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Peregrine Travel Centre

Adventure in the Bissagos Islands – 9 Day Cruise from Dakar

Adventure in the Bissagos Islands – 9 Day Cruise from Dakar

From AUD $8,140

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Description

In the secret lands of the Atlantic, off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, where the infinite blue of the ocean meets the lush green of the islands, a rare jewel hides: the Bissagos. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this archipelago, one of the most preserved on the planet, consists of 88 islands, most of which are uninhabited. In an environment that is often still unspoiled by man, these islands offer the few visitors who explore them the chance of a unique and authentic experience. PONANT has designed an all-new and exclusive 9-day journey aboard Le Lyrial, into the heart of this string of islands featuring preserved nature, a land of ancestral civilisations and a refuge for many terrestrial and marine species.
You will humbly sail towards these extraordinary lands, which hold the promise of a interlude where time may stand still. During your exploration, its backdrop a symphony of sounds and colours, you will be as close as possible to exceptional nature, between white sandy beaches, mangals stretching as far as the eye can see, mangrove trees, savannah, palm trees and baobabs. Sea turtles, those majestic creatures, choose these isolated beaches to lay their eggs, while brightly coloured lizards skilfully weave in and out of the lush vegetation. During your hikes in the heart of the tropical forest, you will be lucky enough to admire the hypnotic ballet of many species of migratory birds such as pelicans or pink flamingos on the island of Kere or to contemplate the spectacle of vervet monkeys.
You will move through this world, the cradle of the Bissagos culture, where life follows the pace of the tides and the surrounding nature.  The villages, lying in the thick vegetation, seem to emanate from the earth itself. The houses made of woven palms and the rough wooden dugout canoes melt into the background, almost inseparable from the natural environment. This unique journey will be punctuated by many encounters with the Bissagos people, in particular on the islands of Caravela, Carache and Orango. You will take part in traditional ceremonies accompanied by the sound of drums, and discover their customs and traditions, which have not changed for thousands of years and are based on a matriarchal society where the sacred lies at the centre of everything. Nature is a divinity here, and every bird call, every rustling of a tree, every sparkle of the sun on the water is a ode to the beauty of these sacred lands.

