Senegal & The Gambia Adventure - 12 Days

Salaa maalikum! Welcome to Senegal. Your adventure begins in Dakar with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, maybe check out Sagada market for some local produce and souvenirs or relax on Ngor beach. Perhaps get to know your group a little better over an optional dinner tonight, where you can sample some Senegalese cuisine, like yassa (meat marinated in lemon, onions and mustard) or mafe (peanut based stew).

Get to know the city today with a guided tour of Dakar, travelling on foot and public transport for an authentic local experience. Call into Tilem Market, known for its medicinal herbs and traditional healers. Learn about the healing practices rooted in Senegalese culture before heading to the Soumbedioune Market and Artisans Market for fresh fish and homemade goods. Visit the Presidential Palace, formerly the home of foreign governors. Then, travel by ferry to Goree Island – a UNESCO World Heritage site with a haunting history. Once a major slave trading post, the island is now a place of remembrance. Visit the Slave House, one of the last remaining buildings of its kind, where you’ll see the infamous ‘Door of No Return’ – a poignant reminder of the countless lives torn apart by the slave trade. Return to Dakar in the late afternoon and drive along the scenic Corniche, with views of the Atlantic Ocean. Finish your day at the giant African Renaissance Monument – the largest statue in Africa.

Drive to Pink Lake this morning – a body of water famous for its rare pink colour, which is a unique phenomenon caused by a combination of microorganisms and high salt concentrations. Enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake and, if you’re feeling adventurous, take a dip in the salty waters. In the afternoon, head to Saint Louis – this city once served as the French capital of West Africa. Known for its deep-rooted jazz traditions, Saint Louis is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The evening is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe stroll through the streets, listen to live jazz or try thieboudienne (fish and rice in tomato sauce) – a Saint Louis speciality – for dinner.

Start your day with an adventure on the Senegal River. Board a traditional pirogue (dugout canoe) and set off to explore the Birds of Djoudj National Park – one of the largest bird sanctuaries in the world. With almost 300 species of birds, including flamingos and pelicans, this vast wetland is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. In the afternoon, consider an optional visit by pirogue to Guet N’Dar – a lively fishing village on the Langue de Barbarie National Park, a thin sandbar where the Senegal River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Watch as dozens of pirogues return from sea, their catches ready to be gutted and smoked along the shore, and get a glimpse into the importance of fishing in Senegalese life.

Journey to Touba today – a sacred city for Senegalese Muslims and the spiritual heart of the Mouride brotherhood, a powerful Islamic sect founded in Senegal. This autonomous city operates under its own set of rules, and out of respect for local customs, women are required to wear long dresses and headscarves. Visit the Touba Mosque – one of the largest mosques in West Africa – and learn about Cheikh Amadou Bamba, the Mouride founder. Continue to Kaolack, known for its peanut industry and busy markets, and unwind for the evening.

You’ll drive through The Gambia into Senegal’s Casamance region this morning – an area shaped by the winding Casamance River. Learn about the cultural heritage of the Diola people, known for their strong sense of community, communal rice farming and reverence for sacred forests. When you arrive in Ziguinchor, the largest city in southern Senegal, you’ll have time to relax and check out the streets lined with old houses and tropical mangroves.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Ziguinchor before driving to Cap Skirring, home to the best beaches in West Africa. Check in at your beach hotel and unwind in this idyllic setting. Spend your afternoon relaxing on the sandy shores or take advantage of optional activities like kayaking and cycling. Maybe try some freshly grilled seafood for dinner since you're on the coast!

Get an insight into the culture and history of the Jola people during a daytrip to Djenbereng. You’ll learn about their traditional customs, lifestyle and community practices, enriching your understanding of the village's heritage. Then, return to Cap Skirring, where you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon or to explore at your own pace on a bike or kayak.

Cross the border into The Gambia and head to Abuko Nature Reserve, known for its rich diversity of vegetation and wildlife. Enjoy birdwatching in this premier spot, with up to 250 bird species. The reserve is also home to a variety of reptiles, including Nile crocodiles and spitting cobras – so keep your eyes peeled! Then, continue to Banjul, the capital of The Gambia. As the least-populated capital city on the African mainland, Banjul offers a more relaxed atmosphere. Feel free to ask your leader for restaurant and activity recommendations that match your mood this evening.

This morning, visit the Saint Joseph Adult Education and Skill Centre – a historic Portuguese building where disadvantaged women are empowered through sewing, crafts and tie-dye skills. Learn about their efforts to enhance knowledge and advocate for children’s and women’s rights. Then, head back to Banjul so you can explore Albert Market – a busy street with stalls selling fabrics, souvenirs and fresh produce. This afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish. Maybe visit the National Museum via Arch 22 – the tallest structure in The Gambia. At the National Museum you can gain a better understanding of The Gambia’s colonial history, as well as the 1994 coup d’etat.

Wake up early and take the ferry across the Gambia River. Navigate the unpaved roads to the small village of Jeffereh – the birthplace of Kunta Kinte, the central figure in the novel ‘Roots’. Explore this historical area that serves as a poignant reminder of the transatlantic slave trade. After, cross the border into Senegal and continue to Saly, where you can check in at your beach hotel and relax. As this is the final night of your trip, consider getting the group together for one final dinner.

After breakfast, your trip comes to an end and you're free to leave at any time. You'll also have the option to join a group of Senegalese women at a local market to pick out the freshest produce before heading back to one of their homes to prepare your own lunch with their guidance. Enjoy the meal with your hosts and learn about their daily life in Senegal. If you’d like to extend your stay and explore more of Senegal, additional accommodation can be pre-booked – just speak to your booking agent in advance.