TOUR CODE: WCV06
32 Days West Coat Voyage from Cape town to Morocco
Day One: Arrival in Cape Town, South Africa
Upon your arrival at the airport in Cape Town, South Africa, The guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will transfer you to the hotel for one night where you will get the orientation. Dinner and overnight at The Commodore Hotel or similar
Day Two: Cape Town / Embarkation
After breakfast, you will take a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain. The plateau at 3km wide has it’s highest point over 1,000 meters, and provides spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. You will have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, make your way along the famous Chapman’s Peak road, a scenic drive. You will also have the opportunity to visit the boulders site where a small colony of African penguins cling to viability in a small breeding colony that is heavily protected. Enjoy the drive back to Cape Town, skirting the Constantia Winelands before making your way to the MS Expedition for embarkation at approximately 4pm. Dinner: Dinner on board the ship.
Day Three: At Sea
This morning, you will be at the sea filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography, and South African wine tastings. The Expedition has ample public space in the lounge and library, and you can always join new friends in the ship’s popular pub. Alternatively, spend time relaxing on the ship’s deck or scanning the horizon with binoculars and camera in search of seabirds and marine life. As always, high end dining experiences will be enjoyed in the ship’s dining room. Have lunch on the ship. In the afternoon, experience the wine making process in South Africa, and everyone gets to toast with a glass of his very own wine. Dinner and overnight on the ship
Day Four: Luderitz, Namibia
You will spend your morning relaxing onboard the ship as you sail into Luderitz, Namibia. Have lunch on board. In the afternoon you will disembark from MS Expedition on the southern coast of Namibia, you will encounter ascending blocks of architectural evidence that the seaside town of Luderitz had indeed been founded by German settlers who brought their culture with them to southwest Africa. From the brightly painted houses of Berg Street (1909-11) to the elegant 1910 Goerke House on the hill, it was also evident that a substantial number of the early 20th century newcomers to this remote seaport had achieved financial success from endeavors related to the nearby diamond fields. Just a few miles north, we travel through the dwellings of the mining ghost town of Komannskuppe looking at faded museum photographs. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day Five: Walvis Bay, Namibia
The morning at sea may provide an opportunity to to see fur seals and Cape Gannets. Enjoy the educational programming, or simply relax on board the ship. Have lunch on the ship In the afternoon when you arrive in Walvis Bay you will have the opportunity to explore the landscapes of the Namib Desert. We begin by setting off to see the fantastic Welwitschia – a living fossil that has existed since the day of the dinosaur. At first glance it looks like a misshapen dried up dying plant – but upon closer inspection you can see the adaptations that have made it such a successful and long lived plant found only in the Namib Desert. The proceed to look at the Moon landscape – which is yet another portion of the desert with formations of such unusual peaks and valleys stretching long distance. Marvel at the vastness of the world’s oldest desert. Dinner and overnight on the ship
Day Six – Eight: At Sea
Days at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship. In the afternoon, the Educational programming at sea continues. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Seven: At Sea
Morning: Days at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship In the afternoon, the Educational programming at sea continues. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Eight: Lobito (Benguela), Angola
This morning, enjoy a visit to the quaint town of Sao Felipe de Benguela in Angola. Benguela was founded by Portuguese in 1617 and has a big part in the history of the slave trade. The visit today covers the two towns of Lobito and Benguela, both cast in the unique Portuguese/African style, veneered 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. Stop at the 16th century fort of San Pedro set on a hilltop guarding the old crossing on the Catumbela river. This offers great views of the surrounding city. Also view the 1905 steel bridge that had been responsible for so much congestion, and the governor’s residence opposite.Have lunch on board the ship. In the afternoon, free time in the afternoon to explore the port of Lobito if time allows. Dinner and overnight on board the ship.
Day Nine: At Sea
Morning at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, Educational programming at sea continues. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Ten: Pointe Noire, Congo
Today, you will visit the Congo’s Pointe Noire. Visit the cliffs of Diosso Gorge to look at the red sandstone gulley, created by natural erosion. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, continue exploring Point Noire with a visit to the Diosso Scientific and Cultural Museum where entusiastic museum guides will provide a tour of the collection. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Eleven: At Sea
Days at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, Educational programming at sea continues. Dinner and overnight on board the ship.
Day Twelve: Sao Tome and Principe
This Portuguese colonial island nation is a tropical paradise of beaches, waterfalls, forests and friendly people. You’ll visit the capital, Sao Tome- once an important slave-trade post- and explore a nearby plantation. Sao Tome is famous among birders, with over 140 species identified in the surrounding area. On a birding excursion, try to catch a glimpse of the islands’ endemic inhabitants. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, explore Principe via Zodiac boat to experience it’s beaches, waterfalls and rainforests. A swim in the tropical waters is a great way to relax. Birdlife, including many endemic species, is abundant here and we’ll keep our eyes out for African grey parrots. Option to visit the tiny town of Santo Antonio, the world’s smallest city. Dinner: Dinner on board the ship
Day Thirteen: Sao Tome and Principe
Your day will take you to an old Coffee Station called Monte Cafe, reinvigorated by foreign money. Have lunch at a local restaurant and in the afternoon, go to the quaint town to explore the fort at the entrance of the harbor. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Fourteen: At Sea
Days at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, educational programming at sea continues as you sail towards Cotonou, Benin. Dinner and overnight on board the ship.
Day Fifteen: Cotonou, Benin
After breakfast, we will visit Gamvie. Described as the Venice of West Africa, it is a little less than that, but nonetheless it is an extraordinary community top the tidal Lake Nueke where historically, refuge was sought against the predation of the slave catching troops of Dahomey. Today it remains an independent water community reliant on small scale trade and fishing, existing around a small, self contained stilted village. We visit the site in a series of small boats, embarking at a bustling but rather odorous waterside market from where you weave your way through busy fishermen and paddling market ladies. Have lunch on board the ship or at a local restaurant
In the afternoon, you will visit the fascinating town of Ouidah. The sad history of Ouidah is that it once served as the main entre pot for slave embarkation to the New World, and 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 colorful and symbolic statuary representing various aspects of the faith to be found everywhere within and around the town. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Sixteen: Lome, Togo
After breakfast, you will disembark the ship for a day of learning and visit the city of Lome which was founded in the 18th century by the Ewe and Akan people. Our first stop is the International Museum of Guinea. This is a small converted residence that holds treasures that will amaze anyone. You will be privileged to see rare, authentic artifacts from across West Africa that span centuries. Then visit an artisinal market nearby before returning back to the ship at lunch. In the afternoon we will travel out of town to the Akato Viepe village to meet the chief and experience village life. Upon arrival we will be welcomed and then venture into learning about patrilineal communities, their farming practices and the role of different people in the village. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Seventeen: Accra – Ghana
For this day, we will take the excursion to the port at Tema, the busy capital of Accra. Stop is at a casket-maker’s shop where caskets are carved to depict the beliefs, hobbies and life stories of the deceased. Have lunch on board the ship. In the afternoon, visit a local market, the national museum and the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum. Wildlife enthusiasts may choose to visit the Shai Game Reserve instead to view baboons, green monkeys and antelope as well as an abundance of birdlife: Senegal Parrots, Swallow-tailed Bee-eaters and Vieilot’s Barbet. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Eighteen: Takoradi, Ghana
Today starting from the dock at the Ghanaian town of Takoradi, we will explore a region steeped in the sad history of the slave trade. A visit to Elmira Castle and Cape Coast Castle brings us face-to-face with the horrible conditions of the dungeons and quarters slaves inhabited while awaiting their fate. Although this site was established by the Swedes in 1653, it was not until the 1700s when it fell under the control of the British, that it reached its peak of output as a commercial slaving depot. The castle itself, although forbidding from the outside, is surrounded by pleasant aspects of local fishing activity, and the relatively clean and pleasant precincts of Cape Castle village. You will also visit the West African Historical Museum. Have lunch on board the ship or at a local restaurant
In the afternoon, you may visit the Cape Castle or Kakum National Park to witness its 100-foot-high Canopy Walkway. From high above the treetops, the Walkway gets you incredibly close to the flora and fauna of the region. Dinner and overnight on board the ship.
Day Nineteen: At Sea
Days at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship. In the afternoon, educational program at sea continues. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Twenty: At Sea
Days at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, educational program continues as the ship sails towards Sierra Leone. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Twenty One: Freetown, Sierra Leone
This morning, we disembark in Freetown, Sierra Leone and spend 2 days exploring. Sierra Leone recovering fromm a civil war that almost tore the country apart, but today it is a progressive African state with a great future. Tourism is part of the recovery process. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, Explore the Sierra Leone National Museum, close to the famous Cotton Tree. A nearby war memorial may also be of considerable interest, rendering a sense of the extent to which this tragedy has been imprinted on the psyche of this city. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Twenty Two: Freetown, Sierra Leone
For today, continue with a visit to the Tacagumu Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Located in the much threatened Western Area Peninsula Forest Reserve, close to Freetown, the sanctuary covers 100 acres of important rainforest and watershed. Tacugama was established in 1995 to house and rehabilitate confiscated, orphaned and abandoned chimps. Much work is also undertaken towards stopping the illegal trade of this endangered species, and supporting the protection and conservation of chimpanzees in the wild through education, communication and legal enforcement. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, visit one of the least visited beaches in the world. Dinner and overnight on board the ship.
