Swan Hellenic Expands Expedition Cruise Program in West Africa
Photos courtesy of Swan Hellenic
Expedition cruise line Swan Hellenic has announced an expansion of its celebrated grand voyages in West Africa.
These voyages have been designed to be linked and create truly epic journeys in this fascinating part of the world. For example, the two Fall 2026 Grand Voyages can be combined into a seamless 26-day cruise from Dakar to Luanda, spanning 14 countries, 18 ports and many more in-depth expeditions to visit historic sites and natural ecosystems.
In 2027, the program will grow in depth and variety to nine cruises across two seasons: Four northbound springtime voyages of 14 countries in 46 days from Cape Town to Lisbon, and five southbound fall cruises spanning 15 countries in 51 days from Lisbon to Cape Town.
Now entering its fourth consecutive year in this rarely visited region, Swan Hellenic has acquired unmatched expertise in West Africa, forging deep, long-term relationships with communities and authorities in every country visited.
The voyages stop at many places rarely, if ever, visited by other cruise lines — ranging from historic slave-trading sites to places of outstanding natural beauty such as the remote Ilha dos Tigres in Angola, the pristine Loango National Park in Gabon, and the world-renowned birdwatching paradise of the Banc d'Arguin in Mauritania.
Cultural ceremonies, expert lectures and photography workshops at sea enrich these trips, transformed by the expert knowledge of renowned expedition guides and lecturers, together with the longstanding community partnerships that are the hallmark of Swan Hellenic's approach to West Africa.
All these West Africa voyages are aboard the luxury boutique expedition ship SH Diana, which accommodates 192 travelers in 96 staterooms and suites, the majority with large balconies.
I cruised on SH Diana for my first Arctic expedition, and I found the ship to be beautiful and packed with wonderful amenities and friendly and attentive crew. I also enjoyed fantastic food and drinks on this all-inclusive line as we cruised around Svalbard.
Despite the compact dimensions which enable the ship to reach far-off-the-beaten-track locations, SH Diana offers a nice array of amenities, from a gym, spa and panoramic sauna to a club room, swimming pool with poolside grill, three dining venues and a dedicated lecture theater. Also, SH Diana carries tender boats as well as expedition Zodiacs, enabling remote destinations to be visited in greater comfort.
Here’s a snapshot of the cruises offered.
Fall 2026: Two Voyages (26 Days and 14 Countries)
Atlantic Crossroads: Cruise from Senegal to Ghana
Dakar to Tema: September 16 to 29, 2026 · 12 nights · 9 ports · 7 countries
A tapestry of contrasts, from vibrant Dakar to the island city of Banjul, the UNESCO-designated Bolama-Bijagós Biosphere Reserve, and then Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle in Ghana, the deeply moving sites where enslaved Africans were held before being transported across the Atlantic.
West Africa Cruise from Ghana to Angola
Tema to Luanda: September 29 to October 12, 2026 · 13 nights · 9 ports · 7 countries
This trips takes you from Ghana's colonial landmarks to Togo's voodoo markets and Benin's stilt village of Ganvie, followed by the pristine sands of Macaco Beach, the rainforest coastline of Loango National Park in Gabon, the Republic of the Congo's dramatic Diosso Gorge, and the haunting Ilha dos Tigres in Angola.
Spring 2027: Four Voyages (46 Days and 14 Countries)
Cruising in Namibia: The Skeleton Coast
Cape Town to Luanda: March 29 to April 9, 2027 · 11 nights · 7 ports · 3 countries
Beginning in Cape Town with a sunrise climb up Lion's Head mountain and wine tastings in Stellenbosch, this cruise then sails north to explore Walvis Bay's flamingo-filled wetlands and Cape fur seal colonies, Angola's remote Ilha dos Tigres, and the colonial heritage of Namibe Province.
Cultures & Traditions of Central Africa: From Luanda to Accra
Luanda to Tema: April 9 to 22, 2027 · 13 nights · 9 ports · 7 countries
A lesser-known side of Africa unfolds on this voyage: Luanda's mingling of the colonial and modern, the striking Diosso Gorge near Pointe-Noire, the tranquil beauty of Príncipe and São Tomé's historic sites, traditional voodoo ceremonies in Togo, Benin's vibrant markets and cosmopolitan Accra.
Cruise West Africa: Cultures and Wild Coasts
Tema to Dakar: April 22 to May 5, 2027 · 13 nights · 7 ports · 6 countries
A rich mix of history, culture and the natural world, from Freetown's celebrated Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary to the biodiversity of the Bijagós Archipelago, the historic slave-trading sites of Elmina Castle and Cape Coast Castle, and then Abidjan’s vibrant arts scene.
West Africa Coast & Atlantic Islands Cruise
Dakar to Lisbon: May 5 to 14, 2027 · 9 nights · 6 ports · 4 countries
Cruise along the Atlantic to experience Cape Verde's Praia and Palmeira, the spectacular volcanic landscapes of La Palma in the Canary Islands, and the lush mountains of Madeira, ending in Lisbon, Portugal — Europe's second oldest capital city — with its iconic tiled façades, historic trams and celebrated riverside cafés.
Fall 2027: Five Voyages (51 Days and 15 Countries)
From Fado to the Kasbah: Cruise from Lisbon to Casablanca
Lisbon to Casablanca: September 8 to 15, 2027 · 7 nights · 7 ports · 3 countries
An opportunity to trace Portugal's maritime heritage and the enduring legacy of the Moors, from the charms of Lisbon to Seville's striking architecture and Tangier, the historic crossroads where Africa meets Europe.
Cruise from Morocco to Senegal
Casablanca to Dakar: September 15 to 22, 2027 · 7 nights · 5 ports · 2 countries
Eight days along Africa's Atlantic edge, sailing south from Casablanca to Safi and Agadir before two nights in Dakhla bring unforgettable expeditions into the wind-sculpted landscapes of the Western Sahara coast.
Atlantic Crossroads: Cruise from Senegal to Ghana
Dakar to Tema: September 22 to October 5, 2027 · 13 nights · 8 ports · 6 countries
From Dakar's vibrant Medina to the pristine Bijagós Islands UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Elmina Castle, guests will experience immersive insights into Africa's history, culture and natural beauty.
West Africa Cruise from Ghana to Angola
Tema to Luanda: October 5 to 18, 2027 · 13 nights · 9 ports · 7 countries
A journey rich in discovery, from Ghana's colonial landmarks and Togo's voodoo markets to Benin's stilt village of Ganvie, famous Macaco Beach, the unforgettable wildlife of the Loango National Park and the breathtaking Diosso Gorge.
Southwest Africa Cruise: Angola to South Africa
Luanda to Cape Town: October 18 to 29, 2027 · 11 nights · 7 ports · 3 countries
A vibrant voyage from Luanda's colonial charm to the haunting Ilha dos Tigres, Namibe's vast desert landscapes and Walvis Bay's flamingo-filled lagoons and seal colonies, concluding in the magnificent setting of Cape Town.