Lead Pricing
| Interior | Outside | Balcony | Suite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Request Price | Request Price | Request Price | Request Price |
Art inspires. Awakens your emotions and stimulates your thoughts.
In the quiet calm of morning, your private veranda becomes a place of true inspiration. Surrounded by the magnificence of the dawning day, at one with the vista of sea and sky, in awe of nature and the vast beauty of this world. The shoreline of the next port slides closer and closer into view, and with it an undeniable anticipation of things to come and the promise of limitless possibilities.
Silversea creates exceptional ocean journeys with unique opportunities to explore remote ports-of-call from an intimate haven of incomparable luxury, each voyage a unique masterpiece. Discover genuine European expertise reflected in every detail, from our tranquil all-suite accommodation and uncompromising service to distinctive fine dining and a carefree all-inclusive philosophy.
Our guests hail from across the globe, yet share an appreciation for the spectrum of choice offered in Silversea’s array of exotic destinations and exclusive explorations ashore. By blending these elements together with enrichment experiences, each new port becomes more than a destination, it becomes a state of mind, transcending the traditional concepts of cruising. It is this distinction that has earned Silversea the reputation of World’s Best.
ALL-INCLUSIVE VALUE
COMPLIMENTARY BEVERAGES SERVED THROUGHOUT THE SHIP An extensive selection of fine wines, champagne, spirits, bottled water and soft drinks are yours to enjoy — all courtesy of Silversea.
IN-SUITE BEVERAGE CABINET STOCKED WITH OUR COMPLIMENTS Besides the chilled bottle of champagne that awaits you, every suite features a beverage cabinet stocked with your preferred assortment of complimentary beverages.
COMPLIMENTARY IN-SUITE DINING AND 24-HOUR ROOM SERVICE A formal dinner served course-by-course, a late-night snack, or a full breakfast delivered at your request — with no charge and no tipping.
COMPLIMENTARY SILVERSEA EXPERIENCE® A shoreside event exclusively for Silversea guests on select voyages. Recent outings have included dinner in the desert in Namibia and a concert at the ruins of Ephesus.
A FULL SPECTRUM OF ENTERTAINMENT AND ENRICHMENT Production shows, classical concerts, and folkloric performances. Multi-tiered show lounge. Lectures by world affairs experts, renowned authors and destination specialists.
COMPLIMENTARY TRANSPORTATION INTO TOWN Roundtrip transportation from the pier to the heart of town in most ports of call.
Silversea … The art of travel. The art of good living.
A quiet sanctuary to escape to on your cruise. The sitting area has plenty of room to relax. Large picture windows frame panoramic ocean views. The perfect backdrop for breakfast in bed. Silver Wind Vista Suites accommodate three guests.
One bedroom: 240 ft² / 22m²
One bedroom: Suite 738: 325 ft² / 30m²
SUITE FEATURES:
Large picture window providing panoramic ocean views
Twin beds or queen-sized bed
Sitting area
Marbled bathroom with full-sized bath
Walk-in wardrobe with personal safe
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Direct-dial telephone
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down
duvet covers
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Plush robes and slippers
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Standard Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Complimentary interactive mobile content
A Silversea signature, the Veranda Suite is spacious and welcoming. Veranda suites offer floor-to-ceiling glass doors which open onto a furnished private teak veranda. Each spectacular sunset feels like it is yours alone. Some Veranda Suites accommodate three guests. A must for the world’s best cruise line.
One bedroom: 295 ft² / 27m² including veranda
SUITE FEATURES:
Teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors
Twin beds or queen-sized bed
Sitting area
Marbled bathroom with full-sized bath
Walk-in wardrobe with personal safe
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Direct-dial telephone
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down
duvet covers
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Plush robes and slippers
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Standard Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Complimentary interactive mobile content
The Midship Veranda Suite offers unbeatable views. A Silversea signature. Spacious and welcoming. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a furnished private teak veranda. Each spectacular sunset feels like it is yours alone. The Midship Veranda Suite offers a preferred central location with identical accommodation to a Veranda Suite. No top cruise line would be complete without such a luxury.
