Africa's Gold Coast: Ghana to Senegal [waitlist only]

Colorful African wicker baskets

Africa’s Gold Coast: Ghana to Senegal [waitlist only]

April 18 - May 03, 2025

Length: 16 days

Region(s): Africa

Activity Level: Activity indicator paw

Type: Cruise, Ocean Cruise

Cruise along West Africa’s coast, featuring some of the continent’s most attractive places, and experience a myriad-hued mosaic of cultures, landscapes, and ancient wilderness with sensational richness and diversity.

Operated by Thalassa Journeys

Tour Highlights

Cruise aboard the Swan Hellenic Diana, enjoying the ship’s elegant facilities.
In Accra, visit the fine collections of the National Museum of Ghana and spend time browsing the shops and stalls of Accra’s justly famous crafts market.
Visit the Cape Coast Castle and museum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Before visiting Cape Coast Castle, consider reading Homegoing with UC Berkeley’s Alumni Virtual Book Club. The critically acclaimed, award-winning debut novel by author Yaa Gyasi, spans three continents and eight generations, offering an essential examination of power and privilege, memory and legacy.
Explore the extensive rainforest in Kakum National Park and encounter a marvelous diversity of wildlife.
Experience the craft markets where marvelously colorful textiles and other handicrafts are offered for sale by local merchants along the trip.
Visit the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone.
Spend two days exploring the Bijagos Archipelago, a cluster of 88 pristine and seldom visited islands, of which only 23 are inhabited. Their impressive biodiversity and abundant flora and fauna have been recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
In Gambia, travel to the Abuko Nature Reserve, one of the country’s last surviving examples of tropical riverine forests and visit Makasutu Culture Forest, a private nature habitat of beautiful woodlands and waterways.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gorée Island and learn about its history and see its many monuments.
Travel with one of Cal Discoveries’ most popular lecturers, Vincent H. Resh, Professor of Environmental Science, Policy & Management.
If you would like to receive a PDF copy of this trip’s brochure, please click on the words “Brochure Request Form” under Additional Resources on this webpage.

Activity Level 3

What to expect: These trips feature long touring days with travel via motor coach, ship, zodiac, all-terrain vehicle, or train. Travelers are required to board transportation without assistance as well as stand and walk over uneven terrain for extended periods of time. Some tours may include optional higher-intensity activities and travel at higher altitudes with steep ascents and descents. Outings last four to six hours most days.

Suitable for: Travelers who are able to comfortably walk four to six miles, or 6,900–9,200 steps, each day.