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Into Africa: Exploring Africa's Hidden Treasures on a Voyage from the Gulf of Guinea to Namibia

We’d like to welcome you on a voyage unlike anything you’ve encountered before. Following the route of Vasco da Gama and other explorers of the 15th century, we will be exploring nine central West African nations – including Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Angola, and the island-nation of São Tomé and Príncipe – almost entirely unknown to modern travelers. It’s a very special voyage that will open up entirely new worlds for you, and one that can only be undertaken by sea.

As we look out upon the rain forest cliffs of pristine Bioko Island, hooting with mandrills, and enjoy dinner on the golden Namib Desert dunes, we’ll see that this region is by far the most environmentally diverse in all of Africa. It’s also the most culturally exciting. From the vibrant markets of Accra, to the stilt-village of Ganvié, in the shallows of Benin’s Lake Noukoué, we’ll see ancient traditions flourishing as these nations grow and adapt, from their colonial past, to their new-found oil wealth.

In fact, we’ll learn about culture and economic development directly from the people themselves, as we meet with local artisans and government officials throughout our voyage.

We’ll taste the world’s best chocolate on a São Tomé plantation, take pirogues to the villages of Lake Togo, and explore the ancient arts of Benin. We’ll also voyage into the legendary Congo where Livingstone disappeared – and reappeared – and see tens of thousands of flamingos take flight over Walvis Bay.

As we mentioned, this journey can only be accomplished by sea; in many of our ports of call, tourism is practically unknown, and we will be among the very few American travelers ever to set foot there. Throughout our voyage aboard the elegant 114-guest, all-suite Corinthian II, study leaders Christine Drake, Louis Wilson, Donald Wright and area experts will enlighten us on issues of ecology and development, and with exclusive visits with locals, we will truly be going Into Africa.

This is far more than the usual journey to Africa. It’s an experience of a part of the globe we have only just begun to appreciate, and what you see and hear will inspire you, and change your world. We hope you can join us.

Itinerary

Day 1 • USA

Day 2 • ACCRA| TEMA, Ghana | EMBARK

Day 3 • TEMA | ACCRA | TEMA

Day 4 • LOME | LAKE TOGO | LOME, Togo

Day 5 • COTONOU | PORTO-NOVO | COTONOU, Benin

Day 6 • AT SEA

Day 7 • DOUALA | LIMBÉ | DOUALA, Cameroon

Day 8 • MALABO, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea

Day 9 • BATA

Day 10 • LIBREVILLE, Gabon

Day 11 • PRÍNCIPE ISLAND, São Tomé and Príncipe

Day 12 • SÃO TOMÉ ISLAND

Day 13 • AT SEA

Day 14 • CONGO RIVER

Day 15 • LUANDA | KISSAMA NATIONAL PARK | LUANDA, Angola

Day 16 • LOBITO | BENGUELA | LOBITO

Days 17 & 18 • AT SEA

Day 19 • WALVIS BAY, Namibia

Day 20 • WALVIS BAY | DISEMBARK | FLY TO USA

Day 21 • ARRIVE IN USA

View Detailed Itinerary

Dr. Donald Wright has devoted his professional life to the study of African and African-American history.  Distinguished Teaching Professor of History, Emeritus, at the State University of New York, Cortland, his wide ranging knowledge and interests are represented in his contributions on West Africa in The Atlantic World: A History (2007).  But the heart of Don’s research and teaching is The Gambia and Senegal.  He has written widely on their traditions, customs, and pre-colonial history, and he has also examined their relations to the wider world, especially in The World and a Very Small Place in Africa: A History of Globalization in Niumi, The Gambia, now in its third edition.  Don’s research and travel in Africa has been sponsored by Fulbright-Hays and the National Endowment for the Humanities; and he was honored in 2003 as a Scholar-in-Residence at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Study Center in Bellagio, Italy.  He lives with his wife Doris in Homer, New York.
December 18, 2010 – January 7, 2011

Other lecturers will be joining us for this voyage. For more information, click here to view the brochure.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A limited number of cabins have been designated for single travelers in Categories C - A at a supplement of $2,495 to the per person, double occupancy rates indicated above. Singles in Categories AA - PHS are available at double the per person, double occupancy rates.

AIRFARE: Airfare is not included in the cost of the program. Please call the Air Travel Desk at toll-free 877-711-9896 or 212-592-1340 to make your reservations, or see your travel agent.

Corinthian II Deck Plan

PROGRAM INCLUSIONS

• 18-night cruise aboard the all-suite, 114-guest Corinthian II
• Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
• All meals aboard ship, including house wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
• Open bar aboard ship throughout the cruise
• Complete program of tours and excursions
• Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturers
• Professional Travel Dynamics International tour staff
• Complete pre-departure materials
• Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program arrival and departure dates
• Port and embarkation taxes
• Gratuities to porters, guides, and drivers

Not Included: Airfare; visa and passport fees; luggage, cancellation, and accident insurance; meals and beverages other than those specified above; personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail service; and gratuities to shipboard personnel

Saturday, December 18, 2010
USA
Fly from the U.S. to Accra, Ghana.

Sunday, December 19
ACCRA, Ghana | TEMA | EMBARK
Arrive in Accra, Ghana’s sprawling capital, and transfer to Corinthian II. Overnight aboard ship docked in Tema, Accra’s port.

Monday, December 20
TEMA | ACCRA | TEMA
Visit Accra, a city that vibrates with energy and an air of excitement and industry. See the excellent crafts market, which showcases the best of local artisans throughout the region, as well as the National Museum of Ghana and the memorial to Ghana’s first president, Nkrumah Mausoleum, set amid beautiful gardens.

