West Africa and Cape Verde

Cape Verde is home to some of the world’s most sensual and evocative musical forms. The archipelago sits at a maritime crossroads in the Atlantic and has absorbed influences from a variety of traditions. From this, a musical culture has arisen that’s a heady mix of West African and Portuguese styles, and migration to and from Brazil and the Caribbean has added to this. With its songs of longing and separation morna – perhaps the most famous musical tradition – reflects the pain of migration, while dance-based coladeira is far more rhythmic and joyful.

Fundamental to life in the Bissagos is the islanders’ animistic belief system, which sees spirit in everything and holds the natural world to be sacred. This approach has helped preserve much of the islands’ remarkable biodiversity. The islands are also a matriarchal society, with women managing the religious, political and economic lives of their communities.

Cape Verde, with its 15 different islands, nine of them inhabited, and the Bissagos, with over 88 islands and islets, are both fascinating archipelagos best visited by sea. Our small expedition ship allows you to really get close to their inaccessible coastlines and hard-to-reach isles. We’re able to drop anchor off isolated, unspoilt beaches in the pristine Bissagos, or pull up alongside atmospheric Cape Verdean ports on ancient Atlantic trading routes.

Nature lovers can look forward to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Bissagos, plus the globally significant levels of biodiversity in the waters around Cape Verde. On a cultural note, there’s the unique musical heritage of Cape Verde and the fascinating social structures of the Bissagos Islanders.

The Cape Verde islands were formed by volcanic activity, and coral covered outcrops rise up from the seabed to surround many of them. These provide rare oceanic habitats for the hundreds of different species of fish that have been catalogued in these waters, along with at least 17 species of cetacean in the deeper water.

The archipelago is also a bird-watchers’ paradise, with many fascinating species arriving as temporary visitors on their way to distant climes, such the Sandpiper and Spoonbill, or those, such as the Madeiran Storm Petrel, known locally as the jaba-jaba, which use the islands as their sole breeding site.

As you cruise through the Bissagos Islands aboard our expedition ship MS Spitsbergen, you’ll see why they were declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1996. A relative lack of human impact, combined with diverse ecosystems including mangrove swamp and coastal savanna, has created a rich habitat.

A plethora of birdlife, as well as many species of sea turtle, crocodiles, sharks including grey reefs and hammerheads, plus dolphins and the West African manatee make the islands their home. The most iconic inhabitants are the rare saltwater hippos, who bathe in the Islands’ lagoons.

While we’re at sea, you’ll have the chance to spot several species of sea turtle in Cape Verde from the deck, especially the loggerhead turtle. The islands are the only major nesting area for this vulnerable species along the eastern Atlantic coast. After 20 years spent drifting in the Atlantic, the females return to the same beach where they were born to lay their own eggs. Only around one in a thousand hatchlings survive into adulthood.

The geographical isolation of Cape Verde has created a habitat for several endemic species of birds, and it’s a valuable stopping point for about 130 migratory species. Breeding endemics include the Cape Verde Swamp Warbler which inhabits Santiago’s coffee and sugar plantations, and the Cape Verde Shearwater which nests in rocky crevices on a number of islands.

The Bissagos Islands are home to a herd of rare saltwater hippos, most often spotted in November and early December. These shy giants, that grow to around 15 ft. long, frequent the shallow saltwater lagoons of the tropical archipelago, bathing in the salty water to cleanse and disinfect their tough hides. They are usually found on Orango Island, though you can sometimes see them wading between islands at low tide.

Explore the amazing African archipelagos of Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands on an expedition cruise and discover remarkable biodiversity, geological marvels and a unique traditional culture. You’ll be joined by our onboard Expedition Team, who’ll give you the best experiences, whether that’s walking amidst dramatic volcanic landscapes, kayaking beside tropical coasts, or cruising tangled mangroves to spot elusive saltwater hippos on an expedition boat safari.

Our small expedition boats allow you to set foot on beaches and terrain that would otherwise be off limits due to a lack of infrastructure and facilities. They’re great for wildlife watching, so we’ll be on the lookout for marine creatures as we head to and from the ship.

Exploring the various islands on foot turns an experience into an adventure. You’ll be heading ashore a lot and walking on trails that lead through a range of distinct ecosystems.

In the Bissagos Islands a particular highlight is Orango National Park, where in November and early December a guided safari on foot will give you the chance to witness the rare saltwater hippos, one of the islanders’ sacred animal icons.

Some places are ideally suited to exploration aboard a kayak. We have a number of sea kayaks onboard for such a purpose, and they’re perfect for paddling the waters around the shore and along the coasts.

In the Bissagos Islands you’ll get the opportunity to meet the local Bijagos people under the guidance of our team and with a local translator. The Bijagos people still live a traditional way of life and theirs is a matriarchal society. They also follow an animist belief system which informs how they interact with the pristine natural environment. A visit to their communities is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the Expedition Team will lead you on foot to meet them.

From mainland African cities including Dakar and Banjul, to some of the smaller villages and towns on the islands, our Expedition Team will be on hand to point you in the direction of the most interesting sights and inform you about the culture and history of the place. Whether it be an included activity, an optional extra or just an informal look at some of their favourite places, the team will enthuse and inspire you.

Your Expedition Team are experts with a lot of knowledge of exploring remote areas. They'll give in-depth lectures on a variety of topics to enhance your learning. The subjects chosen are specific to where you are on your cruise and will teach you about the Cape Verde and Bissagos Islands, their wildlife, geology and a whole lot more.