One bedroom: 295 ft² / 27m² including veranda
SUITE FEATURES:
Teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors
Twin beds or queen-sized bed
Sitting Area
Marbled bathroom with full-sized bath
Walk-in wardrobe with personal safe
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Direct-dial telephone
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down duvet covers
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Plush robes and slippers
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Standard Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Complimentary interactive mobile content
A mark of distinction. Sumptuous. Spacious. Rich textures and panoramic views surround you with distinguished luxury. The perfect summary of The Medallion Suite offered by the world’s best cruise line.
One bedroom: Suite 741: 667 ft² / 62m²
One bedroom: Suites 801–804: 490 ft² / 45m² including veranda
SUITE FEATURES:
Large teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors (Suites 801–804 only)
Three large picture windows providing panoramic ocean views (Suite 741 only)
Living room with sitting area
Separate dining area (Suite 741 only)
Twin beds or queen-sized bed
Marbled bathroom with full-sized tub and separate shower (Suite 741 has full-sized whirlpool bath and shower)
Walk-in wardrobe with personal safe
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Direct-dial telephone
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down
duvet covers
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Plush robes and slippers
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Premium Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Complimentary interactive mobile content
Laundry service throughout the voyage
Special chocolate welcome
Afternoon canapés upon request
Dinner at Officer’s Table
For those wanting more space, Silver Suites are ideal. Stylish and sophisticated. Separate dining and living rooms. Larger verandas. Situated midship on the Silver Wind. Perfection in design for comfortable living. Silver Suites accommodate three guests.
One bedroom: 541 ft² / 50m² including veranda
SUITE FEATURES:
Teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors
Living room (with convertible sofa to accommodate an additional guest)
Sitting area
Separate dining area
Twin beds or queen-sized bed
Marbled bathroom with full-sized bath
Walk-in wardrobe with personal safe
Bang & Olufsen audio system
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Illy Espresso machine
Direct-dial telephone(s)
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down
duvet covers
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Plush robes and slippers
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Premium Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Special chocolate welcome
Afternoon canapés upon request
Dinner at officer’s table
Complimentary interactive mobile content
Laundry service throughout the voyage
Wet cleaning and pressing throughout the voyage
Stately. Commanding and majestic. Perfect for entertaining. The Royal suite lives up to its name. Enough living space to roam. The pinnacle of good living. Available as a one-bedroom configuration or as two bedroom by adjoining with a Veranda Suite.
One bedroom: 736 ft² / 69m² including veranda
Two bedroom: 1,031 ft² / 96m² including veranda
SUITE FEATURES:
Large teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors; Two-bedroom has additional veranda
Living room with sitting area; Two-bedroom has additional sitting area
Separate dining area
Twin beds or queen-sized bed; Two-bedroom has additional twin beds or queen-sized bed
Marbled bathroom with full-sized whirlpool tub; Two-bedroom has additional marbled bathroom with full-sized bath
Walk-in wardrobe(s) with personal safe
Bang & Olufsen audio system
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Illy Espresso machine
Direct-dial telephone(s)
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down duvet covers
Plush robes and slippers
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Premium Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Laundry service throughout the voyage
Wet cleaning and pressing throughout the voyage
Special chocolate welcome
Afternoon canapés upon request
Dinner at officer’s table
Dinner for two in La Dame, one evening per voyage
Two hours of worldwide phone use from your suite, per voyage segment
Complimentary interactive mobile content
Expertly designed and exquisitely appointed. The Grand Suite on the Silver Wind ideal for entertaining friends or enjoying a quiet dinner “at home”. Available as a one-bedroom configuration or as two bedroom by adjoining with a Veranda Suite.
