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13 Night West Africa Archipelago Cruise from Dakar

Ship: MS Spitsbergen
Cruise Line: Hurtigruten Cruise Line
Sailed:  Tuesday, Jan 2, 2024 from Dakar, Senegal
Ended: Monday, Jan 15, 2024
The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Tuesday, Jan 2, 2024 departure of the MS Spitsbergen. If Hurtigruten Cruise Line modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing , the modified schedule would not be reflected here.
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Day by Day Summary and Map

Day 1 - Tuesday - Jan 2, 2024
Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, Senegal      
Begin your adventure in Senegal's vibrant capital. Dakar is colorful and captivating-the perfect place to start your West Africa expedition. The capital of Senegal is an exciting and diverse mix of cultures. It is also a showcase for stable African democracy. Take some time to adjust to a new culture and get ready for the exciting voyage ahead. If you want to explore more the area before your expedition cruise, you can book a Pre-Program excursion to visit the Bandia Nature Reserve. Ride an open vehicle safari through the African savanna for some exciting wildlife spotting. Keep an eye out for giraffes, buffalo, monkeys, gazelles, ostriches, rhinos, and more.
Day 2 - Wednesday - Jan 3, 2024
Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, Senegal      
Day Boat Travel      
Ile de Goree, Senegal      
Day Boat Travel      
Dakar, Senegal      
Tragic history combined with natural beauty. After breakfast, you'll visit the historical UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ile de Goree. This island was once the largest slave trading center on the African coast. It is now filled with forts and museums and is a memorial to the suffering of the countless enslaved peoples who passed through this tragic place. Learn more on a visit to the Maison des Esclaves (Slave House) museum. We'll also tour the baobab-shaded streets of the town, where local artisans sell their crafts. MS Spitsbergen will be waiting for you back on the mainland to depart to Cape Verde in the late evening.
Day 3 - Thursday - Jan 4, 2024
At Sea
At Sea      
Get set for island adventures. Today, we continue our voyage west toward the Cape Verde Islands. There will be plenty of time to get acquainted with your fellow passengers and Expedition Team. Enjoy the onboard comforts, from delicious meals and drinks in the Explorer Lounge & Bar to relaxing in the panoramic sauna or a hot tub on deck. To learn more about what's ahead, join the Expedition Team for fascinating lectures in the Science Center and pick up pointers from the professional photographer as you watch for marine life and seabirds.
Day 4 - Friday - Jan 5, 2024
Praia, Cape Verde
Praia, Cape Verde      
Santiago embodies the spirit of the Cape Verde archipelago. Here, you can enjoy a little of everything, from historical sites and bustling markets to lush valleys and jagged mountains. The capital of Praia is a dynamic city that attracts immigrants from the rest of Cape Verde and the African continent. Explore Praia's vibrant culture on a city tour. Visit the museums and buildings around the Plateau, which displays artifacts recovered from the islands' shipwrecks. Stop by viewpoints, the local market, and more.
Day 5 - Saturday - Jan 6, 2024
Sao Filipe, Cape Verde
Sao Filipe, Cape Verde      
Discover a landscape of lava, craters, and calderas. Today's expedition day takes you to Fogo, an island dominated by a cone-shaped active volcano. Centuries of eruptions, the last in 2014, have left an incredible landscape for us to explore. Enjoy a tour of Sao Filipe's cobbled streets and charming historic center. Don't miss the stunning lava fields of Cha das Caldeiras. Fogo doesn't have any natural harbors, so we'll only land if conditions allow us to launch our small boats (RIBs).
Day 6 - Sunday - Jan 7, 2024
Porto Novo, Cape Verde      
Nature walks and unforgettable landscapes. Santo Antao's landscapes of peaks, gorges, and canyons have benefited from their unsuitability for agriculture. Largely untouched, this wilderness sanctuary is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. We'll land in Porto Novo, the island's main port, which has spectacular views across to Sao Vicente. Enjoy a ride around the island, which takes you on a nature tour through the island's ribeiras. These are deep, narrow canyons with near vertical walls. Or you could take a nature walk and admire the beauty of these local spots up close. Walk along trails through mango and almond groves, punctuated by the delicious aroma of roasting coffee wafting through the villages.
Day 7 - Monday - Jan 8, 2024
Sal Rei, Boa Vista, Cape Verde, Cape Verde
Sal Rei, Boa Vista, Cape Verde, Cape Verde      
Explore an island gem. You've now reached Cape Verde's easternmost island, Boa Vista. You'll be awed by the rugged beauty of the Sahara-like desert formations and landscapes of this volcanic island. The sand dunes and oases found here are in stark contrast to the other islands we visit on this cruise. Stroll the streets of the island's capital, Sal Rei, where you can explore its history and traditions, and visit Santa Isabel Church. The Ponta do Sol nature reserve is within hiking distance of the town and a great way to enjoy the scenery.
Day 8 - Tuesday - Jan 9, 2024
At Sea
At Sea      
Prepare to experience the Bissagos Islands. We say goodbye to Cape Verde as our expedition cruise continues to Guinea-Bissau. As we sail, your Expedition Team will brief you on what lies ahead. Learn about the extraordinary biodiversity of this tropical region, the traditional culture of the Bijagos people, and the historical impact of Portuguese exploration and the slave trade. You can also participate in the Citizen Science projects and contribute data to important ongoing research projects. You could also brush up your photography skills with the onboard photographer to prepare for the sights to come.
Day 9 - Wednesday - Jan 10, 2024
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea      
Take in the nature and wildlife of this UNESCO wonder. Over the next four days, you'll explore a maze of islands and channels, seeking out mangroves, tropical forests, savannah woodlands, and coastal lagoons. Our small boats (RIBs) will take us down the smaller channels and on-shore landings with the Expedition Team. We may also launch our kayaks. You'll meet and learn more about the local Bijagos people, a tribal society organized in clans. Practicing a life that is in balance with nature, they hold the world around them as sacred and have retained their ancestral traditions. Local conditions will determine when and where we can land and explore, but whatever we do you can be sure you'll experience the rich diversity of the archipelago up close.
Day 10 - Thursday - Jan 11, 2024
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea      
Day 11 - Friday - Jan 12, 2024
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea      
Day 12 - Saturday - Jan 13, 2024
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea      
Day 13 - Sunday - Jan 14, 2024
Banjul, Gambia      
Soak up the past and present in historic Banjul. Today, we reach The Gambia and Banjul, its tiny capital. It may be a small city, but its location at the mouth of the Gambia River means it is an important trading hub. Banjul played a role in ending the slave trade, as its garrison was used by the British Navy to uphold abolition laws. Close by is the birthplace of Kunta Kinte, the protagonist of Alex Haley's famous book, Roots. This city is easy to explore on foot. Visit the lively Royal Albert Market and the National Museum, which contains historical documents and displays about the country's history. Back onboard, you'll enjoy a cultural performance, introducing you to The Gambia's music and traditions.
Day 14 - Monday - Jan 15, 2024
Dakar, Senegal
Dakar, Senegal      
End your expedition in Senegal's colorful capital. Your expedition cruise ends in Senegal's kaleidoscopic capital, Dakar. After you disembark MS Spitsbergen, go on an included city tour to explore this fascinating city. Listen out for the many languages of West Africa, such as Wolof, Pular, and Serer. Undoubtedly, seeing the diversity of local cultures here is a wonderful way to round off your trip. With the tour complete, you'll be taken to a hotel for lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing in comfort at the hotel, before transferring to the airport for your return journey home.