Day 1: Arrive Dakar, Senegal After our International flight arrives in Dakar, we are met, assisted and transferred by our local guide to the hotel. Overnight: Novotel, Dakar (1 night). Day 2: Dakar / Pink Lake Situated in the westernmost tip of the African continent, Dakar is Senegal's largest city and its administrative and economic center. The city is the busiest port in West Africa, serving Mali and Mauritania as well as Senegal. Dakar grew up around a French fort built in 1857 by the Ocean and the first major pier was completed in 1866. Dakar's importance increased significantly after 1855, when a railroad linked it with the Senegal River. Dakar replaced Saint-Louis as the capital of French West Africa in 1902 and since the city has expanded greatly. After breakfast we take a Dakar city tour including the colorful Kermel market, the Roman Catholic Cathedral (inaugurated 1929), which is currently the seat of an Archbishop, the University of Dakar (1949). Later we will board the ferry for Gorée Island, to visit a 300 years old slavery depot, the House of Slaves and the Historical Museum. After Lunch on Gorée Island, we will return by ferry and drive to Pink Lake. Overnight: Hotel in Pink Lake (1 night). Includes: (B, L, D). Day 3: Pink Lake / Saint Louis (drive) We leave after Breakfast and head out to the dunes (site of the Paris-Dakar Rally). En route we’ll visit villages where the locals’ livelihood is salt gathering. After few other stops we arrive late in the afternoon to Saint Louis. Overnight: Residence Hotel, Saint Louis (2 nights). Includes: (B). Day 4: Saint Louis Founded in 1659, on an island with a strategic position at the mouth of the Senegal River, between the continent and the ‘Langue de Barbarie’ (Barbarian Tongue), a narrow strip of land that sinks into the Atlantic Ocean, Saint-Louis is a town full of history. Saint-Louis became the capital of Senegal at the beginning of the 19th Century up until 1958, even after Dakar was promoted to the rank of capital of the French Africa. Today the town extends from the Langue of Barbarie to the Continent. The Faidherbe Bridge, a real work of art, hangs over the Senegal river for a length of 500 meters and connects the island with the mainland and it is on the list of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. We start our day with an excursion to the ‘Parc Djoudj’, the National Bird Sanctuary, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, declared as the richest in birds in the World. We’ll enjoy a pirogue ride to better view the many species of cormorants, pelicans, ducks, flamingos, various songbirds and thousands of more. Beside birds we may also spot crocodiles, boas, and wild boars. In the afternoon we’ll visit old colonial city of Saint Louis. Among the sites and monuments we’ll see, we can cite the Governor’s Palace, a Fortress built in the 18th Century across from the Faidherbe Place, the name of the famous colonial governor whose statue is erected in the center. To the north and to the south of that place, the houses dating back to the colonial period, with their wrought iron balconies and verandas, which remain intact. Includes: (B). Day 5: Saint Louis / Saly (drive) We depart from St. Louis after breakfast and drive south to Saly via Touba, the holy city of Mouride Islamic Brotherhood. Here we visit the beautiful mosque, with its giant 87-meter tall tower, visible from miles across the plain. Later we’ll be in Thies for Lunch and continue to Saly beach resort. Overnight: Espadon Charme Resort, Saly (1 night). Includes: (B, L, D). Day 6: Saly / Toubacouta (drive) Will have a leisurely Breakfast at our beach hotel, before we start our visit in the morning to the traditional villages in the ‘small coast’ area. There will have wonderful opportunities to interact with the villagers, with their chiefs and notables. We visit Kaolack, a typical market rich in medicinal herbs and plants, all processed by old traditional ‘recipes’, which are not forgotten. In the afternoon, we’ll be also visiting nearby Mandingo Villages. By the end of the day, we take a motor canoe tour on the Saloum River to discover its wonderful ornithological entity. We then drive to Toubacouta.Overnight: Paletuvier Lodge, Toubacouta (1 night). Includes: (B, D). Day 7: Toubacouta / Banjul (drive) After our Breakfast and a short tour in Toubacouta, we drive to the border of Senegal and Gambia. Past border formalities, we’ll proceed to Juffureh to visit the mythic village of Alex Haley’s ancestors. It's been over 30 years since Alex Haley's Roots became a cultural touchstone, a book, which chronicles the life of Haley's ancestor Kunta Kinteh who was captured here in Gambia and sold into slavery. From here we continue our trip to Banjul, the Capital city of Gambia and arrive early in the afternoon. After we check-in into Kairaba Hotel, we will visit the city of Banjul. This half-day tour of The Gambia's capital city and will be starting with a photo stop
Balanzan Tours is a travel agency based in Mali. Our mission is to offer you very affordable and unbeatable rates in regards to vehicle rentals and tours in Mali and West Africa. We did this job for more than 10 years. We have the perfect control and knowledge of this part of Africa where the opportunities for the visitors are countless.
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