Adventure in the Bijagos Archipelago
* Subject to availability.
Special offer(s) :
FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENT *
*The supplement for single usage of a double cabin is waived, according to availability and staterooms categories.
CONSECUTIVE CRUISES
Take advantage of our special consecutive cruises offers*
-When this cruise is in 2nd position get a -20% discount
-When this cruise is in 3rd position get a -30% discount
- When this cruise is in 4th position get a -40% discount
- When this cruise is in 5th position get a -50% discount
- When this cruise is in 6th position get a -60% discount
- When this cruise is in 7th position get a -70% discount
*Reduction does not apply to the first cruise and relates to the port/port fare excluding port taxes, non available for Ocean Voyages and subject to availability. The offer is only available on selected cruises. Please, contact us.
FLIGHT CREDIT
* $AUD1 600 flight credit per person on select cruises. This offer is subject to availability and may be changed or withdrawn without prior notice. It cannot be backdated.
Highlights
- Outings and shore visits in Zodiac® inflatables with a team of experienced naturalist guides.
- The discovery of preserved islands with exceptional biodiversity, in an area classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- The diversity of the fauna: saltwater hippos, crocodiles, sea turtle, rays, sawfish, otters, manatees, dolphins, birds of prey, pelicans, large wading birds, snakes, gazelles, monkeys.
- Visit of traditional villages and encounters with the Bidyogo people who have ancestral traditions.
- The mangrove swamp, covering more than a third of the emerged part of the archipelago.
- The possibility of visiting Dakar, in Senegal, and Gorée Island, a major site in the history of slavery.
- Staterooms & Suites
- LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
- Port of call & excursions
- Formalities
- Theme
- Important information
- Pre/Post & Overlands
Staterooms & Suites
There are no staterooms available for booking. Please contact our cruise advisors.
LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
LE DUMONT-D'URVILLE
Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience.
As the fourth ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Dumont d'Urville will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort.
Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service.
Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel.
Port of call & excursions
Dakar
Embarkation 08/10/2019 from 16H00 to 17H00 . Departure 08/10/2019 at 18H00 .On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, you'll enjoy the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. A visit to the island of Gorée is deeply moving; for several hundred years this island was the largest slave trading centre on the African coast. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you are looking for pristine, unspoilt nature, the wildlife in the heart of Madeleine Islands' national park will not disappoint.
9 October 2019 – At sea
Arrival 09/10/2019. Departure 09/10/2019.During your day 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 day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, 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.
10 October 2019 – Caravela Island, Bijagos
Arrival 10/10/2019. Departure 10/10/2019.Throughout its unspoilt, wild landscapes, the Bissagos archipelago is an area of extraordinary biodiversity, remarkably well protected by local communities. This constellation of islands, bathed by the Atlantic, is home to extremely varied flora and fauna. In the heart of luxuriant nature, you'll enjoy Caravela and Carache Islands wild charm and its Bijago inhabitants, fascinating men and women who have adapted to and melted in with their natural environment.
11 October 2019 – Carache Island, Bijagos
Arrival 11/10/2019. Departure 11/10/2019.Throughout its unspoilt, wild landscapes, the Bissagos archipelago is an area of extraordinary biodiversity, remarkably well protected by local communities. This constellation of islands, bathed by the Atlantic, is home to extremely varied flora and fauna. In the heart of luxuriant nature, you'll enjoy Caravela and Carache Islands wild charm and its Bijago inhabitants, fascinating men and women who have adapted to and melted in with their natural environment.
12 October 2019▸13 October 2019 – Orango Island, Bijagos
Arrival 12/10/2019. Departure 13/10/2019.Some 20 kilometres off the coast of west Africa, the Bissau-Guinean archipelago of Bissagos is famous for its abundant biodiversity. The richness of its marine animal and plant life afforded it the status of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO: marine hippopotami, dolphins, green tortoises, monkeys, striped antelopes and hundreds of thousands of migrating birds find refuge here. Orango is the archipelago’s largest and most mysterious island. Its national park and marine protected area lie in the heart of the Biosphere Reserve. During your Zodiac® outings, you will set off to discover this preserved environment, home to the Bijogo people, the true custodians of this sanctuary.
14 October 2019 – Carache Island, Bijagos
Arrival 14/10/2019. Departure 14/10/2019.Throughout its unspoilt, wild landscapes, the Bissagos archipelago is an area of extraordinary biodiversity, remarkably well protected by local communities. This constellation of islands, bathed by the Atlantic, is home to extremely varied flora and fauna. In the heart of luxuriant nature, you'll enjoy Caravela and Carache Islands wild charm and its Bijago inhabitants, fascinating men and women who have adapted to and melted in with their natural environment.
15 October 2019 – Caravela Island, Bijagos
Arrival 15/10/2019. Departure 15/10/2019.Throughout its unspoilt, wild landscapes, the Bissagos archipelago is an area of extraordinary biodiversity, remarkably well protected by local communities. This constellation of islands, bathed by the Atlantic, is home to extremely varied flora and fauna. In the heart of luxuriant nature, you'll enjoy Caravela and Carache Islands wild charm and its Bijago inhabitants, fascinating men and women who have adapted to and melted in with their natural environment.
Dakar
Disembarkation 16/10/2019 at 08H00 .On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, you'll enjoy the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. A visit to the island of Gorée is deeply moving; for several hundred years this island was the largest slave trading centre on the African coast. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you are looking for pristine, unspoilt nature, the wildlife in the heart of Madeleine Islands' national park will not disappoint.
Formalities
The information below is current but subject to change at any time without advance notice from government authorities. Please consult your respective government agencies for visa and health information.
Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the completion of your trip. Passport must contain at least two completely clear, blank, unused visa pages for each visa required, not including any amendment pages. Visa pages with stains or ink from other pages in the passport are not usable. Guests who deviate from the scheduled embarkation or disembarkation port should research the foreign entry requirements for the port country. Due to government regulations, regrettably, Ponant will have to deny boarding to any guest who fails to obtain the appropriate travel documentation for this trip.
Warning about the use of drones: the use of drones aboard PONANT ships, whether they are sailing at sea, at a port of call or anchored, is strictly forbidden. The use of drones on land in the Arctic and Antarctic regions is also strictly forbidden by international polar regulations. In other regions, it may be possible to use drones on land if permission has been obtained from the relevant authorities of each country and each region travelled through, as well as a pilot’s licence that should be obtained from your home country. Passengers are responsible for obtaining these permits; they should be able to present them at all times. Passengers who do not obtain these authorisations expose themselves to the risk of legal proceedings.
Guinea Bissau: visa delivered and charged onboard (85 € subject to change).
The yellow fever inoculation is mandatory for this cruise, bring along the original certificate. A copy of your certificate must be sent to PONANT at least 45 days prior to your cruise. However, it is recommended that you contact your health professional for any specific medical advice relating to travel through these regions.
Theme
Tropical Expedition
Discover the unique concept of PONANT tropical expedition cruises: explore the world’s extreme regions while enjoying luxurious comfort and service.
A luxury expedition voyage
Choosing a PONANT expedition cruise means choosing a state of mind: the alliance of elegance and authenticity, of exploration and comfort, of adventure and refinement… The comfort of your ship and your stateroom, personalised and attentive service, refined gastronomy: a very special atmosphere that we take great care to maintain. In the heart of the archipelagos of Oceania or the atolls of the Indian Ocean, along the wild coastlines of Central America or Australia, our luxurious services will ensure that your expedition cruise is an unforgettable experience.