One bedroom: 1,019 ft² / 95m² including veranda
Two bedroom: 1,314 ft² / 122m² including veranda
SUITE FEATURES:
Two teak verandas with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors; Two-bedroom has additional veranda
Living room with sitting area; Two-bedroom has additional sitting area
Separate dining area
Twin beds or queen-sized bed; Two-bedroom has additional twin beds or queen-sized bed
Marbled bathroom with full-sized whirlpool tub; Two-bedroom has additional marbled bathroom with full-sized bath
Walk-in wardrobe with personal safe
Bang & Olufsen audio system
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Illy Espresso machine
Direct-dial telephone(s)
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down duvet covers
Plush robes and slippers
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Premium Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Laundry service throughout the voyage
Wet cleaning and pressing throughout the voyage
Special chocolate welcome
Afternoon canapés upon request
Dinner at officer’s table
Dinner for two in La Dame, one evening per voyage
Two hours of worldwide phone use from your suite, per voyage segment
Complimentary interactive mobile content
The name says it all. A stylish apartment. Prestigious and classic. For those who seek the superlative level of space, comfort and service on board. The Owner’s Suite is available as a one-bedroom configuration or as two bedrooms (as illustrated) by adjoining with a Vista Suite so you can enjoy your luxury cruise in style.
One bedroom: 587 ft² / 55m² including veranda
Two bedroom: 827 ft² / 77m² including veranda
SUITE FEATURES:
Large teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors; Two- bedroom has additional large picture window
Living room with sitting area; Two-bedroom has additional sitting area
Separate dining area
Twin beds or queen-sized bed; Two-bedroom has additional twin beds or queen-sized bed
Marbled bathroom with full-sized whirlpool tub and separate shower (Suite 737 only; Suite 734 has tub/shower combination), plus a powder room; Two-bedroom has additional marbled bathroom with shower
Walk-in wardrobe(s) with personal safe
Bang & Olufsen audio system
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Illy Espresso machine
Direct-dial telephone(s)
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down duvet covers
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Plush robes and slippers
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Premium Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Laundry service throughout the voyage
Wet cleaning and pressing throughout the voyage
Special chocolate welcome
Afternoon canapés upon request
Dinner at officer’s table
Dinner for two in Le Champagne, one evening per voyage
Two hours of worldwide phone use from your suite, per voyage segment
Complimentary interactive mobile content
Stately. Commanding and majestic. Perfect for entertaining. The Royal suite lives up to its name. Enough living space to roam. The pinnacle of good living. Available as a one-bedroom configuration or as two bedroom by adjoining with a Veranda Suite.
One bedroom: 736 ft² / 69m² including veranda
Two bedroom: 1,031 ft² / 96m² including veranda
SUITE FEATURES:
Large teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors; Two-bedroom has additional veranda
Living room with sitting area; Two-bedroom has additional sitting area
Separate dining area
Twin beds or queen-sized bed; Two-bedroom has additional twin beds or queen-sized bed
Marbled bathroom with full-sized whirlpool tub; Two-bedroom has additional marbled bathroom with full-sized bath
Walk-in wardrobe(s) with personal safe
Bang & Olufsen audio system
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Illy Espresso machine
Direct-dial telephone(s)
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down duvet covers
Plush robes and slippers
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Premium Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Laundry service throughout the voyage
Wet cleaning and pressing throughout the voyage
Special chocolate welcome
Afternoon canapés upon request
Dinner at officer’s table
Dinner for two in La Dame, one evening per voyage
Two hours of worldwide phone use from your suite, per voyage segment
Complimentary interactive mobile content
Expertly designed and exquisitely appointed. The Grand Suite on the Silver Wind ideal for entertaining friends or enjoying a quiet dinner “at home”. Available as a one-bedroom configuration or as two bedroom by adjoining with a Veranda Suite.
One bedroom: 1,019 ft² / 95m² including veranda
Two bedroom: 1,314 ft² / 122m² including veranda
SUITE FEATURES:
Two teak verandas with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors; Two-bedroom has additional veranda
Living room with sitting area; Two-bedroom has additional sitting area
Separate dining area
Twin beds or queen-sized bed; Two-bedroom has additional twin beds or queen-sized bed
Marbled bathroom with full-sized whirlpool tub; Two-bedroom has additional marbled bathroom with full-sized bath
Walk-in wardrobe with personal safe
Bang & Olufsen audio system
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Illy Espresso machine
Direct-dial telephone(s)
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down duvet covers
Plush robes and slippers
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Premium Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Laundry service throughout the voyage
Wet cleaning and pressing throughout the voyage
Special chocolate welcome
Afternoon canapés upon request
Dinner at officer’s table
Dinner for two in La Dame, one evening per voyage
Two hours of worldwide phone use from your suite, per voyage segment
Complimentary interactive mobile content
The name says it all. A stylish apartment. Prestigious and classic. For those who seek the superlative level of space, comfort and service on board. The Owner’s Suite is available as a one-bedroom configuration or as two bedrooms (as illustrated) by adjoining with a Vista Suite so you can enjoy your luxury cruise in style.
