| HIGHLIGHTS: Dakar - Isle de Goree - Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary - Touba - Kaolack - Gambia River - Wassu Stone Circles - Georgetown - Wassadou - Dakar
Relics from former kingdoms and colonial outposts nestle amongst a diversity of vibrant cultures and World Heritage-listed reserves in Senegal, with the country's lively spirit strong from downtown to backblock. Dip into its relaxed vibe and tumultuous history too, on a captivating journey through this West African gem. Explore the carless Isle de Goree, before a full - body float in the pink waters of Lac Rose. Float some more aboard a boat through magnificent Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary. Take to the cobbled streets of Saint - Louis by horse and buggy, see the fairytale minarets of Touba and wander through remote village markets. Journey overnight down the mighty Gambia River bound for the enigmatic stone circles of Wassu and the colonial island city of Georgetown, before a final unforgettable night in a thatched village. A true adventure encompassing the best of Senegal.
Day 1 Dakar - Isle de Goree. Arrive in Senegal's capital Dakar and head to the Isle de Goree, an island renowned for its Atlantic slave trade memorial, three museums of, respectively, Senegalese history, women and the sea, and a small beach. Meet your tour guide and fellow travellers in a pre - departure meeting early evening. Your tour guide may recommend a place for dinner - the local restaurants feature terraces overlooking the water and serve fresh fish.
Day 2 Isle de Goree - Lac Rose. Visit the House of Slaves and it's 'Door of No Return' and tour on foot the rest of the carless island once run by, in turn, the Portuguese, Dutch, British and French. Ride a ferry back to the mainland and briefly visit Dakar city before heading on to camp in the sand dunes by Lac Rose. Perhaps enjoy a relaxing float in the high salt, high buoyancy pink lake - Africa's version of the Dead Sea and often the end point for the Paris - Dakar rally.
Day 3 - 4 Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary - Saint - Louis. Spend the next night camping on the beach in the wildlife haven and twitcher's delight of Djoudj. Explore the park by pirogue (flat - bottomed boat) and revel in its famed birdlife and peaceful ambience. The sanctuary is in the Senegal River delta and comprises of 16 000 hectares of wetland formed from the streams and ponds surrounding a large lake. It is home to 1.5 million birds, including pelicans, herons, spoonbills, egrets and cormorants, and is justly renowned in bird - watching circles. On the second day, explore the lively cobbled streets and colonial facades of the former capital of Saint - Louis by horse and buggy, and spend the evening in town. The old centre of town is situated on a narrow island near the mouth of the Senegal River at the heart of the current city. It was the capital of the French colony of Senegal from 1673 until independence in 1960. On our second night we stay over in Saint - Louis.
Day 5 - 6 Touba - Kaolack. Visit the holy Sufi city of Touba and see the fairytale minarets and domes of the grand mosque. Touba is the holy city of Mouridism and home of the Mouride brotherhood, founded by the Muslim mystic Amadou Bamba, who is most renowned for his promotion of a strong work ethic. His disciples are particularly industrious and his white - robed image can be seen painted all over Senegal. Visitors are only allowed within the mosque if they are Muslim, but the exterior is captivating enough for all others. Later, we head to town of Kaolack on the Saloum River and wander through the makeshift grain and goods stalls of the local market - a great place to interact with the locals. The following day, we explore the languid waters and mangroves of Sine - Saloum Delta, a picturesque mix of river land and sea, by boat.
Day 7 Gambia River. Cross into The Gambia and embark on a journey down the namesake river. Sleep overnight on the boat and ease into the relaxed rhythms of life along the waterway, as well as visit the 'Baboon Islands', a national park comprising of five islands and a chimpanzee rehabilitation centre established by English woman Stella Brewer on a cliff edge overlooking the sea.
Day 8 Wassu Stone Circles - Georgetown. Visit the World Heritage-listed stone circles of Wassu, the remarkably preserved, 1200 year - old burial sites of local kings and chieftains that appear like African versions of Stonehenge or Avebury. Little is known about the circles as extensive archaeological studies have yet to be undertaken, but their appearance and mystery is fascination nonetheless. The enigmatic circles usually consist of 20 upright rocks, up to 2.5 metres tall and weighing several tonnes, made of reddish brown laterite quarried from nearby deposits. Afterwards, we drive to Georgetown, now most often known by its pre - colonial name, Jangjang - bureh, and explore the colonial relics and busy streets of this upstream island city. Including the 'Freedom Tree' - Georgetown was where many slaves were freed and it is said that immediately prior to release they would touch a particular tree before their names were registered and they were freed - the original tree is long gone, but another now grows in its place and is celebrated by the locals.
Day 9 - 10 Wassadou - Dakar. We cross into Senegal before camping the night by the thatched village of Wassadou, overlooking the Gambia River. We farewell our tour guide and fellow travellers and take a private transfer back to Dakar where out tour ends on arrival in the evening.
Relax into the languid vibe on a captivating journey through a West African jewel 10 day tour departing Dakar. 9 nights accommodation camping. 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners. Camping equipment, sleeping mat - You must bring your own sleeping bag.An experienced driver, safari guide and camp cook whilst on tour. Transport in custom-built safari vehicle
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