Been Everywhere? Here's a New Place to Cruise—West Africa

Travelers always seem to be looking for new places to go, and cruisers are just the same--they just like to get there on the water. Even those who haven't been "everywhere" but who are are looking for an exciting new destination will be interested in Variety Cruises' West Africa cruise late this year or early in 2013.

The Rivers of West Africa program departs from Dakar, Senegal, on 7-night cruises.

This culturally rich program traverses the Gambia and Saloun Rivers on the 50-guest M/V Harmony V, visiting nature reserves and villages, including a school near Janjangbureh supported by Variety Cruises through corporate and passenger donations. Wildlife lovers will be impressed by the huge number of bird species but also have the opportunity to see such aquatic animals as marine turtles, dolphins, West African manatees, and crocodiles.

One interesting site on the cruise is a stopover at James Island on the Gambia River. The island was featured in Alex Haley's famed saga "Roots", and was recently renamed Kunta Kinteh Island (for the book's main character). James Island is now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The nice mix of cultural and natural sights on this itinerary certainly sound fascinating, doesn't it?

M/V Harmony V Courtesy of Variety Cruises