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West Africa Cruise - Cape Town to Accra
18 days, Cape Town to Accra
Itinerary
Day 1Cape Town
Welcome to Cape Town, the most cosmopolitan city on the continent and one of the most stunning urban areas on Earth! Arrival day, so there are no planned activities. Arrival transfer is included.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Arrival Day
Begin your adventure today. There are no planned activities so feel free to explore or rest up for the excitement ahead.
Day 2Cape Town/Lüderitz
Take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain, lunch at the Seaforth Restaurant before visiting Boulders Beach.
After the tour, head to the G Expedition, for embarkation at approximately 16:00.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Table Mountain Cable Car
Take the five-minute cable car trip to the top of Table Mountain, 1,085m (3,562ft) above Cape Town, and explore the summit. This is a great spot to sit and soak up the commanding 360-degree views of Cape Town, Table Bay, the peaks of surrounding mountains, and the rest of Table Mountain National Park. The operation of the cable car is weather dependent. This activity is self-guided.
Please note that the cable car is closed every year for a 2 week period between July and August for annual maintenance.
Boulders Beach Visit
Visit Boulders Beach, a beautiful sandy beach dotted with massive granite boulders. Since 1982 it has been the home of over 3,000 tunnel nesting African Black footed penguins who cling to viability in a small breeding colony that is heavily protected.
Chapman's Peak Drive
Travel along Chapman’s Peak and enjoy the scenic drive. Stop periodically to take in the sea vistas and visit the cozy ocean settlements of Hout Bay and Kommetjie.
Embarkation of the Expedition
In the afternoon, join your fellow passengers to take your group transfer and begin your journey on the Expedition. Please refer to your welcome letter or the joining instructions posted in the lobby of the start hotel. Make sure you have your passport handy as you are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Cape Town/Lüderitz
Days at sea will be filled with fascinating and entertaining educational programs presented by the expert expedition team. Join new friends in the ship’s popular pub. Relax on the ship’s deck or scan the horizon with binoculars in search of seabirds and marine life.
The Expedition has ample public space in the lounge and library, join new friends in the ship’s popular pub. Alternatively, spend time relaxing on the ship’s deck or scanning the horizon with binoculars or a camera in search of seabirds and marine life. As always, high-end dining experiences will be enjoyed in the ship’s dining room.
Expedition Lectures and Educational Programs
Learn about the natural and human history of the area through educational seminars led by the G Expedition’s expert staff. Discover the type of flora and fauna that grow in the regions the ship will visit and participate in photography and art workshops with our resident artist and photographer.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Lüderitz/Walvis Bay
Visit the small Namibian town of Lüderitz and the ghost town of Kolmanskop.
Within minutes of disembarking from G Expedition on the southern coast of Namibia, we encounter ascending blocks of architectural evidence that the seaside town of Lüderitz had indeed been founded by German settlers who brought their culture with them to southwest Africa.
Just a few miles north, we travel through the dwellings of the mining ghost town of Kolmanskop.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Lüderitz Visit
Visit the seaside town of Lüderitz, walk along Berg Street to view the brightly painted houses, and travel through the dwellings of the mining ghost town of Kolmanskop. Glance at faded museum photographs, listen for faint echoes of German life from the arduous era of the diamond industry.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Walvis Bay/Lobito
Morning at sea may provide an opportunity to see fur seals and Cape Gannets. Upon arrival in Walvis Bay, explore the landscapes of the Namib Desert en route to a tour of the town of Swakopmund and possibly a chance to learn more about the wildlife of the estuary ecosystem.
Begin by setting off to see the fantastic Welwitchias – a living fossil that has existed since the day of the dinosaur.
