30 October - At sea

31 October

Guinea: Conakry

1 November to 2 November - At sea

3 November

Côte d’Ivoire: Abidjan

Abidjan, the most important city in Côte d’Ivoire, has bounced back since the civil war of 2011, and the glittering array of skyscrapers comes as a surprise to many visitors. There is still plenty about the city that is authentically African, however, including some of the best street food in the region.

4 November

Ghana: Takoradi

Once just a little fishing village, Takoradi is now a deep-water sea port growing rapidly on the back of Ghana’s oil industry. Nearby points of interest include Cape Coast Castle, part of a network of colonial-era forts where slaves were held captive before being shipped across the Atlantic.

5 November

Togo: Lomé

Lomé is Togo’s capital and largest city, once known as the ‘Pearl of West Africa’, and there are still some architectural remnants of the colonial period, when the city was part of German Togoland. Perhaps more interesting today are Lomé’s colourful fetish markets, where you can learn about the role of Voodoo in West Africa.

6 November

Benin: Cotonou

Bustling Cotonou is Benin’s biggest city, and the nation’s capital in all but name. We recommend taking an excursion out to the nearby town of Ouidah, a key transit port for the West African slave trade, where you can learn more about this dark period in human history.

7 November - At sea

8 November

São Tomé and Príncipe: São Tomé

The equatorial island nation of São Tomé and Principe, located just off the west coast of Africa, is an idyllic and unspoilt tropical paradise that few people have even heard of. Wander along beautiful beaches with barely a tourist in sight, explore lush rainforests rich in birdlife, or immerse yourself in São Tomé’s unique Portuguese-Creole culture.

9 November to 11 November - At sea

12 November

Angola: Lobito

Lobito is situated on one of Africa’s finest natural harbours, and was a thriving port during the Portuguese colonial period. The city suffered during Angola’s protracted civil war, but is bouncing back thanks to Chinese and Brazilian investment, and it’s a great place to learn about the country’s chequered history.

13 November to 14 November - At sea

15 November to 16 November

Namibia: Walvis Bay

Walvis Bay is situated on the edge of a tidal lagoon, sheltered from the Atlantic by a long sand spit. This important wetland area is famous for its birdlife, home to one of southern Africa’s largest flamingo colonies, and it’s a short drive to the city of Swakopmund, known for its quirky German colonial architecture.

17 November

Namibia: Lüderitz

Sandwiched between the Namib Desert and the wild Atlantic coast, the geographically isolated town of Lüderitz is notable for its surreal Art Nouveau architecture. Most of these colourful buildings date back to the diamond rush period of the early 20th century, when Namibia was a German colony.

18 November

South Africa: Port Nolloth

19 November

South Africa: Lambert's Bay

20 November

South Africa: Saint Helena Bay

21 November to 22 November

Arriving in Cape Town

Cape Town is a magical, multicultural city where Africa meets a European-style cosmopolitan atmosphere, creating a vibrant melting pot of cultures and religions. With flat-topped Table Mountain soaring above the city, beautiful natural landscapes, and gardens within the city, you never feel far from nature here.