One bedroom: 587 ft² / 55m² including veranda
Two bedroom: 827 ft² / 77m² including veranda
SUITE FEATURES:
Large teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors; Two- bedroom has additional large picture window
Living room with sitting area; Two-bedroom has additional sitting area
Separate dining area
Twin beds or queen-sized bed; Two-bedroom has additional twin beds or queen-sized bed
Marbled bathroom with full-sized whirlpool tub and separate shower (Suite 737 only; Suite 734 has tub/shower combination), plus a powder room; Two-bedroom has additional marbled bathroom with shower
Walk-in wardrobe(s) with personal safe
Bang & Olufsen audio system
Radio/alarm with iPod docking station
Illy Espresso machine
Direct-dial telephone(s)
Refrigerator and bar setup, stocked with your preferences
Pratesi® fine bed linens and down duvet covers
Premium mattresses and a choice of pillows
Plush robes and slippers
Choice of European bath amenities
Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
Writing desk(s) with personalised stationery
Unlimited Premium Wifi
Flat screen TV(s)
Laundry service throughout the voyage
Wet cleaning and pressing throughout the voyage
Special chocolate welcome
Afternoon canapés upon request
Dinner at officer’s table
Dinner for two in Le Champagne, one evening per voyage
Two hours of worldwide phone use from your suite, per voyage segment
Complimentary interactive mobile content
Al fresco dining with panoramic ocean views. Warm clubby spaces for evening cocktails with friends. The plush comfort of your ocean-view suite after a day of incredible sights. Welcome home to the luxury cruise ship, Silver Wind. Timelessly elegant yet luxuriously relaxed, Silver Cloud’s sleek sister ship strikes the perfect balance of yacht-like intimacy combined with the space, amenities and diversions typically reserved for larger vessels. Warm welcomes and gracious personalized service inspire our guests to call Silver Wind their “home away from home” – join us and discover the charms of Silver Wind.
Ship Profile & Stats
- Length: 514 ft
- Tonnage: 17400 tons
- Maiden Voyage: 1994
- Refurbished: 2017
- Passenger Capacity (dbl): 296
- Crew Nationality: International
- Officer Nationality: Italian
- Dining Staff Nationality: International
- Ship Registration: Italy
Ship Facilities
- The Bar
- Saletta
- Internet Cafe
- Laundrette
- 1 Swimming Pool(s)
- The Restaurant
- 4 Elevator(s)
- Library
- 2 Whirlpool(s)
- Casino
- Boutiques
- Conference / Card Room
- Show Lounge
- La Terrazza
- Panorama Lounge
- The Humidor
- Pool Bar
- Pool Grill
- Observation Lounge
- Fitness Centre
- Spa / Beauty Salon
Cruise Itinerary
| Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Mar '21 | Cape Town, South Africa |
06:00 PM | |
| 31 Mar '21 | At sea | ||
| 01 Apr '21 | Luederitz, Southern Namibia |
07:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| 02 Apr '21 | Walvis Bay, Namibia |
09:00 AM | overnight |
| 03 Apr '21 | Walvis Bay, Namibia |
05:00 PM | |
| 04 Apr '21 | At sea | ||
| 05 Apr '21 | Namibe, Angola |
07:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| 06 Apr '21 | Lobito, Angola |
