This Overland group Tour to Senegal and Gambia, or a private trip, starts and ends in Dakar. Our expedition features the best of Senegal and The Gambia's culture, history, and landscapes. We offer you a thirteen-day tour package taking you through Senegal’s capital of Dakar and 13 other destinations in West Africa.
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On this Senegal and Gambia cultural tour, you will discover the tropical, Anglo-influenced Gambia and the vibrant, Francophone Senegal. Compare the colonial imprints in this beautiful region on this West African adventure. Throughout this combined tour of Senegal and Gambia, you will be escorted and fully guided at a slow pace to explore French colonial towns. You will have the opportunity to visit the region's prolific birdlife and explore some of the well-preserved national parks in the Sine Saloum area. Discover breathtaking landmarks in Senegal, including shell islands and some of the world's most important bird sanctuaries. Enjoy a cruise on a motorized canoe on the Gambia River - Cruise through the tropical forest, bamboo groves, rice paddies, mangroves, Saloum Delta, and its typical fishing villages in Senegal and Gambia. Explore the river delta by traditional pirogue boat, passing through mangroves, looking for a range of aquatic birds. This Gambia and Senegal expedition is a cultural encounter as much as it is an adventure experience in the typical West African exotic landscapes. Join us in the spirit to explore the best of Senegal and Gambia tours with small groups. This tour can be customized to your liking as a private tour to Senegal and the Gambia, allowing for independent travel if preferred.
Welcome to Senegal and Gambia tours and discoveries. Upon arrival at Dakar Airport, you will be greeted by our representative, who will then escort you to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be at leisure. Before dinner, our representative will meet with all the group guests to brief them about their tour to Senegal and Gambia activities. Our representative will be at the airport from 9:00 am so that you can arrive at any time of the day. He will be able to assist you in transferring to the hotel. If you have free time on arrival, you may choose to visit one of Dakar’s atmospheric markets. Start point: Onomo Hotel, Hotel reception, Corniche West Dakar Plateau, Dakar, Senegal, 18:00. We also offer this overland tour from Tangier, exploring Morocco with its Sahara treks, Mauritania's Atlantic discovery, Senegal, and Gambia's nature and adventure expedition.
After a sumptuous breakfast, our tour leader will complete the welcome meeting before we drive to the ferry terminal to take a ferry to Goree Island, a small and peaceful, pedestrian-only island. The ferry crossing takes around 30 minutes, and on arrival, we'll drop off our luggage before starting our walking tour exploring the highlights of Goree Island. Once a busy trading outpost during the 18th and 19th centuries, the island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a Mediterranean flavor, the town here portrays an era of French colonization and European creed. The wrought-iron balconies, narrow streets, and brightly colored bougainvillea, along with whitewashed buildings, all add charm to this historic island. Our local guide will take us on an orientation tour, exploring the castle, which is situated on a rocky plateau with fortifications dating back to different periods. We'll also explore the old Slave House, built originally in 1786. This evening will be free to relax.
After breakfast, we will take the ferry back to the mainland, marking the start of our overland expedition. Our first stop will be at Lac Rose, also known as the Pink Lake. This large shallow lagoon is extremely salty and is also renowned for its pink tinge, caused by the high concentrations of minerals in the water. We'll have about half an hour to walk around the lake, then take a break for lunch. The pink hues change during the day and from season to season, but no matter the time of year, the locals can be seen out on the lake working hard to collect salt into baskets on their small boats. This afternoon we will drive north to St. Louis. Once the French capital city of West Africa, St. Louis is a charming cultural center, a portrayal of sophistication and artistic realm. Jazz music is the heartbeat of the town, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the evening will be free to explore. For dinner, try the local dish of Thieboudienne, a mix of fish, tomato, rice, and vegetables, a St. Louis specialty.
