Embark Silver Cloud for your 18-day Silversea Expedition: Explorer’s Africa. Once onboard, meet some of your fellow explorers as you become acquainted with the ship’s luxurious amenities. Before you set sail a mandatory safety drill takes place. This evening, after settling in and setting sail, be introduced to your Expedition Team and other important members of the crew.

Your knowledgeable team members -experts in a variety of scientific fields- invite you to gather in the Theatre Lounge to enjoy the first in a series of informative lectures presented during the voyage. Perhaps learn some tips and techniques to take better photos during a photographic workshop offered by your resident Photographer.

Tonight, attend a special Welcome Aboard cocktail party where the Captain introduce his senior officers.

From the small town of Lüderitz, wedged between the Namib Desert dunes and the wild Atlantic seaboard, visit the abandoned diamond-mining town of Kolmanskop. In 1908, a sparkling diamond was found among the sand and the news spread like wildfire, causing fortune hunters to converge in droves on Kolmanskop. When the town reached its pinnacle, Kolmanskop developed into a lively little haven of German culture. When richer diamond deposits were discovered further south operations were moved. Today it is mostly a ghost town; the stately homes, abandoned decades ago, are gradually becoming sand-covered. However, a museum has been established and a number of buildings restored. While in Kolmanskop enjoy oyster tasting and a glass of sparkling wine. 

After this eventful day in the Namib Desert it is time to head back to Lüderitz for a short walking tour of the town and its three most important landmarks, Goerke Haus, Felsenkirche and the Lüderitz Museum.

This morning take advantage of an unparalleled opportunity to see the famous Sossusvlei Dunes from the air, a site very difficult to access by land. 

One of your destinations during your two days in Walvis Bay is the Namib Naukluft Park. Passing endless waves of sand dunes, the scene that comes to mind when you think of African deserts, you can finally enter the Welwitschia Drive, where the landscape is dotted with the extraordinary Welwitschia mirabilis. After stopping to view and discuss these amazing and resilient desert plants in their dramatic landscape, the tour continues to what can best be described as ‘lunar landscape’. Enjoy the breathtaking views, before heading onwards to a local community where you can enjoy an orientation tour of the school, having the opportunity to interact by giving some of your time to the children and community. Afterwards, drive to a pristine location where refreshments await you before returning to Walvis Bay to rejoin the Silver Cloud.

You can also enjoy a full day shuttle service to Swakopmund, located 19 miles north of Walvis Bay at the mouth of the Swakop River. Upon arrival you can explore this quaint town, a beach resort area and a fine example of German colonial architecture, on your own. Founded in 1892 as the main harbor for German South-West Africa, a good part of the population still speaks German today. Several buildings, including the Magistrate’s Court, or Kaiserliches Bezirksgericht, the Lutheran Church and the old Railway Station building -now the main reception area of the Swakopmund Hotel- gives an idea of the former splendor.

Another excursion in Walvis Bay is an early morning boat cruise in the protected outer lagoon area where the water is calm and abundant with birdlife. Enjoy wonderful photographic opportunities as playful Heaviside’s and bottlenose dolphins frolic around the boat and pelicans fly low overhead. Cape fur seals may even come aboard for a fishy snack! Other birds you can see include flamingos and cormorants. If we are very lucky, you may even see leatherback turtles. Pass fishing factories and foreign ships in the port and conclude your excursion with a taste of fresh Walvis Bay oysters and local ‘champagne’.   

Binoculars and camera in hand, head out on deck to watch for seabirds and marine mammals. Attend informative lectures that prepare you for the upcoming ports-of-call in Angola. Other onboard diversions include Spa treatments, a workout in the Fitness Centre, and, of course, exquisite dining experiences -not only in The Restaurant, The Grill and La Terrazza, but also as cooking demonstrations.

Today head out to the Namibe Desert looking for Welwitschia mirabilis, an endemic plant found only in the Namibe Province of South Angola and the Namib Desert. Continuing through desert landscape reach The Arch Lagoon -“the lost oasis”. The lagoon, locally known as “Lago do Arco do Carvalhao”, is formed by a magnificent rock formation, and is a unique display of art in nature. The lagoon only has water if it has rained sufficiently during the wet season. Before returning to the ship, visit the little town of Namibe to explore the old city with its baroque architecture, old stadium and churches.

The city of Benguela was founded in 1617 around Sao Filipe Fortress and was one of the bases for Portuguese expansion in Africa. Drive through the city to the most famous church in Benguela. The “Igreja do Populo” was built by the Portuguese during the colonial era, being the first stone building in southern Angola. From there walk to the heart of Benguela City, where the courthouse surrounds the company gardens, the department of justice and the town hall. The gardens are lined with beautiful palm trees and flowers and offer a picturesque setting.

En route back to Lobito stop at the city of Catumbela and at the abandoned Sao Pedro fort for some photos. See the big Catumbela River and the 1905 steel bridge –a construction by Eiffel’s engineering company, which was in use until 2010. Once back at the pier join a festival with traditional dances and singing.

Luanda is the capital of Angola, and home to more than four million, making it one of the largest Portuguese speaking cities in the world. This bustling city has many places to explore, including the 1575 Fortress of Sao Miguel de Luanda with its striking blue tiles and collection of weapons used during centuries of conflicts of the region. Another ‘outstanding’ structure is the mausoleum for Angola’s first president, Agostinho Neto. The anthropology museum houses an array of traditional masks along with art, sculptures, tools, and weaponry, as well as jewellery, clothing and musical instruments – the Benfica market seems to have several similar items for barter and sale. Drive to Cidade Alta, or “Uptown” – a pleasant, airy and calm suburb with several pink colonial buildings and then head to the Baixa, or “Downtown”, to view the Houses of Parliament – both new and old.