Trip Name
Adventure in the Bissagos Islands - 9 Day Cruise from Dakar
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition / Cruise Ship Length: 131 metres Passenger Capacity: 184 Built: 2019-2020 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Bellot will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. In a relaxed atmosphere, an outdoor grill on Deck 3 will serve grilled meats with a variety of salads and desserts. PUBLIC AREAS Le Bellot has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides:   Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 DAKAR
On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, you'll enjoy the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. Far from the effervescence of the city, Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as a place of remembrance, having once been a slave trade outpost. On the other side of the plateau, the wild Madeleine islands are protected by a national park.
Day 2 - Day 2 MAIO ISLAND, BIJAGOS
Some 20 kilometres off the coast of west Africa, the Bissau-Guinean archipelago of Bissagos is famous for its abundant biodiversity. The richness of its marine animal and plant life afforded it the status of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Of the 88 islets and islands in the archipelago, only 23 are inhabited. At Maio, still called Chediã, and at Formosa, you can meet the Bissagos people and get to know their ancestral ways and customs. In this region, cut off from the rest of the world and secluded from Western influences, you'll discover how locals really live.
Day 3 - Day 3 CARACHE ISLAND, BIJAGOS & KERE, BIJAGOS
In the midst of a rich natural environment, you will enjoy a fascinating encounter with the Bijagos, who have been successful at taming their environment and preserving their ancestral way of life. Five villages provide a home for the island’s few thousand inhabitants, who rely on a subsistence economy: they take from nature only what they need, they cultivate rice, breed chickens and pigs, fish on a small scale and use all the parts of the oil palm. Cob huts with thatched roofs are the traditional dwellings. Among other things, you will be able to enjoy a wonderful show of authentic traditional dancing.The private island of Kere is an unspoiled Eden, a one-hectare (two-acre) stretch of tropical forest in the heart of the Bissagos Islands. One original feature of this island is that a small, sustainable and fair-trade ecotourism business was developed upon it. On the island’s magnificent beach, a Frenchman has set up a business to show people around this exceptional natural environment or to take them out for some game fishing, particularly in search of tarpon, a fish weighing over a hundred kilos (220 pounds). The bungalows made from earth and straw blend into the idyllic setting and reflect the mindset of the islet’s owner: authentic and respectful of nature and people.
Day 4 - Days 4 - 5 ORANGO ISLAND, BIJAGOS & UNO ISLAND, BIJAGOS
Some 20 kilometres off the coast of west Africa, the Bissau-Guinean archipelago of Bissagos is famous for its abundant biodiversity. The richness of its marine animal and plant life afforded it the status of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO: dolphins, green tortoises, monkeys, striped antelopes and hundreds of thousands of migrating birds find refuge here. Composed of five islands and several islets, Orango is the largest and most mysterious island in the archipelago. Its national park and marine protected area lie in the heart of the Biosphere Reserve. During your zodiac outings, you will set off to discover this preserved environment, home to the Bijogo people, the true custodians of this sanctuary.Covered in beautiful savannah, paddy fields and lush forests, the island of Uno, or Ilha de Uno, is one of the most populated in the Bissagos archipelago. In its many villages, life follows the pace of the everyday scenes and traditions of the Bissago people. The lifestyle of these island people remains relatively untouched by colonial domination and external influences, and still honours animist beliefs and rites, such as the fanados, which are coming-of-age initiations for young men and women that involve them spending four months in the forest with the village elders. By sanctifying the natural environment, the islanders are protecting the archipelago’s unique biodiversity.
Day 5 - Day 6 JOAO VIEIRA ISLAND, BIJAGOS & CAVALOS ISLAND, BIJAGOS
In the far south-east of the Bissagos Islands, João Vieira is a small unspoiled island in the João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park. This park, where a number of sacred sites can be found, is home to a wonderful biodiversity. On the practically uninhabited island of João Vieira, the Bijagos have set up temporary camps for fishing or for collecting the fruit of oil palms. Like everywhere else in the archipelago, the local population displays ingenuity to adapt to this incredible environment.A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the island of Cavalos is the second-largest nesting site in West Africa. Here you will be able to observe many bird species, including terns, in particular near the freshwater lake. Take a stroll on the beach full of shells, stretching all the way around the island’s 6-km (3.8-mile) circumference. Some rocks have mango trees growing on them, which just rise above the surface during high tide. The interior of the island, blanketed in palm trees and high grasses, is inhabited by a colony of wild pigs.
Day 6 - Day 7 BOLAMA & CANHABAQUE, BIJAGOS
Bolama, the capital of Portuguese Guinea from the late 19th century to the end of the 1930s, is shrouded in the surreal and poetic atmosphere of a ghost town forgotten by time. Along the streets covered in ochre earth, the vestiges of neoclassical colonial buildings hint at what was once the sumptuous government palace or the governor’s residence. Now neglected, this hard-to-reach natural harbour surrounded by mangrove swamps once served as an outpost for keeping a close eye on the Guinean population that had come to seek refuge on these remote islands of the Bissagos archipelago to escape their colonisers.Canhabaque Island, also known by the name Roxa, is covered in lush vegetation and boasts pretty beaches alternating with rocky formations. The first island in the archipelago to be inhabited, it is today home to a community of around 2,500 inhabitants, spread across various tabancas (rural villages). Long closed to tourism, it is considered the most traditional island in the whole archipelago in terms of customs and lifestyle. It competes with Caravela for the reputation of the most beautiful island. It has an animist and matrilineal society; women are highly predominant in the management and maintenance of balance in the tabancas.
Day 7 - Day 8 CARAVELA ISLAND, BIJAGOS
Dotted with authentic and wild landscapes, the Bissagos archipelago is a constellation of islands covered in savannah, forests of palm trees, mangrove trees, silk-cotton trees, baobabs and, in large part, mangrove swamps. From the island of Caravela, you will be able to set out in a Zodiac® dinghy to explore the mangrove and observe the African grey hornbill, the palm-nut vulture, the kingfisher, the weaverbird and some of the many species that fly to this region each year. It is the second most important site for migratory birds in West Africa, after Banc d’Arguin in Mauritania: herons, curlews, red-chested swallows. In full immersion, far from the beaten track, your discovery of the archipelago will take on an air of adventure.
Day 8 - Day 9 DAKAR
On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, you'll enjoy the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. Far from the effervescence of the city, Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as a place of remembrance, having once been a slave trade outpost. On the other side of the plateau, the wild Madeleine islands are protected by a national park.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $8,140Superior Stateroom
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $8,900DeLuxe Stateroom
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $33,890Owner’s Suite
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $9,950Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $10,480Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $11,120Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $15,780Deluxe Suite
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $21,600Prestige Suite - Deck 5
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $22,770Privilege Suite
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $26,260Grand Deluxe Suite
07-04-202515-04-2025AUD $31,250Grand Privilege Suite
16-11-202524-11-2025AUD $9,090Deluxe Stateroom
16-11-202524-11-2025AUD $10,160Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
16-11-202524-11-2025AUD $10,700Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
16-11-202524-11-2025AUD $11,360Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
16-11-202524-11-2025AUD $16,110Deluxe Suite
16-11-202524-11-2025AUD $22,050Prestige Suite Deck 5
16-11-202524-11-2025AUD $23,230Prestige Suite Deck 6
16-11-202524-11-2025AUD $24,430Privilege Suite
16-11-202524-11-2025AUD $26,910Grand Deluxe Suite
16-11-202524-11-2025AUD $28,320Owner's Suite
24-11-202502-12-2025AUD $9,090Deluxe Stateroom
24-11-202502-12-2025AUD $10,160Prestige Stateroom Deck 4
24-11-202502-12-2025AUD $10,700Prestige Stateroom Deck 5
24-11-202502-12-2025AUD $11,360Prestige Stateroom Deck 6
24-11-202502-12-2025AUD $16,110Deluxe Suite
24-11-202502-12-2025AUD $22,050Prestige Suite Deck 5
24-11-202502-12-2025AUD $23,230Prestige Suite Deck 6
24-11-202502-12-2025AUD $24,430Privilege Suite
24-11-202502-12-2025AUD $26,910Grand Deluxe Suite
24-11-202502-12-2025AUD $28,320Owner's Suite

Inclusions

    • A brand-new cruise discovering the magical Bissagos archipelago, between preserved nature, encounters with ancestral civilisations and the discovery of unique wildlife.
    • Shore visits in a Zodiac® dinghy with an experienced team of naturalist-guides.
    • Discovering ten islands featuring exceptional biodiversity: Carache, Kere, Maio, Caravela, Orango, Uno, Bolama, Cavalos, Joao Vieira and Canhabaque.
    • Visiting traditional villages and enjoying many encounters with the Bissagos people; discovering their traditions, dances and handicrafts during traditional ceremonies.
    • Landscapes: idyllic white sandy beaches, endless mangals, savannah and forests home to mangrove trees, palm trees and baobabs, splendid lagunas.
    • Wildlife: sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, vervet monkeys, migratory birds (pink flamingos, pelicans, etc)

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