21-Day Senegal and Gambia Round Trip with Tribes and Wildlife

• Arrival in Dakar, followed by a transfer to the hotel.

• Visit Herb Market Tilene and Medina to see how the markets operate and experience the hustle and bustle of Dakar. Continue to the Lebou suburb, then meet musicians to learn about Senegalese musical culture, followed by fish BBQ at a cultural center.

• Enjoy a city tour of Dakar, the administrative capital of Senegal, and visit some of its many attractions, including the Museum of Black Civilizations, the Monument de la Renaissance, and the train station. Drive past the Palace, then head to Gorée Island in the afternoon, followed by dinner in a galerie restaurant in the evening.

Overnight at the 3-star hotel.

• Visit a fishermen's village to understand how the industry works in Senegal. Continue to Thiaroye to meet medicine people and learn about their traditional herbal treatments and healing methods, then drive to Rosa Lake to visit the area and meet locals in Niagues.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel.

• Drive to St. Louis via Thies, with various stops en route to visit local people. Have lunch along the way, then visit shoemakers to learn how they make different kinds of shoes. Continue to Koba Ecolodge, and in the late afternoon visit local Peul communities to learn about their culture and traditions.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel.

• Spend the morning learning more about Peul women and their traditions for a deeper insight into this unique tribe. In the afternoon, drive back to St. Louis and enjoy sightseeing in the city by horse carriage.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel.

• Visit Djoudj National Park to understand how important this area is for various bird species. Later, visit local nomads to see how they survive by looking after cattle, sheep, and goats.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel.

• Drive into the Saloum Delta. On the way, visit Touba to see its well-known mosque and learn about the Islamic scholar Serigne Touba. Continue through Kaolack, with many stops in local villages and among different tribes along the route.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Drive to Sokone and visit local people along the way, including a chance to enter a family house. In the afternoon, arrive at Keur Saloum Camp in Touba Couta, then take a late afternoon boat trip to the bird dormitory in time for roosting.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel.

Drive early east to Wassadou. En route, visit local markets and the Wassu Stone Circles to learn about the mysteries surrounding them. Depending on your arrival time in Wassadou, a boat trip on the Gambia River may be possible in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star camp in Wassadou.

• Visit Mako village and the gold-searchers' village of Tomboronkoto to see how local people search for gold in the mines. Later, drive to Dindefelo Waterfall in Kedougou to see the main source of the River Gambia.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel.

• Drive to Bassariland and visit the villages of Salemata and Iwol-Egath to experience the unique culture and way of life of the Bassari tribe.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star camp.

• Drive south into Casamance, visiting Velingara en route and stopping in many villages along the way. In Kolda, visit the Fort of King Malo and the Holy Tree.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star camp around Kolda.

• Drive to Ziguinchor, stopping en route in villages and meeting minority communities of Casamance, including the Bainouck, Balante, Fouladou, and Madjack, to learn about the various tribes of southern Senegal and their rich cultures. In the evening, enjoy a village feast.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel in Ziguinchor.

• Drive to and visit Affiniam and Baila in the Ziguinchor region to see and learn more about the people of the area.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel in Ziguinchor.

• Drive to and visit Enampore (Impluviumhaus), Carabane Island, Mlomp (Etagenlehmhaus), Oussouye (possibly meeting the Diola king), and Djembering in Cap Skirring.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel in Cap Skirring.

• Drive to The Gambia and visit Tendaba Camp. Have lunch and relax by the pool before an afternoon boat tour across the Gambia River into Tungu and Kissi.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star camp.

• Drive to Kiang West National Park to see some of The Gambia's fauna and flora, then continue to Banjul with a lunch stop en route.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel in Kololi.

• Enjoy sightseeing in Banjul with the market and museum. Visit the National Museum in Banjul and Albert Market, then drive to Bakau Kachikally Crocodile Pool and finally to the batik tie-and-dye factory in Serekunda, followed by a leisure afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel.

• Drive back to Dakar with a visit to Fathala Safari Park to see animals. En route, visit Joal-Fadiouth and stop for lunch along the way. This day also offers opportunities to learn about local people, their traditions, and daily life through interaction and conversation.

Dinner and overnight at a 3-star hotel in Saly.

• Departure from Dakar Airport.