Goree Island lies two miles off the coast of Senegal and was one of the main holding points for slaves taken from West Africa to North America. Visit the House of Slaves or enjoy the quaint colonial architecture of the island. Goree Island has been designated a World Heritage Site. On the mainland you can easily spend a day in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. Dakar is a modern city offering beautiful beaches, colorful markets and some of West Africa's best cuisine. Many cruises offer this excursion in conjunction with a cruise to the Canary Islands, and may also include stops in Morocco and Cape Verde.
Holland America Line
African and Mediterranean Voyages
1-877-932-4259
hollandamerica.com
Fred Olson Cruise Lines
White House Road
Ipswich, Suffolk, U.K.
IP1 5LL
+44 (0) 1473 742424
[email protected]
www.fredolsencruises.com
Timbuktu, an ancient city in Mali, is at the crossroads of a once vital trade route, where merchants brought salt, fabric and gold to trade. As part of a river cruise into the interior of West Africa, you can take in the sites of this historic area where locals still ride camels. You might also visit Mali's famous mosque in Djenne, the colorful markets of Mopti and the cliff dwellings of the animist Dogon people. From there enjoy a luxurious yacht cruise along the Saloun and Gambia Rivers into Senegal's remote areas to see the wetland reserves, national parks, Abuko Nature Preserve and Makasutu Culture Forest. You are likely to see baboons, dolphins and a diversity of birds. This cruise is truly a unique cultural and natural experience, as well as perfect for the adventure-loving traveler.
International Wildlife Adventures
P.O.Box 1410
Vashon, WA 98070
1-800-808-4IWA
[email protected]
Variety Cruises USA
494 Eighth Ave., 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10001
1-800-319-7776
varietycruises.com
A stop in Ghana, a former British colony that gained independence in 1957, is a part of many West African cruises. Ghana lies on what was named the Gold Coast, due to the large amounts of gold in the soil there, and is one of West Africa's English-speaking nations (in addition to several indigenous languages). Aside from castles built by foreign traders that were used to hold slaves before transport, Ghana is known for it's beautiful rain forests and beaches. These cruises usually include stops along much of the coast of western Africa, including Togo, Liberia, Morocco and Mauritania.
The Great Canadian Travel Company
158 Fort St.
Winnipeg, MB Canada
R3C 1C9
[email protected]
1-800-661-3830
greatcanadiantravel.com
