Itinerary
- Day 1
Dakar
You'll arrive at Dakar airport and get transferred to your hotel. Once you're settled, take some time to walk around the Cap Vert peninsula and soak in the capital's lively atmosphere. It's a good chance to get oriented and grab dinner somewhere local after your journey.
- Accommodation
- (Lodge des Almadies oder ähnlich), Hotel (Hotel Novotel Dakar oder ähnlich)
Landmarks Cap Vert 
- Day 2
Dakar - Île de Gorée
This morning starts with a city tour of Dakar, hitting Independence Square and the artists' village. Then you'll take a boat out to Goree island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its colorful colonial buildings. The slave house is worth seeing (though it closes Mondays). You'll stay overnight on the island, so pack an overnight bag and plan to have dinner there.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Madou oder ähnlich), Hotel (Hotel La Principauté oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Dakar city tour including Independence Square and artists' village
- Boat transfer to Île de Gorée
- Visit to slave house on Île de Gorée
Landmarks Independence Square Île de Gorée Slave House (Maison des Esclaves) 
- Day 3
Lac Rose - Lompoul Desert
After breakfast, head back to Dakar by boat before driving to Lac Rose, which sits as the second saltiest lake in the world. Watch workers using traditional salt extraction methods. Later you'll stop at the turtle rescue center in Noflaye to see over 400 turtles. By evening, reach Lompoul desert for a camel ride at sunset and a djembe performance during dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Djembe spectacle performance during dinner)
- Accommodation
- (Okai Oasis Lompoul oder ähnlich), Hotel (Eden Lodge oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Boat transfer from Île de Gorée to Dakar
- Visit to Lac Rose
- Drive around Lac Rose to observe salt extraction
- Visit to turtle village in Noflaye
- Camel ride over Lompoul desert sand dunes at sunset
- Djembe spectacle during dinner
Landmarks Lac Rose (Lake Retba) Noflaye Turtle Village Lompoul Desert - Day 4
Saint-Louis
Drive north to Saint-Louis, the first French settlement in Africa founded back in 1659. Tour the well-preserved colonial streets by horse-drawn carriage and check out the fishermen's cemetery with its distinctive fishing nets carved on gravestones. You've got free time in the afternoon to visit the Jean-Mermoz Museum, Photography Museum, or catch some live jazz at one of the local clubs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Cap St. Louis oder ähnlich), Hotel (Residence Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Saint-Louis
- Visit to fishermen's cemetery
Optional Activities
- Visit to Jean-Mermoz Museum
- Visit to Photography Museum
- Evening visit to jazz clubs
Landmarks Saint-Louis Fishermen's Cemetery Jean-Mermoz Museum Photography Museum 
- Day 5
Saint-Louis
Early morning pirogue excursion to see thousands of birds like pelicans, flamingos, and storks, plus crocodiles and reptiles (Djoudj National Park operates November to April; Barbarie Ornithological Reserve other months). In the afternoon, take a horse-drawn carriage through Saint-Louis visiting the fishing district, cathedral, government area, Faidherbe Bridge, and mosque. Finish with dinner on a lagoon island.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Cozy dinner in the heart of the lagoon island)
- Accommodation
- (Cap St. Louis oder ähnlich), Hotel (Residence Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Djoudj National Park or Barbarie Ornithological Reserve excursion by pirogue
- Bird, crocodile and reptile observation
- Saint-Louis horse-drawn carriage tour
- Visit to fishing district on Langue de Barbarie
- Cathedral visit
- Faidherbe Bridge viewing
Landmarks Djoudj National Park Barbarie Ornithological Reserve Langue de Barbarie Faidherbe Bridge - Day 6
Saint-Louis to Toubacouta
After breakfast, head south with a stop in Touba to see the Great Mosque, one of Africa's largest with its distinctive 66-meter and 86.80-meter minarets. Continue on to Toubacouta in the Sine Saloum Delta National Park. That evening, take a boat trip to watch birds settling in at sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Keur Saloum Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Les Paletuviers Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit to Great Mosque in Touba
