Close your eyes… envision your feet touching the soil of where life began.
Now take a deep breath... imagine being fully immersed in the language, food, culture, folklore, music, art and dance of Africa. Awaken your senses to the endless possibilities of an extraordinary place filled with mysticism coupled with a rich and dynamic history.
Exhale… indulge yourself with sensational cultural workshops and experiences unlike any other. Wake up every morning to the sights and sounds of Africa and prepare for a guaranteed adventure of a lifetime.
It’s time to open your eyes.
Join us on a three-week voyage to The Gambia, Sénégal, and Mali in West Africa. Explore some of the most powerful and historical sites in both Countries while tasting authentic traditional dishes and taking part in daily folkloric practices of drumming and dance by legendary artists and entertainers.
Visit the exciting market places in Serekunda and Achellum and shop for one of a kind items. Then, enjoy the relaxing atmosphere at one of the many forest parks, beaches, and/or the buzzing nightlife.
You will dwell in a comfortable, shared, traditional housing, fully immersed with the locals having all amenities. Inquire within for individual room.
Fekk Ci Ñu! ~ "Join us" in the Wolof Language
The Gambia or 'The Smiling Cost of Africa' is Africa's smallest nonisland country where the sun shines year-round. With miles of coastal beaches and the Gambia River running through the country’s entirety, Gambia is one of the most beautiful and peaceful lands in Africa.
National Museum of Gambia
Bijolo Monkey Forest Park
Oyster Lady Experience
Kachikally Crocodile Pool
The Gambia River Cruise ($$)
Serekunda Market Place
Masquerade Festival
Senegal, a country with beautiful scenery and mass cultural preservations. It is situated on the coast of West Africa. Vibrant and welcoming Senegal is where rich traditions and natural beauty combine to great effect.
Fathala Wildlife Reserve (Excursions Available $$)
Renaissance Monument ($$)
Musee Civilisations Noires (Museum of Black Civilization $$)
Achellum Marketplace
Sandagar Marketplace
Pink Lake (Excursions Available $$)
Goree Island
Mali is West Africa's beating heart. A country as rich in history as it is blessed with jaw dropping landscapes and diverse cultures. A country steeped in legend, music and incredible natural beauty, Mali is one of the most rewarding destinations in West Africa.
Artisana Marketplace
Niger River Cruise ($$)
Dembafoli
Donso Hunter Performance
Kirina Excursion ($$)
National Museum of Mali
National Ballet
Kutiro, Bougarabou, Sabar, Balafon, Kora, Djembe, Djeli Dunun Classes, Song Classes
Language Experiences (Wolof, Mandika, Bambara)
Comfortable Ground Bus Transport
Shared Accommodations. Single Accommodations offered for an additional fee. Inquire within
Drum, Dance, Song, Language, Cooking
Fresh and Nourishing Meals. Drinks Not Included. Vegan Options Available
Specific Mentioned Points of Interest Only
Be prepared to tip the voyage hosts, drivers, instructors and artist/performers during festival events
There is an abundance of excursions that you may want to explore in your spare time: horse back riding, camel riding, RTV, Jet Skiing, lion walk, etc.
Arrive in Banjul, The Gambia
Check in Room
Welcome & Introductions/ Safety Talk/ Money Exchange
Brief Tour Around Surrounding Areas
Welcome Dinner
Culture Talk/ Reflection
9:00AM Breakfast/Review Agenda for the Day
Bougarabou drum, song, dance workshop
Lunch
National Museum of Gambia
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Gambian night-life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast/Review agenda for the day
Kutiro drum, dance, song class
Lunch
Bijilo Forest Park/Monkey Park
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Gambian night-life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast/Review agenda for the day
Balafon and Kora Song & Dance Workshop
Lunch
Visit Arch 22
Serekunda Marketplace
New Year's Eve Celebration
9:00AM Breakfast/Review agenda for the day
Oyster Fishing
Lunch
Kachikally Crocodile Pool
Dinner
Cultural Event TBA
Cultural talk/journaling-reflecting
Gambian night-life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast/Review agenda for the day
Gambian River Cruise with lunch
Currency Exchange
Open Free time
Dinner
Culture Talk/Departure Meeting for Senegal
Gambian night-life (optional)
7:00AM Breakfast
8:00AM Depart to Senegal by Bus
Visit Fathala Reserve $$ (optional)
Lunch
Aksilen
Arrive in Dakar
Check in rooms
Exchange Money
Welcome & Introductions/Safety Talk
Brief Tour Around Surrounding Areas
Welcome Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Relax for the evening
9:00AM Breakfast
Sabar Drum/Song/Dance Workshop
Lunch
Visit Renaissance Monument
Visit Ngore Plage and dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast
Sabar Drum/Dance/Song Workshop
Lunch
Toucoulour Drum/Dance/Song Workshop
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast
Sabar Drum/Song/Dance Workshop
Lunch
Achelum Marketplace
Dinner
Culture talk/reflections
Night-life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast
Depart for Pink Lake (Excursions Available $$)
Sabar class at Pink Lake Dance/Drum/Song Workshop
Lunch at Pink Lake
Sénégalese Dinner/Cooking Workshop
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast
Sabar Drum/Dance/Song Workshop
Lunch
Balanta Drum/Dance/Song Workshop
Visit Muse civilisation noir
Dinner
Cultural Talk/Reflections
Night-life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast
Visit Goree Island (Wear White)
Final Shopping Day
Currency Exchange
Farewell Ceremony & Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection/Departure meeting for Mali
9:00AM Breakfast (TBA)
Depart for airport for travel
Arrive in Mali the same day
Check in Hotel/Rest
Exchange Money
Welcome Dinner
9:00AM Breakfast
Djeli Dunun Drum/ Dance/Song Class
Lunch
Djembe Drum/Dance/Song Class
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
9:00 Breakfast
Djembe Drum/Dance/Song class
Lunch
Artisana Marketplace
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
9:00 Breakfast
Djembe Dance/Drum/Song class
Lunch
Djembe Dance/Drum/Song Class
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
9:00 Breakfast
Depart for Kirina, Mali Village(3hours)
Lunch
Donso/Djembefola/Calabash Women/Griot Performance
History Talk
Djembe Drum/Dance/Song Workshop
Depart for Bamako
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast
Bungalaa Dance/Drum/Song Class
Lunch
National Museum of Mali
Cultural outing TBA
Dinner
Culture talk/Reflection
Night-life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast
Djembe Dance/Drum/Song Class
Lunch
Niger River Cruise and Tour
Free-time
Dinner
Culture talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
9:00AM Breakfast
Last minute shopping/packing
Song Class
Departure Dinner
Final Departure back to the US
