We also get to taste some of West Africa's finest foods and search for crocodiles and hippos on the River Gambia on a fantastic boat journey along the lifeline of this tiny country.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Dakar Arrive and transfer to your hotel.
Day 2: Dakar - Madeleine Islands - Goree. A morning city tour followed by a visit to the beautiful Madeleine Island N.P., home to hundreds of cormorants and osprey. Later we take a ferry ride to Goree Island, the first port on the West African coast from where thousands of slaves were sent to the Americas. (B)
Day 3: Dakar - Pink Lake - Thies - Saint Louis. Visit the extraordinary Pink Lake where we have the opportunity to swim in this natural wonder. We pass striking landscapes of baobab trees and fields of millet and cassava before entering the semi-desert near Saint Louis. (B)
Day 4: Djoudj National Park or Langue de Barbarie - Saint Louis. Depending on the season we visit either the Djoudj NP with its millions of migratory birds or the Langue de Barbarie NP which is home to a number of different turtle species. Afternoon tour of the old French colonial city of Saint Louis by horse-drawn carriage. (B)
Day 5: Touba - Kaolack. We cross the 'peanut basin' and visit a number of small rural villages as well as the mosque of Touba, one of the biggest in Sub- Saharan Africa. Continue to Kaolack, an old harbour town on the Saloum River which was famous for peanut processing during the colonial era. The market here sells brightly coloured fabrics, spices, amulets and gold. (B)
Day 6: Simenti. Travel to Simenti, located in the Niokolo Koba National Park, the only park in Senegal still to contain large mammals. En route we stop at the bizarre megaliths of Koungheul. (B)
Day 7: Niokolo Koba - Kedougou. We spend the morning exploring the park, one of the largest in West Africa, where you have the opportunity to spot gazelle, antelope, jackal, lion, hippo, crocodile and a wide variety of birds. We then continue to Kedougou, a city on the ancient gold road that traversed this part of Africa. (B, D)
Day 8: Iwol - Dindifellou - Kedougou. Just outside Kedougou are the rugged highlands of the Fouta Djalon. We spend the morning hiking through wonderful scenery to the hilltop animist village of Iwol. We visit the Dindifellou waterfalls in a green valley on the border with Guinea. We return to Kedougou for the night. (B, D)
Day 9: Tambacounda - Gouloumbou. We cross the Niokolo Koba National Park on our journey to Tambacounda, where we enjoy a city tour. We then continue to Gouloumbou, on the banks of the River Gambia. (B, D)
Day 10: Velingara - Georgetown. We drive towards the Gambian border, visiting a number of small villages along the way. After crossing the border we continue to Georgetown, one of the old centers of the slave trade, situated on an island on the River Gambia. Free afternoon to explore the town. (B, D)
Day 11: Kudang - Tendaba. A full day boat trip along the River Gambia, with opportunities to see crocodile and hippo. The boat moors at Tendaba, a typical village on the banks of the river, where we spend the night. (B)
Day 12: Brikama - Bijilo - Banjul. We visit a number of Diola villages and a large local market before heading for the coast. After a stop at the Bijilo Forest Park we continue to Banjul, the vibrant Gambian capital. (B, D)
Day 13: Saloum Island - Kaolack. A trip to Saloum Island, a beautifully preserved wetland area that we explore by boat. (B)
Day 14: Kaolack - Joal Fadiouth - Dakar. We visit Fadiouth, the native village of the poet and ex-president Senghor. There is time to explore before returning to Dakar. (B)
Day 15: Dakar. Tour ends. (B)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Local Payment: 275 EUR
- Arrival transfer: Airport transfer to hotel day 1
- Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader or local tour leader
- Transport: Private air-conditioned coach, boat
- Activities: Boat trips, hiking and excursion by horse-drawn carriage
- Accommodation: 14 nights tourist class hotels
- Meals: As per itinerary. B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
- Entrance fees: Included for all sites and national parks listed as part of the itinerary
- Local Payment: Must be paid in cash on day 1 of your tour
- Trip Reference: MTTS
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Senegal
Gambia
Hiking & Trekking
Ecotourism
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