With one of the Earth’s largest concentrations of wildlife, from lions and elephants to thousands of birds, Tanzania is sublime—visit the legendary Ngorongoro Conservation Area and stay at innovative mobile camps in the Serengeti that follow in the tracks of the Great Migration.
Highlights
Discover island endemics on São Tomé & Príncipe
Walk among the treetops in Ghana’s Kakum National Park
Visit the Bissagos Archipelago, home to rare saltwater-adapted hippos
Explore Cape Coast Castle & Gorée Island, UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
After breakfast, depart on a city tour, visiting the local market, the lovely seafront boulevard, and stylish Louis Quarter known for its fashionable clubs, restaurants, and bars. Enjoy lunch at a lovely beachside restaurant, before embarking the Caledonian Sky in the early afternoon.
Day 3: Santo Antonio, Príncipe, São Tomé & Príncipe
The ship will spend the day anchored off idyllic Bom Bom Resort on Príncipe’s northern tip. Birders and hikers set off for the lush interior to search for several species of endemic birds, including the Príncipe kingfisher, Príncipe sunbird, and endangered Príncipe speirops. The rest of the group will enjoy a tour of photogenic Santo Antonio, home to 1,500 welcoming residents, lovely Portuguese architecture, and colorful produce markets. This afternoon Zodiacs take you to Banana Beach for a swim in the warm waters with the option to snorkel among the ancient volcanic rocks.
Set out by Zodiac for the town pier at São Tomé. Drive into the interior for a short walk through picturesque 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 Cathedral, the National Museum, the local artisan’s gallery, and enjoy a folkloric dance performance.
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 rainforest canopy walk that includes one of the longest and highest suspended rope bridges 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.
Cosmopolitan Abidjan is the economic capital of Côte d’Ivoire 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.
Liberia’s capital and most populous city boasts beautiful beaches, a thriving culinary scene, and a fascinating history. Visit the National Museum which traces Liberia’s tumultuous history, and browse the bustling Waterside Market, where you can find colorful textiles, leather goods, and pottery.
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, set in a spectacular rainforest habitat.
Day 12-13: Orango Island Bissagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau
Just off the coast of Guinea Bissau, the Bissagos Archipelago is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Today, join naturalists to explore Joao Viera and Poilao Marine National Park, an important nesting site for green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles, as well as several species of terns.
The next day, visit Parque Nacional do Grupo de Ilhas de Orango. Spend the day exploring this unique habitat that is home to rare, saltwater-adapted hippos, crocodiles, five species of marine turtles, and the African manatee. In the afternoon, meet with the lovely Bijagos people to learn about their traditional matriarchal system.
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 to Albreda Village and Kunta Kinteh Island, a World Heritage Site, where The Gambia’s slave history began.
Day 15: Dakar, Senegal | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Today, visit the infamous slave-trading center, Gorée Island, including the moving 18th-century House of Slaves, the Women’s Museum, and the fortified Le Castel. An afternoon tour of Dakar includes the Great Mosque, French colonial buildings, the President’s Palace, and the impressive new African Renaissance Monument.
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.
$17,990
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Category 1
Averaging 240 sq. ft. and have three portholes. Two twin beds convertible into one queen bed, sitting area, well-appointed en suite bathroom, large closets, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.
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Category 2
Averaging 230 sq. ft. and have large picture windows. Two twin beds convertible into one queen bed, sitting area, well-appointed en suite bathroom, large closets, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.
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Category 3
Averaging 220 sq. ft. with a picture window. Two twin beds convertible into one queen bed, sitting area, well-appointed en suite bathroom, large closets, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.
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Category 4
Averaging 220 sq. ft. with direct deck access via a sliding glass door. Two twin beds convertible into one queen bed, sitting area, well-appointed en suite bathroom, large closets, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.
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Category 5
Averaging 240 sq. ft. and direct deck access via a sliding glass door. Two twin beds convertible into one queen bed, sitting area, well-appointed en suite bathroom, large closets, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.
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Category 6
Averaging 215 sq. ft. and pave patio doors leading to private balconies. Two twin beds convertible into one queen bed, sitting area, well-appointed en suite bathroom, large closets, vanity table, small refrigerator, television, personal safe, hair dryer, assorted toiletries, individually controlled air-conditioning and heating, and American style outlets (two flat prongs) at 110 volts.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
This was my first experience with Adventure Life - and I couldn't have been more pleased with the trip. The guides and local staff in both Buenos Aires and Uruguay were terrific - extremely helpful and accommodating. I really enjoyed meeting the friendly staff in Buenos Aires in person (I left my bags with them for the afternoon).
Karen Snider
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day 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
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
