FAQ

What’s included in the price of IE’s West Africa travel package?

• Ten nights aboard the 34-guest yacht Callisto
• Welcome & farewell cocktail receptions aboard Callisto
• House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner aboard Callisto
• Open bar aboard Callisto throughout the West Africa expedition cruise
• Complete program of excursions & activities as shown in the itinerary
• The services of a professional Expedition Leader, Study Leader, local guides & expedition staff
• Baggage handling
• Transfers on group arrival & departure dates
• Port dues & ship embarkation taxes
• Tips to porters, guides & drivers
• Complete pre-departure materials to help you get the most out of your expedition

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Are visas required for travel to West Africa?

Visas are required for U.S. citizens, although the requirements and when the visa must be obtained varies by country.

For travel to Senegal there are no visas required.

The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea visas will be obtained while on the cruise through the Callisto’s staff. The cost is approximately $300 per person.

Your Sierra Leone visa must be obtained in advance. International Expeditions will include a visa package in your confirmation documents. The cost is approximately $230 per person.

What inoculations are required to participate in the West Africa expedition cruise?

All travelers on this journey, regardless of nationality, are required to show evidence of yellow fever vaccination. The CDC also recommends that all travelers to West Africa be up-to-date on vaccinations for measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT), poliovirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid. Malaria is present in the areas where we are traveling, and guests are encouraged to take malaria medication. Note that chloroquine is NOT an effective anti-malaria drug in West Africa. Guests should consult with their physician regarding both the inoculations and to determine which malaria medication is right for them.

What is the best time to travel to West Africa?

The best time to visit West Africa is October through March, with December and January being the most crowded. The weather is subtropical, with distinct dry and rainy seasons. From mid-November to mid-May, coastal areas are dry, while the rainy season lasts from June to October. Inland the cool season is shorter and daytime temperatures are very high between March and June. Sunny periods occur on most days even during the rainy season.