Manaus to Dakar - 24 Day Western Africa & Amazonian Luxury Expedition

Lying in the heart of the Amazon, hundreds of miles upriver from the Atlantic, Manaus is a busy port city surrounded by the richest rainforest habitat on Earth. Placed strategically at the confluence of two rivers, the town was founded as a fortress by the Portuguese Navy, but quickly became a trade hub for the surrounding area. By the late 19th Century, Manaus was the centre of Brazil's booming rubber industry, and grew rapidly into one of the largest cities in Brazil. During this period, many of Manaus' grandest buildings were constructed by the city's 'Rubber Barons', including the Public Market, and the Amazon Theatre, a vast decadent opera house. Today, Manaus is a cultural melting pot, with a diverse population. A complex system of free trade rules has turned Manaus into one of the wealthiest cities in the Brazil, with heavy industry developing alongside traditional livelihoods such as river fishing, and gathering the bounty of fruit, nuts and medicinal plants which the rainforest bestows. However, it is the surroundings which give Manaus its unique character. The famous Meeting of Waters, where tannin-rich water from the Rio Negro combines with milky water from the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon, can be seen just outside town, and the jungle beckons visitors to explore and discover. Excluding Manaus, the state of Amazonas is extremely sparsely populated, and in the largest rainforest on Earth, it is easy to forget the hustle and bustle of the city and simply enjoy the wonders of nature.

Giant Water Lilies (Victoria amazonica) are legendary, as they can support the weight of a child. We may see them at Lago Canaçari. A channel dug from the river allows boat access to the lake. Seasonal inundation from the river system replenishes the lakes. The lake waters have few currents and the shallow quiet waters allow water plants to flourish. The famous Giant Water Lilies have enormous round leaves (lily pads) with upturned rims making them look like huge pastry tarts. The plant’s roots are anchored to the lakebed and leaf stalks rise to the lily pads floating on the water surface. The leaves are solar panels using the sun’s energy to fuel further leaf production. The underside of each leaf is artistically patterned with large ribs to give it strength. Birds use the floating platforms. Look for sedate herons standing on lily pads watching for fish and pretty Wattled Jacanas with elongated toes walking casually on the floating leaves. Even if lilies are scarce this year, there is much other flora to explore. Along the shore of the channel look for Ceropia trees with large lobed leaves and visible branches. Sloths like to eat Ceropia leaves so keep a look out for hairy lumps on the branches. Fruit-eating birds feed on the fruit and spread the tree’s seeds in their droppings. Ceropia fruit are called snake fingers. Wait, snakes don’t have fingers! The fruit is so named because it is long and thin. Toucans, aracari and larger parrots are among the birds that seek the fruit. Meaning Long Hole, Furo Comrido is an old cut-off arm of the river. It lets us explore the forest and the local people. The Amazon changes course as it meanders across the flat lowlands. Loops are sometimes cut off leaving side channels like this. Gallery vegetation at the entrance to the side arm is a good example of plants ‘fighting’ for the best place in the sun. Water does not limit rainforest growth here (perhaps you have noticed it rains frequently) but light does. Getting enough solar energy to photosynthesize is what makes or breaks the growing potential of each plant. Look for wildlife here. If it is sunny, spot butterflies and other flying insects. Search amongst the thousands of different green shades of the forest for monkeys and birds. Many are hard to find as they hide from predators, but bright coloured birds like tanagers and manakins show up as they flit amongst the foliage. Flocks of parrots, parrotlets, and parakeets are more obvious. The Blue and Yellow Macaws and the Scarlet Macaw are particularly spectacular—with or without a pirate. Many people living around the rivers call themselves Cabocles. Ethnically they combine European, Indian and Black African ancestry. When the Portuguese settled Brazil, the Indian population declined from introduced diseases for hundreds of years. Many survivors ‘mingled’ with the newer arrivals to produce today’s Cabocles. Elements of the culture of all the groups persist, such as the Indian use of traditional rainforest foods and medicines.

A large open flood plain extends from Río Curuá-Una behind riverside trees. Nearby are hills which are an unusual feature this close to the Amazon. Exploring in Zodiacs allows us to approach floating vegetation to see how these remarkable plants survive without attaching to the riverbed. We can get close to birds from the convenience of the boats. Watch as the birds seek insects amongst the plants or aquatic life below the water surface. Water buffalo have been added to cattle as sources of red meat for local consumption. Originating in Asia the water buffalos are well-adapted to wet conditions and are faster at putting on weight than cattle. They can damage the wetlands so they still must be moved to higher ground during the wettest times of the year. If favorable conditions allow, we will offer an outing after sunset. The ‘orchestra of the night’ created by insects, frogs and other wildlife is an experience on its own. Perhaps an owl or a pottoo will appear, as they hunt for large insects, frogs, and small birds and mammals. We will look for caimans as they search for prey near banks or floating vegetation. We spot the eye shine— the red reflection from their eyes in the beams of light. From the eyes we can then focus in on the floating caimans themselves. Two types of these relatives of the crocodile and alligator are found in the Amazon. The Black Caiman is smaller than the Spectacled Caiman which is named after a white ring around each eye and has nothing to do with the reflective eye shine.

