I was reading about Portuguese starts of exploration, and one of the books mentioned that in Europe there were some myths about equator, Cape Bojador, Africa in general and if you could pass around it.

But the Portuguese were consulting all sorts of scientist, navigators, geographers, including Jew and Arab ones. And, basically, I am wondering what would they say about Africa?

An example: I know Herodotus mentions Phoenicians sailing around Africa and having sun in the north, but he himself doesn't believe it. Would the geographers of the time know about this episode (or Herodotus in general)? How would they feel about it at that moment? I am sure (as always) there would be a divide in opinion, but did they have any more information and evidence to deduce it could be possible to go around Africa?