Hurtigruten Expeditions is adding the west coast of Africa and two unique archipelagos – the Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde – to its list of new destinations.

Last month I reported on Hurtigruten's launch of year-round expedition cruises to the Galapagos Islands starting in January 2022. Now, just five weeks later, the adventure company has announced a further ambitious expansion.

Hurtigruten Expeditions' first-ever African adventure will depart on 27 November 2022 and will be the first in a series of expedition cruises to visit Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands. 

"We are very excited about expanding to new unique destinations, which complements our Caribbean and South American expedition cruises and strengthens our global position," said Hurtigruten Expeditions chief executive, Asta Lassesen.

"We know our guests want to explore many different parts of the globe, and our ambition is to offer the world's most exciting destinations that can best be explored by our small ships." 

Culture and wildlife in two remote archipelagos

Cape Verde has 15 islands and islets, nine of them inhabited and boasting a unique blend of African and Portuguese influences. The Bissagos consist of some 88 islands and islets, only 23 of which are inhabited. Both are fascinating archipelagos best visited by sea.

Hurtigruten's small expedition ship allows passengers to get close to otherwise inaccessible coastlines and hard-to-reach isles, dropping anchor off isolated, unspoilt beaches in the pristine Bissagos, or pulling up alongside atmospheric Cape Verdean ports on ancient Atlantic trading routes.

Cape Verde is home to some of the world's most sensual and evocative musical forms. The archipelago sits at a maritime crossroads in the Atlantic and has absorbed influences from a variety of traditions. From this, a musical culture has arisen that's a heady mix of West African and Portuguese styles, and migration to and from Brazil and the Caribbean has added to this.

Cape Verde | sun, beaches, culture, nature and no stress (capeverdeislands.org)

One of the world's most untouched destinations, the Bissagos Islands will offer guests a combination of distinctive wildlife and diverse landscapes as they enjoy four days exploring the 88-island archipelago that is home to hippos, dolphins, crocodiles, sea turtles, manatees and 500 species of birds.

BIJAGÓS ISLANDS - Guinea Bissau EcotourismGuinea Bissau turismo (gbissau.org)

Hurtigruten Expeditions' itineraries include four full days exploring ports and destinations that no other cruise ships visit.

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