DAY 01 : JOIN TOUR BANJUL (Gambia)

Arrival Banjul and check into hotel. Overnight hotel with breakfast.

DAY 02 : In Banjul : Drive to Saloum Delta National Park (Senegal)

Banjul is one of the smallest Capitals in Africa, situated on an island at the mouth of the River Gambia. We begin with an orientation tour including the “Arch 22”. At 35m high, it is the tallest building in Gambia. From the balcony there are excellent views over the city and the coast. We also visit near by Serekunda with its Market traders lining the roadsides and women clad in brightly coloured garments selling their wares. We then take a ferry across the Gambia River Delta to Barra and drive into the Saloum Delta national Park in Senegal. Overnight hotel with breakfast and Diner.

DAY 03 : In Saloum Delta National Park, Pirogue Trip, North Through the Delta

This morning we take to traditional pirogues (Motorized Canoe) to explore the wilderness delta area of sine saloum. We weave our way through the maze of channels past mangroves, lagoons, open forests, dunes, sand island and whole villages built on island constructed with oyster shells. This is wonderful area for bird watching and amongst the myriad of species present we look out for pelicans and flamingos. Overnight hotel with all meals.  

DAY 04 : Drive via Fadiouth to Dakar, Ferry to Goree Island

Leaving Saloum delta National Park this morning, we head for Dakar . En route we visit Fadiout fishing village built on a small Island. Everything on the island is composed of oyster and clam shells. The inhabitants are both Muslim and Christian cemetery, built on a huge, ancient, shell mount is worth a visit. Dakar is a bustling city with a mix of African and European influences. We’ll visit the main sights , including the Grand Mosque built in 1964, before continuing across by ferry to Goree Island, a small and peaceful island without any traffic. Overnight simple Guest house with breakfast.

DAY 05 : Walking Tour to Goree Island,  Drive to Saint Louis

Early morning ,we make a walking tour of Goree Island. A Busy trading centre during the 18^th and 19^th centuries, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After Dakar you may feel you have been transported in time to the Mediterranean because of the island charming colonial-style houses. Wrought-iron balconies, narrow streets and brightly coloured bougainvillea. Le castel is situated a rockly plateau from where there are good views across to Dakar. The fortications date back to different periods. Also worth visiting is the slave House originally built in 1786 and the Historical Museum in the Fort d’Estrees. We return to the mainland by ferry and drive to Lac Rose – The Pink Lake. This large shallow lagoon is extremely salty and is also renowned for its Pink tinge, due to the high concentrations of minerals in the water. Continuing along the coast we visit the picturesque fishing village of Kayar before arriving at Saint Louis. 03 Nights Hotel with Breakfast.

DAY 06 : Calesh Tour of St Louis Island,

Optional Trip to Langue de Barbarie National Park Saint Louis is a marvellous old town full of 19^th century French colonial buildings. Saint Louis was the first French settlement in Africa and the headquarters of Senegambia (The Term used to describe the whole region). By the late 18^th century it was a busy port and trading centre. We will spend a relaxing morning exploring by calesh (horse-drawn carriage). The afternoon is free for personal exploration. You may like to visit the langue de Barbarie National Park, home to many water birds particularly flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets and ducks. From November to April they are joined by many more migratory birds from Europe. Driving back to Saint Louis in the late afternoon there are normally a multitude of pirogues returning from a days fishing, surfing the waves to unload their catch on the beach.

DAY 07 : Pirogue Safari in Djoudj National Park

We spend a whole day in the Djoudj National park. Regarded as the third most important bird reserve in the world, it provides the first major water source for migratory birds after their long and gruelling flight over the Sahara desert. We travel by pirogue along the complex network of channels which lead off the Senegal River. The bird count reaches millions, some species are prevalent such as pelicans – there are as many as 15,000 in the park. We may see them performing an amazing display of synchronised diving for fish and will see a breeding colony. Around three million birds pass through the park annually which included 400 different species – herons white – breasted cormorants, spoonbills, Jacanas, Egyptian geese, West African fish eagles and flamingos to name but a few. You may also see crocodiles, wild hog and water python.

