Swan Hellenic offers unique opportunities to explore the entire west coast of Africa in an in-depth, uninterrupted experience: from south to north, from Cape Town to Casablanca and then on to Lisbon; and from north to south, from Lisbon to Luanda. Both Grand Cruises are offered at exceptional prices, with a 15% discount.
The first will depart from Cape Town on March 25, 2026, combining five consecutive cruises into a 51-night Grand Voyage, sailing the entire west coast of Africa to Casablanca and Lisbon.
The second, equally impressive, will be a 35-night Grand Voyage, departing from Lisbon to Luanda on September 7, 2026.
Each of these cruises has been meticulously designed and enriched by the expertise of renowned expedition guides, who will accompany guests on extraordinary journeys of discovery. From coastal elephants and pristine landscapes to forts along the transatlantic slave trade route, the lake dwellings of Benin, and the unspoiled Bijagós archipelago, there will be opportunities to explore the labyrinthine alleyways of ancient medinas or Lisbon, the second oldest capital city in Europe after Athens and winner of the Best Culinary Destination award at the 2024 World Culinary Awards.
Each Grand Voyage will take place aboard the SH Diana, a stylish and comfortable Scandinavian-designed boutique ship with ample outdoor space and modern expedition facilities. Accommodating 192 guests in 96 cabins and suites, most with private balconies, the ship offers amenities such as a state-of-the-art gym, spa, panoramic sauna, club room, poolside grill, and three restaurants: Swan Restaurant, Club Lounge, and Pool Bar & Grill. It also features an auditorium for presentations and conferences, tender boats for convenient excursions, and traditional Zodiacs for exploring remote destinations.
The 5 northern cruises that make up the 51-night Grand Voyage in the first half of 2026 are:
- Namibia Cruise: The Skeleton Coast – 11 nights | March 25 – April 5 (Cape Town – Luanda).
- Southwest Africa Cruise – 13 nights | April 5 – 18 (Luanda – Tema, Accra).
- West Africa Cruise: The Slave Coast – 13 nights | April 18 – May 1 (Tema – Dakar).
- Senegal to Morocco Cruise – 7 nights | May 1-8 (Dakar – Casablanca).
- Morocco to Portugal Cruise – 7 nights | May 8 – 15 (Casablanca – Lisbon).
The 3 southern cruises that make up the 35-night Grand Voyage in the second half of 2026 are:
- Atlantic Cruise from Portugal to Senegal – 9 nights | September 7 – 16 (Lisbon – Dakar).
- The Slave Coast: from Senegal to Ghana – 13 nights | September 16 – 29 (Dakar – Tema, Accra).
- West Africa Cruise: Ghana to Angola – 13 nights | September 29 – October 12 (Tema – Luanda).
Patrizia Iantorno, Chief Commercial Officer of Swan Hellenic, stated: “We are proud and delighted that our cultural expedition cruises in Africa have been so enthusiastically received. Each voyage combines in-depth encounters with pristine nature, extraordinary wildlife, and unique cultures. Therefore, we are happy to respond to guest demand and offer the opportunity to combine them into these once-in-a-lifetime Grand Voyages at an equally exceptional price.”
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