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Turquoise waters along the shore near Dakar, Senegal

West Africa Safari, Tours & Small Ship Cruises

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The West African region encompasses the countries of Ghana, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Senegal, and Cape Verde. The lush rainforest of Guinea provides an ideal environment for an eco-tourism experience, while historic Cape Verde attracts visitors with its lovely beaches and pristine atmosphere. Most travelers to West Africa head to Senegal to explore Gorée Island's infamous “Door of No Return,” which once served the slave trade. Trundle the coastal villages at Goree Island off Dakar, or climb Mount Cameroon for superb hiking. West Africa almost defies description; it is a crossroads of cultures and nationalities, a continent more than a country, where differences are more pronounced than similarities. Contact one of our West  African experts to help you find the small ship cruise for you.

10 Best West Africa Safari, Tours & Small Ship Cruises for 2024-2025

Turquoise waters along the shore near Dakar, Senegal

Rivers of West Africa - Dakar to Dakar

Dakar to Dakar
8 Days from $2,990
Learn about Africa's vegetation, fauna and history as you sail through Senegal and Gambia's rivers. Harmony g invites you on a spectacular 8-day trip along the coast of West Africa and upstream the Gambia River, deep within the African continent.
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A young family walks through the African landscape

Rivers of West Africa - Banjul to Banjul

Banjul to Dakar
8 Days from $2,990
Join the Harmony G for a fascinating 8-day cruise along the coast of West Africa and upstream the Gambia River, deep inside the African continent. Discover the flora, fauna, and history of Africa as you voyage through the waterways of Senegal and Gambia.
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Beaches of Cape Verde Islands

Islands of Cape Verde Archipelago

Palmeira to Palmeira
8 Days from $2,990
Discover the islands of Cape Verde or Cabo Verde on this 8-day cruise with Harmony G. Take a tour from Palmeira to Sal Rei, Praia, Sao Felipe, and many more. This cruise holiday will open up for you a vibrant and colorful world, all set to the gentle rhythms of West African music.
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Beaches of Cape Verde Islands

St. Helena to Cape Verde

St. Helena Island to Praia
11 Days from $2,450
Set sail on an exciting 11-day cruise from St. Helena to the Cape Verde Islands aboard the MV Plancius. Discover the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a massive underwater mountain range spanning 10,000 miles. Explore the historic Cidade Velha in Praia, with its fortress built to defend against English attackers.
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Colorful Canary Islands

Cape Verde and Canary Islands

Dakar - Lisbon
15 Days from $8,200
Embark on a distinctive cruise to discover the natural beauty of Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, and Madeira on this 15-day cruise from Dakar to Lisbon aboard the Le Lyrial. Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites and iconic landmarks, immersing yourself in these exceptional archipelagos' diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.
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Cape Town to Lisbon

Cape Town to Lisbon
42 Days from $33,900
Embark on a 40-day Cape Town to Lisbon Cruise aboard Silver Wind exploring remote destinations along the West Coast of Africa and the Atlantic Islands. Experience Walvis Bay, Bom Bom Island, Pointe Noire, with overnight stays in Lomé and Tema. Continue to the Bijagos Archipelago, Santiago Island, the Canary Islands, concluding in Lisbon.
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Explore for a stunning view of the sea

Northwest Africa and its Islands

Dakar - Lisbon
11 Days from $5,780
On this 11-day Northwest Africa and its Islands Cruise from Dakar to Casablanca aboard SH Diana, experience the vibrant markets of Dakar and the lush gardens of Funchal on this trip along the rugged Atlantic coasts of Northwest Africa and its islands. Encounter the unique blend of European colonial and African traditions guided by the trade winds.
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Loango National Park

Unspoilt Wilds of Southwest Africa

Luanda to Accra
15 Days from $9,180
This 15-day Unspoilt Wilds of Southwest Africa cruise aboard SH Diana departs from Angola and sails up the Atlantic coast via the Central African countries of Congo and Sao Tome to West Africa’s Benin and Togo, finally arriving on the Gold Coast in Ghana. Encounter unique customs and landscapes in some of the least-visited parts of Africa.
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Ride the gondola to Sugarloaf Mountain on your Brazil tour

Rhythms of Brazil & Cape Verde

Rio de Janeiro - Tenerife
15 Days from $7,999
Set sail on a 15-day cruise aboard World Navigator, exploring the vibrant cities of Brazil and the captivating landscapes of Cape Verde. Immerse yourself in the rhythms of Rio de Janeiro, the beaches of Búzios, and the history of Ilhéus. Then, discover the lush valleys of Santiago Island and the vibrant culture of Palmeira before ending your journey in the Canary Islands.
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Sunset in Praia

St. Helena to Cape Verde

St Helena - Praia
11 Days from $2,350
Board MV Hondius on this 11-day cruise from St. Helena to the Cape Verde Islands. Witness the northbound spring migration of birds like Arctic Terns & Long-tailed Skuas joining you in crossing the Equator. Explore the wonders of the celestial sky while sailing the Mid-Atlantic ridge, onward the Ascension Islands and discover the pleasures of Praia.
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7 Best West Africa Luxury Small Cruise Ships for 2024-2025

M/V Hondius

MV Hondius

The MV Hondius ship is designed to sail to the polar regions as much as possible while impacting them as little as possible accommodating 174 passengers cruising to Antarctica.
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Silver Cloud