Day 08:-  Drive to Tambacounda

A full day’s drive takes us across the dusty Sahel to Tambacounda in the east of Senegal. En route we stop to visit the mosque in Touba, the sacred focus of the Mouride Islamic brotherhood. Their founder Amadou Bamba, Senegal’s most famous and influential “marabou” (Holy Man), is buried here and pilgrims visit the town all year round. Further on is Diourbel, the home of Amadou Bamba, from 1912 until his death in 1927. The town’s main mosque is worth a visit. We continue to Tambacounda passing through Kaolack, the centre of Senegal’s groundnut industry. The economies of both Senegal and Gambia are largely dependent on the cultivation of groundnuts. Overnight simple hotel with breakfast.

Day 09 - 10:- Game Drives & Boat Safari in Niokolo Koba National Park

After a morning’s drive, we arrive at the Niokolo Koba National Park. Using 4WD vehicles and small motor boats. We spend the next day and a half game viewing in this beautiful wilderness area. This is Senegal’s major national Park, it is transited by the River Gambia which provides a vital water source for the animals presents here . Amongst the dry savannah woodland and grassland live 350 species of birds and 80 species of mammal including the elusive lion and leopard. More commonly seen are wild dogs, waterbuck, bushbuck, kob, baboon, warthog, roan antelope, giant Derby eland, buffalo and hartebeest. 2 nights hotel (Chalets) with all meals.

DAY 11 : Drive & Ferry to Georgetown (GAMBIA)

Today we drive back into the Gambia and take the  ferry across to the old colonial center of Georgetown situated on an island in the Gambia River. The island is only 10Km long and 2,5 Km wide and covered with field of  rice and groundnuts. Despite being an important administrative centre during the colonial period, it is now a very tranquil town . We explore on foot to see the colonial buildings such as the Armitage High School and the old slave market. Overnight Chalet with Dinner and breakfast.

DAY 12 to 13 : Cruise on Gambia River, visit Wassu Stone Circle 

The Gambia River flows along the entire length of the country for 300 miles from east to west into the Atlantic Ocean. Slave ships once travelled along its course exporting slave. We spend the next three days cruising downstream, in a converted groundnut boat, from Georgetown passing tropical formest, bamboo groves, rice paddies and mangrove swamps. Amongst the varied fauna present in this area are wild pigs, monkeys baboon, hyena, jackals, antelopes, hippos , crocodiles and of course a great number of bird species. The banks of the river have been inhabited since 2000BC. On the first day we will visit the Wassu Stone Circles by Donkeys cart. There are several circles each consisting of about 10 to 24 massive, reddish – brown stone between one and 2.5m high and weighing several tons. There were once burial sites dating back to 500 to 1000 AD, however very little is know about the people who were buried here and the stones still present a mystery to archaeologists. 2 nights on board a motor cruiser with all meals . Facilities on board are basic with one western- style WC, a small kitchen, washroom and bar. We sleep on the upper deck on thick mattresses covered by mosquito netting.

DAY 14 : Bird Walk in KIANG West National Park, Visit Juffureh & Return to BANJUL

On the last day of our cruise we make an early morning bird watching excursion in Kiang West National Park, one of the largest protected areas in Gambia. There are more than 250 species of birds including the impressive martial eagle and the bateleur and some rarer birds such as the brown- necked parrot. We also visit the village of Juffureh which became world famous in the 1970 following the publication of the book ‘Root’ . In his book Alex Haley describes how Kunta Kinteh, his ancestor, was captured here and taken as a leave our motor cruise and drive back to Banjul. Overnight Hotel with breakfast.

DAY 15 : Tour ends Banjul

Departure transfer to Airport for your return flight.

INCLUDES : - Accommodation in 04 Star, 03  Star, Campements in the Parks, 02 Meals a Day, Air Condition Vehicle, Entry Fees and English speaking Guide or other languages.

NB : - The Program can be changed according to your interest.