Cape of Good Hope to Gibralter with Peter Matthiessen

Saturday, March 29, 2008
USA
Fly from the U.S. to Cape Town, South Africa.

Sunday, March 30
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Arrive in Cape Town in the evening. Transfer to the Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel Cape Town.

Monday, March 31
CAPE TOWN | CAPE OF GOOD HOPE NATURE RESERVE | EMBARK
The striking combination of coastal and mountain geography that forms the Cape Peninsula is truly superlative. Travel through rolling hills to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Cape Point, and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. At the tip of the Cape Peninsula lies Cape Point and its dramatically beautiful cliffs, some of the highest in the world. The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including the Cape Mountain Zebra and over 250 species of birds, as well as indigenous flora that is found nowhere else in the world. Set on the side of the Table Mountain is Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, one of the finest botanical gardens in the world and a celebration of South African flora, with about 9,000 of South Africa’s 22,000 plant species. In the afternoon, board Corinthian II at Cape Town’s waterfront, an example of creative architecture and restoration, and set sail.

Tuesday, April 1
AT SEA
Cruise along the coast of South Africa and Namibia.

Wednesday, April 2
LUDERITZ, NAMIBIA
Sandwiched incongruently between the waters of the Atlantic and the forbidding, shifting sands of the Namib Desert lies one of the most charming and interesting towns in Africa, the  city of Luderitz. While Luderitz has survived its wild, diamond-mining past, journey to Kolmanskop, a nearby ghost town (and favorite of photographers) which was not quite as lucky.

Thursday, April 3 & Friday, April 4
WALVIS BAY
Arrive in Walvis Bay the morning of April 3. With its sheltered lagoons, deep waters, towering sand dunes, and bird-covered shoreline, Walvis Bay and its environs is a paradise for naturalists, birders, fishermen, and adventurers. Explore the Namib Desert Park, which holds the oldest and perhaps most striking desert landscape in the world, with its giant and dramatic sand dunes, and learn about its surprisingly rich wildlife. The day culminates with a memorable dinner in the desert. The following day, explore the Walvis Bay Lagoon, one of the most important bird sanctuaries in Africa, with an estimated population of 170,000 resident birds.

Saturday, April 5 & Sunday, April 6
AT SEA
Cruise toward Angola.

Monday, April 7
LUANDA, ANGOLA
With mountains rising dramatically from the coast, Angola’s terrain is spectacular. Luanda is no exception. At one time a Portuguese colony, today this outpost on the Namib Desert’s edge is Angola’s capital and home to a number of museums documenting the region’s history and culture.

Tuesday, April 8
AT SEA
Cruise toward Port-Gentil, Gabon.

Wednesday, April 9 & Thursday, April 10
PORT-GENTIL, GABON
On the morning of April 9, arrive in Port-Gentil. First settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century, Port-Gentil is located at the tip of an island surrounded by mangroves. A tour of the city includes stops at the beautiful Church of Saint Louis, the town market, and a local artisan’s workshop. Enjoy a boat ride to the pristine white sand beaches by Cap Lopez, where the afternoon may be spent relaxing and swimming, or exploring the nearby waterways and mangroves. In the evening, enjoy a presentation aboard ship by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society. On April 10th, there will be a choice of two full-day air excursions. Fly south into Loango National Park, a protected area which hosts one of the most concentrated areas of elephants and apes in all Africa. With eco-guides from Operation Loango, which has, together with the Wildlife Conservation Society, pioneered ecotourism and conservation in Gabon, spend the day exploring Loango National Park. Alternatively, fly east over the Ogooué River delta, one of the largest in Africa, toward the fascinating river-island city of Lambarené, deep in the heart of Gabon’s rainforest. Visit the Schweitzer Hospital, founded in 1924 by the illustrious German doctor and missionary Albert Schweitzer, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 for his determination and efforts to bring medical attention to the inhabitants of the region. Still in operation today, the hospital’s lovely grounds have an excellent museum in Schweitzer’s former lodgings. Meet the hospital’s director and learn about the continued efforts to uphold Schweitzer’s ideas. Spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful lakes around Lambarené, with their teeming birdlife. At Lac Evaro, a rehabilitation project cares for baby gorillas and chimpanzees that have been orphaned by poachers in the jungle.

Friday, April 11
SÃO TOMÉ, SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE
Arrive in São Tomé, the prized island of the Portuguese, who possessed it from the 15th century until 1975 when, along with the nearby island of Príncipe, it gained independence to form the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. Call at the island’s capital and main port, also called São Tomé, to tour the picturesque and friendly town, with its characteristic colonial architecture. Visit the cathedral, the National Museum, and the Fortress of San Sebastian. Also explore the island’s lush interior, known for its rich biodiversity, where rainforest hikes display the island’s flora and fauna, beautiful waterfalls, and views of the breathtaking landscape below. On a visit to an active coffee plantation, observe a lifestyle that remains largely unchanged from the colonial days, and enjoy a sampling of the local agricultural produce. In the evening, we will be entertained aboard ship by a folkloric presentation.

