Adventure in the Bijagos
PONANT Cruise
Embark on a journey across the Atlantic with Ponant on a unique cruise from Madeira to the Azores, aboard the prestigious ship Le Bougainville. This voyage invites you to explore islands with breathtaking landscapes, from volcanic formations and lush vegetation to endless sea horizons.
Over eight days, you'll stop at must-see destinations such as Madeira, Porto Santo, and several islands in the Azores, each revealing its unique character, blending unspoiled nature and cultural heritage. Between majestic volcanoes, impressive calderas, authentic villages, and dramatic cliffs, each stop promises wonder and a complete change of scenery.
This cruise combines elegance and exploration, offering a privileged immersion in the heart of the ocean, enhanced by onboard comfort and Ponant's expertise, for an experience that is both enriching and unforgettable.
Your journey day by day
- Discover the Bijagos, a fascinating archipelago classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, exploring nine iconic islands: Carache, Kere, Orango, Uno, Joao Vieira, Cavalos, Bolama, Canhabaque and Caravela.
- This trip immerses you in a diverse landscape, from idyllic beaches and mangroves to savannas, mangrove forests, majestic baobabs, lagoons, and impressive centuries-old kapok trees. The wildlife is equally remarkable, with opportunities to spot sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, and vervet monkeys.
- Throughout the itinerary, various activities will be offered: excursions and landings in zodiacs accompanied by naturalist guides, visits to traditional villages and authentic encounters with the Bijagos communities.
I T I N É R A I R E
11 Nov 26: Dakar
Located at the tip of the African continent, Dakar, the vibrant capital of Senegal, sprawls across the Cap-Vert peninsula. While its impressive size may be surprising at first glance, the city quickly captivates with the diversity of its neighborhoods, the dynamism of its cultural scene, and the richness of its natural environment.
In the historic center, the Kermel market attracts visitors with its lively atmosphere, vibrant colors, and variety of local produce. Away from the hustle and bustle of the capital, Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains an iconic place steeped in history, marked by the memory of the slave trade.
Nearby, the Magdalen Islands offer a completely different setting: these wild islets, protected within a national park, are home to preserved biodiversity and constitute a true natural haven facing the ocean.
12 Nov 26 : Another one
During your sea voyage, take full advantage of the many services and activities offered on board. Treat yourself to a moment of well-being at the spa or maintain your fitness routine in the gym. Depending on the season, the swimming pool and outdoor relaxation areas also offer opportunities to unwind in the sun.
This non-stop voyage also offers the opportunity to attend onboard lectures and shows, browse the shops, or explore the dedicated PONANT photography area. Ocean enthusiasts can head to the upper decks to admire the vastness of the sea and, with a bit of luck, observe marine life.
A truly timeless moment, blending comfort, leisure and contemplation.
November 13, 2026: Carache Island, Bijagos
The Bijagos archipelago is distinguished by its exceptional biodiversity, remarkably preserved thanks to the respectful practices of the local communities. In the heart of this abundant natural environment, you will meet the Bijagos people, who have lived in harmony with their land and perpetuated an ancestral way of life.
On the island, five villages house approximately a thousand inhabitants, organized around a subsistence economy. The people there only take the necessary resources, cultivating rice, raising chickens and pigs, practicing artisanal fishing and exploiting oil palm.
The traditional dwellings consist of mud-brick houses topped with thatched roofs, a testament to skills passed down through generations. During your visit, you will also have the opportunity to witness superb demonstrations of traditional dances, true expressions of Bijago culture.
13 Nov 26 : Kere, Bissagos
The private islet of Kéré is a true haven of peace, comprising one hectare of tropical forest in the heart of the Bijagos archipelago. This protected site is distinguished by the development of sustainable and equitable ecotourism, respectful of its exceptional environment.
On its superb beach, a passionate individual has settled in order to introduce visitors to this unique natural environment and to introduce them to sport fishing, particularly in search of tarpon, an impressive fish that can exceed one hundred kilos.
The bungalows built from earth and straw blend harmoniously into this idyllic setting, reflecting a simple and authentic philosophy, deeply respectful of nature and local people.
14 Nov 26 : île d'Orango, Bijagos
Located about twenty kilometers off the coast of Africa, the Bijagos archipelago in Guinea-Bissau is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity. Its particularly abundant marine flora and fauna have earned it UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. A wide variety of species can be observed there, such as dolphins, green turtles, monkeys, striped antelopes, as well as hundreds of thousands of migratory birds that find refuge there.
