The most beautiful water feature in Senegal shimmers pink in the sunshine, the “big five” cross the Etosha National Park and Namibia’s sand dunes stretch as far as the eye can see. The western coast of Africa is enchanting with its natural beauty and interesting past. Remote St Helena has an unspoilt charm, whilst Swakopmund and Luderitz have a story to tell of their German colonial past and the age of “diamond fever” – see Africa in a completely new light.
The cruise is fully booked.
For further assistance please contact us at 040 30703050.
Combine cruises EUR1621 and EUR1622 or EUR1622 and EUR1623 and save € 1,000.
At anchor - If the ship anchors in open water the ferrying ashore will be done with tenders or Zodiacs.
Flight Munich** – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Transfer to embarkation point for the EUROPA
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria/Gran Canaria/Spain, departure 22.00 hrs
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria/Gran Canaria/Canary Islands/Spain
Our travel concierge will be happy to help you plan your private travel arrangements*.
Relaxation at sea
Dakar/Senegal, 6.00 – 18.00 hrs
Dakar/Senegal
Explore Dakar on a city tour* including the Place de l’Independance and the government district, giving you a vibrant impression of the capital. You will pass historic buildings and the cathedral to reach Soumbedioune market*, which is a great place to browse handmade arts and crafts. The former slave island of Goree* is testament to 300 years of the slave trade in West Africa and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978. Lac Rose* has an almost other-worldly beauty and appeal. The salt water lake owes its name and its bright pink colour to the countless microorganisms, and you can discover its shores on a jeep tour*.
Banjul/Gambia, 7.00 – 14.00 hrs
Kunta Kinteh (James Island), 15.30 – 19.00 hrs
Banjul/Gambia
“Bamboo Island” rises up out of the mangrove forests and sandbanks in the estuary of the Gambia River. The capital is joined to the mainland by just one bridge and owes its charm to its special location and the legacy of the English colonial era, as well as to its friendly inhabitants. Learn more about Gambia’s exciting history in the National Museum* or walk through the traditional Albert Market* before visiting the Kachikally crocodile pool* in Bakau. Some wonderful natural treasures are preserved in the Makasutu Culture Forest*. The “holy forest” is home to diverse habitats such as marsh, savannah and rainforest and offers wildlife such as baboons and tropical birds a protected place to live.
Kunta Kinteh (James Island)/Gambia
Your cruise takes you up the Gambia River to the small river island called “James”, some 30 km inland from the Atlantic Ocean. The island is an important historical site for the West African slave trade and was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2003.
Relaxation at sea
Jamestown/St. Helena/Great Britain, 12.00 – 19.00 hrs
Jamestown/St. Helena/Great Britain
Visit an unspoilt gem so far out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean that it is only accessible by boat. Its wild beauty and remote location makes this island a unique spot on earth, which is home to many endemic species. Explore the little island capital at your leisure and get yourself a very special kind of souvenir: one of the rarest types of coffee in the world is produced from wild coffee plants – even Napoleon raved about the aroma of the St. Helena Green Tipped Bourbon coffee.
Relaxation at sea
Walvis Bay/Namibia, arrival 20.00 hrs
Walvis Bay/Namibia
Endless dunes and expansive savannah, flocks of flamingos in the lagoons and zebra at the watering holes, German colonial heritage and African tradition – Walvis Bay is a true reflection of the diversity of Africa. Right in the middle of the wide expanse of dunes lies Namibia’s “most German city”, Swakopmund*. You can learn more about the city’s long history in the local museum. Exploring the Namib Desert* is an unforgettable experience. Enjoy the quiet beauty of the almost endless expanse of desert and keep a look out for geckos and chameleons. To get a deeper insight into Africa’s unspoilt wilderness, leave the EUROPA for an overland excursion* to the Etosha National Park. With a little luck, you will see some elephants and black rhinos here or catch a glimpse of some lions sleeping in the tall grass.
Walvis Bay, departure 19.00 hrs
Luderitz, 12.00 – 18.00 hrs
Luderitz/Namibia
When Adolf Lüderitz arrived here in 1883 from Bremen in Germany to buy land, he was hoping to dig up some great treasures. However, these were not discovered until long after his death. Valuable diamonds brought new riches to the Namibian settlement, whose German roots are still reflected today in the pretty buildings in the town centre. Set out to make your own discoveries or visit the delightful Cafe Diaz for a slice of Black Forest gateau.
Relaxation at sea
Cape Town/South Africa, arrival 7.00 hrs
Transfer to scheduled flight to Frankfurt
Cape Town/South Africa
Today you will leave South Africa or go on safari in Singita’s private Sabi Sand Game Reserve on our post-cruise programme*.
Arrival in Frankfurt
* The shore activities are not included in the cruise price and are in the planning stage. Subject to changes.
** Depending on the flight plan, it may be necessary to change the airport of departure.
= at anchor
Symposium at Sea is a contemporary series of lectures bringing together experts from the worlds of economics, business, politics and culture on selected cruises on board the EUROPA to discuss some interesting current topics with you. Enjoy lively discussions with well-known personalities.
