Corinthian II— Photo: Travel Dynamics

Aboard the beautifully-appointed Corinthian II, this two-part cruise will explore the entire western coastline of continental Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Rock of Gibraltar. Following the boreal spring northwards, these trips offer fantastic opportunities to see an incredible range of birds, mammals, and other wildlife, as well as an unprecedented chance to view an exceptional range of landscapes, habitats, and plants.

These cruises may be taken separately or together for one grand voyage. Voyage I: South Africa to Ghana, departs Cape Town, South Africa in late March, stopping in Namibia, Angola, and Republic of Congo en route to Libreville, Gabon. Voyage II provides an intimate look at western Africa, visiting São Tomé and Príncipe, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Western Sahara, and Morocco before the ship arrives at Gibraltar, ending the voyage in historic Seville in mid-April.

Following in the wake of early explorers and prosperous merchant ships, we will encounter fascinating cultures as we examine a course that encompasses the entire length of Africa's Atlantic coast. This is a rare opportunity to visit a whole suite of areas that are rarely or never visited by travelers and birders, offering the chance to see some fantastic endemics and little-known species. Many areas that we plan to visit do not offer the same quality of facilities as those aboard the Corinthian II. Thus not only will we be able to see some marvelous and rarely seen birds, but we will do so while based on our ship amidst great comfort.

Some of the special birds we may encounter include Jackass Penguin; a wonderful array of pelagic seabirds including several petrels, shearwaters, and storm-petrels; Spot-breasted Ibis; Hartlaub's Duck; Ruppell's Korhaan; Long-tailed Hawk; Congo Serpent-Eagle; Plumed Guineafowl; Nkulengu Rail; Black Crowned-Crane; African Finfoot; Egyptian Plover; Red-headed Lovebird; Pel's Fishing-Owl; Yellow-throated Cuckoo; Red-crested Turaco; Cassin's Spinetail; Red-backed Mousebird; Bare-cheeked Trogon; Shining-blue Kingfisher; Rosy Bee-eater; White-crested Hornbill; Bristle-nosed Barbet; Rufous-sided Broadbill; Red-cheeked Wattle-eye; Yellow-headed Picathartes; Cape Sugarbird; Red-billed and Gabela helmetshrikes; Giant Sunbird plus many Sao Tome endemics; all four Principe endemics in addition to several near-endemics; Crested Malimbe; Black-bellied Seedcracker; and Sahel Paradise-Whydah. Mammals we may see include chimpanzee, Diana monkey, hammer-headed bat, bat-eared fox, spot-necked otter, brown hyena, lion, African elephant, Red River hog, sitatunga, and gemsbok.

All travel, accommodations, and meals aboard the Corinthian II; conditions aboard ship excellent; walking conditions vary enormously given the breadth of the cruise's coverage, nevertheless, we do not envisage anything too demanding; several days at sea; temperatures range from occasionally as low as 40s (F) in the south to hot and humid and occasionally very hot (as high as 100 F) and extremely dry in the area of the Sahara. Some agility may be required, but travelers in good health will have no problem with this trip.