Enjoy an exciting voyage of discovery, unravelling the wonders of West Africa
Day 1 - Dakar
Day 2 - At Sea
Day 3 - Saloum Delta
Day 4 - Banjul
Day 5 - Tendaba
Day 6 - Kuntaur
Day 7 - Wassu / Kaur
Day 8 - At Sea
Day 9 - Dakar / Return Flight
Join us for a fascinating small ship exploration and discover the wildlife and fauna on the rivers of West Africa.
Cruise from Senegal and the Saloum Delta River south to Gambia, reaching Banjul the capital and gateway to the 700-mile Gambia River. On the waterways of Senegal and Gambia visit 4 Nature Reserves and 4 UNESCO World sites.
Dakar, once a tiny settlement in the south of the Cap Vert peninsula is now a multicultural, diverse city full of vibrant arts and traditions, offering peaceful islands, frenetic markets and a bustling downtown.
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 bestseller “Roots”, the story of Kunta Kinte, a young man torn from his homeland and in torment and anguish brought to the new world.
Cultural & Natural Wonders
Small Ship Sailing
4 UNESCO Heritage Sites
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 mammals. 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
Departures in 2020 will operate on MY Harmony V.
Cabins are available from 4pm embarkation day until 9am disembarkation day. Optional excursions are bookable locally and subject to minimum numbers.
Excursions are on foot and may be over uneven ground with some inclines.
The fully renovated 4star Hotel Pullman Dakar offers a restaurant, bar, pool, gym and WiFi (free). 247 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, TV, tea and coffee making facilities and free WiFi.
Operated by Variety Cruises, the modern 174 ft. Mega Yacht, Harmony G, has 21 air-conditioned cabins over three decks, 4 cabins on the upper deck, 11 cabins on the main deck and 6 cabins on the lower deck. Cabins are equipped with twin or queen size beds and have large windows (two portholes on the Lower Deck). All cabins offer en-suite bathroom with shower, flat-screen TV, mini-fridge, hairdryer and a safe deposit box. On the main deck are the lounge bar and spacious single sitting dining room. Cuisine is a mixture of buffet and table service, using fresh, locally sourced produce, occasionally meals are served “al fresco”, subject to weather conditions. The vessel features a Sun Deck with a sitting area to relax and enjoy unobstructed views. WiFi (limited/chargeable).
Cat. C cabin (113 sq. ft.) – porthole Cat. B cabin (108 sq. ft.) – picture window Cat. A cabin (118 sq. ft.) – picture window Cat. P cabin (183 sq. ft) – picture window
Operated by Variety Cruises, the modern 180 ft. Mega Yacht, Harmony V 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-fridge, hairdryer and a safe deposit box. On the main deck are the lounge bar with large picture windows and spacious single sitting dining room, the external dining area on the Sun deck allow for occasional meals to be served “al fresco”, subject to weather conditions. The Sun Deck with a sitting area to relax and enjoy unobstructed views. WiFi (limited/chargeable). 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
2019
Fridays
Sabena Brussels Airlines from London Heathrow, via Brussels
per person in a twin / (Lower Deck) Cat. C cabin - Harmony G
| February 22 | £3045 |
2020
Fridays
Sabena Brussels Airlines from London Heathrow, via Brussels
per person in a twin / (Main Deck) Cat. C cabin - Harmony V
Fridays
Sabena Brussels Airlines from London Heathrow, via Brussels
per person in a twin / (Lower Deck) Cat. C cabin - Harmony G
Fridays
Sabena Brussels Airlines from London Heathrow, via Brussels
per person in a twin / (Main Deck) Cat. C cabin - Harmony V
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £495 (2020 £595)
Cabin Upgrades
Main Deck: Cat. B Cabin £450
Sole use of Cat. B £1045
Main Deck: Cat. A Cabin £650
Sole use of Cat. A £1305
Upper Deck: Cat. P Cabin £995
Sole use of Cat. P £1790
Independent Arrival
Save £500
Arrival transfer add £35
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, 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.
Please complete this form and a member of our sales department will contact you as soon as possible to confirm your booking and take payment. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm
