9 Days Cultural and Historical Tour of Senegal and Gambia

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Goree Island and Dakar highlights
5 stops
1
Goree Island
This tour will allow you to visit the slave house place of pilgrimage and memory dedicated to the slave trade,The Castel memorial, the western tip cannon ,the mosque(the oldest islamic stone building in senegal).Its picturesque architecture takes one back in time through the roughcast ocher facades of the houses.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
2
Dakar Railway Station
Dakar train station is one of the most beautiful masterpieces of colonial architecture, its frontage is admirably beautiful. Dakar station was built in 1885 and linked the city of Dakar to St Louis, also served Dakar-Niger, which allowed to rally Bamako (Mali) in 36 hours, twice a week Located at la place Dakar-niger , renamed la place des tirailleurs on August 23, 2004, it has been rehabilitated by eiffage senegal.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Marche Kermel
The Kermel Market is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site , very beautiful building from 1860 which was destroyed by fire in 1994, and rebuilt identically in 1997. The Kermel Market is a colonial-style building which is still excellently preserved.You can see lots of bright colors inside and outside the building.The market provides beautiful fresh products,typical of Senegal.Market gardeners, grocers, butchers and fishmongers are at the heart of the building, surrounded by decoration vendors, artists and artisans.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
4
Cathedrale du Souvenir Africain de Dakar
Cathedral church Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires or Cathedral of souvenir Africain is the largest church in Dakar and the seat of the archbishops. It is located on Boulevard de la République in the Dakar-Plateau district Built in the 1930s and consecrated in 1936, the Cathedral of Africain souvenir stands out in the landscape of Dakar with its immaculate white color. The materials chosen were imported from different countries (Sudan, Gabon, Tunisia, Benin, France) for a rather astonishing result with various influences. Erected on a former "Lebou"(the largest community in Dakar at that time)cemetery, it was originally a tribute to African soldiers, it which was once nicknamed the Pantheon of Africa.A building of formidable architecture with an extraordinary interior painting of the vault.The cathedral welcomed Pope John Paul II in 1992.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine
The monument of African renaissance The monument of african renaissance inaugurated in 2010,This gigantic 52 m High bronze statue accessible through a 198 steps stairway,which can be visited as it offres à beautiful view of the peninsula. The man, woman and their child will face the sun, symbolizing the opening of the continent to the rest of the world. On the ground floor, a slide show describing the history of the construction of the monument and a fresco retracing the history of Africa and its great figures. On the 3rd floor, a small temporary exhibition room. On the 4th floor, the main lounge .On the 15th floor, you are in the head of the man and enjoy a breathtaking view of Dakar and the peninsula.
1 minute • Admission ticket included
Day 2
Pink lake and Saint Louis
3 stops
6
Lake Retba
Lake Retba better known as pink lake is renowned for its color that changes from pink to purple based on the intensity of the sun rays ,the lake is separated from the Atlantic ocean by a large dune,the lake and environs provide a good terrain for crossing the dunes. Activities:boat riding to observe the salt seekers. Tour around the lake and beach by Quad bike riding or dune vehicle. One can bath in the lake it self to enjoy the floating sensation due to the salt which happens to be a wonderful experience. Atfer that drive to the old City of st louis, the former capital of senegal.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
7
Faidherbe Bridge
Arrived on the island by going down the faidherbe bridge which is Listed as a UNESCO world Heritage Site and considered the lungs of this former French colony, the Faidherbe Bridge makes it possible for 19,000 vehicles and more than 21,000 pedestrians to cross daily. This keeps the economic pulse of the old town's business and administration alive. It was inaugurated on November 19, 2011. After checking free to take advantage of the pool,dinner at the hotel or in town.
Admission ticket free
8
Saint Louis
Saint Louis city tour : explore the world heritage site by horse carriage tour or by walking,Seeing the former french governor's residence,faidherbe bridge,frenchtrading compagnies shops,see the fisherfolks which is between the ocean and the river. Along the way you can discover old buildings with typical architecture.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Djoudj birdwatching & Lompoul desert
2 stops
9
Djoudj park Created in 1971, the Djoudj National Bird Park has been classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1981. Covering an area of 16,000 hectares, 395 species of birds (nearly three million birds) are recorded there, making it the 3rd ornithological reserve in the world! Located about sixty kilometers north of Saint-Louis by national road 2, in the Senegal delta in the Sahel, the Djoudj Park is a succession of wetlands with fresh or brackish water, Sahelian savannah with numerous pelicans,canals, lakes, ponds, swamps…
2 hours • Admission ticket included
10
Lompoul Desert
Lompoul After lunch, drive to Lompoul is a small desert (about 18 km2) , It is characterized by orange sand dunes forming a landscape that is more akin to those of the Sahara and Mauritania. an orange dunes desert. At Lompoul Village , a dune vehicle will transfer us to the desert observe the sunset
14 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 4
Great mosque of Touba and Kaolack market
2 stops
11
Touba
Today, the Great Mosque of Touba is one of Senegal's wonders and the jewel of the Mouride brotherhood. Covering an area of 8790m2, the mosque, inspired by Arab architecture, is today made up of 7 minarets: 4 minarets 66m high; 2 minarets of 60m, in the finishing phase; and an 86.80 meter high minaret named Lamp Fall. It has a capacity of 6,000 people. Inside, the decoration recalls the Byzantine style. Precious blue marble and alabaster were used for its construction and renovation. In the mosque we find the mausoleum of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, founder of the Murid brotherhood, those of his sons and various caliphs.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
12
Kaolack
