A Voyage from the Imperial Cities of Morocco to the Gold and Ivory Coasts!
THE NATURAL & CULTURAL TREASURES OF WEST AFRICA
November 30 - December 19, 2010

Dear Traveler, The terrain down from the desert escarpments of Morocco to the rain forests of Ghana is unlike anything else in Africa. We are excited to have this rare opportunity to travel there together. This wonderful voyage also introduces us to four breathtaking avian habitats in North and West Africa — almost completely unknown to the wider world — en route to the evocative Castle Coast and the riverine forests of The Gambia. We’ll immerse ourselves in landscapes that are exceptionally beautiful and discover the arts and diverse cultures that animate this fascinating region of Africa.

Sailing from Casablanca, we’ll call at some of Morocco’s most beautiful places, medieval medinas and pristine nature reserves that are found on the narrow band between sea and desert that is the coastline of Northwest Africa. In the Massa Lagoon, shrikes, spoonbills, storks, and godwits glide and wade; in Oualidia, hundreds of species mingle on an immense sandy bay.

Along the way, we’ll travel into the Sahara Desert, take tea with Berbers in the shade of an oasis, and watch the dunes turn golden in the sunset. We’ll have the opportunity to stay overnight in the UNESCO World Heritage site of St-Louis, an old Senegalese colonial town, before observing the vast congregations of cormorants and pelicans at Djoudj National Park. Later we’ll explore the forests, rivers, and artistic cultures of The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ghana — where we’ll walk upon a suspended walkway, at tropical-bird height, through the rain forest canopy.

Aboard the elegant, 114-guest, all-suite Corinthian II, we’ll be joined by naturalists and area experts, who will share with us their fascinating insights to enhance our experience of North and West Africa, its beauty, natural history, and culture.

I think that you will agree that this is an exceptional opportunity to experience a side of Africa you’ve never seen before. Please join us on this extraordinary voyage.

Brochure (Requires an Adobe pdf reader to view)