Discover Gambia and Senegal. Experience outstanding wildlife viewing on a yacht cruise along the West Africa Coast and the Gambia River, deep inside the African continent
Day 1 - Dakar
Day 2 - At Sea
Day 3 - Saloum Delta
Day 4 - Banjul
Day 5 - Tendaba
Day 6 - Kuntaur
Day 7 - Kaur
Day 8 - Kunta Kinteh/At Sea
Day 9 - Dakar/Return Flight
Senegal is West Africa’s most stable country. Dakar, once a tiny settlement in the south of the Cap Vert peninsula is now a multicultural, vibrant city offering peaceful islands, frenetic markets and a bustling downtown; a rich introduction to the country.
While The Gambia may be the smallest country on the continent, its amazing array of attractions makes it up for its tiny size.
Cruise from Senegal and the Saloum Delta, a birdwatcher’s paradise, to The Gambia, reaching Banjul the capital and gateway to the Gambia River, teeming with wildlife. However, The Gambia’s greatest treasures are its people who more than live up to their homeland’s nickname of ‘the smiling coast of Africa’.
Explore the painful but incredible history of the West African slave trade and visit the slave trading post of St. James, made famous by Alex Haley‘s best seller “Roots”, the story of Kunta Kinte, a young man torn from his homeland and in torment brought to the new world. Join us on this fascinating small ship exploration and discover the wildlife, fauna and history of the rivers of West Africa.
Cultural & Wildlife
Small Ship Sailing
4 UNESCO Heritage Sites
Guaranteed Departure
Group Size: 2 – 36
Day 1 Fly London to Dakar via Brussels. Overnight at the 4-star Pullman Hotel.
Day 2 Morning excursion to Ile de Gorée. Visit the House of Slaves, recording the history of the slave trade. Afternoon embarkation. Sail south towards the Saloum River Delta. Overnight sailing. (B, L, D)
Day 3 Arrive at the Sine-Saloum Delta, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, important for birding and aquatic animals. Optional excursion to local villages. Sail to Banjul, gateway to the Gambia River. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Optional excursion to Bakau with its crocodile ‘katchikaly’ and botanic garden including a short tour of Banjul. Sail upstream towards Tendaba. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Travel by motor pirogues to Tendaba. Optional walking tour to Batelling, a village at the entrance to Kiang West National Park, rich in wildlife. Return by open safari truck. Optional boat tour to Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve, with six bolongs (creeks), great for birding. Overnight Tendaba. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Sail to Kuntaur. Optional excursion by pirogue with a national park ranger to Baboon Island. Visit the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project. Observe chimps, hippos, crocodiles, Red Colobus and Green Vervet monkeys. Overnight Kuntaur. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Optional tour to Janjanbureh and Georgetown, continue to Lamin Koto, the Variety Cruises school community project. Stop at the stone circles in Wassu and its small museum. Overnight sailing. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Sail to St. James Island, once a slave trading post, now renamed Kunta Kinteh Island. Disembark by tender and explore independently. Sail out of the Gambian estuary into the Atlantic Ocean to Dakar. Overnight sailing. (B, L, D)
Day 9 Arrive Dakar, a former French colonial town with a unique urban vibrancy. Disembark and explore the frenetic markets and artists’ village to experience the rhythms of everyday Senegalese life. Afternoon free. Return overnight flight via Brussels. (B, L)
Day 10 Arrive London Heathrow.
Notes
Whilst our minimum group size is 2, the cruise will not operate with less than 12 people.
Optional excursions are bookable locally and subject to minimum numbers. Prices are a guideline only as they are subject to change.
Excursions are on foot and may be over uneven ground with some inclines.
The programme may be altered due to navigational factors, water levels or congestion at certain sites.
The fully renovated 4-star Hotel Pullman Dakar offers a restaurant, bar, pool, gym and WiFi (free). 247 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, TV, and tea/coffee making facilities.
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Located on the west coast of Senegal, this 5-star hotel resort offers direct access to the beach and marina. The hotel offers restaurant, bar, pool, gym and WiFi (free).146 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and TV.
Operated by Variety Cruises, 180 ft. mega yacht Harmony V is a modern elegant vessel with a sleek high-tech look. It has 25 air-conditioned cabins over two decks, 16 cabins on the Upper Deck and 9 cabins on the Main Deck. Cat. C cabins are double bedded, remaining categories are both twin and double bedded. All cabins have windows offer en-suite bathroom with shower, flat-screen TV, mini-bar, hairdryer, safe and WiFi (limited/chargeable).
On the Main Deck are the lounge bar with large picture windows offering pristine views of all destinations and spacious single sitting dining room, the external dining area on the Upper Deck allow for occasional meals to be served ‘al fresco’, subject to weather conditions. The sun deck has an inviting sitting area with sun loungers available to relax on its shaded areas or bask under the sun, read a good book or just gaze at the scenery.
Cat. C cabin (123 sq. ft.) – window
Cat. B cabin (134 sq. ft.) – window
Cat. A cabin (134 sq. ft.) – picture window
Cat. P cabin (161 sq. ft.) – picture window
Fridays
per person in a Double Main Deck Cat. C cabin
Sabena Brussels Airlines from Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £595
Cabin Upgrades
Cat. B cabin (twin/double) £450
Double for sole use (Cat. B) £1045
Cat. A cabin (twin/double) £650
Double for sole use (Cat. A) £1305
Cat. P cabin (twin/double) £995
Double for sole use (Cat. P) £1790
Extension Options
Extra nights – Saly
Lamantin Beach Hotel (per night) £170
Single supplement £50
Half board included
Arrival or departure transfer add £40
Optional Excursions
We offer a wide variety of shore excursions, click here for more information.
Independent Arrival
Save £700
Arrival or departure transfer add £35
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 1 night hotel, 7-night cruise, breakfast daily, full board on cruise and 2 lunches, tea/coffee/ water on cruise, a cruise director and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, tipping, porterage, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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