ALPHA-10 WEST AFRICA (BANJUL) 2023-24

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8 Day Rivers of West Africa Cruise 2023-24 on the MY Harmony G (Banjul)

The Alpha Cruises Experience

Enjoy a harmonious balance between conventional cruising and private yachting, along with an exciting voyage of discovery, unravelling the wonders of West Africa.

 

 

West Africa Dakar

 

 

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MORE INFORMATION

Safety on board

A 177 ft-wide elegant yacht was renovated 2013. She complies with EUROSOLAS safety regulations, ISPS (International Ships Port Safety Code) ISM, (International Safety Management), while its powerful engines, generators and state of the art twin stabilizers will allow for safe and comfortable cruising.

CABIN SPECIFICATIONS:

The 21 cabins of the M/Y HARMONY  are located on Upper Deck (4 cabins), on Main Deck (11 cabins) and on Lower Deck (6 cabins). They are upscale and intimate, decorated with soft color furnishing. The cabins are equipped with twin or queen size beds, with two of the cabins being triples, and have large windows (two portholes on the Lower Deck). All cabins offer en suite bathrooms with shower, flat-screen TVs, CD/DVD players, music channels, mini fridges, hairdryers, individually controlled A/C and safe deposit boxes.

LIFE ON BOARD

During the day, life on board centers around the Bar Lounge and Dining Room at the Main Deck and meals are also served “al fresco” depending on the weather. The Captain will drop anchor at secluded bays and beautiful uninhabited islands where, weather permitting, guests enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking. The Mega Yacht accommodates all guests at one single seating and provide a high standard of cuisine, always with some local flavor.

MAIN DECK LOUNGE & DINING ROOM

The classy dining room is surrounded by large windows providing beautiful views of the ports of call. The spacious dining room seats all passengers in a single, unassigned seating and food is served at the table or displayed on the state of the art hot & cold buffet which also includes a “a la minute cooking” section.

UPPER DECK LOUNGE AREA & DINING ROOM

The interior lounge has relaxing couches and comfortable lounge chairs where you can have a drink and gaze out of the large windows into the breathtaking sceneries you are cruising to, read a book, watch television on the satellite TV or one of our documentaries on the next place you are visiting. Also located on the Upper Deck, the outdoor dining area provides beautiful views of the ports of call visited.

 SUN DECK

The vessel features a Sun Deck with a sitting area to relax and enjoy unobstructed views and with ample Sun loungers’ space to bask under the sun, read a good book or just gaze at the scenery.

CRUISE SCHEDULE

ALPHA-10 RIVERS OF WEST AFRICA CRUISE - 2023/24

Day 1:  Banjul - Abuko Nature Reserves/the Gambia
Embarkation 4pm. We leave Banjul and sail upstream to Tendaba. We reach Tendaba late into the evening.
Mediterranean Night in Africa - Overnight at dock in Tendaba.

 

Day 2: Tendaba/the Gambia
From the ship we take motor pirogues in order to reach Tendaba, located on the South Bank in the Lower River Division, our starting point of our Tendaba morning optional excursion. It is a small fishing village of mainly Muslim faith with approximately 600 inhabitants whose main occupation is fishing. From there we will walk through to Batelling, a small village at the entrance to Kiang West National Park. The area boasts of over 250 species of birds; many of which are difficult to observe anywhere else. Other residents include Guinea baboons, bushbuck, warthogs, Senegal bushbaby and marsh mongoose. After a refreshing stop in Batelling, we will board an open safari truck which brings us back to Tendaba. On the way we pass again local villages where you get an impression of local life in The Gambia. In the afternoon, we are picked-up from the ship by motor pirogues for the afternoon Tendaba optional excursion to the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve. This reserve, lying across from Kiang West National Park features six major bolongs (creeks) that provide great birding and boating opportunities. Numerous rare and migratory birds also reside here including the Pel’s fishing owl, African fin foot and brown-necked parrot. Overnight docked in Tendaba.