Visit the city of kaolack, this region, is located halfway between Dakar, Tambacounda and The Gambia. Its market alone justifies a stop, its large entrance gives access to several shopping arcades overlooked by oriental arcades.A hub for the peanut and salt trade, is home to one of the most picturesque markets - and one of the largest in Senegal, far ahead of Dakar. You will find there musical instruments, agricultural equipment and incongruous objects punctuate the aisles alongside many fruit and vegetable stalls, even a variety of aphrodisiac remedies (made from gazelle horns, snakeskin, lion's manes ... ) which Senegalese women use to care for their loved ones.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 5
stone circle & Baboon island In Gambia
2 stops
13
In the West African countries of Gambia and Senegal (sometimes combined as Senegambia) many stone circles can be found in places along the Gambia River. The stone circles in Senegambia lie in an area covering more than 30,000 square kilometres. The area is divided into two sections, the first in Wassu in Gambia and the second in the Sine-Saloum region of Senegal.The most important and largest concentration in the world site is in Wassu where there are 11 stone circles.The largest stone is 2.59 metres high,and since 2006 the area has been on the UNESCO World heritage site.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
14
River Gambia National Park
Here you will experience life with the chimps protected in the national forest that constitute of three Islands, 270 km inland of the river Gambia. From the boat visitors can closely observed the chimps (Chimps sighting not at all times guaranteed).There are possibilities to see hippos, crocodiles, green ververt, and western red colubus monkeys, hyenas and warthogs.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 6
Visite the Kunta Kinte island
1 stop
15
Kunta Kinteh Island
Kunta Kinteh Island is a small island in the Gambia River which joins the Atlantic Ocean. Its location in the middle of the river made it a strategic place to control the waterway. Visited by explorers and merchants in their search for a sea route to India it became one of the first cultural exchange zones between Africa and Europe. By 1456 the Island had been acquired by Portugal from local rulers and the construction of a fort began. The specific, important role of the site in the slave trade, both in its propagation and its conclusion, makes Kunta Kinteh Island and it Related Sites an outstanding memory of this important, although painful, period of human history. This island is visited by painted local canoes.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Lion walk and exploring the national park of Saloum Delta
2 stops
16
Fathala Wildlife Reserve
The Lion Encounter at Fathala Wildlife Reserve is a once in a lifetime experience. Take the opportunity to interact with lions and accompany them on foot. An unparalleled experience that offers insight into the behaviour of this species, with lots of photo opportunities.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
17
Parc National du Delta du Saloum
Saloum Delta National Park, created in 1976, is a biosphere reserve, classified Man and Biosphere (MAB) by Unesco in 1981. Covering an area of 76,000 ha, including 59,000 ha of classified forests, the main biotopes are mangrove , tanned mudflats, sandy coasts and islets.Birds are abundant in this reserve, home to species like the lesser flamingo, goliath heron, pelican,egret.... There are also some 36 species of mammals, including warthogs, spotted hyenas and red colobus monkeys. Then In the morning, discover the mangroves and picnic in nature (possibility to have a fishing party). Visit the Bird Island and the Bolongs of Saloum to meet pelicans, herons, cormorants, extra egrets After we will visit by horse carriage tour to explore the savannah and the surrounding villages.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 8
Discover the shells island and the fishing harbor
2 stops
18
Joal Fadiouth
Depart to the twin village of Joal and Fadiouth,on the way visit one of the bigger baobab tree of west africa.Joal is the birthplace of the first president of Senegal Leopold Sedar Senghor, which offers a magnificent panorama on Fadiouth island and is linked to the mainland through a long wooden bridge.Fadiouth is on a small island reached by a long wooden bridge.famous for its Millet granaries and mixed catholic and muslim cemetery. Fadiouth is built on collection of piled-up shells over the centuries. A stroll through its narrow streets and ride boat with your guide. Joy lunch before the departure to Mbour
2 hours • Admission ticket free
19
Mbour,the main town is a small lively fishing port of 4,500 inhabitants, 5 km from the seaside resort of Saly. The town, capital of the Mbour department and subdivision of the Thiès region, has remained typically African with an intense traffic of cars from another age and horse-drawn carriages. A permanent market is held along the coastal strip, while that the fish market takes place on the beach. Numerous drying rooms and fish dens. Mbour is the second port in Senegal, after Dakar.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Bandia reserve safari and Somone lagoon
2 stops
20
Reserve De Bandia
This visit to the Bandia reserve will give you the opportunity to observe wildlife close up in an friendly environmentally nature. Up on arrived we will take a 4×4 WD used specialy for safari, this park of 3,500 ha is home to many animals, some of which were reintroduced to Senegal after having disappeared there for a long time, such as: rhinoceros, giraffes, large antelopes, dama gazelles, Derby elks, buffalos, patas monkeys, vervets, warthogs, hippotragues, jackals....
2 hours • Admission ticket included
21
Lagune de la Somone
Somone Lagoon South of Dakar , the lagune of Somone is an estuary covering an area of 700 ha,that draws visitors from around the world for fishing, bird-watching, and indulging in sundowners.The lagoon is fed by the ocean and there is a nearly pristine beach at its mouth. You can rent boogie boards and surfboards or just lounge on the beach. If you want to wade or swim in a more relaxing way, you can dive into the lagoon. The waters are calm, and be aware that the water can get quite shallow at low tide. there are several beach side bars and restaurants along with a few along the lagoon. It is a great spot for fresh seafood, particularly oysters: one can relax, eat and drink upon arrival we will take a boat ride into the dense mangroves. after the joy time I will drop you off to the airport or towards Dakar or Saly.
2 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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