Senegal and Gambia

JUNE 26- DEPART USA

JUNE 27 – ARRIVE IN DAKAR, SENEGAL

Arrive Dakar, Senegal. Meet assistant and transfer to the hotel. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner with drummers and dancers.

Meal(s) Included: Dinner

Overnight at:  Novotel Dakar

JUNE 28- DAKAR

After breakfast there is orientation at Africa Consultants International (ACI) headquarters by Gary Engelberg. Enjoy a Senegalese style lunch. Afterwards, go on a city tour of Metropolitan Dakar. Visit the colorful markets including Tilen Market, famous for a variety of medicinal herbs and traditional healers. Visit the National Art Gallery and the picturesque residential district of Medina.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast

Overnight at:  Novotel Dakar

JUNE 29- GOREE ISLAND

After breakfast, visit the Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to 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.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at:  Novotel Dakar

JUNE 30- PINK LAKE

After breakfast, visit the University of Cheike Anta Diop and the IFAN Museum of African Arts now called the Théodore Monod African Art Museum. Afterwards, drive to Pink Lake, a rare natural phenomena caused by a unique combination of micro-organism and high concentration of salts which gives the lake its pink color. Interact with the women harvesting salt. Explore the sand dunes in a 4-wheel drive vehicle before traveling to St. Louis.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at:  The Residence

JULY 01- ST. LOUIS /DJOUDJ NATIONAL PARK/ ST. LOUIS

After breakfast depart by Pirogue to visit the Langue De Barbarie National Bird Park, considered one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the world. In the afternoon continue the tour of St. Louis. Explore the narrow streets flanked by houses with carved wooden balconies and verandas.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at:  The Residence

JULY 02- ST. LOUIS/TOUBA/KAOLACK

After breakfast, visit the University of Saint Louis.

This afternoon drive to to Kaolack. En route stop at the Holy City of Touba. Visit the Grand Mosque which is the largest and most magnificent in all of West Africa. You will see the tomb of Cheikh Ahmadou Mbacke the founder of Mouridism (African brotherhood or African Islamic movement) and those of his 4 sons. Spend a few minutes in the large library which holds thousands of volumes many of which were written by the mystic founder. Learn about the history and legend of Touba one of the most significant cities in Senegal. Continue to the city of Kaolack and visit the nearby traditional hospital of Malango where you will meet with healers from different ethnic groups. This evening we will visit the big market in Kaolack.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at: Hotel Keur Saloum

JULY 03 – KAOLACK/ BANJUL, GAMBIA

After breakfast continue to Banjul

At the border of Senegal and Banjul, remain in the bus while on the ferry to Gambia. Arrive Banjul early afternoon and check into our hotel, the rest of the day at leisure to relax or take in Banjul’s nightlife.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast  and Dinner

Overnight at:  Lemon Creek Hotel

JULY 04- BANJUL / JUFFURE

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. Visit 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.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at:  Lemon Creek Hotel

 JULY 05- BANJUL

Morning Tour of Banjul. Visit the National Museum of the Gambia and view the many historical photographs, maps and documents on the history of Gambia and The Arch 22 situated at the entrance to the city. In the afternoon, visit the market in Banjul and the Tye-die “factory” in Serecunda, for last minute shopping.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at:  Lemon Creek Hotel

JULY 06 BANJUL – DAKAR

After breakfast return to Dakar with stops at points of interest, arrive Dakar in late afternoon, this evening attend farewell dinner.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at:  Novotel Dakar

JULY 07- DAKAR -DEPART

Day at leisure last minute shopping in Dakar; transfer to airport for the flight back home.