Silver Wind

Discover Silver Wind's tranquility, sophistication, and genuine elegance. This multi-million dollar refit transforms her into one of the most technologically advanced ships at sea. Admire the stunning beauty of Europe & the Polar regions aboard this 274 passenger ship.
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Le Lyrial

The sleek, intimate Le Lyrial sails under the French flag and entrances her passengers with her contemporary decor, comfortable suites, and refined ambiance. Her elegant design allows her to be an ideal sailing vessel.
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SH Diana

SH Diana

Arriving in early 2023, SH Diana will be the largest ship in our fleet, providing elegant and spacious 5-star accommodation for 192 guests in 96 spacious staterooms and suites, the vast majority with large balconies. Operated by an onboard team of 140 she will provide the highest levels of personal service and take Swan Hellenic back to its roots when she launches, exploring the Mediterranean and its famous sites of antiquity. Now sit back, relax and take a moment to get to know this amazing new ship, purpose-designed for our unique cultural expedition cruises.
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World Navigator

World Navigator

The World Navigator is a yacht designed for a highly personalized and all-inclusive experience. She's a modern classic with a 1940s aesthetic inspired by the new millennium. This ship can cater to up to 198 guests with refined accommodations, globally inspired gourmet dining and premium cocktails.
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MV Plancius

Built in 1976 and reconstructed in 2008, the MV Plancius is fully equipped for polar expedition cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica, and accommodates 112 passengers in 54 comfortable cabins.
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Harmony G

Harmony G

The Harmony G is a modern vessel with a sleek high-tech look very similar to the private yachts to be found in the famous ports of the world. She was launched in January 2001 and complies with the most stringent safety regulations while its powerful engines and state of the art stabilizers allow for safe and comfortable cruising.
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Top 8 West Africa Attractions

A young girl carries a bucket on her head, lightening her load

Senegal

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Sunset over the Gambian River in Kuntaur

Gambia

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Mali

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Enjoy a blissful snorkeling trip.

Cape Verde Islands

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Sunset in Praia

Praia

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Lioness relaxing in an African sunset

Ghana

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All West Africa Articles

West Africa Travel Guide

Turquoise waters along the shore near Dakar, Senegal

Top 10 Places to Visit on a Senegal River Cruise - Must-See Destinations & Experiences

Embark on a Senegal River Cruise and discover the top 10 ports including Dakar, Île de Gorée, Saint Louis, Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie, Parc National des oiseaux du Djoudj, Casamance, Sine-Saloum Delta, Lompoul Desert, Niokolo-Koba National Park, and Saloum Delta National Park.
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The Best Time to Visit West Africa

Located on the equatorial line, it has a privileged climate with minimal temperature variation, which makes it a place with incredible biodiversity in its tropical forests. Beautiful beaches await you to take a nice swim or enjoy a walk on the coast. At the same time, drylands are home to very rare species, some of them endangered.

The best time to visit West Africa is between November and March, when the weather is cooler and drier. Wildlife encounters increase as more animals come out of the shady places to feed and hydrate themselves.
How Much Does a West AfricaTour Cost?

Travel to West Africa is an excellent option. A region of remarkable contrast that offers many experiences for travelers is worth visiting. 

Prices for a West Africa trip can range from around $2,100 for an 8-day adventure in Cape Verde to $16,500 for a combined 23-day experience. 

It really depends on you, how much you want to do and see.

No matter what you choose, our experienced travel advisors are ready to help you with any questions you may have.
Beaches of Cape Verde Islands

An Island Expedition to the Cape Verde Islands

Explore the small islands of the coast of North Africa, Cape Verde islands. These islands were uninhabited until Portuguese colonization in the fifteenth century.
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Sunset over the Gambian River in Kuntaur

10 Top Places to Visit on a Gambia River Cruise - Must-See Destinations & Experiences

Embark on a Gambia River Cruise and explore the top 10 places including Janjanbureh, Bansang, Kunta Kinteh Island, Basse Santa Su, Kaur Wetland Reserve, Tendaba Camp, River Gambia National Park, and Kuntaur.
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TrustScore 4.9 | 210 reviews
TrustScore 4.9 of 5
total score
Based on 210 reviews on
review score
6 hours ago
Adventure Life couldn’t have provided a better travel experience, from the start of planning through the entire tip itself. The agents were very helpful and quickly responsive to our questions and needs. We were well taken care of and the trip was smooth sailing, both literally and figuratively. The cruise line, the hotel, and the extra excursions that Adventure Life provided were superb and without flawsThe price was reasonable when we compared the planned trip to what was offered by others. We would highly recommend both Adventure Life and Emerald Cruise Line to anyone interested in an enjoyable, relaxing, and informative travel experience.
Julie Mabel
review score
1 day ago
I have travelled with Adventure Life previously and certainly eager to do it again. Kassandra made excellent and honest suggestions while taking the time to understand what was important to us.
Susan
review score
2 days ago
They answered every question and concern that I had and put me at ease. Very excited for this once in a life-time trip.
Customer Tim
review score
3 days ago
I am a returning client to Adventure Life and am very pleased with their commitment to put together a great trip. Clara replied and clarified to any and all questions we had.
Claire Palmer
review score
5 days ago
Jessica was very responsive to my questions and never balked when I asked her to go back and find more options. She really worked hard to find the right cruise for us.
Amy Siegel

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