Among its islands, Orango stands out as the largest and most enigmatic of the archipelago. Composed of five main islands and numerous islets, it is home to a national park and a marine protected area, the true heart of the Biosphere Reserve.
During the zodiac excursions, you will explore this preserved environment and meet the Bijogos, considered the guardians of this exceptional natural sanctuary.
14 Nov 26 : île Uno, Bijagos
Covered in savannahs, rice paddies, and dense forests, Uno Island, also known as Ilha de Uno, is one of the most populated islands in the Bijagos archipelago. In its many villages, daily life revolves around the traditions and activities of the Bijago people.
Relatively untouched by colonial and external influences, this island way of life retains strong animistic beliefs and traditional rites, notably the fanados. These initiation ceremonies mark the passage to adulthood for young men and women, who spend several months in the forest alongside the village elders.
By maintaining a deep spiritual connection with their environment, the inhabitants actively participate in the protection of the archipelago's exceptional biodiversity.
15 Nov 26 : île Uno, Bijagos
Located approximately twenty kilometers off the coast of Africa, the Bijagos archipelago in Guinea-Bissau is renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity. Its particularly abundant marine flora and fauna have earned it UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status. Numerous species find refuge there, including dolphins, green turtles, monkeys, striped antelopes, and significant populations of migratory birds.
Orango Island, the largest and one of the most enigmatic in the archipelago, is made up of five main islands and several islets. It is home to a national park and a marine protected area, which together form the heart of the Biosphere Reserve.
During zodiac excursions, you will explore this preserved environment and meet the Bijogos, considered the true guardians of this natural sanctuary.
16 Nov 26 : île Joao Vieira, Bijagos
Located in the far southeast of the Bijagos archipelago, João Vieira is a small, unspoiled island within the João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park. This protected area, home to numerous sacred sites, is distinguished by its exceptional biodiversity.
Although almost uninhabited, João Vieira Island hosts temporary camps used by the Bijagos for fishing or collecting palm oil.
As throughout the archipelago, local populations demonstrate great ingenuity in adapting to this remarkable natural environment and exploiting its resources in a respectful manner.
16 Nov 26 : île de Cavalos, Bijagos
Classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, the island of Cavalos is one of the most important nesting sites in West Africa. It offers a privileged refuge to many bird species, including terns, which are particularly visible around its freshwater lake.
Visitors can enjoy a stroll along its shell-lined beach, which stretches for approximately six kilometers in circumference. Some rocky areas are home to mango trees, sometimes barely visible at high tide, adding to the unique character of the landscape.
The interior of the island, covered with palm trees and tall grasses, is also home to a colony of wild pigs, illustrating the richness and diversity of this preserved ecosystem.
17 Nov 26 : Bolama, Bijagos
Bolama, the former capital of Portuguese Guinea between the end of the 19th century and the end of the 1930s, today exudes a unique atmosphere, both poetic and unreal, typical of abandoned cities frozen in time.
In its streets covered with ochre earth, vestiges of neoclassical colonial architecture still remain, testifying to the city's prestigious past, notably through the old buildings of the government palace and the governor's residence.
Largely abandoned today, Bolama is organized around a natural port surrounded by mangroves, difficult to access. In the past, it served as a strategic outpost intended to monitor the Guinean populations who took refuge in the remote islands of the Bijagos archipelago to escape colonial domination.
17 Nov 26 : Canhabaque, Bijagos
Canhabaque Island, also known as Roxa, is covered in lush vegetation and fringed by stunning beaches interspersed with rocky formations. Considered the first island in the archipelago to have been inhabited, it is now home to a community of approximately 2,500 inhabitants, spread across various tabancas, the traditional rural villages.
Long closed to tourism, Canhabaque is recognized as one of the islands most faithful to the traditions of the archipelago, both in its customs and its way of life. It rivals Caravela for the title of the most beautiful island in the Bijagos.
The society there is animistic and matrilineal, with a central role for women in the organization, management and balance of the tabancas, guaranteeing the continuity of local traditions.
18 Nov 26 : île Caravela, Bijagos
Composed of wild and authentic landscapes, the Bijagos archipelago forms a veritable constellation of islands covered with savannas, palm forests, mangroves, kapok trees and majestic baobabs, with vast areas of preserved mangrove.
