From the deserts of the Sahara, to the wine-making land of Morocco, the contrasts you experience on this 17-day voyage are vast. Characteristic and noble, the countries are almost untouched by tourism and offer a rare look at a complex continent. With Zodiac cruises in mangroves, stunning birdlife, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and desert excursions, plus an overnight in Laayone, Morocco, this African adventure is much more than just souks and savannahs. Encounter fascinating local cultures against the backdrop of some of the world’s most breathtaking desert landscapes, and visit vibrant, active markets at nearly every port, but none as spectacular as in Marrakech! This trip is a birdwatcher’s dream, with nearly twenty species to spot. Visit with chimpanzees at the Tacugama Chimpanzee sanctuary.
Highlights
Discover Elmina Castle, the oldest European building south of the Sahara
Walk in the Kakum National Park rainforest and see birds, primates and more
Learn the difficult yet important history of the African slave trade
Experience a unique tea ceremony with members of a nomadic Sahraoui family
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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 neighboring white-sand beaches remain immaculate, still serving as a testimony of the rich variety of fishing 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.
Ghana's fourth-largest city plays serene beaches against a bustling commercial center. 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 fueled by Ghana’s oil industry is most apparent in the maze of vendors at Market Circle.
Three hours south of Yamoussoukro, nestled in between the canals and waterways, lies Abidjan, the economic capital of the Ivory Coast. Considered the crossroads of West Africa both economically and culturally, Abidjan benefits from clement temperatures year round, reaching average highs of around 88˚ Fahrenheit, or 30˚ Celsius. Like much of West Africa, this city has cachet and soul, and enjoys a diversity of cultures, traditions, and people, notably through the French influence (Abidjan is the largest French-speaking country in West Africa).
While at sea, enjoy wine tastings, designer boutiques, language, and dance classes. Take in a matinee movie, check the market or your e-mail in the Internet Point, slip away with a novel from the library to a sunny chaise or with a movie to your suite. Or just take in the sun pool side. The choice is yours.
Tokeh, or Tokeh Town as it is also known, is a coastal resort town that relies mainly on fishing and tourism. Only twenty miles outside Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, this town is nestled in an area of beautiful scenery surrounded by mountains, forests, and beaches. The Tokeh Beach is considered one of the largest and most attractive beaches in West Arica.
The coastal neighborhood of Aberdeen, a part of Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown, is located on the tip of the Aberdeen Peninsula. It was established in 1829 to provide accommodation for liberated enslaved Africans who had been left in Freetown by the British Royal Navy. Today, it is a vibrant neighborhood with several up-scale restaurants and hotels. It is also known as a good surf spot.
A British Army captain created Gambia’s capital city in 1816 as a means to stop the European and American slave trade in the area. Barracks were the first residences, but the post grew quickly. Today, the King Fahad Mosque’s twin minarets mark the large city’s skyline. Shopping at the public market is a main attraction. Banjul is also a popular base from which to head out for tropical bird watching trips. Daily life is colorful here. Expect beggars, hagglers, and lots of unsolicited hellos from "bumsters," young men who hang around tourists a little too much.
Big, crowded, and chaotic, Dakar can seem like a dirty mess not worth the effort, but relax and dig in—this is emerging Africa. The city is progressing quickly as the country develops, and already Dakar is home to many worthy restaurants and thumping nightlife. Historic sights are here, as well as nice beaches. But keep your eyes open, especially at markets, in shopping areas, and at top tourist attractions, where pickpockets, muggers, and hustlers work the streets.
Joal Fadiout is a picturesque village located southeast of Dakar in Senegal. It is an island but is connected to the mainland with a wooden foot bridge. The community living on the Fadiout Island is a mix of Christian and Muslim faiths and live traditional lifestyles based on artesian fishing. The tides are dramatic in this area and on the low tide many people can be seen out on the mangrove mudflats collecting cockles, oysters, murex snails, conch, and fishing with seine nets from their pirogues and swimming in the shallows.
Saly is a picturesque seaside resort village on the la Petite Côte (the Little Coast), about 50 miles south of Dakar. It was originally a Portuguese trading post, but over time developed into a resort town after the first resort was built in 1984. Today, its main industry is tourism and there are several modern hotels, tea houses playing traditional Wolof music, restaurants, and shops. Its main attractions are the sandy beaches lined with coconut palm trees, idyllic climate and watersports.
Dakhla is a fishing city located at the tip of a thin peninsula. Apart from modern fishing fleets, simple, rustic boats are clustered together along the shores, while the whitewashed buildings, chaotic streets, and fabrics woven in colorful patterns make for interesting images. Historically, this was a stronghold of Berbers and was at one time a Spanish colony named Villa Cisneros. An Old Spanish lighthouse still stands on the outskirts of town as a testament to this segment of the region’s past.