PONANT, expedition cruise specialists
With almost 20 years of experience in the extreme regions, PONANT, the world’s number 1 polar cruise company, is also a real specialist in the planet’s most remote tropical regions. Our latest-generation fleet has the most modern technology to guarantee both your safety and respect for the regions visited. The size of our ships means we can get as close as possible to areas that are difficult to reach, offering a privileged access to preserved sites. Our flexibility enables us to adapt to the surprises inherent to these expedition itineraries.
Professional expedition teams, varied activities
After scouting missions in the field, our Expedition Leaders and their teams of naturalist guides design exceptional itineraries in the tropical regions. During the cruise, they organise daily outings and shore visits in Zodiac® dinghies so as to get as close to nature as possible. They can reserve local means of transport (dugout canoes, bush taxis, local buses, etc.) in order to reach essential sites for hiking (volcanoes, nature reserves, etc.) or for visiting isolated villages. Indeed, the close relationships that our teams have been able to build with the local communities will enable you to share the life and ancestral customs of these peoples for a few hours. On the cruises that permit this activity, the naturalist guides also supervise snorkelling tours to discover the submarine fauna. On board, the naturalist guides will share their knowledge during various conferences on fauna, the history of the great explorations, geology and climatology…
Important information
Expedition programmes include activities such as Zodiac® outings and landings (sometimes with "wet landings"), moderate walks to more active hikes, all accompanied by your expedition team of naturalist guides.
Ports of call, visited sites, outings and landings will depend on weather conditions, winds and the state of the sea. These can force a change of plans at any time. The Captain and the Expedition Leader may at any time cancel or stop any activity, or even modify the itinerary. The final itinerary will be confirmed by the Captain, who will take into account the touristic quality of the sites and above all, the safety of the passengers. His decision will be based on advice from experts and authorities.
Travelling to isolated regions is an exhilarating experience. In remote areas, please remember that you are far from modern hospitals with full medical facilities, thus evacuation is extremely expensive. Without adequate medical coverage, all expenses will have to be immediately paid with your personal funds. We urge you to subscribe to full coverage insurance, choose your insurance company very carefully, be extremely vigilant and ensure your insurance is fully comprehensive, especially if you are insured by your credit card. PONANT offers an insurance contract with extensive guarantees, please contact us for more information.
Clothing tips:
- Cotton comfortable and light-weight shorts/bermuda shorts
- Light weight long trousers
- Long-sleeved breathable SPF50+ shirts
- Cotton short sleeved T-shirt
- Aquatic UV long-sleeved T-shirt for sun protection during snorkeling or swimming
- Closed, high-cut, slip-resistant water shoes
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable outer layer
- Broad brimmed anti-UV hat with strap and veil to protect the neck
- Comfortable walking shoes
Accessories:
- Highly protective sunglasses.
- Sunscreen and after-sun with high SPF index & insect repellent
- Binoculars (strongly recommended for wildlife viewing).
- Small waterproof backpack (to protect your camera from water).
- Camelbak (backpack with water pockets)
- Walking poles (highly recommended).
Please note:
During your visits to some local communities, all guests will be required to dress respectfully. Ladies must have their shoulders and thighs covered. Gentlemen should have their shoulders covered also.
Do not hesitate to visit the online PONANT store which offers a selection of equipment and accessories adapted to our destinations, at the following address: https://boutique.ponant.com
Benefits of the PONANT store:
- Advice on equipment from our experts to help you prepare for your polar expedition
- A wide range of technical equipment for polar expeditions, approved by our experts
- Two delivery options: delivery to your home or directly to your cabin on board the ship
- Duty Free shopping for cabin delivered items
Pre/Post & Overlands
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Before your cruise
07/10/2019 – DAKAR AND THE PINK LAKE (1 NIGHT)
For your comfort and serenity, this programme benefits from a PONANT accompaniment***.
The escort, mandated by the company, accompanies you and remains at your disposal during your stay.
His mission: offering you assistance and facilitating the organisation to ensure the full success of your stay.740.00 AU$ ** -
After your cruise
** Prices per person, based on double occupancy