For the adventurous at heart, Aquiqui calls you on a voyage to the extraordinary depths of one of the world’s most evocative and impenetrable biological hotspots. Of all the mighty rivers in the world, precious few conjure the adrenaline kick of the Amazon River. Huge, diverse and utterly exotic, to explore this iconic river is to entangle yourself in some of the most enduring and exquisite natural riches the planet has to offer. Remote Aquiqui waits on the banks of the Amazon, cloaked in the dense, thriving embrace of the world’s most famous and fascinating tropical rainforest. Study the Aquiqui tributary, which unloads into the Amazon and hordes a remarkable bounty of precious animal life and verdant natural riches. The Verde para Sempre Extractive Reserve opens up before you from here. Visit a protected area of the Amazon Rainforest, which is a haven for rare and vulnerable flora and fauna. Look out for the bright plumage of flamboyant parrots and wading birds, as well as the flicking tongues of the Amazon’s most exquisite and intimidating reptiles. You might also see the river’s curious pink dolphins, and rare Amazonian Manatees among the wildlife. Breathe in deep, relishing the pure air, and experience the living majesty of this rainforest - which is a truly precious wonder of the natural world. A small black water sidearm of the main river will entice us on our first outing to the Amazon and its people. We visit a small community in part of the Verde para Sempre Extractive Reserve, established to protect the lifestyle of the local people. Their activities include small-scale extraction of products from the forest, tending family vegetable farms, fishing and caring for domestic animals including water buffalo. Three important native palm trees are tended and harvested. The Açaí Palm produces hanging bunches of Açaí berries which have become popular as a nutritious food around the world. Perhaps you have tried it? This Brazilian berry was traditionally a staple for the people living in the Amazon delta. Babassu Palms form long hanging lines of hard fruits. Their seed is crushed for an edible oil and starch is extracted from the fruit. Buriti Palms have fringed round leaves and a scaly fruit. The fruit’s flesh is eaten raw or dried and ground into flour and its seed produces an oil. All these palms produce edible palm hearts, leaves for thatching, trunks for timber and sap for fermenting into the local home brew. Palms attract wildlife as do the flooded fields and the gallery forest on the higher banks between the main river and this side arm. Look out for large green iguanas sunning or resting on tree branches. Particularly hard to spot but worth looking for are sleepy sloths. These are specialists of a casual lifestyle of extended sessions of eating and just hanging about.

Sailing the Breves Narrows is a chance to explore where few people visit, to immerse yourself completely in Amazonian culture. Let the adventure begin! Possibly one of the most engaging stretches of the Amazon River, Breves Narrows, as its name suggests, consists of a narrow channel of water which meanders among countless islets. Both riverbanks which always remain always in sight, are lined with rich, lush equatorial forest. Hugging the riverbank provides a wonderful opportunity for a close-up view of the exotic flora and fauna as well as the Caboclos people who inhabit the area. Calm and peaceful, these people are guardians of this watery world with their remarkable local knowledge, passed down through the generations. Their riverside homes on stilts have pontoons stretching to the water from which curious children launch their dugouts to greet passing ships and demonstrate their considerable skills with pirogues. Pink river dolphins in varying shades, from soft pink to a strong flamingo hue, roaring monkeys and exotic birds of all colours, all make for a fantastic photo safari as you glide through the water. The skyscapes are just as exotic with clouds chasing across the sky bringing rapid changes of weather. There are unforgettable, magical sunsets, painting the sky in colours as exotic as the animals you will see. Later under a night sky crowded with stars, sit back with a glass of caipirinha, the traditional cocktail of fresh limes and fiery cane spirit and marvel at the mighty Amazon.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Fall for the off-track and off-beat charms of Brazil’s capital of Reggae. Enclosed by gaping river bays, which unload gallons of water into the Atlantic from the dense surrounding rainforests, Sao Luis occupies an island cut just adrift from northeast Brazil’s mainland. Known as the ‘Island of Love', there’s a lot to warm your heart here. Like the artsy, creative atmosphere of the city - Sao Luis is renowned for its poets, authors and musicians. Discover your muse, sipping iced fruity Caipirinhas, and watching as the sun sets over panoramic views of the ocean or vast sandscapes, which shape-shift at the whim of tidal forces. The long promenade offers buzzing beach life, backed by tall palm trees, and serves as a gathering point for skilled Capoeira practitioners to flow through slick routines. Ready your camera’s trigger finger for the show-stopping old town, to capture the visual feast of candy-coloured shutters and steep cobbled steps. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Listed city centre has a distinctive Portuguese air to it and is adorned with a huddle of faded colonial facades and historic buildings decorated with traditional glazed tiles. Away from the city, the unique desert lakes of Lencois Maranhenses are easily within reach. A bizarre and beautiful landscape - find yourself surrounded by turquoise water craters, nestled in cascading waves of golden sand. It instantly transports you to the surface of a strange and distant planet.

