, participate in a guided hike that circumnavigates Bom Bom Island by foot to discover beautiful rock pools and dense forest. Here be surrounded by the sounds of the jungle and possibly catch glimpses of a Mona monkey or African grey parrot.

Day 8 São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe

The Portuguese-speaking island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe is located in the Gulf of Guinea, and is a virtually undiscovered paradise. Palm fringed beaches, crystal clear water and barely explored jungles are surely the reason for the pervasive national mood that translates to ‘slowly slowly’ and loosely translates to ‘it’s all good, take it easy’. The Portuguese-Creole flavor and unspoiled beauty of this tropical paradise is ours to savor.

Some of the world’s best coffee is produced on the island, and during your full-day tour experience coffee culture at São Tomé's highest plantation estate and learn how coffee is still processed in the traditional manner. Travel along the east coast to enjoy the view of Ilhéu de Santana. In Água Izé stop at the viewpoint, Miradouro d'Água Izé and visit the cocoa plantation to meet with a local historian. Pass by Rio Iô Grande before continuing to Boca do Inferno – a natural blowhole. Before continuing your exploration, stop to enjoy a Creole-fusion lunch and traditional performance at a local restaurant or plantation house.

São Tomé is also an ornithologist’s paradise. During an afternoon birding tour hope to see some of São Tomé’s native flora (700 species including a hundred orchids) as ypi search for the 143 bird species that have been identified here including rare endemic species like the São Tomé short tail, São Tomé giant sun bird, and São Tomé fiscal shrike.

Days 9-10 At Sea – Crossing the Equator

Binoculars and camera in hand, head out on deck to watch for seabirds and marine mammals. Attend informative lectures that will prepare you for the upcoming ports-of-call and the adventures that lie ahead. Peruse an array of titles and topics in the well-stocked Library, enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs at the Connoisseur’s Corner or indulge in any of the other special amenities offered aboard ship.

Day 11 Luanda, Angola

Arrive in the morning at Luanda, the capital of Angola, and home to four million. This bustling city presents us with many places to explore including the 1575 Fortress of S. Miguel de Luanda with its striking blue tiles, the military museum that houses many of the old colonial statues left by the Portuguese, and Mussulo Island – a beautiful sandy extension of land situated in the south of Luanda, famous for its beaches and water sports.

Day 12 Lobito, Angola

An afternoon in Lobito allows time to explore Sao Felipe de Benguela, a city that lies on a bay of the same name. Benguela was founded by Portuguese in 1617 and served as an important centre in slave trading. It is Angola’s self-appointed cultural capital, with lovely Art Deco architecture. Continue your tour to Baia Azul (Blue Bay) one of Angola’s most impressive beaches, or, time permitting, visit the fishing community of Caotinha.

Days 13-14 At Sea

Two leisurely days at sea are yours to enjoy. Participate in discussions and onboard activities led by the Expedition Team, relax in one of the lounges with that book you’ve been meaning to read, and meet up with new friends for cocktails. Before turning in for the night, take a stroll on deck to take in the solitude of the vast sea and sky.

Day 15 Walvis Bay, Namibia

Arrive in Walvis Bay in the morning and will head ashore for an off-road adventure. By 4x4 vehicles explore the coastal dune belt, once home to the Topnaar people. See a great variety of birdlife including pelicans, flamingos, waders and the endangered Damara tern at the lagoon. Of course stop to photograph the salt works of amazing colors en route to the dry Kuiseb River and go in search of Topnaar settlements. During your visit, learn how the current inhabitants survive in this desert environment. See old settlements, traditional graveyards and inspect the preserved clay tracks of animals that have not inhabited this area for centuries.

Alternatively, you may choose to join an excursion to Swakopmund, a town with an air of enchantment about it as if the ornate buildings of the old quarter and the lush greenery of the seafront were somehow spirited away from their proper setting, only to be left without rhyme or reason between the edge of an African desert and the South Atlantic ocean. It has a large community of German speaking residents and a variety of craft shops and charming cafés. During your tour, see the gravel plains of the Namib, the ‘moon landscape’ gouged by the Swakop River, as well as the age-old Mirabilis plants.

OptionalScenic Dunes Flight
Take advantage of an unparalleled opportunity to see the famous Sossusvlei Dunes from the air, a site very difficult to access by land. Following the (normally dry) Kuiseb River, fly over Sesriem Canyon then along the Tsauchab river valley where the free-standing but static dunes tower up to 250 metres above the plain. The dune belt runs north to south for over 70 km between Sossusvlei and the Atlantic. Upon reaching the coast, head north over deserted mining camps and seal colonies to Conception Bay and the wreck of the Eduard Bohlen (run aground in the early 40s). This optional excursion will operate only if weather/fog conditions permit. Please contact us in advance to arrange this optional tour.

Day 16 Luderitz, Namibia

The small town of Luderitz is wedged between the Namib Desert dunes and the wild Atlantic seaboard. Following lunch onboard, visit the abandoned diamond-mining town of Kolmanskop. In 1908, a sparkling diamond was found among the sand and the news spread like wildfire, causing fortune hunters to converge in droves on Kolmanskop. The town reached its pinnacle in the 1920s with approximately 300 German adults, 40 children and 800 Owambo contract workers as residents. In spite of, or probably because of, the isolation of the surrounding desert, Kolmanskop developed into a lively little haven of German culture. However, richer diamond deposits were discovered further south, and operations were moved. Today it is mostly a ghost town of crumbling ruins; the stately homes, eroded by the wind, are gradually becoming sand. However, a museum has been established and a number of buildings restored. The excursion continues with a tour of Luderitz, stopping at historic spots such as the old whaling station, Goerke House, Diaz Point and the old Herero internment camp of Shark Island.

Alternatively, you may choose to set off on a guided walking tour of Luderitz for an in-depth exploration of its attractions. Set against a background of black rock and sparkling blue waters, an architectural heritage of graceful buildings from the German era gives the town a special charm. Take time to visit the small museum in town that features German colonial flags and photos of Adolf Lüderitz, as well as exhibits on the town’s history, its indigenous population, and life in the desert.

Day 17 At Sea

How will you spend your day today? A photography workshop, cooking demonstration or martini tasting seminar? Learning of Africa’s fascinating cultures or simply finding a sunny spot on the open deck to take in the fresh sea air? Your choices are as diverse as your interests.

Days 18-19 Cape Town, South Africa

Arrive in the “Rainbow Nation” just after lunch, and begin your afternoon adventures with an exploration of Cape Point/Peninsula. This excursion includes a visit to Boulders Beach where African (or jackass) penguins are a common sight. Time permitting, travel to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a sanctuary for endangered endemic plant species.

All guests are invited to cap the day and toast the conclusion of this expedition voyage with cocktails atop Signal Hill as the lights of Table Mountain glitter on. Enjoy an evening at leisure in Cape Town or return to the Prince Albert II for a Farewell Dinner and final night together on board.

Following breakfast the next morning, disembark the Prince Albert II.