We are connecting to our ROOTS! Green Book Travel offers Senegal and Gambia as a new addition to our cultural exploration series. This overland trip explores two culturally dynamic and cosmopolitan countries merging cultural experience with important history and stunning landscapes. We are uncovering the rich culture, history, cuisine and artistic significance that reflects the colonial history and significance of African descendants.
Our 9 day, 8 night experience is a trip of a lifetime! We invite you to discover West Africa with a pilgrimage to pay respects to the ancestors!
We look forward to hosting your journey!
- Welcome Event
- City Highlights
- New museum of Black Civilization
- African Renaissance monument
- Nomadic tribes & traditional religions
- Rights of Passage & Naming Ceremony
- Visit the Pink River Lac Rose
- UNESCO World Heritage site Goree Island & historic monuments of Atlantic slave trade
-Jufureh & Kunta Kinteh Island the ancestral home of Alex Haley
- Enjoy a Safari! Watch wild and domesticated animals in their habitat
- Learn about the Senegalese and Gambian culture
- Community Service Project
- Farewell Event
- As well as a few surprises!
Merging cultural experiences with important histories and stunning landscapes. Our journey through Senegal and The Gambia brings you to a part of Africa that's seldom explored.
Trip Type: Cultural
Take part in colorful festivals and lively traditions, explore bustling markets, and sample the local cuisine. Our culture trips include destination highlights, local experiences, featuring exploration designed around cultural immersion & ancestry, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments -all at a great price.
Trip Size: Small Group
This is a small group experience; Max 20, Avg 10. This means you'll be traveling with people from all over the world- laughter and friendships always guaranteed.
Physical Rating: Light Moderate
There will be some Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging. This is a moving trip. Daily activities may include walking tours, visits to sites, safari drives, and easy hikes;
We will be commuting via van, boats, 4x4 and walking.
Age requirement: 13+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Traveler Type: Good attitude
Due to the regions that visit, travel can be unpredictable. Road can be bumpy, technology can be intermittent or the itinerary may call for a change of plan. We are exploring area where tourism isn't large and our Western standards aren't in place. Please pack patience, understanding and willingness to learn from it's people first hand.
If you have any questions about our trip offerings, please feel free to reach out to us.
Phone: 800 966-2021
Email: Info@greenbooktravel.com
Booking a trip with Green Book Travel you agree to travel agreement
www.greenbooktravel.com/travelagreement
We provide extensive services throughout the trip planning process which includes: a private Facebook group, pre-trip call, email, visa, travel insurance & immunization support. Digital trip guide
Double occupancy accommodations are standard, Single Supplement Available. Hotel accommodation provided at 3-Star/standard properties, camps and lodges
Our package includes round trip airport transfer service.
Private Transportation, ferry, 4x4, boats & walking
All entrance and excursion fees are included in the total trip price for itinerary listed activities.
Daily breakfast is provided, Bottled Water during all tours. Welcome and Farewell Event Meals are included.
Blaise Diagne International Airport (IATA: DSS) is the international airport in Senegal that you should arrive and depart from
Requirements: PASSPORT VALIDITY: 6 months BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: One page for stamp
Senegal does not require a visa for U.S. citizens.Tourist Visa are required for Gambia. Visit our VisaHQ site for the most current requirements and your visa processing. www.greenbooktravel.visahq.net
Yellow fever vaccination is required. Check www.CDC.gov for detailed recommendations and requirements
Travel Insurance is Required. We are licensed providers. The policy minimums will be included in your Client registration package. Policies can be purchased at http://bit.ly/Greenbooktravel
Are you looking to arrive early or stay later? Pre and Post Trip extensions are available. Please inquire via email info@greenbooktravel.com
Welcome to Senegal! We will meet you at the Blaise Diagne International Airport.
Our team will help get you checked in at your accommodations. Settle in, relax and feed your eyes to the new environment.
Later this evening, we will host a Welcome Celebration where you'll have an opportunity to indulge in authentic cuisine while getting to know your fellow travelers.
Welcome HOME!
After breakfast at our hotel, we set off for our tour of Dakar. We will visit historical sites and learn about the historical beginnings of Senegal from independence Place, the heart of the city continuing on to the Renaissance Monument. Our next visit will be the New Museum of Black Civilization, which showcases the diversity of Africa and the African Diaspora to the world.