Laayoune is the largest city, and capital, of Western Sahara. It has a population of about 200,000, which is more than half the population of the territory. It is literally a city in the middle of the desert, about 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, with nothing else around it for a thousand miles. The name means "the water springs" or “water source”. The Spaniards developed the city in 1938 as the administrative, military, and European center. In 1940, Spain designated it as the capital of the Spanish Sahara. Since 1976 it has been the capital of the Laâyoune province of Morocco.
Safi’s natural harbor lies on the Atlantic in western Morocco and was once used by the Roman and the Phoenicians. By the 11th century gold, slaves, and ivory were the hot commodities being traded between Marrakesh and Guinea. Evolving through the ages to cater to the popular trade of the day, the major industry here today is fishing connected to the country's sardine industry, but there is also an economy based on exported phosphates, textiles, and ceramics.
Spread over a string of seven hills north of the Rio Tejo (Tagus River) estuary, Lisbon presents an intriguing variety of faces to those who negotiate its switchback streets. In the oldest neighborhoods, stepped alleys whose street pattern dates back to Moorish times are lined with pastel-color houses decked with laundry; here and there, miradouros (vantage points) afford spectacular river or city views.
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.
Rates are dynamic and fluctuate based on capacity. Contact us for a specific quote.
Select a Date
Vista Suite
240 ft² / 22m². Decks 4 and 5. Twin beds or queen-sized bed, large picture window with panoramic views, sitting area, and marble bathroom with shower.
Select a Date
Veranda Suite
295 ft² / 27 m² including veranda (veranda 49 ft²/ 4.5 m²). Decks 6 and 7. Twin beds or queen-sized bed. Some suites accommodate three guests (Suites 505-510 and 605-610). Teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to ceiling glass doors, sitting area, and marble bathroom with shower (some w/ tub/shower combination).
Select a Date
Deluxe Veranda Suite
295 ft² / 27 m² including veranda (veranda 49 ft²/ 4.5 m²). Decks 5, 6, and 7. Twin beds or queen-sized bed. Some suites accommodate three guests. Teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to ceiling glass doors, sitting area, and marble bathroom with shower (some w/ tub/shower combination).
Select a Date
Medallion Suite
437 ft² / 40.6 m² including veranda (veranda 81 ft² / 7.6 m²). Decks 5, 6, and 7. Twin beds or queen-sized bed. Medallion Suites accommodate three guests. Teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to ceiling glass doors, living room with convertible sofa, sitting area, dining area, and marble bathroom with shower.
Select a Date
Silver Suite
541 ft² / 50 m² including veranda (veranda 92 ft² / 8 m²). Deck 7. Twin beds or queen-sized bed. Silver Suites accommodate three guests. Teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to ceiling glass doors, living room with convertible sofa, sitting area, dining area, and marble bathroom with shower.
Select a Date
Royal Suite
736 ft² / 69m² including veranda (veranda 126 ft² / 12 m²) for one-bedroom. Two-bedroom adjoining with Veranda suite: 1,031 ft² / 96m² including veranda (veranda 175 ft² / 16.5 m²). Deck 6. Twin beds or queen-sized bed. Teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to ceiling glass doors, living room with sitting area, dining area, and marble bathroom with tub & separate shower.
Select a Date
Grand Suite
1,019 ft² / 95 m² including veranda (veranda 145 ft² / 14 m²) for one-bedroom. Two-bedroom adjoining with a Veranda Suite: 1,314 ft² / 122 m² including veranda (veranda 194 ft² / 18.5 m²). Deck 7. Twin beds or queen-sized bed. Two teak verandas with patio furniture and floor-to ceiling glass doors, living room with sitting area, dining area, and marble bathroom with tub & separate shower.
Select a Date
Owner's Suite
One-Bedroom: 587 ft² / 55 m² including veranda (veranda: 89 ft² / 8 m²). Two-Bedroom with adjoining Vista Suite: 827 ft² / 77 m² incl. veranda (veranda: 89 ft² / 8 m²). Deck 7. Twin beds or queen-sized bed. Large teak veranda with floor-to ceiling glass doors, living room with sitting area, dining area, and marble bathroom with tub & separate shower.
Notes
Please note: Fares are capacity controlled, and subject to change at any time without notice. All prices are in US dollars, cruise-only per person based on double occupancy.
A limited number of suites are available for purchase upon request on a single- or third-guest occupancy basis.
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
1 day 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
3 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
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
/454x364.webp)
/454x364.webp)
/454x364.webp)
/140x140.webp)
/140x140.webp)
/140x140.webp)
/140x140.webp)
/140x140.webp)
/140x140.webp)
/140x140.webp)