Day 3: Gambia River – Kuntaur - River Gambia National Park/the Gambia
Early morning we leave Tendaba and sail upstream on the Gambia River all morning to reach Kuntaur. Early afternoon arrival to the bustling Gambian port town of Kuntaur, the last inland stop along the river that is navigable for ocean-going ships. Later in the afternoon we board a large motor pirogue for a 3 hours optional excursion cruise on The Gambia River. First we head to the southernmost tip of Baboon Island, one of the five islands of The Gambia National Park. There a local national park ranger is joining us onboard in order to give more information about the park and its fauna & flora. Then we turn, the motor pirogue slows down and sails slowly back to Kuntaur following closely the shores of Baboon Island. This island is home of the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project. If we are lucky from our motor pirogue we can closely observe the chimps with minimal intrusion. There is also the possibility of seeing hippos, crocodiles, Red Colobus, Green Vervet monkeys and also The Gambia’s famous birdlife.
We return to Kuntaur where we are met by the “Kankurang” and a local dance group on the pier. Believed to have spiritual powers the “Kankurang” dispenses justice and wards off evil spirits. Overnight docked in Kuntaur.

 

Day 4: Kuntaur – Janjanbureh- Kaur/the Gambia
This morning, our optional excursion by bus takes us to the ferry station of Janjanbureh. There we board the local ferry for a short cruise over The Gambia River to Janjanbureh. We continue our excursion with a visit of one of the oldest towns of The Gambia, formerly called Georgetown. During the walk you get an impression of this laidback town and see the residence of the governor, the market and the Methodist church with its school. Afterwards we take the ferry back and re board the bus to reach Lamin Koto. Through the generosity of Variety Cruises and of many of its clients, a new school building is being built. Later in the morning we stop at the mysterious stone circles in Wassu, a megalithic site believed to be a burial ground thousands of years ago. You will visit the little museum of this archaeological site, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. In the afternoon, after lunch, we sail downstream to Kaur a small fishing village on the banks of the Gambia. You will have the opportunity to walk around this small community and see how Gambians live today. In the evening we leave Kaur and sail downstream towards Banjul. Farewell Dinner.

Day 5: Kunta Kinteh Island - Banjul/the Gambia
This morning we anchor at St. James Island in the middle of the Gambia River, which was an important slave trading post under the British rule in The Gambia. In 1976 James Island became famous due to the author Alex Haley and its bestseller book "Roots" and the story of a slave, called Kunta Kinteh. The island is now called and is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Optional walking tour: After disembarking by local tenders your local guide will tell you more about the history of James Island and afterwards you will have some time to explore this island by yourself. After lunch, we leave "Kunta Kinteh" to reach Banjul around 4pm. After formalities, later in the evening, we will sail out of the Gambia estuary into the Atlantic Ocean northwards to Dakar. Gambian Night with Kora instrument Concert - Overnight at sea to Dakar.

 

Day 6: Dakar/Senegal
Early morning arrival in Dakar. After breakfast, we will take you in an optional excursion to Goree Island and Dakar city tour, an exploratory adventure of Dakar surroundings, inviting you to discover the traces of slave trading, and its transformation into today’s African modernity. The history makes room for the present development. Lunch outside the ship. Returning to the ship in late afternoon and preparing for dinner. After dinner, we set sail southward towards the Saloum River Delta. Overnight at sea, cruising south wards along the coast.

Day 7 : Djiffer/Senegal – Banjul/the Gambia
This morning we reach the Sine – Saloum Delta in Senegal, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and also an Important Birding Area, as designated by Birdlife International and natural habitat for many bird species but also such aquatic animals as marine turtles, dolphins, West African manatees and crocodiles. Our optional excursion starts at the fishing village of Djiffer wherefrom we reach the village of Joal Fadiouth, set on an island of clam shells that also are used in local buildings and crafts. In the afternoon, we leave Senegal and the Saloum Delta and sail south to Gambia to reach Banjul, the capital of Gambia and gateway to the 700-mile Gambia River. Fishermen Night. Overnight in Banjul.

Day 8 : Banjul/the Gambia
Disembarkation at 9:00 am after breakfast.

Itineraries can be changed at the discretion of Alpha Cruises and of the Vessel's Captain in case of adverse weather conditions - winds of 6/7 Beaufort or more, depending on the vessel- on port authorities not allowing a vessel to leave port or in case of other extraordinary conditions. Such itinerary changes do not entitle automatically passengers to any refunds but Alpha Cruises guarantees that passengers are disembarked at the advertised port of disembarkation on time for their flights.

