18 nights · South Africa · Departs Cape Town · Visiting Luderitz, Walvis Bay, Luanda, Tema Harbour-Accra, Takoradi, Abidjan, Banjul, Dakar · Aboard Silversea Cruises on the Silver Dawn
Image courtesy of Silversea Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Silversea Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Silver Dawn |
| Duration | 18 nights |
| Port calls | 9 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $18,100 per person |
| Year built | 2021 |
| Guests | 691 |
| Cabins | 288 |
| Crew | 408 |
| Length | 213 m |
| Beam | 26 m |
| Cruising speed | 20.0 kn |
Few ports make a first impression like Cape Town, where Table Mountain rises above a working harbor and the Atlantic. From the waterfront, you can reach the city’s museums, gardens and historic quarters within minutes. Ride the cableway to the summit, or follow the coast toward the Cape Peninsula’s beaches and vineyards. Look beyond the views: Cape Town’s layered history and lively food scene reward a slower visit.
Lüderitz stands between the Atlantic and the Namib Desert, its windswept streets lined with pastel German colonial buildings. Visit the Felsenkirche and Goerke House, then follow the coast to Diaz Point, where waves break against rugged granite. Beyond town, Kolmanskop preserves the remains of a diamond-mining settlement, slowly reclaimed by desert sand. Allow time for the harbor and its fishing boats; Lüderitz rewards travelers who look beyond the shoreline.
Walvis Bay is Namibia’s working harbour, where the Atlantic meets a stark sweep of desert. Its sheltered lagoon, a Ramsar-listed wetland, draws flamingos and other birdlife close to shore. Beyond town, guided 4x4 trips cross dunes to Sandwich Harbour, where sand meets the sea. Swakopmund, with its German colonial-era streets and cafés, makes an easy excursion north. Come for the rare meeting of wildlife, ocean and desert; expect wind and changing conditions.
Luanda faces the Atlantic as Angola’s capital, where Portuguese-era architecture and a busy waterfront reveal a city shaped by trade. Stroll the palm-lined Marginal for broad bay views and restored colonial façades. At São Miguel Fortress, displays trace Angola’s history, and the ramparts overlook the harbor. Across the causeway, Ilha do Cabo pairs seafood restaurants with an easier coastal pace. Luanda rewards curious visitors with a layered past, contemporary culture, and memorable Atlantic light.
Tema is Ghana’s principal seaport, a planned city about 25 kilometres east of Accra. Its broad avenues and industrial skyline reveal a different side of Ghana from the capital’s historic quarters. Accra’s markets, museums and Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park make a rewarding day ashore. Closer by, Tema’s fishing harbour and nearby beaches offer a quieter introduction to Ghana’s coast.
Takoradi brings you to Ghana’s western coast, where a busy harbour and everyday city life share the shoreline. Together with neighbouring Sekondi, it forms one of Ghana’s twin-city centres. At Market Circle, browse colourful cloth, fresh produce and household goods amid the pace of local trade. Beyond town, find palm-fringed beaches along the coast. With a full day, visit Nzulezu, a stilt village on Lake Tadane.
Abidjan is a lagoon city where glass towers rise above busy markets and broad avenues. Begin in Le Plateau, the commercial centre, then cross to Treichville for its lively stalls, music and local restaurants. St Paul’s Cathedral makes a striking stop, while Banco National Park preserves a pocket of rainforest within the city. Allow time for traffic; a trusted guide helps reveal Abidjan’s scale, contrasts and generous Ivorian welcome.
Banjul occupies St Mary’s Island at the mouth of the Gambia River, where Atlantic trade shaped the capital’s history. At Albert Market, browse vivid fabrics, spices and produce among stalls serving local daily life. The National Museum offers a clear introduction to Gambian history and culture. Arch 22, the city’s landmark gateway, recalls the 1994 coup. A ferry crossing to Barra reveals the river’s importance as a working route through the country.
Dakar rewards travellers who look beyond the harbour. Senegal’s capital stands at Africa’s westernmost point, where Atlantic surf meets a city shaped by trade, faith and music. Visit the IFAN Museum of African Arts and browse the markets. Take a ferry to Gorée Island, a UNESCO-listed site whose history demands time and reflection. Allow space for thieboudienne, Senegal’s celebrated fish-and-rice dish, and a drive along the Corniche for ocean views.
Published September 16, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!
