Senegal & The Gambia Tour,11 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Senegal

On arrival in Sénégal, our expert cultural tour guide will meet, assist, and transfer you to your hotel in a private vehicle. once you have checked in, your guide who will be with you throughout your stay, will brief you on what to expect during your stay in Sénégal and Gambia.

Overnight at Le Djollof

Day 2: Dakar – Goree Island – Dakar

Depart on the 20-minute ferry ride to visit the charming yet infamous Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the usually quiet streets lined with pastel-colored colonial-era buildings. Among the most famous buildings here is the House of Slaves which records the history of Goree’s past.

In the afternoon return to Dakar and go on a city tour. Visit the Monument of Renaissance, a 164-foot-high monument, overlooking Dakar and is taller than the Statue of Liberty. The once-controversial bronze statue is a popular attraction among locals as well as visitors. Next visit the colorful markets including Tilen Market, famous for a variety of medicinal herbs and traditional healers. Stop by the Presidential Palace and the Artisans Market.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Le Djollof

Day 3: Dakar – Pink Lake – Thies – St Louis

After breakfast depart to Saint Louis located in the north of Senegal. En route stop at Pink Lake, a rare natural phenomenon caused by a unique combination of microorganisms and a high concentration of salts which gives the lake its pink color. Interact with the women harvesting salt. Continue to Thies where you can visit the Tapestry Factory and the Artisanal Village- a compound of thatched huts, home to local artists displaying wares for sale such as tie-dye clothing, textiles, drums, jewelry, sculptures, and paintings. Continue to Saint Louis, arriving late afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Mermoz

Day 4: Saint Louis – Djoudj – St Louis

This morning you will visit the Djoudj National Bird Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the world. Situated on a major palearctic migratory route, this park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Some of the world’s greatest concentrations of white pelicans and flamingos can be seen here: up to 10,000 species.

Enjoy a pirogue ride to better view the many species of cormorants, pelicans, ducks, flamingos, various songbirds, and more. You may also see crocodiles, boas, boars, and other wildlife. If this is in the rainy season then you will cruise on the “Langue de Barbarie” to see river birds.

Return to visit St Louis, Senegal’s former colonial capital where you may explore the narrow streets flanked by houses with carved wooden balconies and verandas. Stop by the vibrant fishing village of Guet Ndar before arriving back at your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Mermoz

Day 5: St Louis – Touba – Kaolack

After breakfast drive to Kaolack in the south of Senegal. You will stop to visit the City of Touba. Visit the Grand Mosque which is the largest and most magnificent in all of West Africa. You will learn about Cheikh Ahmadou Mbacke the founder of Mouridism.

Spend a few minutes in the large library which holds thousands of volumes many written by the mystic founder. Learn about the history and legend of Touba one of the most significant cities in Senegal. Touba is an autonomous city much like the Vatican in Italy. After Touba, continue to Kaolack with stops in Fulani and Wolof villages. Meet locals; and learn about their daily activities and culture. Arrive in Kaolack early evening and check in hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Adjana

Day 6: Kaolack – Stone Circles– Banjul

After breakfast, travel to Sine Ngayene to see the magnificent Stones Circles. Visit “The Sine Ngayene complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of 52 circles of standing stones, including one double circle. In all, there are 1102 carved stones on the site. Nearby is the quarry from which the monoliths were extracted and where the sources of around 150 stones can be traced.

Drive to and cross the river on a ferry arriving at your hotel early evening.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Senegambia

Day 7: Banjul

Today go on the full-day tour of Banjul. Start at the National Museum, showing the history of The Gambia including the tracing of the mix of African Culture and European colonialism. We then take a short drive through Banjul to “see the sights,” stopping to visit the general market with much hustle and bustle, where anything from live chicken and vegetables to herbs and false hair can be bought. In the afternoon, visit Serrekunda the most densely populated town in The Gambia, here you can see displays of “Tie & Dye” and the beautiful Batik cottons.

The last stop will be the Katchikally Crocodile Pool with its dozens of crocodiles. Maybe you will even see old “Charlie”, who has been featured in various TV programs.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Senegambia

Day 8: Banjul

After breakfast, go on a boat cruise through the Bolongs and observe villagers collecting oysters. You may want to take a swim or relax at the beach resort. In the afternoon we continue to the beach resort area of Tanji where you can experience a camel ride and meet the locals including the daily return of the fishermen. When you say when we return to your hotel in Banjul.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Senegambia

Day 9: Banjul – Juffureh – Fathala

Take the morning ferry across the Gambia River to the Senegal side and continue to Fathala Reserve. On the way we will stop at Jufureh, the land of Alex Haley’s “Roots”. You will arrive first in Albreda which gained fame in the period of slavery as a result of its Flag Pole, which many believed would guarantee freedom to anyone who touched it after escaping from nearby James Island.

Observe the ruins of the Sao Domingo Church, reputed to be one of the oldest churches in West Africa, erected by the Portuguese during the 17th century. Continue to the village of Juffureh where the ancestry of “Kunta Kinte” of Roots fame was traced. The restored original home of the Kinte clan still occupied by the Kinte family can be visited.

Visit other rural villages away from typical tourist activities to meet locals and interact with them.

Get to the park and experience a walk with lions and other wildlife. Overnight in the park.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Fathala Reserve

Day 10: Fathala – Joal – Fadiouth – Saly

Early morning depart and enjoy a typical African bush experience in an open-air vehicle. See family herds of the rare West African giant derby eland – only found in this part of the world, and visit the breeding camp – and other antelope species such as roan, waterbuck, and bushbuck. Also to be seen are giraffes, rhinos, buffalo, and warthog as well as red colobus, green vervet and red patas monkeys, and exquisitely colored bird species. Enjoy morning coffee and snacks next to the waterhole as you experience the magnificent African sunrise.

After check out, depart for Saly Beach Resort stopping at Joal/Fadiouth where you will visit the traditional Serere village and observe the cathedral, the marketplace, the sacred Baobab tree, and the famous multi-religious cemetery. Joal -Fadiouth is a sleepy twin village with Joal on the mainland while Fadiouth, linked by a narrow 400-meter wooden bridge lies on an island built entirely of seashells.

Continue to Saly Resort.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Obama Beach

Day 11: Saly Resort – Depart

Enjoy the resort but your driver, guide, and vehicle will be available to assist with excursions and activities.

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals included: Breakfast