Tuesday, December 21
LOME, Togo | LAKE TOGO | LOME
For centuries, Togo was part of several empires including those of Mali, Asante, Benin, and others. Arrive in Lome, Togo’s friendly capital. Drive to Agbodrafo, formerly known as Porto Seguro, set on the shores of Lake Togo, from where we will see the lake’s traditional villages by local pirogues. Then explore the city including the Handicraft Markets, with traditional goods from all over west Africa, noted especially for sculpture and batiks.

Wednesday, December 22
COTONOU, Benin | PORTO-NOVO | COTONOU
The small country of Benin was home to a sophisticated ancient culture. From the port of Cotonou, drive to the nearby capital, Porto-Novo, set on green hills surrounding a large lagoon. Formerly the center of a prosperous indigenous kingdom, it later became the capital of the French colony of Dahomey. Explore this pleasant city, including visits to the Ethnography Museum and the restored palace of King Toffa. After lunch, board local motorboats for a ride across Lake Nokoué to the picturesque fishing village of Ganvié, built on stilts.

Thursday, December 23
AT SEA

Friday, December 24
DOUALA, Cameroon | LIMBÉ | DOUALA
Built along the banks of the Wouri River, Douala is Cameroon’s main port city and business center. Travel to Limbé, a charming seaside town built at the foot of Mt. Cameroon, West Africa’s highest mountain. Limbé is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture; its Botanic Garden, designed early in the 19th century and considered one of the best in Africa; and its Zoological Garden, which focuses on the preservation of primates.

Saturday, December 25
MALABO, BIOKO ISLAND, Equatorial Guinea
Arrive in Equatorial Guinea, which comprises two regions: one on the African continent, the other on the island of Bioko and several smaller off-shore islands. Formerly a Spanish colony, the country attained independence in 1968. Call at Malabo, the major town on Bioko Island and the country’s capital, and spend the day exploring this lush volcanic island, with its rain forests that are home to an extraordinary amount of wildlife, including endangered primates.

Sunday, December 26
BATA
The main city of continental Equatorial Guinea, Bata boasts attractive colonial architecture but is also experiencing rapid modernization, generated by the country’s sizeable oil revenues. Explore the town and enjoy swimming and relaxing at one of the nearby beaches or, alternatively, take a day trip to Monte Alen National Park, a protected tropical rain forest that is home to gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, large populations of birds, and other wildlife.

Monday, December 27
LIBREVILLE, Gabon
Arrive in Libreville, Gabon’s capital, and enjoy a morning exploration of the city including visits to Leon Mba Memorial and Nkembo Church, with its carved pillars depicting Christian and African legends. This afternoon, take a local boat through Mondah Bay for a guided walk in the Akanda Forest, site of one of the largest migratory bird populations in Gabon. Learn about the forest’s flora and fauna and their place in Gabonese myths and traditions.

Tuesday, December 28
PRÍNCIPE ISLAND, São Tomé and Príncipe
Arrive in Príncipe which, along with its larger sister-island, São Tomé, were the prized possessions of Portugal from the 15th century to 1975, when they attained independence to form the two-island nation of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. Discover Santo Antonio, the island’s small, atmospheric capital, walk through the abandoned plantation of Porto Real, witness the villagers of Sao Joachim making palm oil, hike through the pristine rain forest, and relax on white-sand beaches.

Wednesday, December 29
SÃO TOMÉ ISLAND
Call at the island’s capital, also called São Tomé, the main port of São Tomé Island as well as a picturesque and friendly town featuring colonial architecture. Also explore the island’s lush interior, known for its rich biodiversity, and visit an active coffee plantation, where you will observe a lifestyle largely unchanged since the colonial era and sample some of the world’s best chocolate.

Thursday, December 30
AT SEA

Friday, December 31
CONGO RIVER
Cruise the storied Congo River, explored first in 1485 by Diego Cão, and later by countless other explorers, adventurers, and representatives of European powers seeking Africa’s riches.

Saturday, January 1, 2011
LUANDA, Angola | KISSAMA NATIONAL PARK | LUANDA
Arrive in Luanda, Angola’s vibrant capital, for an excursion to Kissama National Park. Established in 1938, Kissama encompasses a large area of coastal savannah and is home to a wide variety of birds, kudu, bushbuck and duiker antelopes, and other wildlife. Alternatively, explore Luanda, touring the San Miguel Fort, the Anthropology Museum, and the church of Nossa Senhora dos Remedios.

Sunday, January 2
LOBITO | BENGUELA | LOBITO
Take an excursion to Benguela, known as Angola’s cultural capital. Founded by the Portuguese in 1617, Benguela retains much of its colonial architecture, including the church of Nossa Senhora do Pópulo, built in 1748, and the Pálacio do Governo, facing the sea.

Monday, January 3 & Tuesday, January 4
AT SEA

Wednesday, January 5
WALVIS BAY, Namibia
At Walvis Bay, we will explore Namib Desert National Park, with its incredibly beautiful sand dunes, home to some of the oldest desert landscapes in the world. Learn about the natural life of the desert and enjoy a spectacular private dinner in the dunes. We will also explore the wetlands around Walvis Bay, which comprise perhaps the most important bird sanctuary in southern Africa. Over 150,000 birds are found here, including large numbers of flamingos, chestnut-banded plovers, curlew sandpipers, and others.

Thursday, January 6
WALVIS BAY | DISEMBARK | FLY TO USA
Disembark and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.

Friday, January 7
ARRIVE IN USA

The February 26 departure operates in the reverse direction, from Walvis Bay to Accra.