From Caravela Island, Zodiac® excursions offer the opportunity to explore these unique ecosystems, including the mangroves, and to observe a wide variety of birds such as the black-billed hornbill, the palm vulture, the kingfisher, and the weaver bird. Each year, numerous migratory species also flock to the region, considered the second most important site in West Africa for migratory birds, after the Banc d'Arguin in Mauritania, including egrets, curlews, and Guinea swallows.
Immersed in unspoiled nature, far from the usual tourist routes, discovering the archipelago here takes on the air of a true adventure.
19 Nov 26: Dakar
Located at the tip of the African continent, Dakar, the dynamic capital of Senegal, stretches across the narrow Cap-Vert peninsula. While its size may be impressive, the city captivates with the diversity of its neighborhoods, the richness of its cultural scene, and the variety of its natural environment.
In the historic center, the Kermel market attracts visitors with its lively atmosphere, bright colors, and the diversity of its local products and flavors.
Just a few kilometers from the urban bustle, Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an emblematic place of memory, marked by the history of the slave trade.
Facing the plateau, the Magdalen Islands offer a striking contrast: this natural area protected by a national park reveals a wild and preserved environment.
END OF THE JOURNEY
Destination: Atlantic island
Route: Dakar (Senegal) to Dakar (Senegal)
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights on board
Dates:
November 11, 2026 to November 19, 2026 on board the ship Le Lapérouse: from 5,330 euros / person (based on double cabin)
Single supplement offered, Link offer -20%; Ponant Bonus 15% + 200 euros of onboard credit by VOS VOYAGES by Culture Air Travel.
November 19, 2026 to November 27, 2026 on board the ship Le Lapérouse: from 5,040 euros / person (based on double cabin)
Ponant Bonus 20% + 200 euros onboard credit by VOS VOYAGES by Culture Air Travel.
December 13, 2026 to December 21, 2026 on board the ship Le Champlain: from 4,750 euros / person (based on double cabin)
500 euros travel credit; Ponant Bonus 25% + 200 euros onboard credit by VOS VOYAGES by Culture Air Travel.
December 21st to December 29th, 2026 on board the ship Le Champlain: from 4,750 euros / person (based on double cabin)
500 euros travel credit; Ponant Bonus 25% + 200 euros onboard credit by VOS VOYAGES by Culture Air Travel.
December 29, 2026 to January 6, 2027 on board the ship Le Champlain: from 5,910 euros / person (based on double cabin)
Single supplement offered; Link offer -20%; Ponant Bonus 5% + 200 euros of onboard credit by VOS VOYAGES by Culture Air Travel.
Services included in all PONANT cruises
The cruises include a complete, all-inclusive experience, from your arrival on board until your disembarkation:
- Full board from the day of embarkation to the day of departure
- Gourmet cuisine served in all onboard restaurants
- Drinks included in restaurants, bars and minibars: selection of champagnes, wines, spirits, beers, cocktails, waters, soft drinks and hot drinks²
- Room service available 24/7
- Butler service for certain suite categories³
- Unlimited and free internet access on board
- Shows, evening entertainment and activities offered on board
- Access to the fitness area as well as the hammam or sauna, depending on the ship.
- Port and security fees included.
Services included vary depending on the type of cruise and the ship.
The activities offered on board and during port calls vary depending on the type of cruise chosen:
- Timeless Cruises: one included excursion⁴ per person per day at each port of call, led by local guides. These excursions may include cultural discoveries, historical monuments, or tastings of local specialties.
- Discovery Cruises: one activity included per person per day at each stopover, which may take the form of an excursion guided by local experts or an activity led by naturalist guides.
- Expedition Cruises: one activity included per person per day at each stopover, fully supervised by naturalist guides, including for example hikes or zodiac excursions depending on the destinations.
Some more isolated ports of call, with few or no tourist facilities, are offered for independent exploration. Passengers can thus freely explore the area and enjoy activities on their own, such as swimming, shopping, local cuisine, or shows.
The cruises also include:
- Lectures led by naturalist guides or a destination expert (excluding cruises of the Voyage en Mer type)
- Non-motorized water sports (excluding diving), such as kayaking on the Commandant Charcot or stand-up paddleboarding depending on the vessel, are subject to weather conditions, safety regulations and local permits.
- Taxes related to national parks and protected areas
- The support of a team of naturalist guides for Expedition and Discovery cruises, on land or during zodiac excursions depending on the destination
