Rivers Of West Africa Excursion Package

Senegal and the River Gambia
7 Night Excursion from Dakar to Dakar

DAY 2: Djifer, Senegal – Joal Fadiouth excursion (morning, incl. lunch)

We reach the Saloum River Delta and reach Djifer. Disembarkation takes place by local tenders, called motor pirogues. Then we board a bus and drive to the village of Joal. During the 1.5 hour journey you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views, watch local every-day-life and might observe various species of birds. After arriving in Joal, a quaint fishing village small pirogues are boarded for a 20 minutes row across the shallow bay to the granary huts on stilts; then on for another 10 minutes to the sea-shell cemetery. There we continue by foot over the wooden bridge to the small island respectively village of Fadiouth, also made out of sea-shells and have a look around there. After lunch we take the same road back to Djifer, stop shortly at a giant Baobab tree and return to the ship by motor pirogues.

DAY 3: Banjul & Bakau excursion (morning, incl. refreshments)

This is an orientation tour for the visitor seeking to get an overview of the main points of interest in the capital of Gambia, Banjul and the Greater Banjul area. Before leaving Banjul and driving to the village of Bakau, we make a photo-stop at Arch 22. It is a neoclassical-style triumphal arch commemorating the coup d’état from 1994. Once arriving in Bakau a visit of the two main attractions is on the program: the most famous one is “Katchikally”, the sacred crocodile pool. It is home of approximately 70 crocodiles, but is also considered to be a sacred place for e.g. barren women, who either drink from or bathe in the pool water to overcome their difficulties. There is even the chance of touching a friendly crocodile!

The second attraction in Bakau is the Botanic Garden; a small, peaceful park next to the residence of the British High Commissioner in the Gambia. When returning to Banjul, refreshment is served at the Atlantic Hotel; one of the best hotels in Banjul located on a white sandy beach. From there it is a short drive to the National Museum, where we get a better insight into the history of Gambia. Before returning to the ship, this half-day excursion ends with a visit of Albert Market, a colourful daily market. That’s the chance to shop for souvenirs in one of the many stalls selling handicrafts, T-shirts and much more!

DAY 3: James Island / Kunta Kinteh excursion – (afternoon)

James Island, located in the Gambia River mouth was discovered by the Portuguese in 1455. The first settlers on the island were from the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (nowadays Latvia) which arrived in 1651. The Courlanders built a fort but already a couple of years later the Dutch took over. During the centuries both the French and the English occupied the island and the fortifications were extended. Under the British it became an important slave trading post in Gambia. Around 1780 the French took over James Island again and blew up the major buildings. The British did not rebuild it anymore; instead, after the abolition of slave trade, founded Banjul at the entrance to the Gambia River on the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1976 James Island became famous due to the author Alex Haley who wrote the book Roots. In it a family history of a slave, called Kunta Kinteh is told. For this reason the island was renamed in early 2011 to Kunta Kinteh Island. Nowadays it is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. After disembarking by local tenders your local guide will tell you more about the history of James Island and afterwards you have time to explore this island by yourself.

DAY 4: Tendaba – Kiang West National Park (morning, incl. refreshments)

From the ship we take motor pirogues in order to reach Tendaba, located on the South Bank in the Lower River Division. It is a small fishing village of mainly Muslim faith with approximately 600 inhabitants whose main occupation is fishing. There we start with an approx. 5 km easy walk over uneven ground through savannah bush towards our destination, Batelling, a small village at the entrance to Kiang West National Park. The area boasts of over 250 species of birds; many of which are difficult to observe anywhere else. Other residents include Guinea baboons, bushbuck, warthogs, Senegal bushbaby and marsh mongoose. Your local guide will point out to you the species we see along the way!

Once we arrive in Batelling a refreshment drink is served before boarding an open safari truck which brings us back to Tendaba. On the way we pass again local villages where you get an impression of local life in Gambia.

Please be aware that you have to walk for approx. 5 km over uneven terrain.

DAY 4: Tendaba – Baobolong Reserve – (afternoon)

We are picked-up from the ship by motor pirogues for a trip to the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve. This reserve, lying across from Kiang West National Park features six major bolongs (creeks) that provide great birding and boating opportunities. Numerous rare and migratory birds also reside here including the Pel’s fishing owl, African fin foot and brown-necked parrot. Sightings of Nile crocodiles and African clawless otter are possible, while baboons could be seen in the dry areas.
Please be aware that we are approx. 3 hours on the motor pirogue and there are no toilet facilities available!

DAY 5: Kuntaur – Gambia National Park excursion – (afternoon)

Later in the afternoon we board a large motor pirogue for a 3 – hour cruise on the Gambia River. First we head to the southernmost tip of Baboon Island, one of the five islands of the Gambia National Park. There a local national park ranger is joining us on board in order to give more information about the park and its fauna & flora. Then we turn, the motor pirogue slows down and sails slowly back to Kuntaur following closely the shores of Baboon Island. This island is home of the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project.

If we are lucky from our motor pirogue we can closely observe the chimps with minimal intrusion. There is also the possibility of seeing hippos, crocodiles, Red Colobus, Green Vervet monkeys and also Gambia’s famous birdlife. After the local ranger disembarks at the northernmost tip of Baboon Island we continue to Kuntaur. Before boarding the ship again we meet the “Kankurang” and a local dance group on the pier. The “Kankurang” refers to the family of Mandinka masquerades that are covered from head to toe by leaves or bark and comes out e.g. on graduation days of initiates. Believed to have spiritual powers the “Kankurang” dispenses justice and wards off evil spirits.

DAY 6: Kuntaur – Janjanbureh & Wassu Stones – (morning)

From the pier in Kuntaur the bus takes us to the ferry station of Janjanbureh. There we board the local ferry for a short cruise over the Gambia River to Janjanbureh. We continue our excursion with a visit of one of the oldest towns of Gambia, formerly called Georgetown. During the walk you get an impression of this laidback town and see the residence of the governor, the market and the Methodist church with its school. Afterwards we take the ferry back and board the bus. After a 10 minute drive we reach the school of Lamin Koto. There we visit the new school which was built with the help of the guests of M/Y Pegasus! Before returning to the ship we stop at the mysterious stone circles in Wassu, a megalithic site believed to be a burial ground thousands of years ago. Once there on the program is an interesting guided tour in the little museum and a visit of the archaeological site, which is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

The Rivers of West Africa cruise program is hosted by a Gambia River specialist who will deliver lectures prior to all tours and will accompany passengers during tours.