Dates: April 9 – 22, 2027

Duration: 14 days / 13 nights

Cost of participation per person:

The cost of participation depends on category of the chosen cabin*:

• Cabin with window, 20 sqm from 14 275 USD
• Cabin with balcony 25 sqm from 15 700 USD
• Juniour Suite, 32 - 36 sqm from 21 400 USD
• Suite, 40 sqm from 24 975 USD
• Premium Suite, 40 sqm from 28 525 USD

* The price is indicated for 1 passenger with accommodation in the DBL cabin and may change. Availability of cabins please check with the manager.


TRAVEL PROGRAM: УР ЮАР

Day 0. April 8, 2027 (Thursday). LUANDA, ANGOLA

The journey begins with a meeting at the airport. After a comfortable flight, you will land in Luanda, the capital of Angola, a large metropolis and one of the oldest colonial cities in Africa. A Swan Hellenic representative will meet you at the airport. The transfer will take you to the Hotel.

Meals: no
Accommodation: 4* or 5* hotel

Recommended flight to Luanda:

• any flight arriving in Luanda after 11:00 AM on April 8.

Day 1 - 2. April 9 - 10, 2027 (Friday - Saturday). LUANDA, ANGOLA

After breakfast, an organized transfer will take you to the port of Luanda for embarkation aboard the expedition vessel SH Diana. After completing all formalities, you will have time to relax in your cabin and enjoy lunch.
Angola boasts a 1,600-kilometer coastline with magnificent beaches, tropical forests, savannas, southern deserts, and an extraordinary climate. Luanda, a vibrant blend of Portuguese and African cultures, is a perfect example of urban Angola, offering everything from colonial architecture and diverse musical traditions to excellent restaurants and high-end hotels.
The center of Luanda is divided into the Upper and Lower City. It is in the Lower City that most of the historical landmarks from the Portuguese colonial era are located.
Among them is the Iron Palace, believed to have been designed by Gustave Eiffel or one of his associates, the baroque-style Cathedral of the Holy Savior of Luanda, and one of the city’s main attractions — the Fortress of São Miguel, the oldest fortress in Angola, situated on the slopes of Mount São Paulo. Once serving as the administrative center of the colony and its principal defensive structure, it now houses the Museum of the Armed Forces.
The beautifully crafted ceramic tile panels inside the fortress tell the story of Angola’s history. The inner courtyard is adorned with impressive statues of Portugal’s first king, the famous explorer Vasco da Gama, and other notable historical figures.
From the heights of the fortress, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views over Luanda Bay, where vessels of every kind stretch to the horizon — sailing ships, elegant motorboats, barges, and cargo ships.
Other notable landmarks of Luanda include a 16th-century Jesuit church, the Carmelite church, and the Church of Our Lady of Nazareth. The city sidewalks are paved with exquisite mosaic patterns.

Meals: breakfast in a hotel, all inclusive on board
Accommodation: in the cabin


Day 3 - 5. April 11 - 13, 2027 (Sunday - Tuesday). CONGO EXPLORATION

Pointe-Noire, the maritime gateway and the second-largest city of the Republic of the Congo, received its name “Black Point” from Portuguese sailors in the 15th century due to the dark rocks surrounding the area.
Once part of the Portuguese colonial empire and later under French rule, having endured civil war, Pointe-Noire today represents a fragment of French Africa divided into two distinct districts.
Located in the central part of the city, the European quarter is characterized by administrative buildings, a hospital, mission buildings, an oceanographic center, schools, and residential houses with elements of Portuguese architecture.
The African quarter, situated north of the port on a plateau, is in turn built up with traditional huts. The coastline of Pointe-Noire is popular among surfing enthusiasts and beach lovers.
Today you will visit the Loango Museum, dedicated to the history of the Congo and its colonization. The renovated museum reopened in 2018, though its history dates back to the pre-colonial period of the 16th–19th centuries during the Kingdom of Loango.
After visiting the museum, you will continue to the Diosso Gorge, located 25 km from the city and known as the “Grand Canyon of the Congo” or the “Diosso Amphitheater.” Here you can admire tropical forests covering rocky ridges and spectacular views of the red ferralitic cliffs stretching all the way to the beach and reaching heights of up to 50 meters in some places.
Alternatively, on this day you may visit the Makola Salt Glacier. Located about 30 minutes from Pointe-Noire, the Makola Salt Glacier is a vivid example of an environmental disaster.
Since 1969, the company CPC had operated a salt mine here. In 1977, the mine was shut down following severe flooding. You will have the opportunity not only to explore the glacier, but also to take unique breathtaking photographs before returning on board.

Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in the cabin


Day 6 - 8. April 14 - 16, 2027 (Wednesday - Friday). EXPEDITION IN GABON

Over the next three days, you will explore the coastline of Gabon, renowned for its beautiful wild beaches, rich culture, numerous museums, and art galleries.
This fishing village serves as a gateway for those wishing to explore the surrounding tropical forests and mangrove swamps. During a river journey by pirogue, travelers can observe the daily life of local communities.
Birds can often be spotted along the riverbanks, as well as wildlife such as monkeys and manatees.
Located along the Atlantic coast, the capital of Gabon, Libreville, welcomes visitors with palm-lined boulevards and pristine beaches washed by azure waters.
Libreville is the country’s main cultural center. One of the most remarkable examples of the blend between history and modern architectural vision is St. Michael’s Catholic Church, unlike any traditional church. Its roof is supported by 31 redwood columns.
The Presidential Palace, another iconic landmark of the city, reflects not only Gabon’s rich history but also symbolizes the country’s transition into the era of independence. In 1960, Gabon became an independent nation, and the construction of the Presidential Palace marked the beginning of a new sovereign era.
Triumphal Boulevard winds along the coastline, forming a picturesque promenade where locals and visitors alike can enjoy stunning ocean views and dance together with musicians giving spontaneous concerts throughout the day.
Travelers seeking a quieter retreat in nature may visit Pongara National Park, located just a short drive from the city. The reserve is a pristine ecosystem rich in exotic flora and fauna.
Towering mangrove forests and turtle nesting sites along the beaches make the park a truly unique destination for visitors wishing to experience the natural wonders of Africa up close.

Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in the cabin


Day 9. April 17, 2027 (Saturday). SÃO TOMÉ, SÃO TOMÉ ISLAND

Sao Tome, the Gulf of Guinea's largest volcanic isle, is a tropical idyll with rainforests, beaches and waterfalls. São Tomé city features 15th-century Portuguese architecture and a slave trade history. Rainforests blanket two-thirds of the island, sheltering wildlife like monkeys, birds and reptiles and São Tomé Peak, reaching 2,024 m, provides refuge for island bird species like the ibis and grosbeak.

Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in the cabin


Day 10. April 18, 2027 (Sunday). SANTO ANTÓNIO, PRÍNCIPE ISLAND

This laid-back, compact capital has less than 3,000 inhabitants and is the smallest city in the world (according to the Guinness Book of Records). Time seems to move more slowly in this dream-like place with its pastel-coloured buildings and salty sea air. The Nossa Senhora da Conceição church contains a beautiful stone carving of St Anthony, the city’s namesake saint.
Santo António do Príncipe, Príncipe's main town, has vibrant colonial architecture, bustling markets, and is recognised as the world's smallest city. The Nossa Senhora da Conceição church features a stunning stone carving of St. Anthony, the city's patron saint. Macaco Beach, nestled on Príncipe's northwestern shore, is a secluded paradise with pristine golden sands, lush greenery and clear turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in the cabin


Day 11. April 19, 2026 (Monday). DAY AT SEA

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in the cabin


Day 12. April 20, 2027 (Tuesday). COTONOU, BENIN

Benin’s vibrant port city is defined by voodoo (the state religion) and its colonial legacy. As a former French colony, Cotonou retains a certain European flair in its cuisine and architecture. The sprawling Dantokpa market, with local crafts and an entire section of sacred voodoo items, offers insights into local culture. Ganvie, a lakeshore village, is the world’s only town on stilts with bamboo houses, where residents get around in canoes.

Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in the cabin


Day 13. April 21, 2027 (Wednesday). LOMÉ, TOGO

Voodoo traditions, colonial history and beautiful beaches: Togo’s capital city, Lome, is awash with history and culture. The National Museum's exhibits - pottery, masks and art - reflect Togo's rich heritage. Akodessewa Fetish Market is filled with voodoo talismans and animal skins, offering insights into traditional customs. Colonial relics include the German-built Sacred Heart Cathedral and the 1960 Independence Monument.

Meals: all inclusive
Accommodation: in the cabin


Day 14. April 22, 2027 (Thursday). ACCRA, GHANA

Tema is a short drive from Ghana’s fast-paced capital, Accra, a city that's culturally rich, modern and historic all at once. European-built forts and Black Star Independence Square’s public monuments offer a glimpse at the past. The neighbourhood of Jamestown, a 17th-century fishing community with old colonial buildings, is its pulse with an art scene and local bites like waakye­ – rice and beans with sides – at a low-key ‘chop bar’.

Meals: breakfast
Accommodation: no

Recommended flight from Accra:

• any flight departing from Accra after 2:00 PM on April 22.

* Please do not purchase tickets without prior consultation with us.

** Attention! All activities during the cruise are subject to weather conditions and are determined by the expedition leader and captain. The actual course of the expedition may differ from that declared.

• All transfers: from the airport to the hotel the day before boarding the ship, from the hotel to the port on the day of boarding, from the port to the airport at the end of the cruise (group).
• Accommodation at the hotel before the cruise (1 night with breakfast), as well as on board in the cabin of your choice categories during the cruise, tips on board and port fees.
• Meals on board and room service, 24 hours a day, including soft drinks and some alcoholic drinks.
• Lecture programs of expeditionary experts and invited speakers.
• Shore excursion of choice by Swan Hellenic at each port along the route.
• Basic WIFI package.


Cost excludes (additionally paid):

• International flight to the port of the beginning of the cruise and back at the end of the cruise.
• Health insurance.
• Travel cancellation insurance.
• Alternative shore excursions at ports of call along the route.
• Premium brand alcoholic beverages, Spa and beauty treatments, laundry services, purchases in retail stores on board.


To take with:

• clothing sets appropriate to weather conditions, including light clothing sets (shorts, T-shirts) and warm clothing (sweatshirt, fleece, pants, breathable jacket), as well as long-sleeve shirts
• hats for different weather conditions: a cap / hat / sun hat and a hat for cold evenings
• swimsuit
• raincoat
• closed-toe trekking boots and comfortable lightweight shoes (sneakers)
• malaria prevention pills (up to you to decide but recommended)
• yellow fever certificate (is a must!)
• personal hygiene products
• personal medication (including analgesics, antiseptics, antibiotics, antivirals, intestines, multivitamins, regidron, plaster)
• sun and wind protectors (cream)
• sunglasses
• repellents: sprays, creams
• large suitcase or backpack for belongings
• small backpack for radial routes (25-30 liters)

photo and video equipment, extra batteries