NEW TRIP
From Dakar to Casablanca aboard the Diana
Cruising the Coast from Senegal to Morocco
Booking Discount
Back to back booking discount when combined with Exploring the Coast of West Africa or Exploring the Iberian Coast: Morocco to Portugal.
Please call for details.
Back to back booking discount when combined with Exploring the Coast of West Africa or Exploring the Iberian Coast: Morocco to Portugal.
Please call for details.
Overview
On this fascinating cruise aboard the expedition ship Diana, experience a cultural journey revealing European colonial and African influences in Northwest Africa. Your voyage starts in Dakar, Senegal's vibrant capital, known for its lively markets. Along the way, you'll explore Mauritania's history in the bustling cities of Nouadhibou and Nouakchott, and in Morocco, experience the beauty of the Sahara Desert and the coastal charm of Agadir. The journey concludes in Casablanca, a city renowned for its colonial Art Deco architecture and vibrant nightlife.
Arrive: Dakar, Senegal
Depart: Casablanca, Morocco
Highlights
- Discover the bustling port city of Nouadhibou, home to the "Ship Graveyard"
- Experience the vast Sahara Desert, with its towering dunes and expansive, otherworldly vistas
- Explore Safi, Morocco's pottery capital, and shop for unique and handcrafted pottery pieces
Itinerary
Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.
Fabulous museums, a thriving art scene, and elegant seaside dining showcase Dakar's rich culture and forward outlook. The bustling traditional Medina quarter with its mosques, tea shops, and street markets contrasts with the Senegalese capital's French-influenced architecture and cuisine. Mbalax music dominates the vibrant nightlife. Traditional crafts like woodcarvings and paintings sell at Soumbédioune market, making it the perfect souvenir stop.
Please Note: An arrival airport transfer, one pre-cruise hotel night and transfer from the hotel to the ship on Day 1 is included for guests arriving one day early. For guests arriving on Day 1, an airport to ship transfer will be provided.
Nouakchott, Mauritania's capital and largest city, is a key Saharan hub. It offers Fishermen's Beach, known for its colorful boats and sunset views. The city hosts the Presidential Palace and the National Museum of Mauritania, which provides insights into regional history. Notable shopping areas include the Grand Market, Artisan's Village, and the Silver Market, known for Mauritanian silver jewelry with distinctive designs.
Nouadhibou, Mauritania's bustling port city, is a cultural hub known for its diverse population, vibrant markets, and a strong economy based on iron ore and fishing. The Port Artisanal is busy with Mauritanian and Senegalese pirogue fishing boats. Nearby, Cap Blanc features pristine sands and a colony of monk seals, while the UNESCO-listed Banc d'Arguin National Park, renowned for its nesting birds and migratory waders, is also close by. The following day is at sea.
Arrecife, Lanzarote's capital, is a bustling city with lively attractions. Charco San Gines, a natural seawater lagoon, lies in an area filled with old houses and charming fishing boats, as does the 16th-century stone fortress, Castillo de San Gabriel, now serving as a museum. Timanfaya National Park is a surreal expanse of volcanic landscapes. Deep within the heart of this volcanic wonderland lies the Montañas del Fuego, or "Fire Mountains."
Agadir's beach is alive with sea-facing cafes, overlooked by the 16th-century Saadian Kasbah that graces Agadir Ou-fellah hill. The sprawling El Had Souk has 6,000 glittering stores, while the reconstructed medina, reborn after an earthquake, offers a glimpse of the city's historical charm. Other highlights include the grand Mohamed V Mosque, one of Morocco's most impressive, and the Ethnographic Museum delving into local Berber culture.
Safi, a port city on Morocco's Atlantic coast, is renowned for its sardine industry. Also known as the “Pottery Capital of Morocco,” the city's pottery, made in workshops in the Colline des Potiers, is showcased at the National Museum of Ceramics in the Kechla Citadel. Colonized by the Portuguese, the old town features food and craft stalls along Rue du Souq, and the 16th-century Ksar El Bahr fortress highlights Safi's Portuguese heritage.
Casablanca, Morocco's largest city, showcases a fusion of French, Moorish, and Art Deco styles in its downtown neo-Mauresque structures. The prominent Hassan II Mosque, finished in 1993, features a towering 690-foot minaret with laser projections, and the 18th-century medina's lively alleyways provide a glimpse into the city's historical charm. Place Mohammed V, with palm trees and an elaborate fountain, symbolizes Casablanca's dynamism.
Please note: A complimentary ship to airport transfer is provided for guests departing after disembarkation.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is rated Level 1+, Easy, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Launch boats are used to explore the coastline and transport passengers ashore for walks to view cultural sites.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.