- Evening boat trip to bird breeding and roosting grounds in Sine Saloum Delta
Landmarks Great Mosque of Touba Sine Saloum Delta National Park - Day 7
Sine Saloum Delta
Travel to Dassilame Serer, a traditional village where people keep their original customs and way of life intact. You might encounter a colorful 'louma' village market. Canoe through winding waterways that feel like the Amazon, spotting oyster catchers harvesting mussels and fishermen in brightly painted pirogues. Stop at Sipo island with about 80 residents from three ethnic and religious groups. Swim in the fine sandy beaches and watch animals from a viewing platform.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Keur Saloum Hotel oder ähnlich), Hotel (Les Paletuviers Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit to Dassilame Serer village
- Canoe excursion through Sine Saloum Delta
- Visit to Sipo island
- Animal watching from viewing platform
Optional Activities
- Experience 'louma' village market (if available)
Landmarks Dassilame Serer Sine Saloum Delta Sipo Island Bandiala Side Arm - Day 8
Sine Saloum to Banjul
Leave the Sine Saloum Delta and cross into The Gambia. Visit Juffure, birthplace of Kunta Kinteh from Alex Haley's Roots, then tour the slave museum in Albreda. Continue to Banjul, the capital sitting at the mouth of the Gambia River on St. Mary's Island. Check out St. Albert market if time allows after arrival.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Senegambia Beach Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit to Juffure (Kunta Kinteh birthplace)
- Visit to slave museum in Albreda
Optional Activities
- Visit to St. Albert market in Banjul
Landmarks Juffure Slave Museum (Albreda) Banjul St. Albert Market - Day 9
Banjul
Spend your day at Makasutu Cultural Forest, an ecological reserve established in 1992 with diverse plants and animals. Walk with a local guide to spot various monkeys and birds. Take a canoe through mangroves and see oyster pickers at work (seasonal availability). Have lunch with traditional dishes, then head to Brikama for wood carvings and handicrafts. Browse the local and craft markets at your own pace before heading back to your Atlantic coast hotel.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional dish)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Senegambia Beach Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Makasutu Cultural Forest visit with local guide
- Walk for monkey and bird observation
- Canoe trip through mangroves
- Visit to Brikama
- Visit to local market in Brikama
- Visit to craft market in Brikama
Landmarks Makasutu Cultural Forest Brikama - Day 10
Banjul - Bintang
Check out Banjul's main sites starting with Monkey Park near Senegambia to see monkeys and birds. Next, visit the Sacred Crocodile Pool in Bakau, home to roughly 70 crocodiles and a sacred bathing place for pregnant women and people seeking healing. Tour the National Museum to learn about the country's history. Stop in Sukuta village for the local fish and vegetable market and possibly a school visit. End your day in Tanje fishing village watching colorful canoes arrive with the catch, then head to Bintang or Abca Creek by afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Abca Creek Lodge oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit to Monkey Park near Senegambia
- Visit to Sacred Crocodile Pool in Bakau
- Visit to National Museum in Banjul
- Visit to fish and vegetable market in Sukuta
- Visit to Tanje fishing village and museum
Optional Activities
- Visit to school in Sukuta
Landmarks Monkey Park Sacred Crocodile Pool (Bakau) National Museum (Banjul) Sukuta Tanje Fishing Village Bintang - Day 11
Bintang to Casamance
Travel by off-road vehicle through beautiful landscapes and untouched nature, passing villages to see real cultural life. Visit a local family to understand their daily routine, including women working in gardens. A local guide leads you through the countryside. Have lunch at a lodge before heading south toward the Senegalese border. Cross the Gambia River via the Senegambia Bridge into Casamance. Explore a village near the mangrove forest and enjoy dinner with a local folklore performance.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at a lodge), Dinner (Dinner with local folklore performance)
- Accommodation
