Rivers of West Africa - Dakar to Dakar

Board in the late afternoon between 3-4 PM. After dinner, sail south toward the Saloum River Delta—overnight voyage along the coast.

This morning, arrive at the Sine-Saloum Delta in Senegal, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an Important Bird Area designated by BirdLife International. This rich habitat is home to diverse bird species, marine turtles, dolphins, West African manatees, and crocodiles.  

Join an optional excursion to Joal Fadiout, starting from the fishing village of Djiffer. Explore this unique island built on clam shells, which are also used in local architecture and crafts.  

In the afternoon, depart Senegal, sailing south to Gambia and arriving in Banjul, the capital and gateway to the 700-mile Gambia River. Fishermen Night – Overnight in Banjul.

This morning in Banjul, you can take an optional half-day excursion to Bakau to see the crocodile "katchikaly" and take a short tour of Banjul, including the Royall Albert Market and Historical Museum. In the afternoon, you leave Banjul and sail upstream to Tendaba, arriving late for an African night experience and overnight stay at the dock in Tendaba.

Take motor pirogues from the ship to Tendaba, located on the South Bank in the Lower River Division, the starting point of your optional Tendaba morning excursion. It is a small fishing village mainly inhabited by the Muslim faith, with approximately 600 inhabitants whose main occupation is fishing. From there, walk through Batelling, a small village at the Kiang West National Park entrance. The area boasts over 250 species of birds, many of which are difficult to observe anywhere else. Other residents include Guinea baboons, bushbucks, warthogs, Senegal bushbabies, and marsh mongoose. After a refreshing stop in Batelling, board an open safari truck that will bring you back to Tendaba. On the way, you pass local villages again, where you get an impression of local life in The Gambia. In the afternoon, motor pirogues pick you up from the ship for the afternoon Tendaba optional excursion to the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve. This reserve 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.

Early in the morning, you leave Tendaba and sail upstream on the Gambia River all morning to reach Kuntaur. Early afternoon arrival to the bustling Gambian port town of Kuntaur, the last inland stop along the river navigable for ocean-going ships. Later in the afternoon, you board a large motor pirogue for a 3-hour optional excursion cruise on The Gambia River. First, you head to the southernmost tip of Baboon Island, one of the five islands of The Gambia National Park. A local national park ranger is joining you onboard to give more information about the park and its fauna & flora. Then you turn, and the motor pirogue slows down and sails slowly back to Kuntaur, closely following the shores of Baboon Island. This island is home to the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project. If you are lucky, from your motor pirogue, you can closely observe the chimps with minimal intrusion. There is also the possibility of seeing hippos, crocodiles, Red Colobus, Green Vervet monkeys, and 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.

This morning, your optional excursion by bus will take you to the ferry station in Janjanbureh. There, you 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 Georgetown. During the walk, you get an impression of this laidback town and see the governor's residence, the market, and the Methodist church with its school. Afterward, take the ferry back and re-board the bus to Lamin Koto. A new school building is being built through the generosity of Variety Cruises and many of its clients. Later in the morning, you stop at the mysterious stone circles in Wassu, a megalithic site believed to have been a burial ground thousands of years ago. Visit the little museum of this archaeological site, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. In the afternoon, after lunch, sail downstream to Kaur, a small fishing village on the banks of the Gambia. You can have the opportunity to walk around this small community and see how Gambians live today. In the evening, leave Kaur and sail downstream towards Banjul. Captains Farewell Dinner.

This morning, you anchor at St. James Island in the middle of the Gambia River, an important slave trading post under British rule in The Gambia. In 1976, James Island became famous due to the author Alex Haley and its bestseller book "Roots" and the story of an enslaved person called Kunta Kinteh. The island is now called a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Optional walking tour: After disembarking by local tenders, your local guide will tell you more about the history of James Island, and afterward, you can have some time to explore this island by yourself. After lunch, leave "Kunta Kinteh" to reach Banjul around 4 pm. After formalities, later in the evening, sail out of the Gambia estuary into the Atlantic Ocean northwards to Dakar. Gambian Night with Kora Instrument Concert - Overnight at sea to Dakar.

Arrive in Dakar early this morning. Disembarkation at 9 am after breakfast.