SERVICES INCLUDED

Day 1: ARRIVAL IN DAKAR - RETBA LAKE (approx. 60 KM)

Your adventure begins today with a flight from Düsseldorf to Dakar. On arrival, an English-speaking guide will give you a warm welcome at the airport. You'll then be driven to your hotel, ideally located near Lake Retba, also known as Lac Rose. Spend the rest of the day exploring and soaking up the magnificent scenery of Africa's west coast.

Day 2: RETBA LAKE - DAKAR - GORÉE ISLAND - DAKAR (approx. 50 KM)

Today, explore Lake Retba, famous for its pink color and extreme salinity, higher than that of the Dead Sea. Witness the artisanal extraction of salt, a delicate process that preserves the lake's ecosystem. Next, head to Dakar to board a boat for Gorée Island, a historic site marking the slave trade for three centuries. Visit the slave house and Saint-Charles church, while learning about the colonial history of West Africa. Finish your day by returning to Dakar for the night.

Day 3: DAKAR - BANDIA RESERVE - SALY (approx. 110 KM)

After a hearty breakfast, set off on a tour of Dakar, the oldest European-looking city in West Africa. Visit the Place de l'Indépendance, the Kermel market and the Musée des Civilisations Noires. In the afternoon, head to Saly, a popular seaside resort with restaurants, bars and a palm-fringed beach. If you've opted for the excursion, explore the Bandia reserve, founded to restore the savannah, where you can observe a variety of animal species. End the day with dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel in Saly.

Day 4: SALY - JOAL-FADIOUTH - TOUBAKOUTA (approx. 250 KM)

Today, head for the Sine-Saloum delta. Visit the Mbour women's cooperative, which manufactures cereal and baobab products. Next, explore Joal-Fadiouth, birthplace of Léopold Sédar Senghor and center of Senegalese fishing. Admire Fadiouth's shellfish island, accessible by a wooden bridge, and its mixed cemetery. Continue on to Toubakouta, stopping to see a giant baobab near Fadial. In Toubakouta, discover the UNESCO World Heritage delta, rich in biodiversity. End the day with a bird-watching pirogue trip, followed by dinner and overnight in Toubakouta.

Day 5: TOUBAKOUTA - BARRA - JUFFURE - BINTANG (ENV. 320 KM)

Today, you cross the border from Senegal into The Gambia. After entry formalities, take the ferry to Barra and visit the historic fortress of Fort Bullen, a testament to British colonial power. Then head for Juffure to discover a museum on slavery and follow in the footsteps of Kunta Kinte, famous character from the novel "Roots". Take a boat to James Island, recently renamed Kunta Kinteh Island and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can explore the ruins of Fort James. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip through the mangroves to admire the local flora and fauna. End the day with dinner and overnight at Bintang.

Day 6: BINTANG

This day is dedicated to gastronomy and relaxation. Join a 6-hour cooking class where you'll learn how to prepare local dishes such as Benechin, Domoda and Yassa, which you'll then enjoy for lunch. In the late afternoon, embark on a boat trip through the mangroves to explore the native flora and fauna. End the day with dinner and overnight at the lodge.

Day 7: BINTANG - BANJUL - SEREKUNDA (approx. 120 KM)

Start the day with a guided nature walk around your lodge, before heading to Banjul. En route, visit the Kachikally Crocodile Pool. On arrival in Banjul, explore the capital by discovering the National Museum and the famous Albert Market, perfect for buying handcrafted souvenirs. Finish off the day with an overnight stay in Serekunda.

Day 8: SEREKUNDA - ABUKO NATIONAL PARK - SEREKUNDA (approx. 40 KM)

Head for Abuko National Park, covering over 100 hectares and home to a diversity of animals, including primates, crocodiles and hyenas. Accompanied by a guide, explore the exotic flora and fauna. Back at the hotel, enjoy the afternoon at leisure to stroll along the beach or relax by the pool. Overnight in Serekunda.

Day 9: SEREKUNDA - KAOLACK (approx. 120 KM)

After breakfast, drive to the Senegal-Gambia border. After entry formalities, visit the nearby Sine Ngayène stone circles. End the day with dinner and overnight in Kaolack.

Day 10: Kaolack - Lompoul (approx. 280 km)

In the morning, visit the bustling market in Kaolack, the center of Senegal's peanut industry. Next, drive to Lompoul, with a stop in Touba, the holy city of the Mourides, to discover the great mosque and the tomb of Cheick Amadou Bamba. In Lompoul, spend the night in Moorish tents in the heart of the savannah. Dinner at the camp.

Day 11: LOMPOUL - SAINT-LOUIS (APPROXIMATELY 100 KM)

After a delicious breakfast, set off for Saint-Louis, former capital of the "French Sudan" and nicknamed the Pearl of West Africa. Although populated by over 250,000 inhabitants, the city retains a soothing calm. In the afternoon, explore the old town by horse-drawn carriage, admiring its magnificent colonial buildings listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. End your day with a visit to the picturesque fishermen's quarter on the Langue de Barbarie, before enjoying dinner and spending the night in Saint-Louis.

Day 12: SAINT-LOUIS - DJOUDJ NATIONAL PARK - SAINT-LOUIS (APPROX. 120 KM)

In the morning, set off from Saint-Louis for Djoudj National Park, around 60 km away and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This park, one of the world's largest bird reserves, offers a boat trip through its rich ecosystem. Enjoy observing and photographing the many unique bird species. Return to Saint-Louis for dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day 13: SAINT-LOUIS - PARC NATIONAL DE LA LANGUE DE BARBARIE - GUEMBEUL NATURAL RESERVE - SAINT-LOUIS (ABOUT 40 KM)

Free day with several optional activities: an optional excursion to the Langue de Barbarie National Park. Explore the birdlife at the mouth of the Senegal River on a boat trip, looking for seagulls and other marine species. Then visit the Guembeul nature reserve, where a vehicle safari will allow you to observe antelopes, gazelles, turtles and, if you're lucky, porcupines. Return to Saint-Louis for dinner and overnight.

Day 14: SAINT-LOUIS - DAKAR (CA. 300 KM)

After a hearty breakfast, drive back to Dakar. On arrival, explore the craft market and admire the Monument de la Renaissance Africaine, an imposing 49-metre bronze statue commissioned by former president Abdoulaye Wade. Then visit Almadies, the most westerly point on the African continent. Spend the night in Dakar.

Day 15: DAKAR - DEPARTURE (APPROX. 60 KM)

After a final breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your return flight to Germany. You'll return home with many new impressions and experiences, and arrive on the same day.

Program subject to change!

(We recommend that you take out foreign health and cancellation insurance).

Good to know:  After booking, you'll receive detailed information about your trip. This includes the complete program, travel formalities and everything you'll need to make the most of your stay. Your travel documents will be sent to you before you leave! We're delighted that you'd like to discover UGANDA with Berge & Meer (Organization and responsibility).