07:00 AM | 02:00 PM |
| 07 Apr '21 | Luanda, Angola |
08:00 AM | 06:30 PM |
| 08 Apr '21 | At sea | ||
| 09 Apr '21 | At sea | ||
| 10 Apr '21 | Sao Tome, Bon Bon Islands |
06:30 AM | 08:00 PM |
| 11 Apr '21 | Principe, Bon Bon Islands |
06:30 AM | 05:00 PM |
| 12 Apr '21 | At sea | ||
| 13 Apr '21 | Cotonou, Benin |
08:00 AM | 08:00 PM |
| 14 Apr '21 | Lome, Togo |
06:30 AM | overnight |
| 15 Apr '21 | Lome, Togo |
05:00 PM | |
| 16 Apr '21 | Takoradi, Ghana |
09:00 AM | 07:00 PM |
| 17 Apr '21 | Accra, Ghana |
06:30 AM |
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
18 Night Cruise sailing from Cape Town to Accra (Tema) onboard Silver Wind.
Silver Wind is a perfect illustration of how complete a small-sized ship can be. With just 296-guests, luxury suites and spacious public areas, Silver Wind is one of the cosiest and most intimate ships afloat today. Warm welcomes and gracious personalized service inspire our guests to call Silver Wind their “home away from homeâ€.
Highlights of this cruise:
Cape Town, South Africa
If you visit only one place in South Africa, make it Cape Town. Whether you’re partaking of the Capetonian inclination for alfresco fine dining (the so-called “Mother City” is home to many of the country’s best restaurants) or sipping wine atop Table Mountain, you sense—correctly—that this is South Africa’s most urbane, civilized city. Here elegant Cape Dutch buildings abut ornate Victorian architecture and imposing British monuments. In the Bo-Kaap neighborhood, the call to prayer echoes through cobbled streets lined with houses painted in bright pastels, while the sweet tang of Malay curry wafts through the air. Flower sellers, newspapers hawkers, and numerous markets keep street life pulsing, and every lamppost advertises another festival, concert, or cultural happening. But as impressive as Cape Town’s urban offerings are, what you’ll ultimately recall about this city is the sheer grandeur of its setting—the mesmerizing beauty of Table Mountain rising above the city, the stunning drama of the mountains cascading into the sea, and the gorgeous hues of the two oceans. Francis Drake wasn’t exaggerating when he said this was “the fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth,” and he would have little cause to change his opinion today. A visit to Cape Town is often synonymous with a visit to the peninsula beneath the city, and for good reason. With pristine white-sand beaches, hundreds of mountain trails, and numerous activities from surfing to paragliding to mountain biking, the accessibility, variety, and pure beauty of the great outdoors will keep nature lovers and outdoor adventurers occupied for hours, if not days. You could spend a week exploring just the city and peninsula. Often likened to San Francisco, Cape Town has two things that the City by the Bay doesn’t—Table Mountain and Africa. The mountain, or tabletop, is vital to Cape Town’s identity. It dominates the city in a way that’s difficult to comprehend until you visit. In the afternoon, when creeping fingers of clouds spill over Table Mountain and reach toward the city, the whole town seems to shiver and hold its breath. Meanwhile, for all of its bon-vivant European vibe, Cape Town also reflects the diversity, vitality, and spirit of the many African peoples who call this city home. Cape Town has grown as a city in a way that few others in the world have. Take a good look at the street names. Strand and Waterkant streets (meaning “beach” and “waterside,” respectively) are now far from the sea. However, when they were named they were right on the beach. An enormous program of dumping rubble into the ocean extended the city by a good few square miles (thanks to the Dutch obsession with reclaiming land from the sea). Almost all the city on the seaward side of Strand and Waterkant is part of the reclaimed area of the city known as the Foreshore. If you look at old paintings of the city, you will see that originally waves lapped at the very walls of the castle, now more than half a mile from the ocean.
Luderitz, Namibia
The scorched desert that surrounds Luderitz means the city’s collection of German art nouveau architecture couldn’t look more unusually placed along the Namibian coastline. This quirkiness is what gives the destination its charm. See gangs of playful penguins skipping across the waves, pink flamingos wading by the coast, and dolphins leaping into the air near Penguin Island and Seal Island. A much more haunting location, with an incredibly dark past, is Shark Island – which witnessed the deaths of between 1,000 and 3,000 people when it was the location of a German concentration camp, between 1905 and 1907. Inland from Luderitz is Kolmanskop, the site of a famous diamond mine and ghost town.