- (Campement Koubalan oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Off-road vehicle tour through villages
- Visit to local family
- Visit to village near mangrove forest
- Dinner with local folklore performance
Landmarks Senegambia Bridge Casamance - Day 12
Ziguinchor
After breakfast, drive to Ziguinchor's fishing port and board a colorful pirogue for a calm trip on the Casamance River past lush mangrove vegetation and islands. Stop at the bird island where waders, pelicans, cormorants, and kingfishers live. On the way to Djilapao village, see floating camps of night fishermen. Visit Djilapao, a peninsula village with an artistic museum showing daily life. Return to Ziguinchor for dinner and overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- (Kadiandmoumange Hotel oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Pirogue boat trip on Casamance River
- Stop at bird island observation
- Visit to Djilapao village and museum
- Observation of floating night fishermen camps
Landmarks Ziguinchor Fishing Port Casamance River Bird Island Djilapao Village 
- Day 13
Ziguinchor - Cap Skirring
Tour Ziguinchor, Basse Casamance's capital founded by the Portuguese in 1559, visiting St. Maure market where locals shop daily and the French cultural center with authentic architecture. Travel to Oussouye to meet its king (always dressed in red), known for settling conflicts. Visit the Kalamisso Center of physically disabled women, participate in workshops, and learn about their efforts. Stop in Edioungou to see famous potters. Arrive in Cap Skirring in the afternoon, home to Senegal's most beautiful beaches.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- (Maya Hotel oder ähnlich), (La Paillote oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- City tour of Ziguinchor
- Visit to St. Maure market
- Visit to French cultural center
- Visit to Oussouye and meeting with the king
- Visit to Kalamisso Center for disabled women
- Visit to Edioungou potters
Landmarks Ziguinchor St. Maure Market French Cultural Center (Ziguinchor) Oussouye Kalamisso Center Edioungou Cap Skirring 
- Day 14
Cap Skirring - Elinkine
Depart for Mlomp, a Christian village known for its multi-storey huts, and visit the traditional Diola Museum. Drive to Elinkine, the fishing center, and watch fishermen bring in their catch. Take a pirogue to Kachouane island, then return by pirogue to the seaside resort of Cap Skirring for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Maya Hotel oder ähnlich), (La Paillote oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Visit to Mlomp village
- Visit to traditional Diola Museum
- Visit to Elinkine fishing village
- Observation of fishing arrival
- Pirogue trip to Kachouane island
Landmarks Mlomp Diola Museum Elinkine Kachouane Island - Day 15
Cap Skirring - Eco Park - Djembering
After breakfast, you'll head out on a guided excursion to the Eco Park reserve, choosing between walking or driving to see endangered species and local flora and fauna. From there, you're heading to the village of Djembering, known for its kapok trees and pristine beach. Along the way, you'll stop at Sangawatt's open-air museum where anthropologist Karafa shares insights into local customs and spiritual life. By evening, you'll return to Cap Skirring.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- (Maya Hotel oder ähnlich), (La Paillote oder ähnlich)
Included Activities
- Excursion to Eco Park reserve (on foot or by car) to discover endangered species, flora and fauna
- Visit to Djembering village with kapok trees and pristine beach
- Stop at Sangawatt open-air museum with anthropologist Karafa for cultural insights
Landmarks Eco Park Reserve Djembering Sangawatt Open-Air Museum - Day 16
Ziguinchor to Saly / Mbour / Somone
Catch a morning flight from Ziguinchor back to Dakar. Transfer to a seaside hotel on the coast in Saly, Mbour, or Somone. You've got free time until dinner to relax by the beach and unwind.
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Royal Saly oder ähnlich), (La maison couleur Passion oder ähnlich)
Landmarks Saly Mbour Somone - Day 17
Dakar
Time to head home. Transfer to the airport based on your departure time for your return flight. An optional beach extension at one of the beautiful beach hotels is available if you want a few extra days to relax.
Optional Activities
- Beach extension at a beautiful beach hotel