Saturday, April 12
PRÍNCIPE
Smaller than its sister island of São Tomé, Príncipe boasts an unspoiled and striking landscape and beautiful white sand beaches. Most of the island is covered by ancient forests that house rich flora and fauna, including several species of orchids and begonias. Enjoy a range of -options for the day, including a tour of the tiny capital, Santo Antonio, where time seems to have stood still in buildings overrun by vegetation; a walk through the abandoned plantation of Porto Real; the opportunity to see palm oil being made by the villagers of Sao Joachim; and a drive to the active plantation of Terreiro Velho, where some of the world’s best chocolate is made in a setting surrounded by stunning landscape. Or spend the day swimming and relaxing on one of the island’s beautiful beaches after a hike through the pristine rainforest.

Sunday, April 13
DOUALA | LIMBÉ | BUEA | DOUALA, CAMEROON
Scenic and small, sleepy Limbé is the perfect antidote to frenetic Douala. Enjoy Limbé’s charming mix of German and traditional architecture as well as the 19th-century Botanical Garden and Limbé Zoological Garden, a primate sanctuary dedicated to the rescue of abused apes and monkeys. Continue on to Buea, the old capital perched on the slopes of Mount Cameroon.

Monday, April 14
AT SEA
Cruise in the Gulf of Guinea.

Tuesday, April 15
COTONOU | PORTO-NOVO | COTONOU, BENIN
From the port of Cotonou, drive to the nearby capital Porto-Novo, set on green hills surrounding a large lagoon. Formerly the center of an indigenous kingdom, it later became the capital of the French colony of Dahomey. Explore this pleasant city, including visits to the Ethnography Museum, the restored palace of King Toffa, and the Handicraft Center. After lunch, board local motorboats for a ride across Lake Nokoué to the picturesque village of Ganvié.

Wednesday, April 16
TEMA | ACCRA | TEMA, GHANA
Ghana’s sprawling capital, Accra, vibrates with an energy that infuses this city with an air of excitement and industry. An excellent crafts market showcases the best of local artisans from throughout the region, as does the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography.

Thursday, April 17
TAKORADI AND THE GOLD COAST
Once a fishing village, Takoradi’s size and influence grew dramatically when it became Ghana’s first deep-water seaport. This stretch of coastline is one of West Africa’s most scenic, often referred to as the “Castle Coast” for the string of forts and castles that line its shores.

Friday, April 18 & Saturday, April 19
AT SEA
Cruise along the Gold, Ivory, and Grain Coasts.

Sunday, April 20
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE
With its lush forests, nature reserves, and white, sandy beaches, Sierra Leone is one of West Africa’s most attractive destinations. Tour Freetown, the country’s capital, including the newly refurbished Sierra Leone Museum, St. George’s Cathedral (1828), and the city’s colorful markets. Also, visit the picturesque Regent Village with its early 19th-century Krio-style houses.

Monday, April 21
AT SEA
Cruise toward Dakar, Senegal.

Tuesday, April 22
DAKAR, SENEGAL
Senegal’s beautiful capital city is also a center of African arts and culture. Experience both at the IFAN Museum (Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noir), one of the continent’s best, or visit the artisan market. A short ferry ride brings you to Gorée, the notorious “Slave Island”, a designated UNESCO landmark.

Wednesday, April 23
NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA
Built predominantly in the traditional Berber style, Nouakchott is the capital of the only nation governed by a nomadic people. Its colorful markets are awash in engraved silver, carpets, and other Berber handicrafts.

Thursday, April 24
NOUADHIBOU
A former French colony, Nouadhibou is now a bustling fishing port with an international flavor. From here, travel across the dunes of the Western Sahara to see a traditional Berber encampment.

Friday, April 25 & Saturday, April 26
AT SEA
Cruise toward Morocco.

Saturday, April 27
SAFI | MARRAKECH OR ESSAOUIRA | SAFI, MOROCCO
Arrive in the morning in Morocco’s port of Safi for an excursion to glorious Marrakech, set among gardens and palm groves. One of Morocco’s Imperial Capitals, Marrakech was founded in the 11th century and attained the summit of its power under the Almohads (1147-1244). Explore the city’s principal monuments, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and return to the ship in the evening. Alternatively, take a full-day excursion to Essaouira, a picturesque 18th-century town enclosed by walls and battlements facing the sea.

Monday, April 28
CASABLANCA | RABAT | CASABLANCA
From Casablanca, drive to Rabat, Morocco’s elegant capital. Tour Rabat’s main sites, including its Medina, between the sea and the river. Within are colorful souks; the Kasbah des Oudaias, the evocative quarter of the old Almohad, Merenid, and Andalusian towns; and the Chellah Citadel, a striking ruin with royal tombs and other monuments.

Tuesday, April 29
GIBRALTAR
Like the Cape of Good Hope, Gibraltar is one of the world’s great sea landmarks that have guided mariners for centuries. Explore this remnant of the British Empire, before sailing through the strait to Seville.

Wednesday, April 30
SEVILLE, SPAIN | DISEMBARK | USA
Disembark in Seville and transfer to the airport for return flights to the U.S.