Lobito (Benguela), Angola
About equidistant from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia on Angola’s stunning coastline lies Lobito, a small town in the Benguela Province. Long under Portuguese colonisation, the city suffered somewhat — albeit it less than the country’s capital Luanda, during the long, drawn out civil war of 1975-2002. However, Lobito has begun the rehabilitation process (primarily through funding from both China – who are implementing a railway system throughout the country – and Brazil) and the grass roots of restoration have very definitely started. The result is a city in search of a new identity, whose natural resources include unspoilt tropical Atlantic beaches, vast national parks and a chequered heritage of Portuguese rule and struggle for independence.
Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe
With dramatic volcanic slopes and a thick cloak of rainforest, Sao Tome is Africa’s lost tropical paradise. Lying 140 miles adrift in the Gulf of Guinea, the forgotten location and dense vegetation lend the island an irresistible air of off-the-map adventure. Sao Tome and sister island PrÃncipe form the second smallest – and least visited – African country. Lying on the equator’s bulge, you can discover a lost sanctuary of unique wildlife and tropical beauty. Undeveloped and largely undiscovered, neon-frogs leap and soaring orchids rise in verdant rainforests – while pristine beaches hatch tiny turtles and offshore coral reefs glow and glitter with life. The island’s lavish jungles are the perfect home for hundreds of different types of birds, and you can trek to hear their calls and caws from above, as they flash vibrant colours and perform elaborate mating dances.
Walvis Bay, Namibia
One of Southern Africa’s most important harbor towns, the once industrial Walvis Bay has recently developed into a seaside holiday destination with a number of pleasant lagoonfront guesthouses and several good restaurants—including one of Namibia’s best, Lyon des Sables. The majority of water activities advertised in Swakopmund actually depart from Walvis’s small waterfront area, and there’s an amazing flamingo colony residing in the Bay’s 3,000-year-old lagoon.
Cotonou, Benin
Tucked between Nigeria and Togo in Benin is the busy trading port of Cotonou. Named a “market town†for its coastal placement and lucrative palm oil and textile trades, Cotonou is a sprawling amorphous city, swaddled between the Atlantic coast and Lake Nakoué. Because of its especial geographical situation, Cotonou is bursting with life — visitors disembarking here will find a colourful port, alive with economic activity and very much the capital (although not in name, the official capital is Porto-Novo to the east) of the trading industry.
Lomé, Togo
If you’re sick of the usual beach resorts, then zesty Lomé will welcome you to a coastal destination that oozes with inimitable character. The former ‘Jewel of West Africa’ offers some wonderful beaches, and exports its delicious bounty of cocoa, coffee and pine kernels far and wide. A disorientating place, where stuttering engines and whizzing motorbikes add a chaotic essence to the city’s streets, you’ll see vendors strolling with supplies balanced improbably on their heads, along with a healthy supply of intrigue, adventure and buzzing markets. Swarms of bikes and motorbikes dominate the coastal road, which borders the huge, palm tree lined Lomé beach – but the sand is wide enough for you to relax with the road merely a distant whisper.
Accra (Tema), Ghana
From a modest fishing port to the biggest in Ghana, Tema’s industrial activity has all but tarnished the charming, postcard scenery of the region. The neighbouring white-sanded beaches remain immaculate, still serving as a testimony of the rich variety of birds that can be found in the area.In the way Mother Nature intended it, gannets, boobies and kingfishers amongst other species fish in and around the cerulean waters of the coast. A light breeze tickles the inflamed, iron-filled soil of the mainland on which the railway linking Tema to Accra lures hundreds of visitors each day. On board one of the carriages to Accra, distinctively noticeable by their painted coats of red, yellow and green that echo Ghana’s national flag, a peek out of the window will offer scenic views of the harbour and coast, as well as the fields that separate Tema from the capital.