fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Coastal Cities & Cultures of West Africa – A Voyage from Ghana to Cape Town

Coastal Cities & Cultures of West Africa – A Voyage from Ghana to Cape Town

From GBP £12,995

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print

Description

This remarkable journey along the southwest coast of Africa promises to be an adventure full of authentic experiences as we journey from Ghana to the beautiful city of Cape Town in South Africa. Without doubt the only comfortable means of experiencing the region’s many wonders is by small ship and we are fortunate in having such a special vessel as the 118-passenger, all-suite MS Hebridean Sky for our exploration.
We begin our voyage in the bustling Ghanaian city of Accra where you can choose to discover the culture and heritage of the country on a city tour or opt to explore some of the country’s flora and fauna at a game reserve. Then follows two relaxing days at sea, during which time you can become better acquainted with our onboard team and Guest Speaker during the series of lectures which will commence.
Upon reaching the two-island nation of Sao Tome and Principe natural wonders abound from beautiful untouched beaches to jungle-covered mountains and the emerald waters are a biodiversity hotspot. Our two days will perfectly demonstrate the advantages of small ship cruising as we land ashore using the vessel’s Zodiacs. Principe still retains the atmosphere of an undiscovered place and, anchoring off the beautiful island of Bom Bom, we will visit the island’s capital city, and learn about cocoa production on a plantation visit. Continuing to Gabon, we have the opportunity to explore the country’s capital of Libreville on a guided city tour as well as travelling to the Pongara National Park which presents a varied range of forest types as well as savanna and a significant amount of sandy beach along with some of the continent’s most iconic species of animal. After calling into the Republic of the Congo for a fascinating morning of exploration we reach the former Portuguese colony of Angola which, with tourism in its infancy, is largely unexplored by all but the most intrepid of travellers. We will spend four days discovering this vibrant country beginning in the capital of Luanda, a melting pot of cultures where modern skyscrapers stand side by side historic buildings dating from the colonial era. The country is also a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts with an array of national parks including the Kissama National Park where we will see some of the diverse species of flora and fauna. We will also venture inland to the Namibe Desert with the opportunity to see some of the oldest plants on earth.
Leaving Angola we traverse Namibia’s bleak but beautiful Skeleton Coast and spend time in the Namib Naukluft National Park where you can marvel at the stunning landscape and majesty of the sand dunes. Whilst in Namibia we will also visit the colonial coastal cities of Swakopmund and Luderitz. Our adventure comes to an end in the beautiful city of Cape Town, a fitting conclusion to our journey with its cosmopolitan culture and incredible scenery which we will explore during our final day and a half.