An early start today to visit Djoudj National Park, considered to be one of the most important bird reserves in the world. This national park provides the first significant water source for migratory birds after their long and grueling flight across the Sahara Desert. We travel by motorized boat along with the complex network of channels leading to the Senegal River. Bird flocks can number in the millions; some species, such as pelicans, are particularly prevalent, with as many as 15,000 in the park. We may see them performing a fantastic display of synchronized diving, similar to that of fish, and we will also see a breeding colony. Around three million birds pass through the park annually, comprising 400 different species, including herons, white-breasted cormorants, spoonbills, jacanas, Egyptian geese, West African fish eagles, and flamingos, among others. You may also see crocodiles, wild hogs, monitor lizards, and water pythons. Early this afternoon, we return to St. Louis in time for lunch and some free time before starting our afternoon Horse carriage exploring this marvelous old town of Saint Louis. Enjoy the 19th-century French colonial buildings and edifices. This is the first French settlement in Africa and the Headquarters of Senegambia (the term used to describe the whole region). In the late 18th century, St. Louis was a bustling port and trading center and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, we'll start early for our visit to the Langue de Barbarie National Park, located on a thin sandspit in the estuary of the Senegal River, and home to a variety of waterbirds, including flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets, and ducks. During the months from November to April, the national park also fills with many more migratory birds from Europe. We'll take a motorized pirogue across the river to access the national park. After a morning discovery of natural and wildlife viewing, the afternoon is free to relax or wander further around the town. The streets of St. Louis are narrow, dusty, and easy to navigate, lined with old French-style villas that, although slowly decaying, still evoke a glorious colonial French presence in West Africa. Dinner and accommodation will be at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will take off traveling south overland to Georgetown. Early this morning, we begin our journey to The Gambia, and much of the day will be spent on our overland truck with few stops for refreshments and leg stretching. We will break up the first leg of this journey with a visit to an astounding mosque in Touba, the sacred focus of the Sufi Tijani brotherhood. Their founder, Amadou Bamba, Senegal's most famous and influential 'marabout' (holy man), is buried here, and pilgrims visit the town all year round. If this coincides with Friday, the Mosque congregation will be overwhelmed with worshippers. Travel across the landscapes of Senegal to reach the town of Kaolack, where we will cross into the Gambia. We will travel east, following the river's route towards Georgetown. This city was an important administrative center during the colonial period. We will arrive at our Camp this evening on the riverside to experience the authentic African atmosphere of a camp comprising simple rondavels with basic en-suite facilities. There is no electricity, but instead limited solar power, and no hot water. However, the fantastic location offers a feel of sleeping within nature. At the same time, the monkeys and birds add to the wild setting an ambiance that is worth the experience.
Wake up to a natural setting in the realm of Exotic Africa. The Gambia River flows along the entire length of the country, spanning 300 miles from east to west, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The banks of the river have been inhabited since 2000 BC, and trade ships once traveled along its course, exporting enslaved people. We spend the next two days on this mighty waterway, cruising downstream in a converted groundnut boat, passing tropical forest, bamboo groves, rice paddies, and mangrove swamps. Amongst the varied fauna present in this area are monkeys, hippos, crocodiles, and, of course, a significant number of bird species. Early this morning, we will board our home for the next two nights and begin our journey down the Gambia. On our way to board our cruise ship, we will take a detour to explore the Wassu Stone Circles. There are several circles in this area, each consisting of about 10 to 24 reddish-brown stones that reach about 2.5m in height and weigh several tons. It is said that they were once burial sites dating back to the 5th to 10th centuries AD; however, very little is known about the people who were buried here, and the stones remain a puzzle to archaeologists. We will overnight on board a motor cruiser. The facilities on board are simple with a western-style toilet, a small kitchen, and a bar. At night, we sleep in a camping fashion on the upper deck, where foam pads are provided. During the daytime, you can spend time relaxing on the upper deck in the sun or on the lower deck with seating in the shade. This is almost a Humphry Bogart African Queen Adventure
This morning, we continue our gentle cruise downstream, with time to explore the diverse tropical flora and wildlife along the riverbanks. Lunch today is cooked for the boat crew. We will arrive in the afternoon at a small settlement called Tendaba on the Gambia's southern bank. Upon arrival, we disembark from our boat and check into our mud rondavel-style accommodation, which will be our home for the next two nights on the shores of the Gambia River. Over the next couple of days, we will take a break from the hectic pace and enjoy relaxing and exploring the surrounding natural environment at our leisure. Our accommodation is set on the water's edge, it's a great chance to explore the natural surroundings, take a swim in the pool, and spot the resident birdlife. Take advantage of your hot shower and electricity while it is running, as the outage is expected at night, to save energy. Additionally, it provides you with natural exposure to experience the sounds and beauty of the jungle at night. Dinner and accommodation will be at our Lodge.
After a sumptuous breakfast, we will take off to Kiang West National Park. One of the largest protected areas in The Gambia. This natural reserve shelters the largest and most diverse animal population in The Gambia. You will be exploring mangrove trees, grass, and woodland. For wildlife, we'll be looking for baboons, colobus monkeys, warthogs, marsh mongooses, and bushbucks. We'll return to the camp for lunch. Later this afternoon, we will take another boat excursion to explore the woodland, salt marshes, and mangrove forests of the nearby Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve. A tributary of the Gambia River, the Bao Bolong is most famous for its rich birdlife, with over 250 species in the area, including the impressive martial eagle and the bateleur. On our way back to camp, we will have time to relax and enjoy a sundowner as the sun sets over the river.
