Adventure in the Bissagos Islands

The capital of Senegal, Dakar, is an enigmatic and endlessly explorable city. Jutting out on the Cape Vert Peninsula with glorious surf-fringed beaches, the former colonial trading post is the westernmost point of the African continent. Ships will dock at the Mole 1 Terminal in Port de Dakar.

Top Things to Do in Dakar:

• visit the Museum of Black Civilizations
• learn about the African slave trade on Goree Island
• admire the pink Lake Retba
• shop at the Kermel Market

During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing.

This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.

In the midst of a rich natural environment, you will enjoy a fascinating encounter with the Bijagos, who have been successful at taming their environment and preserving their ancestral way of life. Five villages provide a home for the island’s few thousand inhabitants, who rely on a subsistence economy: they take from nature only what they need, they cultivate rice, breed chickens and pigs, fish on a small scale and use all the parts of the oil palm. Cob huts with thatched roofs are the traditional dwellings. Among other things, you will be able to enjoy a wonderful show of authentic traditional dancing.

The private island of Kere is an unspoiled Eden, a one-hectare (two-acre) stretch of tropical forest in the heart of the Bissagos Islands. One original feature of this island is that a small, sustainable and fair-trade ecotourism business was developed upon it. On the island’s magnificent beach, a Frenchman has set up a business to show people around this exceptional natural environment or to take them out for some game fishing, particularly in search of tarpon, a fish weighing over a hundred kilos (220 pounds). The bungalows made from earth and straw blend into the idyllic setting and reflect the mindset of the islet’s owner: authentic and respectful of nature and people.

The Bijagos Archipelago, off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, is a hidden gem known for its untouched natural beauty and vibrant biodiversity. This group of over 80 islands is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to diverse wildlife including hippos, sea turtles, and a variety of bird species. The traditional way of life of the Bijago people adds a unique cultural aspect to the visit.

Exploring the islands offers opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure. Visit Orango Island to see the rare saltwater hippos or take a guided tour to learn about the local customs and traditions. The archipelago's pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters are perfect for relaxing, swimming, and snorkelling, making the Bijagos a remarkable and tranquil destination for cruise travellers.

Covered in beautiful savannah, paddy fields and lush forests, the island of Uno, or Ilha de Uno, is one of the most populated in the Bissagos archipelago. In its many villages, life follows the pace of the everyday scenes and traditions of the Bissago people. The lifestyle of these island people remains relatively untouched by colonial domination and external influences, and still honours animist beliefs and rites, such as the fanados, which are coming-of-age initiations for young men and women that involve them spending four months in the forest with the village elders. By sanctifying the natural environment, the islanders are protecting the archipelago’s unique biodiversity.

The Bijagos Archipelago, off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, is a hidden gem known for its untouched natural beauty and vibrant biodiversity. This group of over 80 islands is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to diverse wildlife including hippos, sea turtles, and a variety of bird species. The traditional way of life of the Bijago people adds a unique cultural aspect to the visit.

Exploring the islands offers opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure. Visit Orango Island to see the rare saltwater hippos or take a guided tour to learn about the local customs and traditions. The archipelago's pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters are perfect for relaxing, swimming, and snorkelling, making the Bijagos a remarkable and tranquil destination for cruise travellers.

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the island of Cavalos is the second-largest nesting site in West Africa. Here you will be able to observe many bird species, including terns, in particular near the freshwater lake. Take a stroll on the beach full of shells, stretching all the way around the island’s 6-km (3.8-mile) circumference. Some rocks have mango trees growing on them, which just rise above the surface during high tide. The interior of the island, blanketed in palm trees and high grasses, is inhabited by a colony of wild pigs.

The Bijagos Archipelago, off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, is a hidden gem known for its untouched natural beauty and vibrant biodiversity. This group of over 80 islands is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to diverse wildlife including hippos, sea turtles, and a variety of bird species. The traditional way of life of the Bijago people adds a unique cultural aspect to the visit.

Exploring the islands offers opportunities for eco-tourism and adventure. Visit Orango Island to see the rare saltwater hippos or take a guided tour to learn about the local customs and traditions. The archipelago's pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters are perfect for relaxing, swimming, and snorkelling, making the Bijagos a remarkable and tranquil destination for cruise travellers.

The capital of Senegal, Dakar, is an enigmatic and endlessly explorable city. Jutting out on the Cape Vert Peninsula with glorious surf-fringed beaches, the former colonial trading post is the westernmost point of the African continent. Ships will dock at the Mole 1 Terminal in Port de Dakar.

Top Things to Do in Dakar:

• visit the Museum of Black Civilizations
• learn about the African slave trade on Goree Island
• admire the pink Lake Retba
• shop at the Kermel Market