 

 

ALPHA-10 WEST AFRICA CRUISE 2023/24 
SAILING DATES FROM BANJUL



Jan (2024): 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
Feb (2024): 05, 12
 

 

 
CABIN CATEGORIES CRUISE RATES
Cat C - Main Deck – Twin or Double bedded Cabins €2,250 $2,690
Cat B - Main Deck – Twin or Double bedded Cabins €2,950 $3,490
Cat A - Upper Deck – Twin or Double bedded Cabins €3,350 $3,990
Cat P - Upper Deck – Twin or Double bedded Cabins €3,890 $4,650
Single Supplement 50% 50%
Reduction for 3rd person in Cat. C cabins 30% 30%
Port Charges €355 $420

-10% On ALL reservations made until MAY 31, 2023

EBD Conditions & Restrictions

  • Bookings must be secured by paying upon confirmation 25% deposit on cruise fares per passenger
  • Balance - max 60 days before departure
  • All reservations are on request and on first-come-first-served basis
  • THEY DO NOT APPLY FOR ANY EXISTING BOOKINGS!!
  • The offers do not apply a/ for the Owner’s Suite on Variety Voyager programs and b/ for group bookings
  • Port charges are excluded from these discounts
  • Please mention “EBD WEST AFRICA 2023/24” at the moment of your booking. Otherwise, Full Rates will apply
  • Offers cannot be combined with any existing or future offers
  • EBD is subject to occupancy levels and maybe withdrawn at any time

Cruise fares are per person and week and include

  • Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning.
  • Full-board: Buffet breakfast and two meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, Local Theme Evening and Captain’s Dinner.
  • Regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water free all day.
  • Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability).
  • English-Speaking Cruise Escort

Not included:

  • Beverages (except those mentioned above).
  • Shore excursions on the islands or other land arrangements.
  • Crew tips.
  • Passenger personal expenses
  • Wi-Fi (available at a charge)
  • VISA Requirements for Gambia – compulsory for select nationalities*     

*BELOW NATIONALITIES ARE LIABLE TO ENTRY VISA FOR GAMBIA THE VISA COSTS €78,16 / PP.
PAYMENT FOR PAX ARRIVING ON BOARD FROM DAKAR IS MADE BY VARIETY TO THE IMMIGRATION OFFICE THROUGH THE PORT AGENT.

VISA IS COMPULSORY FOR THE BELOW NATIONALITIES (AMONGST MANY):
● AUSTRIA, ● CZECH REPUBLIC, ● FRANCE, ● ISRAEL, ● JAPAN, ● PORTUGAL, ● RUSSIA, ● SPAIN, ● SWITZERLAND, ● TURKEY, ● USA.
ALL OTHER NORTH & SOUTH AMERICA, EU & UK CITIZENS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HOLD ENTRY VISA.

 

PAYMENT

25% deposit is required 7 days from confirmation.
75% Balance of payment no less than 60 days prior to day of embarkation.

CANCELLATIONS

240 to 120 days from embarkation € 120/ $140—cancellation fees
119 to 90 days from embarkation 15% of the cruise fare
  89 to 60 days from embarkation 25% of the cruise fare
  59 to 30 days from embarkation 50% of the cruise fare
  29 to 00 days from embarkation 100% of the cruise fare
Cancellations must be confirmed by ALPHA in writing in all cases.

AMENDMENTS

There may be a charge for amendments of cruise date or decreasing pax number received less than 60 days prior to sailing. Amendments must be confirmed by ALPHA in writing.

CHILD REDUCTION
Children between the ages of 7-10 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 50% discount. Children between the ages of 11-16 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 35% discount. Port taxes are not discounted.

NOT INCLUDED IN CRUISE FARE

Such personal expenses as drinks (other than included in the rate), laundry, spa-where applicable-, boutique items and gratuities, (gratuities are optional but as a rule, satisfied clients are expected to give to the captain, at the end of the cruise, approximately Euro 13.00-15.00 p/p p/day for distribution among all crew members) medical expenses, port taxes, shore excursions (shore excursions are proposed and arranged on board by the tour leaders), use of the on board Wi-Fi (available at a charge), expenditures incurred ashore, and anything not mentioned in cruise program.

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