This 8-day cruise gives you the chance to explore the intoxicating mixture of African and Portuguese heritage found in the Cabo Verde archipelago. Once a former colony and slave trade outpost, the Cabo Verde Islands of today offer a spellbinding blend of influences in their architecture, food, customs and traditions. Being blessed with a pleasant year-round climate, the archipelago also offers a diverse range of landscapes from verdant mountain ranges, lush hills and jungles, to volcanic landscapes and wide deserted beaches. This voyage opens up for you a vibrant and colorful world, all set to the gentle rhythms of West African music.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Embark your ship this afternoon in Praia, the capital of San Tiago, the largest and most populated island of the Cape Verde Archipelago. Overnight in port.
Among the Cape Verde islands, San Tiago demonstrates the most prevalent African influences. This was also the first island encountered by settlers. After a morning at leisure and lunch on board, the optional afternoon excursion brings you to Cidade Velha, the old Portuguese capital where history is ever-present. The fort and the nearby settlements were once a thriving slave trade center. The Museum of Maritime History displays findings from rich shipwrecks. Late in the evening, sail north to Fogo. Overnight at sea.
Arrive early this morning in Fogo. Considered the island of fire for the dominating sight of the Fogo Volcano, which rises 3,000 meters over sea level. Your optional full-day excursion brings you to the top of the volcano, right at the crater's edge. Walk through a landscape of lava. Enjoy lunch at the crater's village. You can also visit San Felipe, which offers a true colonial charm. Late in the evening your ship sails to San Nicolau. Overnight at sea.
This morning, arrive on San Nicolau, a peaceful island with dozens of coffee plantations and friendly residents. Your optional full-day tour of the island includes walks near the Monte Gordo volcano, then to the nearby forest and later to the Faja Valley. At midday enjoy a seafood lunch before resuming your exploration and later visiting the town of Ribeira Brava - see its old quarter, church, and seminar. Late in the evening, sail to San Antao. Overnight at sea.
Day 5: Porto Novo, San Antao / Mindelo, Sao Vincente
Wake up in the greenest of all Cape Verde islands: San Antao. The verdant landscapes include alternating sugarcane plantations and old craters. Your optional full-day excursion includes the luxuriant Valley Paul where sugarcane is still exploited and where you can taste "grogue," the national drink of the archipelago. Also visit the Valley of Riberia das Patas and discover lava-formed rocks. In the evening, sail a quick hour to Mindelo on the island of San Vincente. In the evening, take the opportunity to enjoy Mindelo's famous nightlife and possibly a musical event. Overnight in port.
Once a vibrant commercial island, San Vincente has evolved into a cultural center and Mindelo is one of the most well-preserved colonial cities in Cape Verde. Your optional walking excursion allows you to discover galleries, busy restaurants, and musical events that give Mindelo its label of the Cultural Center of the archipelago. It is no surprise that the National Museum of Handycrafts is located in Mindelo. Overnight at sea en route to Maio.
Arrive midday in Maio, a calm and relaxed community. Maio landscapes are flat, probably due to erosion over the years. Your walking tour of the city of Vila do Maio includes a visit to the huge Baroque church built by the Portuguese some centuries back. Choose to join an optional excursion this afternoon. Overnight in port.
Day 8: Praia, Sao Toago
1 Breakfast
Sail into Praia this morning. Disembark following breakfast on board and continue your homeward journey.
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.
$1,850
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Category C (Double)
Main deck. One double bed, windows, en suite bathroom with shower, flat screen TV sets, DVD players, mini fridges, hairdryers, individually controlled A/C and safe deposit boxes.
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Category B
Main deck. One double bed or two twin beds, windows, en suite bathroom with shower, flat screen TV sets, DVD players, mini fridges, hairdryers, individually controlled A/C and safe deposit boxes.
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Category A
Upper deck. One double bed or two twin beds, windows, en suite bathroom with shower, flat screen TV sets, DVD players, mini fridges, hairdryers, individually controlled A/C and safe deposit boxes.
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Category P
Upper deck. One double bed or two twin beds, sofa, windows, en suite bathroom with shower, flat screen TV sets, DVD players, mini fridges, hairdryers, individually controlled A/C and safe deposit boxes.
Notes
- Please note that fares do not include port charges and possible fuel surcharges. Contact us for details.
- Please note that shore excursions are offered at additional costs.
- Child Discount:
Children between the ages of 7-10 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 50% discount in Category A. Children between the ages of 10-16 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 35% discount in Category A.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 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
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 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
8 hours 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
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.