Trip Name
Coastal Cities & Cultures of West Africa - A Voyage from Ghana to Cape Town
Days
21
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Length: 90.6 metres Passenger Capacity: 118 Built / Refurbished: 1992 / 2016 The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our three elegant sister ships—alongside the MS Island Sky and MS Caledonian Sky—renowned for their small size, comfort, and service. Built in the same Italian shipyard, this refined vessel underwent a multi-million-pound refurbishment in 2016, enhancing its private yacht-like atmosphere. SuitesThe ship offers 59 spacious, outside-facing suites over five decks, with 14 featuring private balconies. Each suite includes a sitting area, en-suite bathroom with rainfall shower, flat-screen TV, minibar, safe, dressing table, Molton Brown toiletries, robes, slippers, and individually controlled climate settings. Beds can be configured as twins or doubles, except in suites 601 and 602. The luxurious Hebridean Suite includes a large balcony, sitting room, and complimentary minibar and laundry. Public AreasPublic spaces include a panoramic lounge for talks and briefings, The Club bar with live piano music, a library with books and games, and ample outdoor deck space including a wildlife observation area. A lift serves all decks, and there is a small hair salon and an onboard doctor. Complimentary satellite Wi-Fi is available, though signal strength may vary. DiningMeals are served in a single sitting in the elegant dining room or al fresco on the Lido Deck. Cuisine is fresh and varied, often featuring local produce. Enjoy daily afternoon tea, pre-dinner canapés, and wines with lunch and dinner. Breakfast is buffet-style with cooked-to-order options. Barbecues and live cooking stations are also offered. Special diets can be accommodated with notice. ExperienceDesigned for those who prefer a quiet, enriching cruise, the Hebridean Sky offers a relaxed, yacht-like ambiance without large ship distractions. There’s no organised entertainment or dress codes—just thoughtful service, enriching lectures, and scenic cruising among like-minded travellers. Comfort & SafetyThe vessel is fitted with stabilisers, modern navigation systems, and safety equipment. Guests can visit the Bridge, view route information on suite TVs, and enjoy peace of mind with a fully equipped clinic on board.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 London to Accra, Ghana.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival in Accra we will transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky in Tema and moor overnight.
Day 2 - Day 2 Accra & Shai Hills Game Reserve, Ghana.
We have a choice of options for our day in Ghana. You may wish to visit the capital city of Accra with time at the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography which features artefacts showcasing the heritage of Ghana throughout history. Continue to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Memorial Park before enjoying lunch at a beachside resort. We return to the MS Hebridean Sky via the Artists Alliance Gallery which has a wide range of artworks including woodcarvings, paintings and sculptures by renowned Ghanaian artists. Alternatively, drive to the Shai Hills Game Reserve and embark on a trek through the reserve’s savannah plains to view antelopes, bushbucks, kobs, baboons, monkeys and many bird species including the Senegal parrot, swallow-tailed bee-eater, Vieillot’s barbet, piapiac and red-shouldered cuckooshrike. Lunch will follow offering views over the evergreen valley and plains of the surrounding Akwapim mountain range before we continue to the Aburi Botanical Gardens. Established in 1890 as a convalescent for the British Colonial officers governing the then Gold Coast (now Ghana). Over the years, the garden has cultured a variety of tropical plants which attract many birds and butterflies. After a walk through the gardens we return to the ship.
Day 3 - Days 3 & 4 At Sea.
Spend a relaxing two days at sea as we cross the Gulf of Guinea during which our lecture programme will commence in the lounge.
Day 4 - Days 5 & 6 Sao Tome and Principe.
We will experience the benefits of exploring by small ship today, being able to spend a full day on each of the islands of Sao Tome and Principe which are well off the usual tourist route. Fortunately the islands have yet to succumb to mass tourism and we can enjoy their beautiful beaches, tropical rainforests and colonial architecture in relative peace. Colonised by the Portuguese in the 15th century, the islands were originally a holding centre for slaves en-route to the Americas. However, in the 1800s coffee and cacao plantations grew and by 1908 they became known as the Chocolate Islands being the world’s leading producer of cacao. Today, production has slowed but the islands still produce high quality coffee and cacao. We will anchor off Sao Tome and land ashore using the ship’s Zodiacs. On a full day tour we will visit one of the plantation houses or ‘rocas’. In the interior of the island we will discover waterfalls and hope to see some of the many orchid species in the botanical gardens along with the endemic birdlife. Meanwhile in Sao Tome city we will see the National Museum and cathedral and will visit the bustling markets. Principe is the smaller of the two islands at 136 square kilometres and with a population of just 7000 residents. In 2012 the waters around the island were classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and from our anchorage off Bom Bom Island we will use ship’s Zodiacs to land. For those who wish to explore the island we will take a scenic drive including time in one of the world’s smallest capital cities of San Antonio and also visit one of the island’s cacao plantations at Terreiro Velho. Alternatively you can enjoy the opportunity to relax on the beach and swim in the clear waters.
Day 5 - Day 7 Libreville & Pongara National Park, Gabon.
From our berth in Port D’Owendo there will be a guided city tour of Libreville this morning during which we will see the Presidential Palace, St Michel Cathedral and the city museum. Following the tour, you can choose to return to the MS Hebridean Sky for lunch and a relaxing afternoon on board or alternatively continue to the Pongara National Park. The park is sandwiched between the Komo Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean and the pristine beaches here are a nesting ground for leatherback turtles whilst the animal population includes elephants, red river hog, buffalo, mangabeys and a variety of birds. After lunch we will join 4x4 vehicles for a safari on the lookout for wildlife before returning to the MS Hebridean Sky later this afternoon.
Day 6 - Day 8 At Sea.
Spend the day at sea as we sail along the coast of Africa.
Day 7 - Day 9 Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo.
Arriving over breakfast in the Republic of the Congo we will drive inland from our berth at Pointe-Noire towards Diosso. Here we delve into Congolese history at the Ma Loango Regional Museum which houses ten collections including art, documents and clothing alongside traditional tools and musical instruments. The museum is located next to the famous Gorges de Diosso, a beautiful natural phenomenon which flanks the green coast of Congo-Brazzaville and offers fantastic views. Our return journey to the MS Hebridean Sky will be a scenic drive along the coast. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon at sea as we continue our journey south to Angola.
