Variety Cruises is relaunching small ship sailings in West Africa next month for the first time since the pandemic.

Two eight-day itineraries cover rivers in The Gambia and Senegal.

The cruises were first established in 2009 but were put on hold during Covid.

The company is deploying 44-passenger ship Harmony G in the region, with return trips from either Dakar or Banjul.

The company is promoting wildlife viewing and birdwatching along the West African coast and the Gambia River.

Variety chief executive Filippos Venetopoulos said: “We strive to create a cultural exchange between our guests and the communities we visit, permitting our guests to go deeperinto the destinations with carefully crafted excursions and events.”