Dak’Art, Saint Louis Jazz Festival And Gambia Tour

On arrival in Dakar you will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Your experienced cultural tour guide will brief you on the scheduled activities and what you can expect during your time in Senegal.

Overnight at Ndiambour

After breakfast, we depart to Goree Island, a now tranquil UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the usually quiet streets lined with pastel colored colonial era buildings. Among the most famous buildings here is the House of Slaves which records the history of Goree’s past. Observe the “Door of No Return” through which millions passed on the way to slavery. The curator will take you through the history of Goree. There is time to visit the Town Square, the Historical Museum and the tranquil streets lined with pastel colored houses. After lunch we return to Dakar and visit the massive and Museum of Black Civilization Africa’s most modern and complete museum covering 4 floors of historical artifacts from all over Africa.

Return to your hotel for dinner before attending this evening’s grand start of Dak’Art

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Ndiambour

After breakfast, begin the city tour of Dakar and vicinity. From Independence Place, the heart of the city, you will pass by presidential palace and the main cathedral before continuing by the seafront drive towards Soumbedioune market and the mosque de la revelation. The tour of Dakar will show you the contrasts between upscale residential areas and other popular neighborhoods. You will also visit popular hotspots such Kermel or Tilem market. Next visit the Renaissance Monument, a 164 foot high monument, overlooking Dakar that is taller than the Statue of Liberty. The once controversial bronze statue is a popular attraction among locals as well as visitors. Next we visit the Dak’Art exhibitions and displays. Dinner will be at your hotel.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Ndiambour

After breakfast, depart for the drive to Saint Louis.  En-route, stop over for lunch at Thies. This city is known for beautiful baskets hand woven by local artisans. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to purchase baskets, hats and other items at bargain prices. Continue to Saint Louis for a late afternoon arrival. Check into your hotel, have dinner and prepare for this  evenings exciting Jazz Festival

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Mermoz

After a sumptuous buffet breakfast at your hotel we depart to Rao.

We will travel through small villages before reaching large red dunes. You will be awed by this natural spectacle. Continue towards Rao and visit the local market and observe the various ethnic groups. We will visit a selected village and learn about learn about the village activities including farming and other income generating activities. Late afternoon return to Saint Louis where you can refresh, relax and have dinner before this evenings main Saint Louis Jazz Festival activities.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Mermoz

After breakfast we depart to Kaolack in the south of Senegal. You will stop to visit Touba, the Holy city of the Mouride Brotherhood. Get to know the only city in West Africa that is autonomous of central government, the residents pay no taxes. Touba is regularly compared to Vatican in its autonomous administration. Visit the main facilities and hear about the history of Mouridism and its founder. Learn about the history and legend of Touba one of the most significant cities in Senegal. After Touba, continue to Kaolack with stops in the villages of Wadiour or Keur Khaly. Meet locals; learn their daily activities and custom. Arrive in Kaolack early evening, refresh and relax before dinner.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Adiana

After breakfast, depart to Banjul. We take a detour to visit Juffure, village of Alex Haley’s ancestry which became famous in part due to Haley’s bestselling book, “Roots.” Descendants of the Kinte Clan still reside here. We will visit Kunta Kinte island, formerly James Island. After visiting Juffure and James Island continue to Banjul for dinner and overnight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Senegambia

We start at the National Museum in Banjul showing the history of The Gambia tracing Gambian history. We then take a short drive through Banjul to “see the sights,” stopping to visit the general market with much hustle and bustle, where anything from live chicken and vegetables to herbs and potions are sold. We continue to Serrekunda, the most densely populated town in The Gambia, We will see displays of “Tie & Dye” skills and beautiful Batik cottons. Here you can get tailored clothing made in only a few hours.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Senegambia

After early breakfast we depart crossing by Ferry to the Senegal side of the river before heading to the Senegal border.

We continue to the island of Fadiouth with a drive through Joal and several traditional villages on the way. At Joal we will learn the history of Leopold Sedar Senghor, the first post-colonial president of Senegal. Next continue to Fadiouth, called Shell Island. See the mix-religion cemetery, symbol of religious tolerance. We continue to Saly arriving early evening.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Filaos

After breakfast we check out and depart to Dakar. On the way we visit Bandia National Park for a safari. Bandia Game Reserve is located in a large conservation area. Here you will see numerous species native to Senegal including: buffalo, antelopes, impala gazelles, monkeys, tortoises and crocodile in addition to white rhinoceros, kudu, elands, cape moose, giraffes, ostriches, zebras. Stop by the crocodile pool where animals come to drink and buffalo wallow in the mud. You will see numerous bird species including the small horn bills, grey heron, eagles, blackbirds and kingfishers. The Bandia wildlife reserve has succeeded in reintroducing much of the marvelous native flora and fauna that are unique to West Africa and had gradually disappeared due to demographic pressure and poaching. We continue to Pink Lake, a rare natural phenomenon caused by a unique combination of microorganism and high concentration of salts which gives the lake its unique pink color.  Nowadays, the colour is not as pink as in previous years because of nonstop high salt production. You may interact with the salt harvesters or visit the nearby Fulani village. After lunch we continue to Dakar, check in the hotel and prepare for dinner before this evening’s Dak’Art activities.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Ndiambour

Today we will visit the markets, craft centers and souvenir shops before visiting the Dak’Art stalls, activities and exhibitions.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Overnight at Ndiambour

Today is at leisure for individual activities. At the right time you will be transferred to the hotel for your onward flight.

Meal(s) Included: Breakfast