Explore the rivers of West Africa on this unique 6-day African small ship cruise roundtrip from Banjul, Gambia. View stunning wildlife and encounter locals as you sail.
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Embark on your vessel, the Harmony V, in the evening and overnight in Banjul.
Day 2: Banjul / Abuko Nature Reserve, The Gambia
Spend a morning in Banjul and take one of the half-day excursions offered: visit Bakau with its crocodile "katchikaly," its Botanic Garden, or a short Banjul Tour. After lunch, leave Banjul to sail upstream. Stop at St. James Island in the middle of the Gambia River. The first settlers on the island arrived in 1651; under British rule it became an important slave trading post in The Gambia. I In 1976 James Island became famous for its inclusion in Alex Haley's bestselling book "Roots," the story of a slave, Kunta Kinteh. The island was recently renamed Kunta Kinteh Island and is now a UNESCO world cultural heritage site.
After disembarking, listen to your guide as he provides more information about the history of James Island and afterwards you have some time to explore this island by yourself. Late on the afternoon, leave "Kunta Kinteh" and sail upstream to reach Tendaba. Mediterranean Night in Africa. Overnight at dock in Tendaba.
Day 3: Tendaba, Gambia
From the ship, take motor pirogues to reach Tendaba, located on the South Bank in the Lower River Division. This is the starting point of your morning optional excursion. Tendaba is a small fishing village with approximately 600 inhabitants of mainly Muslim faith whose main occupation is fishing. From there walk through to Batelling, a small village at the entrance to Kiang West National Park. The area boasts over 250 species of birds; many of which are difficult to observe anywhere else. Other residents include Guinea baboons, bushbuck, warthogs, Senegal bushbaby, and marsh mongoose. After a refreshing stop in Batelling, board an open safari truck to return to Tendaba. On the way pass again local villages where you can get an impression of local life in The Gambia.
In the afternoon, you are picked up from the ship by motor pirogues for another optional excursion to the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve. This reserve, lying across from Kiang West National Park, features six major bolongs (creeks) that provide great birding and boating opportunities. Numerous rare and migratory birds also reside here including the Pel’s fishing owl, African fin foot and brown-necked parrot. Overnight docked in Tendaba.
Day 4: Gambia River / Kuntaur / River Gambia National Park, The Gambia
Leave Tendaba and sail upstream on the Gambia River all morning. Early this afternoon, arrive in the bustling Gambian port town of Kuntaur, the last inland stop along the river that is navigable for ocean-going ships. Later in the afternoon board a large motor pirogue for a 3-hour optional excursion cruise on The Gambia River. First head to the southernmost tip of Baboon Island, one of the five islands of The Gambia National Park. There a local national park ranger joins you onboard to give more information about the park and its fauna & flora.
Turning around, the motor pirogue slows down and sails slowly back to Kuntaur following closely along the shores of Baboon Island. This island is home to the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project. If you are lucky, you can closely observe the chimps with minimal intrusion from the motor pirogue. There is also the possibility of seeing hippos, crocodiles, Red Colobus, Green Vervet monkeys and also The Gambia’s famous birdlife. Return to Kuntaur where you are met by the “Kankurang” and a local dance group on the pier. Believed to have spiritual powers the “Kankurang” dispenses justice and wards off evil spirits. Overnight docked in Kuntaur.
Day 5: Kuntaur / Jangjanbureh / Kaur, The Gambia
This morning, your optional excursion takes you by bus to the ferry station of Janjanbureh. There board the local ferry for a short cruise over The Gambia River to Janjanbureh. Continue your excursion with a visit to one of the oldest towns of The Gambia, formerly called Georgetown. DYour walk gives a broad impression of this laid back town; see the residence of the governor, the market, and the Methodist church with its school. Afterward take the ferry back and re-board the bus to reach Lamin Koto.
Through the generosity of your ship and of many of its clients, a new school building is being built. Later in the morning stop at the mysterious stone circles in Wassu, a megalithic site believed to be a burial ground thousands of years ago. Visit the little museum of this archaeological site, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. After lunch, sail downstream to Kaur a small fishing village on the banks of the Gambia. You have the opportunity to walk around this small community and see how Gambians live today. Celebrate with a Captain's farewell dinner. Overnight in Kaur.
Day 6: Kaur / Banjul
Leave Kaur early in the morning and sail towards Banjul. Look for dolphins and other animal life in the wake of the ship. Arrive in Banjul around 4 PM and disembark after formalities.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Category C (Double)
Main deck. One double bed, windows, en suite bathroom with shower, flat screen TV sets, DVD players, mini fridges, hairdryers, individually controlled A/C and safe deposit boxes.
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Category B
Main deck. One double bed or two twin beds, windows, en suite bathroom with shower, flat screen TV sets, DVD players, mini fridges, hairdryers, individually controlled A/C and safe deposit boxes.
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Category A
Upper deck. One double bed or two twin beds, windows, en suite bathroom with shower, flat screen TV sets, DVD players, mini fridges, hairdryers, individually controlled A/C and safe deposit boxes.
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Category P
Upper deck. One double bed or two twin beds, sofa, windows, en suite bathroom with shower, flat screen TV sets, DVD players, mini fridges, hairdryers, individually controlled A/C and safe deposit boxes.
Notes
- Please note that fares do not include port charges and possible fuel surcharges. Contact us for details.
- Please note that shore excursions are offered at additional costs.
- Child Discount:
Children between the ages of 7-10 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 50% discount in Category A. Children between the ages of 10-16 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 35% discount in Category A.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
Jack Charney
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.