NEW TRIP
Exploring West Africa’s Hidden Cultural and Wildlife Treasures
Adventures in Senegal, Gambia & Guinea-Bissau
Overview
Join us for a three-country odyssey along West Africa’s storied coast, a kaleidoscope world of traditional cultures and UNESCO-listed ecosystems. We begin in Dakar, Senegal, with an overnight on the evocative slave-trade island of Gorée, and then head south to see phenomenal birdlife in the mangrove lagoons of Saloum Delta National Park. We then visit Gambia, inside Senegal, before continuing south to visit Casamance, the southernmost region of Senegal, where we’ll witness a Diola mask ceremony. Our journey finishes in Guinea-Bissau in the natural paradise of the Bijagos Islands, a stunning landscape of spectacular deserted beaches, baobab groves, sublime sunsets, and abundant marine wildlife, from dolphins to sea turtles. We’ll experience long travel days and a hot tropical climate along the way, but for those who are prepared for adventure, this is an unforgettable immersion into the dazzling mosaic of West Africa.
Arrive: Dakar, Senegal
Depart: Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
Highlights
- Explore the fascinating cultures of three West African nations
- Visit UNESCO-listed sites of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, including Gorée Island
- Witness a Diola mask ceremony in The Gambia and a Vaco Bruto mask ceremony in Guinea-Bissau
- Discover the spectacular birdlife of UNESCO-listed Saloum Delta National Park
- Enjoy the deserted beaches and incredible marine life of the Bijagos Archipelago
Itinerary
After exploring the capital, we ferry out to tiny Gorée Island, known for its role in the Atlantic slave trade. Our overnight on this evocative island gives us a chance to experience its atmosphere after the day-trippers have left.
We visit the island-village of Fadiouth, built entirely of clamshells, and from our seaside lodge in the Saloum Delta, we’ll look for migratory bird species on the islands and beaches of this UNESCO-listed reserve.
Crossing into The Gambia, we visit UNESCO-listed Kunta Kinteh Island, a major site in the Atlantic slave trade, then head to Banjul, the capital, set on an island.
The verdant Casamance region on The Gambia’s southern border is one of the most traditional regions of Senegal and a homeland of animist religion in a mostly Muslim nation. We’ll visit a Diola village, meet a traditional king, watch an energetic mask ceremony, then cross the Guinea-Bissau border.
Our grand finale finds us in the amazing Bijagos Archipelago, where we’ll find abundant marine life, relax at the beach, take a late-night boat ride to a sea turtle nesting site, learn about the islands’ matriarchal culture, and witness a Vaco Bruto mask ceremony. Depart on Day 15 via Bissau.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. This is a rugged trip in a very remote region. Participants should understand that the trip involves long drives and boat rides, hot and humid weather, and somewhat basic hotels outside of Dakar and Bissau. Participants should be fit, healthy, and have no mobility restrictions. Medical facilities on the trip will be far away and often non-existent.
Review Trip Level Details
Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau have hot, humid climates that vary very little year round. The intense heat can be very wearing, and it doesn’t cool down much at night. We don’t recommend this trip for people who can’t tolerate hot or humid conditions. Rain is unlikely in the areas we visit but is possible.
Accommodations are chosen for their location and charm. They range from city hotels to basic lodges. Please note that air conditioning in West Africa may not cool your room to the standards you are used to in the US. There may also be occasions where the hotel electricity goes off for a time, including the air conditioning. They are the best available in the places we will be visiting, but all guests must come with a sense of adventure and understanding that this trip is to a very remote region not visited by many western tourists.
Senegalese cuisine has been influenced by the country’s many ethnic groups as well as French colonization and Islam. The national dish is thiéboudiène, a one-pot meal made with fish, rice, vegetables, and spices. The national dish of Gambia is domoda, a stew of peanuts with vegetables, often including pumpkin or sweet potatoes. In Guinea-Bissau, the Portuguese influence is still seen in the cuisine, and caldo de mancarra is a popular stew made with chicken or seafood. Grilled or stewed fish, lobster, shrimp, and crab are also popular dishes across Guinea-Bissau.
Note: All travelers must understand that the food will be very simple and monotonous on this trip. Most meals will consist of fish or chicken with rice or fries and limited vegetables. Vegetarians are welcome to join, but should understand their cuisine options will be even more limited. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let our team know as soon as possible to confirm if your dietary needs can be met.
Many days involve long drives and bumpy dirt roads. We try to reduce drive times as much as possible, however, this trip is designed to take you to fascinating and remote regions that may have basic infrastructure. Transportation is by 4WD vehicles with three passengers per vehicle when making long drives on dirt roads. Please note that air-conditioning in our vehicles may not cool to the standards you are used to in the US. We have taken local travel times into account in planning the itinerary, though road conditions can change from week to week. On our road journeys, we make frequent “outdoor bathroom” stops and you have ample opportunity to stroll around villages and markets to see and experience the differences in architecture, dress, and culture among the many tribes in West Africa. About half of the trip we will be traveling by local boats—we choose the best boat options available but they are often simple motorized speedboats. Our vehicles will transport the group’s luggage, so you only need to carry a daypack for items you need for the day (rain gear, camera, water bottle, etc.).
Traveling in West Africa is always an adventure! Changes and delays are all part of the experience. We will make every effort to follow the Detailed Itinerary as described, but please note that the daily itinerary may be rearranged due to circumstances beyond our control. In addition, travelers should be aware that there is a scarcity of medical facilities outside of Dakar and the facilities may not be up to international standards. A spirit of adventure and a flexible, cooperative attitude are musts for this trip. Your reward is an unparalleled experience of one of the world’s most intriguing regions and its fascinating wildlife.
The physical shape you are in will be an important factor in your enjoyment of your trip. Because of the hot climate, we recommend you bring Gatorade-type powdered mixes or packets of OHS (oral hydration salts) to add to your water bottle from time to time. There are dangers inherent in any expedition traveling to remote regions. These dangers include everything from the possibility of a vehicle accident or sickness without access to the means of rapid evacuation. The availability of medical supplies, or the adequacy of medical attention once provided, cannot be guaranteed and cannot be expected to measure up to Western standards. If you have any chronic health problems (respiratory or cardiac problems, a bad back, or diabetes), we recommend you consider a different trip.
Client Testimonials
"I have traveled in Africa throughout the past three decades and have experienced many of the uncertainties and difficulties in this environment. This trip had very few “inconveniences“ and took you through areas that most trips would not venture. The culture, information regarding history and the lifestyle of today’s West Africa are highlights that make this trip unique and amazing. This trip offers the opportunity to see the “real” Africa."
Alec B.
Gardnerville, NV
"For this type of trip, overall it was EXCELLENT!!! There is not one thing I would change. The itinerary was nicely paced and interesting. Every day we saw/visited something and I would think this is going to be my favorite thing about the trip. Then it happened for 14 straight days! "
Candace H.
Tucson, AZ
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.