Swan Hellenic: Expeditions in the Heart of Africa
Swan Hellenic, the renowned cruise company specializing in historically and culturally significant expedition tours, has always aimed to offer adventures that allow guests to “see what others do not see.” Pursuing this goal, the company has announced new explorations, available in limited capacity, in southwestern and western Africa between March and May 2024.
The African journeys, which had already enjoyed great success in 2023, have been refined in terms of itinerary and onshore excursion offerings to provide more comprehensive explorations. For this reason, Swan Hellenic is the choice for adventurous travelers of all ages seeking in-depth explorations around the world.
swan hellenic sh-vega
SHVega Observation Lounge
The four expedition cruises along the West Coast of Africa will depart on board the SH Vega, the fleet’s second boutique ship capable of accommodating 152 guests in 76 spacious suites and cabins. These cruises will take guests from Cape Town to Dakar, uncovering the fascinating wildlife and rich African culture.
The first cruise in the Africa 2024 series is “Coastal Treasures of Southwest Africa,” a 13-night journey to Luanda departing on March 25 from Cape Town. It offers a surprising range of experiences, such as a hot air balloon flight over the Namib Special Nature Reserve desert or kayaking expeditions with seals in Walvis Bay.
The “Unspoilt Wilds of Southwest Africa” cruise will depart from Luanda to Tema on April 4, 2024, covering 7 countries in 13 nights. Guests will have the opportunity to closely observe the extraordinary fauna of the coastal national parks of Congo and Gabon, encountering orangutans, gorillas, and elephants. Notable experiences include visits to the lake village of Ganvie in Benin and an authentic Voodoo animist ceremony in Togo.
Walvis Bay
Namibia
Luanda
Following that is the “Crucibles of West Africa” cruise, departing on April 17 from Tema to Dakar, taking guests on a 13-night adventure of contrasts: from historic strongholds of the slave trade, gold, and ivory to the natural paradise of the Bijagos Archipelago, often described as the Maldives of Africa and an exceptional anthropological experience.
The series concludes with the “Pristine Islands of West Africa” cruise, departing on April 30, 2024, from Dakar for an 8-night exploration of the Bijagos Islands, now a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve. Largely unaffected by colonial influence, the local culture retains many traditional features, including coming-of-age ceremonies such as “Difuntu” for women and “Fanado” for men.
Bijagos archipelago
Dakar
Benin
Patrizia Iantorno, Chief Commercial Officer of Swan Hellenic, states, “We are proud and delighted that these cultural expedition journeys in Africa, designed by experts, have received such an enthusiastic response. Combining in-depth encounters with pristine nature, extraordinary wildlife, and unique cultures, each journey offers exceptional experiences. Two of these journeys already have limited availability; therefore, anyone wishing to join us is encouraged to book without delay to avoid disappointment.”
These cultural expedition journeys, exploring a region rich in cultural immersion, nature, and history, will also be customizable. Guests will have the opportunity to combine them as they please, thanks to the offering of non-repeating itineraries to create truly unique exploration paths.
Stay tuned for further news, updates, and reviews from Swan Hellenic on Cruising Journal, featuring photos, videos, and cruise offers.