The second part of our day is emotional as we board the ferry to set out to explore Goree Island -the departure point of millions of slaves who were sent to the Americas. The historic Goree Island, testifies to an unprecedented human experience in the history of humanity - the Atlantic slave trade. Situated off the coast of Senegal, opposite Dakar, from the 15th to the 19th century, Goree was the largest slave-trading center on the African coast. Now a tranquil UNESCO World Heritage Site, Goree was one of the first French settlements on the continent. You will have time to explore and visit the Museum Maison des Eclaves (Slaves’ House) Door of No Return , memorializing the final exit point for the millions of people that passed on the way to slavery.
Tonight is at your leisure!
Today we set out to visit the Pick Lake
Arrive at this incredible rose colored body of water known as Pink Lake, ('Lac Rose' in French, 'Retba' in Wolof). Take some time to swim in the shallow, warm waters without any fear of drowning. You are guaranteed to float (as everything floats on this lake due to its very high salinity) - like the Dead sea of Jordan.
After breakfast we depart for the Holy city of Touba. Touba it is the second most populated Senegalese city after Dakar . Life in Touba is dominated by Muslim practice and Islamic scholarship. A major annual pilgrimage, called the Grand Magal, attracts between one and two million people from all over Senegal and beyond, from as far away as Europe and America. Other, minor pilgrimages occur throughout the year.
In Touba we will visit the Grand Mosque which is the largest in all of West Africa, Touba is autonomous city much like the Vatican in Italy. After Touba we will continue to Kaolack. During our continuation we will visit the Fulani and/or the Wolof Villages, The Fulani are the largest tribe roaming West African savannahs, living in a wide area from Senegal to Chad.
Today we set out to visit Senegal’s version of the Serengeti, Fathala Wildlife Reserve. Fathala consists of approximately 6000 hectares of original and protected forest, providing guests with the opportunity to visit an original stretch of the African wilderness in it’s original condition.
During our time at the the reserve there are opportunities to do a game drive enjoying an authentic African bush experience with a guided safari tours. Observing family herds of the rare West African giant derby eland – only found in this part of the world – as well as other antelope species, such as roan, waterbuck and bushbuck. Also to be seen are giraffes, rhino, buffalo, warthog as well as red colobus, green vervet and red patas monkeys and exquisitely colored bird species among the giant African mahogany trees.
Enjoy an ice cold drink, hot coffee, or delicious pizza prepared on a wood-fired oven while taking an opportunity to appreciate the indigenous and beautifully bird species in the trees and monkeys drinking from the water-feature alongside.
If you are brave, Fathala is also one the 5 places in the world where Walking with a Lion is possible. The lion walk is a chance to walk with some tame lions that have been raised from a young age.
We will depart for Gambia after breakfast, to discover the unique megalithic site of Sine Ngayene- Stone Circles. Composed of 52 circles of erected stones, including a double circle. With a total of 1102 carved stones this site has been recognized by UNESCO.
Some have been excavated, which have revealed archaeological material and human burials, from pottery to iron instruments and ornamentation dating between the 1 st and 2nd millennia to our era. Nearby is a quarry from which the monoliths were extracted and where sources of more than 150 stones have been traced-including African Royalty.
Next we cross into The Gambia, and visit Juffure and Kunta Kinteh Island (formerly James island), two important stops in The Gambia's slave history. This is the last bit that slaves saw before being transported in the bowels of the transatlantic slave ships to the Americas.
Juffureh, is the ancestral village of Alex Haley's Roots and Kunta Kinte. We will visit Albreda, which is know for the Flag Pole. During slavery it was believed freedom is guaranteed if you touched it after escaping James Island. The ruins of reputed to be the oldest churches of West Africa- Sao Domingo Church.. The restored original home of the Kinte clan is still occupied by the Kinte family.
Today is the day of your leisure.
Today is our farewell as our trip comes to an end. We will commence our travels by spending our time exploring authentic African ethnicity, which have preserved their ancestral traditions, animist religion, initiatory rites & traditional ceremonies .
We will visit a large patriarchal Diola family in adobe-fortified building -an example of African "sculpture architecture". We will also be received by the King,
Culturally, perhaps the most fascinating place in Senegal. the sound of bombolongs and songs, we will dance and discover another face of Africa.
Final transfer to the airport
