TOUR NAME: Eco-Adventure In Senegal And Gambia
TOUR DATE: 2012
Net Cost:
$2,270 per person
for 10-13 pax
$350 single supplement.
Day 1 ARRIVAL IN DAKAR
Arrive in Dakar, Senegal. You will be met at the airport by your guide, transfer to your hotel, check in and relax. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Dakar.
Lodging: Hotel in Dakar
Meals: D, Day 2 DAKAR / PINK LAKE
After breakfast, depart for a full day tour to the mysterious Pink Lake.
Arrive at this incredible rose colored body of water known as Pink Lake, ('Lac Rose' in French, 'Retba' in Wolof). Take some time to swim in its shallow, warm waters, surrounded by white foam without any fear of drowning. You float!! Everything floats on it, because of its very high salinity. During the week, men and mostly women are busy crushing the bottom of the lake, which consists of a thick crust of salt.
The lake is surrounded by sand dunes, a baobab forest and traditional villages with thatch-roofed huts, and is located in the middle of the 'garden belt' outside Dakar, which produces huge quantities of flowers and vegetables for domestic consumption and export. Men farm the gardens, while women control the sale at all levels, except exports. The lake is particularly spectacular at dawn and dusk, when feldspar deposits reflecting the sunlight through the salty waters produce the unique vibrant pink color.
After visiting the lake, lunch at a nearby resort located on the beach. You will have the opportunity to relax by the pool, take a ride along the beach on a camel or ride on the beach in a Doon buggy. These activities are optional and can be purchased at the resort.
Overnight at hotel at Pink Lake
Lodging: Hotel in Pink Lake HotelMeals: B, L, DDay 3 PINK LAKE – THIES – SAINT LOUIS
Depart after breakfast for the drive to Saint Louis. Enroute to Thies, stop for lunch. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to purchase beautiful hand woven baskets, hats and other items at bargain prices. Continue the drive to St Louis for a late afternoon arrival. Enjoy a delicious dinner and overnight in St Loui Lodging: Hotel in Saint LouisMeals: B, L, DDay 4 SAINT LOUIS- DJOUD –SAINT LOUIS
After breakfast, you will drive to Djoud National Park. Djoud is a bird sanctuary lying on the southeast bank of the River Senegal. There are almost 400 species of birds in the park. The most visible birds here are pelicans and flamingos. From late October to the end of March, around 10, 000 pelicans migrate to this park and take up habitation on cliffs on the wetlands of the river. The park is also a designated World Heritage Site. You will explore this enthralling park with local boats.
Lunch will be served on a quiet camp before returning to Saint Louis.
Dinner and overnight in St Louis.
Lodging: Hotel in Saint LouisMeals: B, L, DAfter breakfast drive to Kaolack, a city located in the central part of the country. On the way, pass through the city of Touba; famous for its Mosque, which is one of the largest in Western Africa. Enjoy lunch at Kaolack before continuing to hotel in Tambacounda for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Hotel in TambacoundaMeals: B, L, DDay 6 TAMBACOUNDA – NIOKOLO KOBA PARK –WASSADOU
After breakfast you will depart for Wassadou. Upon arrival, check in and embark on a safari in Niokoloba Park. There are various species of mammal, birds, reptiles and amphibians. You will have the opportunity to view monkeys and baboon, hippos crocodiles and more! Lunch today will be in the camp.
Dinner and overnight accommodation at Wassadou
Lodging: Camp in WassadouMeals: B, L, DDay 7 WASSADOU – BANJUL
After an early breakfast, depart to Banjul for a late afternoon arrival. Upon arrival, check into hotel for dinner and overnight.
Lodging:Hotel in BanjulMeals: B, L, DAfter breakfast, depart for a visit to the mysterious village of Alex Haley’s ancestral home Juffure. This small village became famous in the 1970s following the television adaptation of the bestselling book, "Roots", written by the African-American author Alex Haley, a descendant of Kunta Kinte. As a young boy, Alex first learned of his African ancestor, Kunta Kinte, by listening to the family stories of his maternal grandparents while spending his summers in Henning, Tennessee. According to family history, Kunta Kinte landed with other Gambian Africans in "Naplis" (Annapolis, Maryland) where he was sold into slavery.
Also visit the tranquil village of Albreda where you will witness the ruins of the 'factory' - a fortified slave station built by the French in the late 17th century. Lunch today will be in the village. Return to Banjul at the end of the day for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Hotel in BanjulMeals: B, L, DEnjoy breakfast at the hotel. The first part of today will be spent on a safari at the Fathala Nature Reserve. After lunch, continue to the Saloum Islands. Later, embark on a boat ride on the Saloum River, with ample opportunity for bird watching and relaxation. Visit the traditional village of “Sippo” where you will meet ethnic groups from Senegal, Gambia and Guinea Bissau, living together in perfect harmony.
Dinner tonight with traditional Gambian and Senegalese entertainment.
Lodging: Hotel in Saloum Meals: B, L, DDay 10 TOUBACOUTA – SIMAL
After breakfast, head to Simal where you will arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon, board small boats and enjoy fishing the traditional Senegalese way. You will come back to the camp for dinner and overnight.
Lodging: Camp of SimalMeals: B, L, DAfter breakfast, head to Fadiouth and Joal, driving through several traditional villages along the way. Lunch today will be on the island of Fadiouth, a unique village built on a shell banks. In the evening, leave Fadiouth for a village party, with a scrumptious spread of traditional food and delicacies for dinner. You will also enjoy local entertainment as part of the evening’s festivities. Overnight at hotel in Saly.
Lodging: Hotel in SalyMeals: B, L, DAfter breakfast you will visit the Bandia Game Reserve. In the park, you will have the opportunity to view a wide range of animals including buffaloes, antelopes, rhino’s giraffes and monkeys. Return to hotel for overnight.
Lodging: Hotel in SalyMeals: B, L, DBreakfast will be served at the hotel. Today, the group will embark on the drive from Saly to Dakar, with spectacular scenery along the way. Dinner and overnight in Dakar.
Lodging: Hotel in DakarMeals: B, L, DA delightful breakfast will be served at the hotel. This day will be spent at leisure in the city of Dakar. Indulge in last minute shopping and preparation for departure. Tonight will be a special farewell dinner with everyone one wearing traditional West African outfits!
Lodging: Hotel in DakarMeals: B, L, DBreakfast will be served at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for flight home.
Meals: BLOCATIONS |
Hotel |
| Dakar | Faidherbe 3 * |
| Pink Lake | Chez Salim 2* |
| Saint Louis | Palmeraie 3* |
| Tambacounda | Relais de Tambacounda 3* |
| Wassadou | Campement Wassadou 2* |
| Banjul | Atlantic hotel 4* |
| Toubacouta | Keur Saloum 3* |
| Simal | Campement Simal |
| Saly | Hotel Bougainvillees 3* |