Soon after, head off to look at the Moonlandscape, which is yet another portion of the desert with formations of such unusual peaks and valleys stretching off into tomorrow.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Walvis Bay Visit
Begin by setting off to see the fantastic Welwitchias .At first glance it looks like a misshapen dried up dying plant, but upon closer inspection we could see the adaptations that have made it such a successful and long lived plant found only in the Namib Desert. Head off to look at the Moonlandscape and marvel at the vastness of the world’s oldest desert.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDays 6–7Walvis Bay/Lobito
Spend two days at sea immersed in educational lecture series, or simply kick back to a documentary film. For those looking for entertainment into the evening, listen to live music in the Polar Pub.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Expedition Lectures and Educational Programs
Learn about the natural and human history of the area through educational seminars led by the G Expedition’s expert staff. Discover the type of flora and fauna that grow in the regions the ship will visit and participate in photography and art workshops with our resident artist and photographer.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 8Lobito/Pointe-Noire
Visit to the quaint towns of Sao Felipe de Benguela in Angola.
Benguela was founded by Portuguese in 1617 has a big part in the history of the slave trade.
The tour for the day covers the two towns of Lobito and Benguela, both cast in the unique Portuguese/African style, displaying the usual Portuguese national obsession with tree lined avenues and lovely central parkways and public spaces.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Lobito and Benguela Visit
Visit the two towns of Lobito and Benguela, both cast in the unique Portuguese/African style, veneered slightly, but only very slightly, by the fresh paint of modern architecture and construction, and displaying the usual Portuguese national obsession with tree lined avenues and lovely central parkways and public spaces.
Pause at the 16th century fort of San Pedro which guards the old crossing on the Catumbela River. Marvel at great views of the surrounding city. View the 1905 steel bridge that had been responsible for so much congestion, and the governor’s residence opposite.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 9Lobito/Pointe-Noire
Spend the day at sea.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Expedition Lectures and Educational Programs
Learn about the natural and human history of the area through educational seminars led by the G Expedition’s expert staff. Discover the type of flora and fauna that grow in the regions the ship will visit and participate in photography and art workshops with our resident artist and photographer.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10Pointe-Noire/São Tomé
Visit the Congo’s Pointe Noire, the cliffs of Diosso Gorge, the museum, and the city’s very lively market.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Diosso Gorge Visit
Visit Diosso Gorge to marvel at the red sand stone gulleys and cliffs, created entirely by natural erosion. Take some photos of what is sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of the Congo” and enjoy the view of the surrounding rainforest. Weather permitting we may have the opportunity to do a nature hike into the gorge.
Diosso Scientific and Cultural museum visit
Learn about the history and culture of the region on a tour of the museum with an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 11Pointe-Noire/São Tomé
Spend the day at sea.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Expedition Lectures and Educational Programs
Learn about the natural and human history of the area through educational seminars led by the G Expedition’s expert staff. Discover the type of flora and fauna that grow in the regions the ship will visit and participate in photography and art workshops with our resident artist and photographer.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 12São Tomé
This Portuguese colonial island nation is a tropical paradise of beaches, waterfalls, forests and friendly people. Visit the capital, São Tomé—once an important slave-trade post—and explore a nearby plantation. On a birding excursion, try to catch a glimpse of the islands’ endemic inhabitants.
Visit an old Coffee Station called Monte Café, reinvigorated by foreign money or perhaps explore the a fort at the entrance to the harbour. Pick up some local chocolate and gifts, and head back to the pier to board the ship.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Explore São Tomé
Visit the capital, São Tomé, once an important slave-trade post and explore a nearby plantation. On a birding excursion, try to catch a glimpse of the islands’ endemic inhabitants.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13São Tomé/Gulf of Guinea
Explore Príncipe via Zodiac boat.
Zodiac
Climb in and get closer to those hard-to-reach places courtesy of these rigid-hulled inflatable boats.
Explore Príncipe
Explore Príncipe via Zodiac boat to experience its beaches, waterfalls and rainforests. A swim in the tropical waters or some time on the beach is a great way to relax. Birdlife, including many endemic species, is abundant here and so keep an eye out for African grey parrots.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 14Gulf of Guinea/Cotonou
Sit back and listen to the lecture series. Scan the horizon with binoculars, or join in on a possible wine tasting event.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Expedition Lectures and Educational Programs
Learn about the natural and human history of the area through educational seminars led by the G Expedition’s expert staff. Discover the type of flora and fauna that grow in the regions the ship will visit and participate in photography and art workshops with our resident artist and photographer.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 15Cotonou/Lomé
Visit Cotonou and head to the town of Ouidah, home to voodoo and an important embarkation point for the slave trade.
