Hurtigruten Expeditions has said it is “responding to guest demand for more warm water destinations” with the addition of expedition voyages around the west coast of Africa for its 2022/23 season.

The line will sail a 13-day itinerary calling in Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal, with MS Spitsbergen based out of Dakar.

Cruises will depart Dakar on 27 November, 9 and 21 December 2022, and 2 and 14 January 2023.

The expansion follows the cruise line’s recent announcement of year-round expedition cruises to the Galápagos Islands, starting early 2022.

Hurtigruten will also introduce a series of itineraries to the Canary Islands and Madeira for the 22/23 season.

Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen said: “2022 will be one of the most adventurous years for Hurtigruten Expeditions. We will start the year by launching our Galápagos operations in January, and at the end of the year, we will introduce our first African cruises.

“We are very excited about expanding to new unique destinations, which complements our Caribbean and South American expedition cruises and strengthens our global position.

“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. With the Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde, we offer a truly unique and off-the-beaten-track destination that is perfect for an expedition adventure like no other.”

The first African departure, on 27 November 2022, will visit Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands, which will offer guests a “combination of distinctive wildlife and diverse landscapes”, the line said.

The itinerary also includes a day in Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, the smallest country in mainland Africa. All cruises out of Dakar include land-based adventures as part of the itinerary.

Hurtigruten added that its itineraries to the Canary Islands and Madeira “will show a different side of these islands”, with a focus on hiking, national parks and cultural walking tours.