Explore Senegal & The Gambia, 10 Days

Day 1 Arrive In Dakar

On arrival in Dakar you will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Today's activities depend on time of arrival in Dakar.

Meal(s) Included: No

Overnight at Novotel Dakar or Similar

Day 2 Dakar

After breakfast, begin the city tour of Dakar and vicinity by visiting the colorful markets including Tilen Market, famous for a variety of medicinal herbs and traditional healers. Visit the picturesque residential district of Medina, the Presidential Palace, the Ifan museum and the National Art Gallery.

 Dakar Market, Barry Williams 

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Novotel Dakar or Similar

Day 3 Dakar-Goree Island-Dakar

Today, visit the famous/infamous Goree Island, a World Heritage Site. Observe the "Door of No Return" through which millions of Africans passed on the way to slavery in the Americas. The tour includes a visit to the ethnographic museum and a lecture by the curator on the history of Goree Island.

 Door of No Return, Barry Williams

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Novotel Dakar or Similar

Day 4 Dakar-Pink Lake-Kaolack

Depart to Pink Lake, a rare natural phenomena caused by a unique combination of microorganism and high concentration of salts which gives the lake its pink color. Interact with the women harvesting salt and visit the Fulani village where you will be welcomed by the Chief and his wives. Continue to Kaolack which is on the way to The Gambia.

 Harvesting salt in Pink Lake,  Barry Williams

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Keur Saloum or Similar

Day 5 Kaolack-Banjul

After breakfast, depart to Banjul. Cross from Senegal to The Gambia while sitting in the bus for the 20 minutes cruise on the barge.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Atlantic Hotel or Similar

Day 6 Banjul

Begin today's tour with a visit to Arch 22 in Banjul, which was built to commemorate the Second Republic. The Arch, situated at the entrance to the city, houses a Museum and restaurant. Continue to the National Museum which highlights the history of the Gambia. En route, stop by the main Mosque and have a short visit at a primary school. If time permits, visit a classroom to say hello. Take a short drive through the city to see the sites. Then, visit Albert Market, where amidst much hustle and bustle you may purchase anything from live chickens and vegetables to herbs and other potions.

 Gambian Cloth Merchants, Barry Williams

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Atlantic Hotel or Similar

Day 7 Banjul-Juffureh-Banjul

Today, take a journey "up-river" to one of Gambia's most popular sites, the land of Alex Haley's Saga "Roots". Cruise up-river from Banjul Port and go back 200 years in time on arrival at the ancient Trading Station of Albreda which gained fame in the period of slavery as a result of its Flag Pole, which many believed would guarantee freedom to any slave 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. Then, take a fifteen minutes walk to the village of Juffureh where "Kunta Kinte" of Roots fame traced his ancestry. The original home of Alex Haley's great grandfather, which stands near to the mosque. It is still occupied by the Kinte family and may be visited during your stay here. Continue to the "Museum of Slavery" which gives a good insight into the history of slavery in the Gambia.Board the boat for the short river cruise to James Island, steeped in slave trade history. Fortress ruins tell the tale of colonial rivalries, and the beads still buried deep in the sand conjure pictures of the hundreds of slaves shackled together awaiting transport to an unknown and uncertain future.
Early evening, board the boat back to Banjul accompanied by the friendly Dolphins who will generally make an appearance. Arrive in Banjul early evening.

 Old slave trade building in Juffureh, Barry Williams

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Atlantic Hotel or Similar

Day 8 Banjul-Saly Beach Resort

Relax on the beach or visit a local village.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Bougainvilleas or Similar

Day 9 Saly Beach–Joal-Fadiouth-Saly Beach

After breakfast, visit Joal, the birthplace of Senegal's first President, Leopold Sedar Senghor and its picturesque twin, Fadiouth, a village covered with oyster and clam shells. Observe the granaries built on stilts which house the food supplies.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at Bougainvilleas or Similar

Day 10 Depart Dakar

Transfer to the airport in Dakar for your departure flight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast