Swan Hellenic has announced its cultural expedition cruises of Africa for 2023 as SH Vega reached the continent from Antarctica. Explorers now have a choice of nine cultural expedition cruises between March and November 2023, ranging from eight- to 14-day voyages on the line's new five-star ships SH Diana and SH Vega. Each will be in the company of experts and seasoned expedition guides.
SH Vega will be following the West Coast of Africa northwards as it makes its way to the Arctic, offering four cultural expedition cruises: “Safaris of the Southwest Coast” (Cape Town to Luanda over 10 days), “Unspoilt Wilds of Southwest Africa” (Luanda to Accra over 14 days), “Cultural Crucibles of West Africa” (Accra to Dakar over 14 days) and “Volcanic Cultures of Africa's Atlantic Islands” (Dakar to Santa Cruz de Tenerife over nine days).
There are so many unique attractions to choose from; however, standouts range from Loango National Park in Gabon, with lowland gorillas and its surfing hippos, to the opportunity to encounter chimpanzees in the Conkouati-Douli National Park in the Republic of the Congo. Here, guests will also be able to visit the famous chimpanzee sanctuary that rescues animals from the bushmeat trade and reintroduces them to the wild. Swan Hellenic is unique in offering access to both these extraordinary parks.
Any of these cruises can be daisy-chained as desired.
SH Diana, the largest ship in Swan Hellenic’s five-star fleet, which is outfitted with tender boats as well as expedition zodiacs, will be sailing the North and East Coasts southwards between August and November. The five cultural expedition cruises offered here are “Mysteries of Carthage and the Moors” (Lisbon to Palermo over 11 days), “Revelations of Suez, Sinai and the Red Sea” (Limassol to Jeddah over 13 days), “Paradise Islands of the Indian Ocean” (Port Victoria to Mombasa over 12 days), “Madagascar and its Eastern Islands” (Mombasa to Maputo 11 over days) and “Extraordinary Southern Africa” (Maputo to Cape Town over eight days).
Highlights here include the holy city of Medina, the famous pink sandstone Nabataean city of Petra, and lush Pemba Island with its fruit-eating flying fox megabats and snorkeling.
Daisy-chaining is, as always, a Swan Hellenic option, in this case including in combination with cultural expedition cruises of the Mediterranean to create a full odyssey.
Related Stories
Carnival Venezia Officially Joins the Carnival Cruise Line Fleet
Celestyal Journey Debuts in September After $21 Million Upgrade
Scenic Unveils Culinary Voyages With Chef Bryan Voltaggio
Holland America's Gus Antorcha on Cuisine, Alaska, Long Voyages