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Senegal & Gambia
9 Day Tour

DAY 01:

BEGIN YOUR EXPLORING TOUR

Depart New York on your overnight flight to Europe.  Meals will be served on board. Begin your journey with a preview of things to come delicious meals, gracious and attentive hostesses.

 

DAY 02:

DAKAR

In Europe connect with your flight to DAKAR  Upon your arrival in Dakar, you will be met and transfered to your hotel. Senegal, Gateway to Black Africa, was part of the great medieval Empire of Mali and one of the major trading ports of slaves bound for the American Continent.

 

DAY 03:

DAKAR

Goree Island
Goree Island
In Dakar this morning take a short boat trip on the Atlantic Ocean to the Island of Goree.  Forty million enslaved Africans are said to have passed throught the hands of the traders located on this tiny island.  Visit the original slave house.  See the dungeon and prisons used up until the time of the French abolition of slavery.  This island is covered in relics of the famous past.  Old cannons still lie half-buried in the sand, attesting to the savage battle fought for possession of this strategic outpost.  This afternoon, visit Sandanga Market, Kermel Market, the Grand Mosque, Saumbedioune, Artisinal Village, Dakar University, National Assembly, the Palace of the President with its colorful guards and the Colon of Independence and the residential areas.  Return to your hotel.

 

DAY 04:

PINK LAKE

Pink Lake
Pink Lake
Depart Dakar for a visit to the "Pink Lake".  The lake has its own peculiar movement in the form of thousands of birds, which throng to its opaque pink mineral waters.  Flamingo, spoonbill, pelican, heron, tern, and all kinds of waders as well as a great variety of sea birds congregate on the placid waters.  It is a spectacle not to be missed.  Return to Dakar.

 

DAY 05:

DAKAR / BANJUL, THE GAMBIA

Morning departure from Dakar enroute to Banjul, the Gambia.  The Gambia is the small but significant West African country where the Black American writer, Alex Haley, in his best selling book and movie, "Roots", traced his ancestry to a village on the Gambia River.

 

DAY 06:

JUFFURE

Gambia River
Gambia River
A full day tour along the bank of the River Gambia to the fishing village of Albreda.  Albreda was formerly a post for trading and controlling the hinterland used by both the French and the British.  In 1857, under British control, it became a haven where any slave could claim freedom.  A short walk will take you to the historic and "national landmark" village of Juffure, destined to become imortalized by Alex Haley in his famous documentary based on his ancestral search.  Juffure is the native home of Kunta Kinte of "Roots", whose decendants still live in the village.  After lunch on your own, board your bus for the return trip to Banjul with a short tour of the central city.

 

DAY 07:

BANJUL

Arch at Banjul
Arch at Banjul
Enjoy a city tour of Banjul including the Kanifing Industrial Area, Serekunda and Bakau.  Craftsmen in the Gambia produce beautiful silverwork and tie-dye batik.  Visit the most well-known tye-dye manufacturer and the workshop of a silversmith.  Continue to the Tourist and Craftsmen's Market and to the Albert Market, the local market in Banjul.  A visit is also made to the Gambia's only museum, situated on Independence Drive.  Balance of the day at leisure for your personal exploration or shopping.

 

DAY 08:

BANJUL / DAKAR

In the afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Dakar.  Upon your arrival, you will connect with your continuing flight to Europe.

 

DAY 09:

DAKAR / NEW YORK

Fly to Europe  and Connect with your flight to New York   Arrive JFK International airport in the afternoon local time.