Walk the “Route des Esclaves,” rich in reminders of a dark time in the region’s history.
In the afternoon, cross Lake Nokoue on small boats and visit the fishing village of Ganvié, famous for its bamboo stilt houses perched above the water. The village offers an interesting look inside modern African village life and boasts a fascinating market tradition.
From Gamvié travel through the congested countryside to the fascinating town of Ouidah.
Boat
Climb aboard and get your float on.
Ganvié Stilt Village Visit
Visit the intriguing stilt village of Ganvié, which is the largest and most beautiful stilt village in Africa. The approximately 18,000 inhabitants of the Tofinou (“water people”) ethnic group build their huts on teak stilts over the water and cover the roofs with a thick layer of leaves. The entire community is situated in the middle of Lake Nokwe for various reasons: as the inhabitants live exclusively on fishing, this puts them closer to the deepest parts of the lake where fish are plentiful.
A local guide from the village will show us around, and give us a bit of perspective on what life is like for the villagers.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ouidah Visit
Visit and learn about the sad history of Ouidah that once served at as the main entry point for slave embarkation to the New World. A great deal of local focus and commemoration has been given over to memorializing this shameful trade. Ouidah is also the center of the local Voodoo culture, with colourful and symbolic statuary representing various aspects of the faith to be found everywhere around the town.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 16Lomé/Accra
Outside of Lomé, visit an Ewe village and interact with the locals to learn about their way of life and traditions. A visit to Lomé town includes a trip to the Centre Artisanal de Kpalime, a market famous for Batik.
Following breakfast, disembark for a day of learning and discovery in and around the city of Lomé. Anticipate and action-filled day punctuated with the color and vitality of the Ewe and Akan people, who founded the city in the 18th century.
The first stop of the day is the International Museum of Guinea. Following this, visit an artisanal market nearby for shopping before returning back to the ship for lunch.
In the afternoon, travel out of town to the Akato Viepe village to meet the chief and experience village life.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
International Museum of Guinea Visit
Tour this small converted residence that holds treasures that will amaze anyone. Whether you're an expert in African arts and culture or not, you'll enjoy seeing the rare, authentic artifacts from across West Africa that span centuries.
Akato Viepe village visit
Learn about patrilineal communities, their farming practices, and the role of different people in the village.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 17Accra
Travel from the port at Tema to the busy capital of Accra. Enroute, visit a casket-maker’s shop, a local school, the national museum, and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. Wildlife enthusiasts may choose to visit the Shai Game Reserve instead to view an abundance of wildlife. After the reserve, witness local bead-making and give it a try. Disembark and transfer to the hotel for the final night.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Casket Maker Shop Visit
Stop at a casket-maker’s shop where caskets are carved to depict the beliefs, hobbies and life stories of the deceased. Ghana is known for the unique practice of creating custom caskets sometimes called fantasy coffins in spectacular shapes like sailboats, chickens, cola bottles, or even pineapples.
Local Village Visit
Visit a local school to interact with the children and staff before heading off to a local market.
Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum Visit
Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, located in downtown Accra. The location is the final resting place of Ghana's founder and first president. The museum was created in his honour and contains photographs, artifacts, and important insight into this incredible human's life. The centre was designed by a Ghanaian architect and was built using Italian marble.
Shai Game Reserve Visit
Visit the Shai Game Reserve to search for views of baboons, green monkeys and antelope. Bird watchers will thoroughly enjoy the reserve's abundance of birdlife with species such as Senegal Parrots, Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters and Vieilot's Barbet flying around the grounds.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 18Accra
After breakfast, depart for the airport and flights homeward. Departure transfer is included.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.