WEST AFRICA

8 Days and 6 nights: (5 nights Senegal and 1 night Gambia)

Experience glorious history, knowledge, culture and fun that will make you feel you have come to a family reunion.

Soak up Africa’s culture as you travel to the closest destination to where Slaves were extracted to the United States. Learn about the Slave trade as you visit Goree Island, the infamous departure point of millions headed for slavery in the Americas. Tour Slave Castles and listen to lectures on the Slave trade.

Shop and barter in the markets ’til you drop. Fine wood carvings, Kente cloth, masks and more are available for purchase. Dine on fresh fish, chicken and rice (a typical African dish). Celebrate a re-naming ceremony. Relax in outstanding hotels

There is nothing that comes close to this experience as you learn about your past and share a vacation of a lifetime. You will be greeted with a warm friendly smile, “my brother” or “my sister”, then an embrace.

The Senegalese will make you feel like you’ve come to a family re-union.

Inclusions:

• Round-trip transfers between airports and hotels
• Accommodations in 4 star hotels
• Hotel taxes and Service charges at the hotel
• Portage at hotels and airports
• Breakfasts every day
• Lunches & Dinners as per itinerary
• Sightseeing tours as per itinerary including entrance fees
• Local guides for sightseeing

Added Features:

• Four Wheel jeep drive tour on Pink Lake Beaches
• Tour to Gambia and Saloum Islands
• Boat ride on the Sine River at the Saloum Islands
• Special Farewell Dinner
• Take part in a re-naming ceremony

Featured Hotels or similar:

• Dakar:  Hotel Savana
• Toubacouta: Hotel Paletuviers
• Gambia:  Atlantic Corinthia Hotel

Sample Itinerary

Day 1, Depart for Dakar
Overnight trip to Dakar. Note: African American Journeys will be happy to assist you with your flight plans.

Day 2, Arrival in Dakar (D)
Arrival Dakar in the morning local time. Please be in Dakar no later than 10:30am in order to take your transfer. Your tour representatives see you through customs and baggage claim. An Air-conditioned coach will then transfer you to your hotel in Dakar. There will be an introductory briefing en route. A welcome drink and Orientation meeting before a welcome dinner. Relax – Yes!! You are really here. It is a dream come true!

Day 3, In Dakar – Excursion to Goree Island (B/L/D)
Listen closely as you awaken to hear the incredible sounds of the entire city. Feel the energy of the spirits of your brothers and sisters. After breakfast at your hotel you are off to Goree Island. Located near Dakar, this is the infamous departure point for millions of Africans headed for slavery to the Americas. Classified as a site of world patrimony, Goree has been magnificently preserved. You will be visiting Slave’s houses, the Museum, the Castle and the market as you walk the streets of this unique place. Lunch is included before you head back to discover the capital city of Senegal. Take in the mixture of fragrances and colors as you see the Cathedral du Souvenir African, the Great Mosque and the Presidential Palace. You head back to your hotel for your overnight accommodations and dinner. The end of a powerful day!

Day 4, In Dakar – Excursion to Pink Lake (B/L/D)
After breakfast you will depart for Pink Lake which draws its name from the color of its water that is due to the high content of salt. It over 3 miles along sand dunes. Here you will take a tour of this beautiful lake by 4-wheel vehicles as you see how local women harvest the salt as they wade into the shallow waters. You visit the local Fulani Village before lunch. Return to your hotel to rest and relax. This evening, dinner at a wonderful local restaurant

Day 5, In Dakar – Excursion to Saloum Islands & Toubacouta (B/L)
This morning you are off to explore and play in the energies of the Saloum Islands. The Saloum Delta is a myriad of small islands scattered between numerous “bolongs” (channels). Lunch will be taken at the Djilor encampment. Then you board a boat to ride the Sine river along the white sandy beaches before continuing to Toubacouta, a town very near the border with Gambia. Check into your reserved accommodations. Balance of the day and evening free for independent activities. Dinner on your own.

Day 6, To Gambia (B/L/D)
Early morning breakfast, then we depart for Banjul, the capital of Gambia. Lunch at a local restaurant enroute to Gambia. Upon arrival, we will have a sightseeing of the city with visits to the craft market, Musu Kebba. Onto the tie-dye factory in Serekunda and to the crocodile pool in Bakaa before returning to your hotel for dinner.

Day 7, Gambia and Return to Dakar (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you return to Dakar via the road to Juffureh, the Mandinka Village that Alex Haley spoke about in his best seller, Roots. Here you will visit the ruins of the Albreda Trading Post and see the famous flag pole. Highlight of the village tour will be the welcome by the Kenteh family. Lunch on the way back before you arrive at your hotel. This evening, you all participate in your farewell dinner and special African Re-Naming ceremony.

Day 8, To USA: (B)
After breakfast, transfer to Leopold Senghor Airport for our same day outbound return flight.

This is a sample itinerary we could use to help plan a tour for your group.
For more information, please go to: http://africanamericanjourneys.com/form-your-own-group-travel-free