Join the crew of the Harmony G for a fascinating 8-day cruise along the West Africa Coast and upstream the Gambia River, deep inside the African continent. Discover Africa's animal wealth, fauna and history, as you spend your days in the waterways of Senegal and Gambia. Organized excursions are available for most ports of call and your on board Gambian River Naturalist introduce you to West Africa's treasures.
Highlights
Reach the Sine – Saloum Delta, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Learn about the history of James Island and explore the island by yourself
Visit local villages and get an impression of local life in The Gambia
Have the possiblity to see hippos, crocodiles, Red Colobus, and monkeys
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
This morning reach the Sine – Saloum Delta in Senegal, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and also an Important Birding Area, as designated by Birdlife International and natural habitat for many bird species but also such aquatic animals as marine turtles, dolphins, West African manatees and crocodiles. Your optional excursion starts at the primitive fishing village of Djiffere from where you reach the village of Joal Fadiouth, set on an island of clam shells that also are used in local buildings and crafts. In the afternoon, leave Senegal and the Saloum Delta River and sail south to Gambia to reach Banjul, the capital of Gambia and gateway to the 700-mile Gambia River. This evening enjoy a Fishermen night. Overnight in Banjul.
The morning in Banjul will give you the opportunity to take the 1/2 day excursions offered to Bakau with its crocodile "katchikaly", its Botanic Garden and a short Banjul Tour. After lunch, leave Banjul and sail upstream. Stop at St. James Island in the middle of the Gambia River. The first settlers on the island arrived in 1651 and under the British rule it became an important slave trading post in The Gambia. In 1976 James Island became famous due to the author Alex Haley and its bestseller book "Roots" and the story of a slave, called Kunta Kinteh. The island was recently renamed Kunta Kinteh Island and is now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. After disembarking by local tenders your local guide will tell you more about the history of James Island and afterwards, you will 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.
From the ship take motor pirogues in order to reach Tendaba, located on the South Bank in the Lower River Division, your starting point of your morning optional excursion. It is a small fishing village of mainly Muslim faith with approximately 600 inhabitants 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 of 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 which brings you back to Tendaba. On the way pass again local villages where you get an impression of local life in The Gambia. In the afternoon, be 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 5: Gambia River | Kuntaur | River Gambia National Park
Leave Tendaba in the early morning and sail upstream on the Gambia River all morning to reach Kuntaur. Arrive to 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 hours 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 is joining you onboard in order to give more information about the park and its fauna & flora. Then the motor pirogue slows down and sails slowly back to Kuntaur following closely the shores of Baboon Island. This island is home of 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 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.
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 of one of the oldest towns of The Gambia, formerly called Georgetown. During the walk you get an impression of this laidback town and see the residence of the governor, the market and the Methodist church with its school. Afterwards take the ferry back and re board the bus to reach Lamin Koto. 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, an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. In the afternoon, after lunch, sail downstream to Kaur a small fishing village on the banks of the Gambia. Have the opportunity to walk around this small community and see how Gambians live today. This evening enjoy the Captains Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Kaur.
Leave Kaur early in the morning and sail further downstream towards Banjul where dolphins and other animals life can be sighted. Arrive in Banjul around 4pm. After formalities, later in the evening, sail out of the Gambia estuary into the Atlantic Ocean northwards to Dakar. This evening, enjoy a Gambian night with a concert by Kora Instruments. Overnight at sea to Dakar.
Day 8: Dakar, Senegal | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Arrive in Dakar early in the morning. Enjoy one last breakfast before you disembark.
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.
$1,990
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Category C
Lower deck cabins with one double bed or two twin beds. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV, CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).
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Category B (Twin)
Main deck cabins with two twin beds. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV, CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).
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Category A (Twin)
Main deck cabins with two twin beds. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV, CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).
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Category P
Upper deck cabins with one double bed or two twin beds. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV, CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).
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. Children between the ages of 10-16 sharing a cabin with two paying adults receive a 35% discount.
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
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 169 reviews
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Friendly and professional interactions. Answered my questions and followed up on initial contact.
Tim Elliott
1 day ago
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
2 days ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
2 days ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
3 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.