Day Twenty Three: At Sea
Days at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, educational program at sea continues as you sail towards Guinea-Bissau. Dinner and overnight on board the ship.
Day Twenty Four: Banjul, Gambia
Today’s a special day for the bird lovers, Gambia is known for it’s abundant birdlife, over 500 species. Today we will visit the Abuko Nature Reserve for a walk with our guides. Birds, monkeys and crocodiles inhabit the area. Alternatively, you may opt to visit the museum of a local artist. Before arriving at the museum, we will visit the Serrekunda market, one of Africa’s busiest. At the museum, the artist herself will give us a guided tour of the space and its works while giving us some insight into her life as an African artist. For the lunch, Participate in a local cooking class with a local woman who will show us how to make traditional Gambian cuisine. In the afternoon, visit a fruit distillery to learn about local liqueurs and be treated to a tasting. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Twenty Five: Dakar, Senegal
Today we arrive in Dakar, Senegal; a bustling and energetic West African capital. We will visit the infamous slave-trading post of Goree Island and learn about the history of the region and its importance to the slave trade. The tour includes visits to the dungeons and slave quarters, the traders’ opulent homes, the House of Slaves and Le Castel, offering a fascinating look into this dark time. We will also visit the IFAN Historical Museum to learn more about the history of Senegal. Have lunch at a local restaurant and in the afternoon, explore Dakar’s incredible markets, Great Mosque and colonial architecture before checking into the hotel for the night.
Day Twenty Six: At Sea
Days at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, educational programming at sea continues as you sail towards Western Sahara. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Twenty Seven: At Sea
Days at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, educational programming at sea continues as you sail towards Western Sahara. Dinner and overnight on board the ship.
Day Twenty Eight: Dakhla, Western Sahara
Dakhla is located in the country of West Sahara, although administered by Morocco. This is your opportunity to touch the western edge of the great Sahara Desert. The Western Sahara is a tropical desert. Hot and dry but cooled by the breeze off the Atlantic Ocean. This combination of cool and hot can often create a fog layer out at sea. A pastorial nomadic lifestyle is common here, as most make a living fishing or mining. We will have a full day here to see the edge of the Sahara and if possible, some of the nomadic people who live here. Enjoy a local gala lunch in tents set up especially for this occassion. And in the afternoon, Continue to explore Dakhla and Western Sahara. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Twenty Nine: At Sea
Days at sea will be filled with a fascinating and entertaining educational program presented by the expert expedition team. Lectures and presentations on the history, anthropology, flora and fauna of the region will be interspersed with seminars on painting, photography. Have lunch on board the ship and in the afternoon, educational programming at sea continues as you sail towards Morocco. Dinner and overnight on board the ship.
Day Thirty: Fuerteventurea, Canary Islands
Fuereventura, in the Canary Islands, is part of the newly designated UNESCO bioreserve. It is believed the first settlers came from North Africa soon to be followed by the Spanish, Portuguese and French! Today it is a meca for those escaping winter colds further in the north. Enjoy the islands beaches. Have lunch on board the ship. Like the rest of the Canaries, it is an ancient volcanic island that has eroded. The climate on Fuerteventura is pleasant throughout the year. The island is also often referred to as the island of eternal spring. The sea adjusts the temperature making the hot Sahara winds blow away from the island. Dinner and overnight on board the ship
Day Thirty One: Agadir / Marrakesh
We make our last open sea passage back to the continent, landing in Agadir, near the foot of the famous and wild snow capped Atlas Mountains. In 1960 it was completely destroyed by an earthquake, and has been totally rebuilt into a modern city and a beach destination for many. Transfer 146 miles to Marrakesh.
Have lunch at a local restaurant en route to Marrakesh. Arrive in Marrakesh in time to take a guided walk down the Medina – the ancient central market. Visit the extraordinary Djemaa el Fna square – a human carnival filled with magicians, snake charmers, acrobats, water sellers and food stalls. Dinner and overnight at the hotel
Day Thirty Two: Marrakesh and fly out
You will have an easy morning after your breakfast, then explore more of Marrakesh and lunch on your own. Afternoon: Meet back at the hotel and transfer to the airport for flights home.
Trip Includes
31 nights of accommodations
91 meals: 31 breakfasts, 30 lunches, 30 dinners
22 Expert-led lectures
16 Field trips
Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced guide attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant and provides 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance services coverage.
Taxes
State-of-the-art QUIETVOX listening devices
ENJOY AFRICA