Participate in onboard activities, relax in one of the lounges, or peruse an array of titles and topics in the well-stocked Library. Let your onboard Ornithologist give you a glimpse of the fascinating birds of Sao Tome and Principe. King Neptune might want all ‘pollywogs’ to pay homage to the ruler of the seas before Silver Cloud crosses the Equator. Take a stroll on deck and enjoy the solitude and splendour of the vast sea and at night see if you can already notice the stars and constellations of the northern hemisphere’s sky.

Silver Cloud drops anchor this morning off the island of São Tomé. Use the Zodiacs to go ashore and start your tours of Sao Tome, the capital city to the islands of Sao Tome and Principe and the surroundings.

Stop at the impressive São Nicolãu waterfall, which not only invites to have a swim in its pool, but also is surrounded by mossy rocks, covered in liverworts, ferns, wild raspberries and impatiens that delight botany lovers. Continue your tour higher into the mountains to the Monte Café coffee plantation, where you can enjoy a tour of the coffee processing facilities –obviously tasting some of the local coffee as well.

A typical lunch is served at another plantation before returning to the city centre with its colonial architecture including the pink and white presidential palace, the 16th century Cathedral de São Tome, as well as Faro São Sebastião, which now is the São Tome National Museum. Stroll through the city streets en route to the local market.

For those who would like to explore other aspects of the island of São Tome on their own, a half day tour of the city of São Tome is offered, giving time for some independent exploration. In the evening, set sail for Principe and Bom Bom Island.

This morning go ashore at Bom Bom Island, just offshore from ‘mainland’ Principe’s north coast, to either enjoy the beaches and the facilities of the Bom Bom Resort, or to walk towards Santo Antonio, Principe’s main town.

Your onboard Ornithologist and naturalists lead walks to explore the island’s wildlife and scenery –others might decide to walk all the way to sleepy Santo Antonio passing small fields of plantain, cacao and manioc and watching the daily life of this tropical island.

If you prefer to stay at the resort you can take kayaks to paddle along the shore or snorkel in the clear waters, looking for colourful fishes. In the afternoon, set sail for Limbe and your onboard Historian might enlighten you about the German influence in Cameroon during the Briefing & Recap.

Start your tour after taking the Zodiacs ashore to visit Limbe in the northern region at the foot of Mt. Cameroon. Your first stop is the Limbe Botanical Gardens founded by Germans in 1892. It served as a trials and acclimatisation centre for the introduction of exotic crop species such as coffee, cocoa, rubber, oil palm, banana, teak and sugarcane for distribution within “Kamerun” and other German colonies. In its heyday it was said to be one of the most important tropical botanic gardens in the world.

Visit the “Jungle Village” for a cultural presentation of various dances from all over Cameroon. Cameroonians are famed for their skilled wood carvings including masks, and Silversea has arranged for various craftsmen to come to display and sell their goods today. This unique opportunity allows you to purchase some very unusual souvenirs.

Afterwards, stop at the Limbe Wildlife Centre. This is home to some critically endangered wildlife species and you have the opportunity to see a variety of primate species including Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees, drill monkeys, western lowland and Cross River gorillas, plus several species of long-tailed monkeys such as the locally endemic Preuss’s guenon. During a short lecture learn more about the centre’s work as well as their struggles and successes in educating the local population on the importance of conservation.

For those bent on getting closer to Mount Cameroon, a drive to Buea, the former capital of German Cameroon, and the Mount Cameroon National Park with a hike on its lower slopes through forest and savanna awaits.

This leisurely day at sea is yours to enjoy. Participate in discussions and onboard activities led by the Expedition Team. Attend lectures about Benin and Togo and their role in the infamous slave trade or relax in one of the lounges with that book you’ve been meaning to read, and meet up with new friends for cocktails. Perhaps a wine seminar or teatime’s Team Trivia calls your attention.

Dock this morning at Cotonou, Benin, referred to by many as the ‘Latin Quarter of Africa’. Today tour Ouidah and Lake Nokoue. The town of Ouidah is known as the religious capital of the country due to the numerous festivals with singing, chanting, drumming and dances that take place here. Historically, Ouidah was also one of the busiest of the West African slave embarkation points. Walk along the “Route des Esclaves” down to the shoreline where there is an imposing arch with bas-relief sculpture to memorialise the people who were shipped out from here. An unusual feature of Ouidah is the Sacred Forest of Kpasse with its Python Temple and voodoo statues which you can visit, as well as the small local museum.

Travel to Lake Nokoue and board small motorboats to visit Ganvié, a fishing village made up of bamboo houses resting on teak stilts, perched above the water. The village was founded more than 200 years ago when Tofinou people fled to the lake to escape slave raiders. All travel between homes is done in wooden boats on the waterways that separate them. Have the chance to see the floating market, before you go ‘ashore’ at one of the houses to see a mesmerizing presentation by Egungun dancers. 

Dock early in the morning and head out for tours of Togo’s hinterland. Start one of your tours driving through the old colonial town with its modern-looking independence square before reaching one of the many museums and one of the markets for a look at the old and modern life of Togo. Another of the tours head for Ewe village, where you are welcomed by traditional dancers and the local school children. This is one of the best opportunities to learn about village life in Togo and to hand over your contribution of school supplies. Fascinating fabrics are on sale and you are able to see how they are prepared locally.

Heading further north reach Kloto forest and divide into smaller groups to learn about the medicinal and commercial plants found in and near the secondary forest. During lunch local musicians and dancers entertain you, and souvenirs are on offer nearby. You also have the unique opportunity to partake in a voodoo ceremony –or at least to have a look at how these ceremonies take place when you are invited in one of the suburbs to see this practice.

Following breakfast on board, disembark Silver Cloud in Tema, Ghana’s largest seaport and Accra’s harbour.