This morning, we begin with a garnished breakfast and hop in our truck to head back to Senegal. We'll drive for around 90 minutes to a river crossing where we'll take a ferry to Farafenni before continuing to the Senegal Border. Once we've crossed, we'll continue to Toubakouta, where we'll spend the night. Today's journey will take approximately 5 hours in total, but may be longer depending on the time it takes to cross the border. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax, have a dip in the pool, or explore the local area. Our accommodation is rondavels, set within the lush grounds of the hotel, overlooking the riverbank. This evening, we offer an optional collective ride, where you can join other guests on a boat excursion.
This morning, we will depart from our Lodge for a cruise north along the Sine-Saloum Delta by motorized hydrofoil boat, a trip that will last approximately 4-5 hours. We wind our way through the maze of wide channels, past mangroves, open forests, sand islands, oyster shells, built dwellings, and villages. We may also spot flocks of pelicans and flamingos. After a packed lunch on board, we'll arrive in Ndangane, our destination for tonight. The afternoon will be at your leisure to reflect and enjoy the slower pace of life. Ndangane is a small fishing village often used as a refreshing stop along the Delta. The beach is lined with traditional pirogues, and along the main stretch of road, there is a small number of bars and craft shops. Enjoy a relaxing night in this peaceful natural setting.
Today, we depart Saloum Delta National Park to begin our journey back to Dakar. Our first stop, just a short time away, is to see a giant Baobab tree. Baobab trees are the national symbol of Senegal; some trees date back 6,000 years and can only be found in a few places around the world. We'll have a short stop here before we continue. Our next stop will be for a guided walking tour of the Fadeout Islands. This unusual destination is composed of oysters and clamshells, and its inhabitants are a mix of Muslims and Christians, who all live together in peace. The Christian and Muslim cemeteries are situated on a vast ancient shell mound, and our guide will lead us around to help us understand this unique community. Later this afternoon, we'll proceed on our return journey to Dakar. We will arrive in time for dinner.
<The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Dakar. There are no activities planned for today, so you are free to depart from Dakar at your convenience. If your flight is leaving later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you must depart from Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), which is approximately an hour's drive from the city center.
| DEPARTING | FINISHING | SEATS | TOTAL IN USD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 16 Aug 2025 | Fri 29 Aug 2025 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 30 Aug 2025 | Fri 12 Sep 2025 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 13 Sep 2025 | Fri 26 Sep 2025 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 27 Sep 2025 | Fri 10 Oct 2025 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 11 Oct 2025 | Fri 24 Oct 2025 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 25 Oct 2025 | Fri 7 Nov 2025 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 8 Nov 2025 | Fri 21 Nov 2025 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 22 Nov 2025 | Fri 5 Dec 2025 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 6 Dec 2025 | Fri 19 Dec 2025 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 20 Dec 2025 | Fri 2 Jan 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 3 Jan 2026 | Fri 16 Jan 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 17 Jan 2026 | Fri 30 Jan 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 31 Jan 2026 | Fri 13 Feb 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 14 Feb 2026 | Fri 27 Feb 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 28 Feb 2026 | Fri 13 Mar 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 14 Mar 2026 | Fri 27 Mar 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 28 Mar 2026 | Fri 10 Apr 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 11 Apr 2026 | Fri 24 Apr 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 25 Apr 2026 | Fri 8 May 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 9 May 2026 | Fri 22 May 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 23 May 2026 | Fri 5 Jun 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 6 Jun 2026 | Fri 19 Jun 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 20 Jun 2026 | Fri 3 Jul 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 4 Jul 2026 | Fri 17 Jul 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 18 Jul 2026 | Fri 31 Jul 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 1 Aug 2026 | Fri 14 Aug 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 15 Aug 2026 | Fri 28 Aug 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 29 Aug 2026 | Fri 11 Sep 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 12 Sep 2026 | Fri 25 Sep 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 26 Sep 2026 | Fri 9 Oct 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 10 Oct 2026 | Fri 23 Oct 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 24 Oct 2026 | Fri 6 Nov 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 7 Nov 2026 | Fri 20 Nov 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 21 Nov 2026 | Fri 4 Dec 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 5 Dec 2026 | Fri 18 Dec 2026 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
| Sat 19 Dec 2026 | Fri 1 Jan 2027 | Available | $3,185.00 | RESERVATION |
Cost per person: $3,185.00 USD
Single supplement: $655.00 USD
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