Join this 15-day Unspoilt Wilds of Southwest Africa cruise aboard SH Vega that departs from the Southern African country of Angola and sails up the Atlantic coast via the Central African countries of Congo and Sao Tome to West Africa’s Benin and Togo, finally arriving on the Gold Coast in Ghana. Experience a pristine, biodiverse shoreline that harbors volcanic islands, mangrove forests, rainforests, beaches, and lagoons, where elephants, lowland gorillas, leopards, hippos, and chimpanzees live. In West Africa, meet the people and dive deeper into cultures where voodoo is a state religion. Encounter unique customs and landscapes in some of the least-visited parts of Africa.
Highlights
Savor traditional cuisine & mingle with Congolese at Grand Marché market
Learn about conservation efforts in Congo’s biodiverse Conkouati Reserve
Spot wildlife in Gabon's South Loango National Park
Discover the world's oldest voodoo market, showcasing animal skins, skulls
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
As Angola emerges from years of colonial rule and a long Civil War, its capital Luanda is fast becoming a forward-looking city with a rich heritage. Delve into its colonial past at the Old City’s Portuguese-style buildings and the 16th-century Fortress of São Miguel. Museums across the city offer a glimpse of local culture through their exhibits of traditional art, hunting equipment, and masks. At Ilha do Cabo, chic seaside steak restaurants and bars showcase a modern side of the city.
Days at sea are the perfect chance to relax, unwind and do whatever takes your fancy. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, trying to spot a whale from the deck, reading a chapter or two, or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to the green days spent exploring on land.
The Republic of Congo’s second city offers up a slice of French Africa with two distinct quarters – European and African. Explore lively La Cité on foot, sampling traditional cuisine and stopping in at the vibrant Grand Marché for a glimpse of local life. Relax at a waterfront restaurant at Côté Sauvage – a laid-back city beach. Just outside the city, the Diosso Gorge offers tropical rainforest and sweeping views of red canyons.
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of your onboard lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from your onboard professional photographers.
Port-Gentil is located in Gabon, on the west coast of Africa. It is known for its beautiful beaches and rich culture. Visitors can enjoy various activities in Port-Gentil, including swimming, sunbathing, and exploring the city’s many museums and art galleries. Port-Gentil is an excellent place for those interested in African culture and history.
Today you arrive at a tropical idyll with lush rainforests, beaches, and waterfalls. São Tomé island is the largest in a collection of far-flung volcanic isles that straddle the equator in the Gulf of Guinea. São Tomé Peak rises to 2,024 m, and on its slopes, you may also spot some of the island’s bird species such as the ibis and grosbeak. The capital city of São Tomé has 15th-century Portuguese architecture and a long colonial history.
This laid-back, compact capital has less than 3,000 inhabitants and is the smallest city in the world (according to the Guinness Book of Records). Time seems to move more slowly in this dream-like place with its pastel-colored buildings and salty sea air. Pay a visit to the Nossa Senhora da Conceição church with the beautiful stone carving of St Anthony, the city’s namesake saint, inside.
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of your onboard lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from your onboard professional photographers.
Benin’s vibrant port city is defined by its colonial legacy and voodoo (the state religion). As a former French colony, Cotonou retains a certain European flair in its cuisine and architecture. For an insight into local culture, there’s no better place than the sprawling Dantokpa market, filled with local crafts and an entire section devoted to sacred voodoo items. Along the lakeshore, visit Ganvie, a lake village with bamboo houses and the world’s only town on stilts, where residents get around in canoes.
Voodoo traditions, colonial history, and beautiful beaches: Togo’s capital city offers plenty of history, culture, and outdoor fun. Learn about the country’s heritage at the National Museum, housing artifacts like pottery, masks, and Togolese art. Akodessewa Fetish Market, selling animal skins and voodoo talismans, offers a fascinating insight into the region’s traditional customs. Trace the country’s colonial past at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, built by the Germans, and the Independence Monument, a symbol of the country’s freedom gained in 1960.
Day 15: Tema (Accra) | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Sail into the coastal city of Tema, a short drive from Ghana’s buzzing capital, Accra. Once named ‘Africa’s Capital of Cool’ by the New York Times, Accra has become one of West Africa’s top destination cities. Marvel at the towering statues in the city’s Black Star Square, wander through Kwame Nkrumah National Park, the resting place of Ghana’s first prime minister and president, or shop for locally made arts and crafts in the Centre for National Culture.
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 subject to change without notice. Book early to get the best rate.
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Oceanview D4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Oceanview M4
19 m2, Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Balcony D5
28 m2, Located at the forward and aft of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
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Balcony M5
28 m2, Located at the center of the ship, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedrooms with a living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
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Balcony D6
28 m2, Located on deck six, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or double bed bedroom with living room area, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6m2 balcony
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Suite
44 m2, Our Suites features a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
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Premium Suite
49 m2, Our grandest suites feature a super king bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom, a spacious walk-in wardrobe, and a 12 sq.m private balcony.
Initial deposit is 20% (30% for Suite bookings), and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 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
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
14 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners
14 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Room Service
Wifi
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
One selected shore excursion/expedition activities per port of call (Kayak not included, bookable for a fee on board)
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation
I could not be happier with my Adventure Life experience, from beginning to end. I travel a lot, and I think your company and personnel do an outstanding job. I truly appreciate your professionalism, attentiveness, and flexibility. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend your company and would be happy to serve as a reference.
Constance Block
TrustScore 4.8 | 254 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 254 reviews on
6 hours ago
The holiday of a lifetime. The company is Alaksa-owned and thhat makes a big difference to the experineces you get i.e. meet genuine First Nations tribes people. The amount of wildlife was beyond my expectation, and seeing everything on sucha small, intimate boat made it even more spoecial and unique.
Liz O
7 hours ago
Adventure Life covered all the details in planning our trip to Ireland. Any questions we had were answered immediately. Any trip glitches, which always happen when traveling, were resolved immediately. There were no worries, just fun!
Kathleen Weller
22 hours ago
It was an outstanding, up-close, educational vacation of nature, culture, history, animals and geology! It was everything they promised! Binoculars were plentiful on the boat, but I'm glad I brought my own. Food was excellent. Rooms had black-out shades. Pack/wear multiple layers of clothing (I carried a small backpack when off the ship). Crew were delightful and very accommodating! Remember to jump FEET FIRST first when taking the optional polar plunge! Spend as much time outdoors as you are able and ENJOY!!!
Janet Dutton
5 days ago
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
6 days ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.