fbpx

Atlantic Crossroads: Cruise from Senegal to Ghana

Atlantic Crossroads: Cruise from Senegal to Ghana

From AUD $20,875

Description

Embark on an unforgettable luxury cruise along Atlantic Coast, starting in Dakar, Senegal, and concluding in Tema (Accra), Ghana. This captivating journey explores the significant historical narratives of West Africa, with stops including Banjul, the Bijagós Archipelago, Freetown, Abidjan, and Elmina. Prepare to be enthralled by the blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage in this cruise from Senegal. Throughout the cruise, discover remarkable destinations, such as Senegal’s vibrant capital, Dakar, with its rich culture and lively Medina quarter. Experience the pristine Bijagós Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to a diverse array of wildlife and untouched landscapes. Visit Elmina Castle in Ghana, a poignant UNESCO World Heritage Site that played a pivotal role in the transatlantic slave trade narrative. Each location offers a unique dive into its history and culture. Onboard and beyond, engaging activities await. Meet locals in Banjul for storytelling sessions, or explore traditional crafts at the local markets. Participate in enriching tours such as a city walk in Elmina, or indulge in culinary adventures by learning to cook authentic Ghanaian dishes. A day at sea offers expert lectures and photography classes to perfect your skills. Each moment is crafted to enrich your luxury cruise experience.

Trip Name
Atlantic Crossroads: Cruise from Senegal to Ghana
Days
15
Overview
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship Length: 125 meters Passenger Capacity: 192 Built: 2022/2023 SH Diana is the newest and largest ship in the Swan Hellenic fleet, designed for modern expedition cruising with a strong sense of elegance and purpose. Built in Finland’s renowned Helsinki Shipyard, she combines cutting-edge hybrid diesel-electric propulsion and a Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened hull, enabling smooth exploration of the world’s most remote and rugged destinations. With space for just 192 guests, SH Diana offers a boutique 5-star experience across nine decks, featuring expansive viewing areas, a grand staircase, and refined interiors accented with exclusive onboard artwork. On board, guests enjoy exceptional facilities including the panoramic sauna, open-deck jacuzzi, heated outdoor pool, and dedicated expedition areas like the Swan’s Nest and BaseCamp. Cabins are thoughtfully equipped with Champagne, Lajatica toiletries, Nikon binoculars, and Illy coffee machines, ensuring comfort at every turn. Dining is a delight with venues like the Swan Restaurant and Pool Bar & Grill, while the crew’s attentive and personalised service ensures you feel truly cared for from the moment you step aboard. SH Diana is the perfect vessel for those seeking adventure wrapped in luxurious simplicity.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Days 0 - 2 pre Cruise & Dakar (Senegal)
Fabulous museums, a thriving art scene and elegant seaside dining showcase Dakar's rich culture and forward outlook. The bustling traditional Medina quarter with its mosques, tea shops and street markets contrasts with the Senegalese capital's French-influenced architecture and cuisine. Traditional crafts like woodcarvings and paintings sell at Soumbédioune market, making it the perfect souvenir stop.
Day 2 - Day 3 Banjul (Gambia)
At the meeting point of the Gambia River and the Atlantic, Gambia’s relaxed capital city, Banjul, sits on a small island filled with colonial buildings and vibrant markets. The 19th-century Albert Market sells souvenirs and the colorful traditional clothing of The Gambia’s diverse ethnic groups, offering a lively glimpse into everyday local life.
Day 3 - Days 4 - 7 Bijagos Archipelago (Guinea-Bissau)
The remote Bijagos Archipelago off Guinea-Bissau comprises 88 islands with mangroves, savannahs, and palm forests, protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its ecosystems host endangered species like green sea turtles, saltwater hippos and African manatees, plus 800,000 migratory birds annually. Untouched by tourism, the Bijagos offers pristine beaches and a rich cultural heritage, with rare matrilineal customs and traditional ceremonies.
Day 4 - Day 8 Freetown (Sierra Leone)
Sierra Leone’s portside capital city occupies a major position in history as the home of formerly enslaved people from North America and Britain. Sites like Cotton Tree and the King’s Yard Gate symbolise the town’s sombre past. Freetown today is a diverse city with a rich heritage – colourful Krio architecture, hearty, rice-based cuisine and lively beaches. Nearby, the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary rescues endangered primates in a rainforest.
Day 5 - Days 9 - 10 Day at sea (At Sea)
Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of our knowledgeable experts.
Day 6 - Day 11 Abidjan (Cote 'Ivoire)
A city pulsating with energy, Abidjan, the former capital of Côte D’Ivoire, stands as a hub of creativity and innovation. The thriving arts and music scene interweaves with the cultures, cuisines and traditions that define Abidjan. Serving as a window into West Africa, the infectious tropical mood permeates the city. Abidjan's unique atmosphere, galleries and markets, along with the fascinating National Museum, make it a captivating destination.
Day 7 - Day 12 Takoradi (Ghana)
The twin cities of Sekondi-Takoradi, known as Tadi, are a key commercial hub on Ghana’s deepwater port, featuring a 17th-century Dutch fort, a relaxed beachfront and Africa’s largest market offering coconuts, dried fish, and tangy jollof rice. Nearby Kakum National Park hosts an endangered Ghanaian rainforest with native wildlife, lush plant life, exotic birds, vibrant butterflies and a Canopy Walkway, suspended 100 feet above the ground.
Day 8 - Days 12 - 13 Elmina (Ghana)
A solemn reminder of the past, 15th century Elmina Castle in Ghana was a key slave trade hub, originally protecting gold trade before Dutch and British slave trade involvement. This UNESCO site exemplified the era's contradictions, with Europeans in luxurious quarters above filthy, cramped slave dungeons. The infamous Door of No Return opened to ships on the gruelling Middle Passage.
Day 9 - Day 14 Tema (Accra) (Ghana)
Tema is a short drive from Ghana’s fast-paced capital, Accra, a city that's culturally rich, modern and historic all at once. European-built forts and Black Star Independence Square’s public monuments offer a glimpse at the past. The neighbourhood of Jamestown, a 17th-century fishing community with old colonial buildings, is its pulse with an art scene and local bites like waakye­ – rice and beans with sides – at a low-key ‘chop bar’.
Day 10 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
21-09-202705-10-2027AUD $20,875Oceanview D4
21-09-202705-10-2027AUD $21,925Oceanview M4
21-09-202705-10-2027AUD $22,975Balcony D5
21-09-202705-10-2027AUD $24,000Balcony M5
21-09-202705-10-2027AUD $25,100Balcony D6
21-09-202705-10-2027AUD $31,325Junior Suite
21-09-202705-10-2027AUD $36,550Suite
21-09-202705-10-2027AUD $41,775Premium Suite

Inclusions

    • Witness incredible flamingos, pelicans and herons in the pristine Bijagós Archipelago.
    • Delve into West Africa's transatlantic slave trade history at the 15th-century Elmina Castle.
    • Indulge in West African cuisine, with a variety of fresh seafood, spices, and local dishes.

Map