By Geoff Percival,Stephen Aherne

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Swan Hellenic, the cultural expedition cruise specialist, is offering a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore Africa’s entire Western coastline in a seamless journey ending in Lisbon.

Each expedition has been meticulously curated and is available at unique prices, with significant savings for guests who book multiple cruises.

Africa’s remarkable beauty is finally getting the recognition it deserves, welcoming over 74 million tourists in 2024, according to the UN Tourism Barometer. With a rise in demand for adventurous and sustainable holidays, Africa’s protected landscapes, pristine beaches, home to coastal elephants and untouched wilderness, provides an affordable yet luxurious escape for travellers looking for an unforgettable experience. Adventure awaits guests who get up close to nature and engage with renowned experts and experienced guides with lectures and presentations to lead them on extraordinary journeys of discovery, with Swan Hellenic.

Patrizia Iantorno, Chief Commercial Officer of Swan Hellenic, said: “We’re proud and delighted that our expert-designed African cultural expedition cruises have met with such an enthusiastic response. Combining in-depth encounters with pristine nature, extraordinary wildlife and unique cultures, they each offer exceptional experiences.”

Aboard the SH Diana, a purpose-built luxury ship featuring a state-of-the-art gym, panoramic sauna, club room, swimming pool and three dining venues overlooking the on-board tender boats that will ferry them ashore for African adventures. Accommodating up to 192 guests in 96 staterooms and suites with large, each with private balconies, the SH Diana offers luxury both during each of these journeys and at every destination.

Departing from Cape Town on 25 March 2026, the 11-night Cruising in Namibia: the Skeleton Coast voyage takes guest north up Namibia’s stunning and historic coastline, before arriving in Angola’s vibrant capital, Luanda. Guests will discover the Walvis Bay’s wetlands where flocks of flamingos gather and Cape fur seals, found nowhere else on the planet, laze along the shores. Sail past Angola’s hauntingly beautiful Illha Baia de los Tigres, named from the striped patterns in its golden sands.

Once a busy fishing village, it was cut off from the mainland overnight, abandoned, and is now one of the most remote places on the West African Coast and a rare sight few ever witness. Travellers can also opt for a wine tasting at Stellenbosch’s vineyards, South Africa’s premier wine producing area, or choose to embark on a 4×4 desert expedition at the cruise’s destinations. This 11 night cruise expedition along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast is priced from £7,975 pp, based on two sharing a state room. This includes international charter flights, group return transfers, one night’s accommodation in a 4-5* hotel before the cruise departs, all meals onboard, lecture programmes, and one selected shore excursion per port of call.

Continuing North on its course to reach Lisbon, guests can join the SH Diana in Senegal to discover Africa’s leading tourist destination in Morocco, marvelling at North Africa’s rich tapestry of cultural influences. Departing from Dakar’s medina on 1 May 2026, this seven night expedition includes stops in Mauritania’s cultural hubs of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, home to the world’s largest ship graveyard, with over 300 rusting vessels stranded in its bay.

Throughout these stops, guests can take in views of the Sahara Desert from both the ocean and the shore. A stop in Arrecife, Lanzarote, gives travellers the chance to photograph its vast landscape of volcanoes, craters and lava fields while driving through Timanfaya National Park.

After a few days at sea, guests can wander the historic streets of Safi, a former Portuguese port city renowned for its local pottery, crafted in the coastal city’s hillsides. After docking at its infamous port, travellers can discover the French colonial legacy in Casablanca’s architecture which blends Moorish styles with European Art Deco flair. Each stop on this luxury cruise offers unique and unforgettable experiences, from soaking in the continent’s breathtaking landscapes to discovering the diverse cultures along this African coastline.

This seven night stay aboard SH Diana from Senegal to Morrocco is priced from £4,725 pp, based on two sharing a state room. This includes international charter flights, group return transfers, one night’s accommodation in a 4-5* hotel before the cruise departs, all meals onboard, lecture programmes, and one selected shore excursion per port of call.

For the ultimate traveller wanting to explore each of Swan Hellenic’s unmissable African destinations in 2026, a unique 51-night Grand Voyage combing all five northbound cruises sailing the up the West Coast of Africa from Cape Town to Lisbon is priced from £42,999 pp in a balcony stateroom, based on two sharing on an all-inclusive basis. Main stops include Luanda, Accra, Dakar, Casablanca, and Lisbon, along with several other ports on each cruise.

In Autumn 2026, guests can embark on a 13-night West Africa Cruise from Ghana to Angola, departing on 29 September 2026. This journey marks the third and final leg of Swan Hellenic’s trio of southbound cruises beginning in Lisbon, that offer immersive cultural encounters at every stop.

After departing from Accra, guests can enjoy a day trip to Gabon’s South Loango National Park to spot forest elephants, buffalo, lowland gorillas and chimpanzees in its lush rainforest. In Togo, travellers can explore lively voodoo markets, witness an authentic voodoo ceremony, and connect with local communities.

Another highlight awaits in Benin with a visit to the stilted village of Ganvie, where guests can take part in traditional crafts and dance performances. Each stop promises unforgettable moments and deeply enriching cultural encounters This 13 night cruise from Ghana to Angola is priced from £1,0375 pp, based on two sharing a state room. This includes international charter flights, group return transfers, one night’s accommodation in a 4-5* hotel before the cruise departs, all meals onboard, lecture programmes, and one selected shore excursion per port of call.

Want to explore the African coast all autumn long? Join the earlier southbound cruises departing from Lisbon on 7 September 2026, reaching Dakar before arriving in Accra. This incredible, 35-night experience is priced at £23,664 pp based on two sharing an Ocean-view stateroom on an all-inclusive basis. This trio of cruises includes stops in Mauritania, Madeira, Dakhla, the Bijagós Islands, Elmina and Congo.

These unique destinations remain a hidden gem for now, but they won’t stay that way for long. Safari adventures across the continent are attracting more tourists than ever and is set to become even more popular next year. Secure your place now on the Spring or Autumn 2026 cruises to experience the beauty of Africa’s Western Coast before tourists turn to the continent’s shores, and the crowds arrive at these one-of-a-kind destinations.