Atlantic Crossroads: cruise from Senegal to Ghana

Set sail along West Africa’s historic Slave Coast from Senegal to Gambia, exploring the profound history that shaped the region. Uncover Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Ivory Coast. Discover Senegal's capital and the pristine Bijagós Islands, a haven of mangroves and savannas. Experience the heritage of cities like Freetown, home to the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, and Elmina, a key site in the transatlantic slave trade.

Dakar, set at the tip of the Cape Vert peninsula, is West Africa’s westernmost point and the capital of French-speaking Senegal. Although it was not founded until 1857, it is West Africa’s oldest European city and one of the most westernised. The opening of the Dakar-St Louis railway in 1885 put the town on the map; it subsequently became a French naval base and in 1904, the capital of Afrique Occidentale Française. It bears the legacy of Africa’s French colonial past, especially so in the downtown Plateau area, where the architecture is redolent of southern France. Every inch a modern city, Dakar is a frenetic buzz of activity, which can be startling. Perhaps sample the popular mint tea and try your hand at bartering in the colourful craft markets for traditional embroidery, woodcarvings, metalwork and costume jewellery.

The tiny city of Banjul is the capital of The Gambia, a country that itself is little more than the banks of the mighty river that shares its name. Situated on St Mary’s Island, where the River Gambia joins the Atlantic, Bathurst, as Banjul was previously called, was established by the British in the early nineteenth century as a naval outpost dedicated to putting a halt to the trade in human beings. In 1943, Franklin Roosevelt visited Banjul on his way to the Casablanca conference with Churchill, becoming the first serving American president to visit Africa. Today, Banjul plays host to a thriving tourist trade, thanks to its pleasant climate, and is the political centre for the oldest democracy in Africa.

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.

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

Standing on the rocks of Sierra Leone’s Western Peninsular, the rusting, photogenic Aberdeen Lighthouse welcomes sea-faring visitors ashore. Aberdeen juts out into the Atlantic waves to the north of Sierra Leone’s sprawling capital city, Freetown. A lively, well-heeled spot, Aberdeen has a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere, which attracts adventurous holidaymakers and explorers to these shores. The air is thick with history too - a colony was established here to repatriate former slaves of the British Empire, and you can explore the monuments and reminders of this important past in Freetown. The Cotton Tree is a national symbol of liberation, while former slaves would walk through King’s Yard Gate as they reclaimed their freedom. Sierra Leone is known for offering up some of the best beaches in Western Africa. The most accessible of which is the golden band of sand of Lumley Beach, which stretches from Aberdeen for three miles down to Lumley - the southern portion forms a palm-backed party spot for locals. Quieter, tranquil options fringe the Western Peninsular’s wider coastline, away from Aberdeen, where the lush Western Area National Park rolls down to meet the sandy shores. River No 2 Beach is a gorgeous option on an unspooling river estuary, with coils of silky sands all around. Enjoy the peace, while watching as the pink sun is subdued by the Atlantic’s waves.

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

Wedged in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mesurado River, Libera’s capital Monrovia has a lot to recommend it. Despite its reputation as being risky, if you can look beyond the scars two civil wars have left on the city, you’ll soon find that Monrovia is bursting with African excellence. Like many African nations, Monrovia has had its fair share of turmoil. Founded in 1824 by the freed slaves of the USA and Caribbean, Monrovia take its name from James Monroe, then President of America, and ardent supporter of the freedom movement. Thousands flocked to its shores with the promise of finding a better life in the early 20th century and by 1937 the population had reached 10,000 (for a police force of just 30). Oppression and civic unrest was bound to and did follow. A military coup in 1980 overthrew the government, which was later followed by 14 near-consecutive years of civil war. Certainly, the city is a bit rough around the edges. However, Monrovians have a proverb, that “To the patient man will come all the riches of the world.” And, as Monrovians have been more than patient, riches are most definitely beginning to arrive. African history has found its rightful place in the Liberian National Museum, while the rolling surf and glorious beaches have begun attracting holidaymakers in search of an authentic African experience. The city’s transformation is definitely a work in progress, but watch this space, and you might be one of the lucky ones to say that you were there in the beginning.

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

Three hours south of Yamoussoukro, nestled in between the canals and waterways, lies Abidjan the economic capital of the Ivory Coast. Considered the crossroads of West Africa both economically and culturally, Abidjan benefits from clement temperatures year round, reaching average highs of around 88˚ Fahrenheit, or 30˚ Celsius. Like much of West Africa, this city has cachet and soul, and enjoys a diversity of cultures, traditions and people, notably through the French influence, but also through the steady stream of tourists that make the city both vibrant and cosmopolitan. Although its reputation was tarnished during the civil war in 2011, Abidjan held firm and has blossomed into a stunning coastal city, ripe for exploration.

Ghana's fourth-largest city plays serene beaches against a bustling commercial centre. People from around the world visit the shore, both for its beauty and to enjoy the fresh seafood served right on the sands. Frantic city life awaits a short distance inland, where an economy fuelled by Ghana’s oil industry is most apparent in the maze of vendors at Market Circle.

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

As Ghana's vibrant capital, Accra is a soulful coastal metropolis where the rhythmic pulse of highlife music meets a rich tapestry of Pan-African history and modern West African energy. Visitors can explore the historic streets of Jamestown and the poignant Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park before diving into the sensory whirlwind of Makola Market, the city's sprawling commercial heart. From the sun-drenched shores of Labadi Beach to the trendy nightlife of the Osu district, Accra offers a captivating blend of warm "Akwaaba" hospitality and a dynamic urban culture that defines the spirit of modern Ghana.