01 Feb UK-Tema, Ghana
Embark MV Quest for Adventure and moor here overnight.

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.

02 Feb Tema (for Accra), Ghana
With the opening of an artificial harbour in 1961, Tema developed from a small fishing village to become Ghana's leading seaport and an industrial centre. Seventy percent of the country's chief export, cocoa, is shipped from Tema. You have the opportunity to visit the Ghanaian capital of Accra, originally a scattering of villages controlled by Ga chiefs, today it is a sprawling city that extends eastwards almost 20 miles to the neighbouring city of Tema.

Full day.

These isolated islands form one of the smallest countries in Africa and boast unspoiled beauty rarely found elsewhere.

Lying on an alignment of once-active volcanoes, their dramatic landscapes include dense forests, sheer sea cliffs, idyllic palm-fringed beaches and extensive cocoa plantations.

While here, perhaps explore the town of São Tomé which lies on the equator in Ana Chaves Bay.

03 Feb Lomé, Togo
Togo's capital is a bustling city with white sandy beaches and colourful markets. Voodoo culture originated in west Africa and remains strong in Togo. Today you may like to join an excursion to the village of Sanguera, learn more about the fascinating culture and witness a village voodoo ceremony.

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.

04 Feb Cotonou, Benin
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.

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.

06 Feb São Tomé, São Tomé
The tropical island of São Tomé forms one of the smallest independent states in the world. Volcanic in origin, it has a mountainous and forested interior edged by black and white sand beaches. You can join a tour of the pretty town of São Tomé, with its grand Portuguese colonial architecture, or perhaps visit a cocoa plantation.

Afternoon, 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.

09 Feb Luanda, Angola
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.

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.

12 Feb Walvis Bay, Namibia
From this bustling fishing town you can visit the nearby natural lagoon where you can look out for a wide variety of wading birds including flamingos. Other excursions include a visit to the nearby Bavarian-style village of Swakopmund, a dolphin and seal watching cruise and a four wheel drive safari across the stunning 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.

13 Feb Luderitz, Namibia
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.

Full day.

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.

15 Feb Cape Town, South Africa
Disembark MV Quest for Adventure.

Sail into Cape Town, which has a spectacular setting dominated by flat-topped Table Mountain.