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.  Gambia city exploration

Today is our farewell as our trip comes to a end. Today is a special day. Today we honor our journey with a full cultural celebration.

We immerse and dance to the drums, and women will wear their traditional clothes. There will be drumming and dancing. 

Final transfer to the airport