Day 8 - Days 10 & 11 Luanda, Angola.
In the 19th century, the Angolan capital city of Luanda was one of the most successful cities in the Portuguese Empire with the port being a major trading centre for ivory, cotton, coffee and cocoa as well as being a key port in the slave trade. With access to vast natural resources including oil and diamonds, the city has recovered from the damages of the Civil War which ran from 1975 to 2002. During our time here there will be a city tour which will include the 16th century San Miguel Fort, the National Museum of Anthropology, Remedios Church, parliament buildings and the unique obelisk of the Agostino Neto Mausoleum dedicated to Angola’s first president who fought for independence. There will also be the option to leave the city to visit the Kissama National Park, a 12,000 square kilometre park opened as a game reserve in 1938 and later became a national park in 1957. Today, it is at the forefront of Angola’s wildlife regeneration and home to a rich array of flora and fauna including antelopes, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest and a variety of bird species.
Day 9 - Day 12 Lobito & Benguela.
This morning we arrive at the port city of Lobito. The town was created in 1903 as the sea terminal to the Benguela railway which was developed to link with the mineral rich regions in Angola and over the border in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Built by a British concession, the railway became a major source of trade, linking with the port and providing the quickest routes to transport minerals to Europe. Today we will travel in some of the original Victorian carriages as we take the train line between Lobito and Benguela. The city of Benguela was founded in 1617 around the Sao Filipe Fortress and was one of the bases for Portuguese expansion in Africa. We will explore the town on a sightseeing tour viewing the Portuguese colonial buildings including the Igreja de Populo and the pretty gardens surrounding the town hall.
Day 10 - Day 13 Mocamedes.
The city of Mocamedes was founded in the mid-19th century by the Portuguese but cut off from the rest of the country until the construction of the Namibe Railway in 1905 and today it is one of Angola’s busiest ports. We will venture inland to the Arco Lagoon, a wonderful freshwater oasis located in the Namibe Desert bordered by distinctive rock formations and we will also see the nearby rare Welwitschia plants, considered to be some of the oldest on earth at up to 1000 years old. Explore the old city on a short sightseeing tour passing the church of Santo Adriao and the military fortress before we return to the MS Hebridean Sky for lunch and an afternoon cruising.
Day 11 - Day 14 At Sea.
Continue at sea today, enjoy some lectures in the lounge and spend some time relaxing on deck.
Day 12 - Days 15 & 16 Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Arrive today in Namibia where we will be based in the coastal town of Walvis Bay for a day and a half. During our time here we will have the option to visit Swakopmund, Namibia’s seaside resort on the west coast, and a place of singular charm. It resembles a small Bavarian village nestling between the desert and the sea and enjoys a restful and relaxing atmosphere. The source of Swakopmund’s continental vibe is the graceful Art Nouveau buildings many of which, including the Lutheran Church and old railway station, are national monuments. We will also have the opportunity to drive past the imposing sand dunes to the Welwitschia Plains in the Namib-Naukluft Park and we hope to see the prehistoric Welwitschia mirablis plants, unique to this region, as we drive through the lunar landscape. Those feeling active may wish to join a tour using 4x4 vehicles to Sandwich Harbour, a tidal lagoon located in the Namib-Naukluft Park surrounded by huge sand dunes which run into the ocean. Here you can experience the isolation and scenery which the Skeleton Coast is famous for.
Day 13 - Day 17 Luderitz.
Sandwiched between the Namib Desert and the South Atlantic, Luderitz is an isolated settlement and one of the few towns and sheltered harbours on the Namibian coast. First landed by Portuguese mariners in the 15th century, it was not until 1883 when the land was bought by a wealthy merchant, Adolf Luderitz, that the town developed as part of the German colonisation of the region. A morning walking tour will include the Luderitz Museum and the colonial buildings including the Goerke Haus and Felsenkirche. Nearby, we can visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop where the first diamonds were found in Namibia in 1908. Sparking a ‘diamond rush’ the town grew in the ensuing years, peaking in the 1920s, until the discovery of richer deposits further south. By the 1960s the population had left and the town is now at the mercy of the weather and encroaching sand dunes.
Day 14 - Day 18 At Sea.
We continue our journey along the Atlantic coast today with a day at sea as we sail towards Cape Town.
Day 15 - Day 19 Cape Town, South Africa.
Sail this morning into the beautiful city of Cape Town where there will be a choice of excursions today. Maybe join a full day tour exploring Cape Town’s stunning Cape Peninsula. We will travel through the vibrant coastal suburbs before continuing along Chapman’s Peak to the famous Cape Point Nature Reserve at the very tip of the peninsula. The road then twists its way to Simon’s Town, home to the Boulders Beach penguin colony. Alternatively, you can choose to take the local ferry to Robben Island. The island has been used for centuries as a military base and leper colony but is most famous as a prison for political prisoners during the apartheid regime. Our guided tour will include the island’s quarry, the army and navy bunkers as well as the prison cells, including Nelson Mandela’s. There will also be an opportunity to visit one of the region’s excellent vineyards where, after learning about the production techniques, we can enjoy a tasting.
Day 16 - Day 20 Cape Town to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 17 - Day 21 London.
Arrive today.
Day 18 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
02-12-202622-12-2026GBP £0Amundsen Deck Standard Suite
02-12-202622-12-2026GBP £0Byrd Deck Superior Suite
02-12-202622-12-2026GBP £0Mawson Deck Premium Suite
02-12-202622-12-2026GBP £0Mawson Deck Corner Suite
02-12-202622-12-2026GBP £0Amundsen Deck Standard Sole
02-12-202622-12-2026GBP £0Byrd Deck Superior Sole
02-12-202622-12-2026GBP £0Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
02-12-202622-12-2026GBP £0Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
02-12-202622-12-2026GBP £0Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite

Inclusions

    • Sao Tome and Principe’s Chocolate Islands: Explore these untouched islands with their colonial plantations, vibrant markets, and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offering serene beaches and rich biodiversity.
    • Kissama National Park, Angola: Embark on a wildlife adventure in this expansive park, home to regenerating populations of elephants, giraffes, and antelopes amidst Angola’s lush landscapes.
    • Cape Town’s Cape Peninsula: Journey through stunning coastal scenery to Cape Point Nature Reserve and visit the Boulders Beach penguin colony, a vibrant finale to the cruise.

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Ghana
More of activity:
Africa Cruises