Senegal & The Gambia Adventure

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 Sandaga 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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 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.

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This morning, visit a local tie‑dye center to learn about the traditional textile techniques that have been practiced for centuries in The Gambia. Explore the sewing and craft areas, see how vibrant patchwork and embroidered items are made, and browse the on‑site boutique for unique pieces such as purses and children’s clothing. Then, return to Banjul to explore Albert Market – the city’s bustling hub of daily life, where stalls overflow with shimmering fabrics, household goods and an array of fresh fruit and vegetables. The market attracts a mix of traders from Senegal, Mali, Nigeria and Lebanon, adding to its vibrant atmosphere. This afternoon is free for you to explore Banjul 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.

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Travel from Banjul to Cap Skirring today, passing through the scenic villages of southern Senegal. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to stop in Mlomp village for a possible audience with the King of Oussouye — a unique cultural encounter offering insight into local traditions and community leadership before continuing on to Cap Skirring.

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Enjoy a well‑deserved free day to unwind in Cap Skirring’s idyllic coastal setting. Whether that means spending time by the beach, taking a stroll through town, or browsing the local markets. Your leader will be on hand with suggestions if you’d like ideas on where to go or what to try, including good spots for fresh seafood.

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Head to Ziguinchor this morning, stopping en route in Djenbereng village to learn about the cultural heritage of the Diola people, known for their strong sense of community and long‑standing traditions of communal rice farming. Here, a traditional priest will guide you through one of the area’s sacred forests, offering insight into local customs and beliefs.

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Wake early to begin the journey from Ziguinchor to Saly, crossing two borders as you travel through The Gambia toward the Farafenni Bridge and on to Kaolack where you'll stop for lunch. Continue north to arrive in Saly by early evening, where you can check in, unwind at your beach hotel, and perhaps gather the group for a final dinner together.

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After breakfast, your trip comes to an end and you're free to leave at any time. 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.