With brilliant beach life, thrilling watersports and balmy waters, Barra Grande is a hidden helping of Brazilian beachside bliss. Not to be confused with Barra Grande in the State of Bahia - this thick sandbar waits to be discovered, hidden away in Piaui to the country’s north. The open Atlantic Ocean unrolls before you (sail northwards from here and the next land you’d encounter would be Greenland) on this extended, luxuriant beach, which summons dedicated pilgrims of wind and kite surfers to its revered seas. Spacious sands, warm waters and steady gentle breezes make for an intoxicating outdoor cocktail for watersports enthusiasts. This unique blend of conditions is perfect if you fancy giving it a go yourself - or you can, of course, leave it to the professionals and take it easy while admiring the acrobatic displays. Barra Grande’s long, sandy spit unfurls out into a mangrove-backed lagoon to the west. In the opposite direction, the beach rolls on towards Cajueiro da Praia - which has the curious claim to fame of being home to the world’s largest cashew tree. Busy beach bars and restaurants shake up well-earned, zesty caipirinhas and fresh fish dishes in the village, while also offering vantage points of kite surfers pumping, jumping and showing off their best tricks. Enjoy the natural gifts of this beautiful region and drink in all the sun, sea and salt-licked breezes of secluded northern Brazil.

Lie back and let it all go in Fortaleza - a bright and breezy Brazillian beachside city of relaxation and rejuvenation. The ‘City of Light' basks in the reliable glow of the bountiful Brazilian sun for 2,800 hours each year, and the locals make the most of it, spreading out across sweeping stretches of pristine golden sand. Nestled on the north-eastern coast of Brazil, reaching towards the equator, the city is as off the beaten track as a vast state capital can be, and it moves to its own infectious forró rhythms. Get energised for a day exploring - or relaxing - with a morning swim. Dip into the sea at Praia do Futuro, or settle on the sand to listen to the soundtrack of the waves. Fresh coconut water served up from barracas - beach bars – will keep you feeling nice and refreshed. Iracema beach is another urban favourite, while Cumbuco Beach is a tempting option outside of Fortaleza, boasting a vast stretch of idyllic white sand that's punctuated only by the occasional leaning palm tree. Raise the pulse by skidding and roll across sand dunes while you're out here. If you've had your fill of sea and sand, explore Fortaleza itself to discover more of Brazil's fifth-largest city. Walk streets of ice-cream coloured colonial buildings, or head to Dragão do Mar Cultural Center - a mini-city of arts venues alive with culture and creativity. The Metropolitan Cathedral squeezes a congregation of 5,000 into its Neo-Romanesque architecture, and its stain glass windows blaze vivid colours across its elegant, white-wash interior.

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind and catch up with what you’ve been meaning to do. So whether that is going to the gym, visiting the spa, whale watching, catching up on your reading or simply topping up your tan, these blue sea days are the perfect balance to busy days spent exploring shore side.

Tokeh, or Tokeh Town as it is also known, is a coastal resort town that relies mainly on fishing and tourism. Only twenty miles outside Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, this town is nestled in an area of beautiful scenery, surrounded by mountains, forests and beaches. The Tokeh Beach is considered one of the largest and most attractive beaches in West Arica. This town was first founded by a Sherbo fisherman who settled along the river bank. Much later, in 1968, a prominent barrister from Sierra Leone purchased the land, and in partnership with a French company, developed the village. Today, it is a thriving town with the resort, a church, mosque, community center, school and about 6000 residents.

