01 Mar Cape Town, South Africa
Embark MV Quest for Adventure and depart at 1900.

03 Mar Luderitz, Namibia
Namibia’s German colonial past is evident in the coastal town of Luderitz. Founded in 1883 when a German Hanseat, Adolf Lüderitz, bought the land from the local chief, the town enjoyed a period of affluence in the early 20th century when diamonds were discovered nearby. Today Luderitz is renowned for its colonial architecture and abundant wildlife, which includes seals, penguins, flamingos and ostriches.

Full day and evening.

Luderitz was founded in 1883 when a German Hanseat purchased the land from the local Nama chief. The town enjoyed a surge of prosperity in the early 20th century when diamonds were discovered nearby.

It’s famed for its colonial architecture and rich wildlife, which includes seals, penguins, flamingos and ostriches.

05 Mar Walvis Bay, Namibia
Blessed with exceptional natural beauty and unique marine and plant life, the busy fishing town of Walvis Bay is the only large natural deepwater harbour along the country’s Skeleton Coast (so-called because of the number of shipwrecks). Look for a variety of wading birds including flamingos in the natural lagoon or perhaps join a four wheel drive safari across the dramatic dunes of the Namib desert.

Full day.

Walvis Bay is the gateway to the Namib Desert where towering ochre sand dunes create a stunning backdrop to a scattering of desert-dwelling creatures such as geckoes, jackals, lions, elephants, oryxes and springboks.

Experience this natural wonder for yourself on an optional drive through the sands with a knowledgeable guide.

08 Mar Luanda, Angola
Luanda is Angola’s capital and largest city. Founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it is currently undergoing a major reconstruction as you can see on a half-day excursion.

Full day.

Founded by the Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais in the 16th century, Luanda is now Angola’s capital as well as its largest city.

Since 2002 Luanda has been undergoing major reconstruction and you can see the results on a half-day excursion.

11 Mar São Tomé, São Tomé
These isolated islands form one of the smallest independent states in the world. Lying on an alignment of volcanoes, their dramatic landscapes include dense forests, sheer sea cliffs, palm-fringed beaches and cocoa plantations. While here, perhaps explore the town of São Tomé, founded by the Portuguese in the 15th century, and which lies on the equator in Ana Chaves Bay.

Morning, land by launch or tender.

São Tomé, which is Portuguese for 'Saint Thomas', was founded by the Portuguese in 1485, who were searching for a suitable location to establish a cane sugar industry.

Situated directly on the equator, it’s an appealing island graced with colonial Portuguese architecture and attractive parks.  At the time of writing only six cruise ships had visited São Tomé.

13 Mar Cotonou, Benin
The largest city in Benin and economic capital, Cotonou is situated on a strip of land between the Gulf of Guinea and Lake Nokoue. While here perhaps join an excursion to the unusual stilt village of Ganvié, visit the restored King Toffa’s Palace and admire the city’s distinctive white-and-burgundy striped cathedral.

Full day.

Situated on a strip of land between the Gulf of Guinea and Lake Nokoue, Cotonou is the largest city in Benin and its economic capital. A notable landmark is the cathedral with its distinctive burgundy and white striped exterior.

While here, perhaps join an excursion to the striking stilt village of Ganvié or visit the restored palace of King Toffa on a city tour.

14 Mar Lomé, Togo
With a lagoon to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, the bustling city of Lomé has a spectacular location. Voodoo culture had its origins here in West Africa, and an optional tour gives you the rare opportunity to watch a village voodoo ceremony of dance and rituals.

Full day.

Located east of Ghana and west of the Bight of Benin, Togo is a long strip of land characterised by hills, lagoons and marshes. Between the 11th and 16th century, tribes such as the Ewe, Mina and Guin crossed into the region from Nigeria and Ghana, impacting the country's culture greatly.

It is possible to see examples of traditional rituals and dances which have remained unchanged since the arrival of the tribes centuries earlier.

The impact of colonial visitors can still be seen in the region, evident in the different designs of the region's buildings. Lomé, Togo's capital city, is a very busy port full of markets and street vendors selling locally made pottery, woodcarvings, fabric prints and weavings.

15 Mar Tema, Ghana
Disembark MV Quest for Adventure.

Ghana's coastline is dotted with stunning beaches and old slaving forts. Tema, originally a small fishing village, has developed into the nation’s largest port.