Standing on the rocks of Sierra Leone’s Western Peninsular, the rusting, photogenic Aberdeen Lighthouse welcomes sea-faring visitors ashore. Aberdeen juts out into the Atlantic waves to the north of Sierra Leone’s sprawling capital city, Freetown. A lively, well-heeled spot, Aberdeen has a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere, which attracts adventurous holidaymakers and explorers to these shores. The air is thick with history too - a colony was established here to repatriate former slaves of the British Empire, and you can explore the monuments and reminders of this important past in Freetown. The Cotton Tree is a national symbol of liberation, while former slaves would walk through King’s Yard Gate as they reclaimed their freedom. Sierra Leone is known for offering up some of the best beaches in Western Africa. The most accessible of which is the golden band of sand of Lumley Beach, which stretches from Aberdeen for three miles down to Lumley - the southern portion forms a palm-backed party spot for locals. Quieter, tranquil options fringe the Western Peninsular’s wider coastline, away from Aberdeen, where the lush Western Area National Park rolls down to meet the sandy shores. River No 2 Beach is a gorgeous option on an unspooling river estuary, with coils of silky sands all around. Enjoy the peace, while watching as the pink sun is subdued by the Atlantic’s waves.

Sacred, serene and secluded, the Bijagos Archipelago is one of the most intriguing island collections the world can offer. Almost falling off the map, the string of 88 lands form an archipelago of tropical beauty, scattered from the west of Guinea Bissau. The sprawling archipelago’s challenging location cocooned the islanders from much of the colonial interference for many years. So local traditions - of ancient ritual and colourful initiation ceremonies - have remained strong and safeguarded here. Thatch-roofed houses host welcoming locals, in villages where diminutive pygmy cows wander freely. Anthropologists note the islands for matriarchal elements in society, and priestesses play a significant role here, sermonising the islanders’ bonds with the natural world. Many of the islands are uninhabited, instead declared sacred and reserved for spirits. This has also helped form a protected paradise for some of Africa’s most exotic wildlife. UNESCO declared the archipelago a Biosphere Reserve in 1996 and its sprawling mangrove forests, undisturbed savannahs and muddy flats attract long-legged migrating birds, as well as beady-eyed crocodiles. West Africa’s largest saltwater hippo colony lurks in the waters of Orango National Park - see them smashing their way in and out of the water. Endangered sea turtles also faithfully return to the tranquil beaches each year, digging out over 25,000 nests. Extraordinary and authentic - an expedition to this enchanted, off-the-grid archipelago is one to cherish.

Emerging from The Gambia’s wild mangrove swamps, Banjul sits at the spot where the River Gambia’s yawning mouth opens up to meet the salty tang of the Atlantic. Punctuated by a soaring 35-metre arched gateway, constructed following the coup d’etat that broke out in 1994, The Gambia’s capital is a place of scorched sunlight and faded colonial history, which provides flavours of laidback beachside relaxation mixed with exotic old-world African seaport charm. Despite its capital status, Banjul, with its soft lyrical name, often has more of a village feel to it. You’ll feel it most acutely as you explore the tight-knit labyrinth of Albert Market. The orchestral sounds of bartering rise to a pitched crescendo in the early morning – the perfect time to plunge in for a dizzying hit of sensory overload. A beloved gathering spot since the 19th century, the market is a riot of colour, with spit and nail stalls buckling below the weight of print fabrics, salt-crusted fish and colourful textiles. While the market can be a disorientating whir of activity, the city as a whole tends to move at a more lackadaisical, laidback pace. Visit Oyster Creek, to let an afternoon float by fishing rod in hand, as the sunlight slants across the water, and you treasure the hint of an afternoon breeze. Cormorants and pelicans step gingerly across the sinking mudflats that line the riverbank. Those craving cultural immersion can visit a local home for a cooking experience, helping to descale fresh red snapper, sipping baobab juice, and mixing spices into an authentic benachin pot.

Capital of Senegal, and a major gateway to Western Africa, the former colonial trading post of Dakar stamps the Cap-Vert peninsular with glorious surf-fringed beaches. Enjoy the thrum of markets - where colourful textiles are exchanged - and wander streets where jazz, sambar and mbalax spill from every ajar door. Offering tropical island-style beaches in an incongruous urban setting, Dakar is a wild and urgent experience for the senses. Watch on as surfers revel in consistent rollers on this, the most westerly peninsula of continental Africa. Scuba divers can explore worlds below the surface in Dakar's diving areas, or you can head to sandy beaches like Plage des Mamelles' cove, which provide endless options for cooling off. Looking for a little more activity, loosen up and play on golf courses that unroll along the sun-kissed Senegalese coastline, or visit startling natural sites like the vivid pink water of the salty pink Lake Retba. Cultural relevance abounds in Dakar - those wanting to delve a little deeper into the dark history of Senegal should visit the House of Slaves on the UNESCO World Heritage Site listed Goree Island, or duck into the Theodore Monod Museum to pour over an incredible collection of masks, artefacts, and treasures. Sandaga Market is a full-on experience of choreographed chaos, sound and flavours. Tear into fish fresh off the boat, and don't be afraid to get your hands a little greasy while handling Dibi - the national street food - soft mutton, simmered with onions and zesty orange spice.

Itineraries are subject to change.