Join us for an exciting and fabulous adventure through the rivers of Senegal and The Gambia! After many strenuous experiences traveling over-land in Africa, we thought it would be wonderful to change it up and take a small ship (slash big yacht) and cruise to our various destinations where we will then explore further by smaller boats, and by foot!

We'll learn all about the cultures of these two beautiful countries, and see an abundance of wildlife, all while getting the convenience of returning back to our same cabins each night!

This is one of our new small group trips, with pricing depending on the number of guests. We are anticipating 8-10 guests however if we reach 14, everyone will get a discount!

Below are our general suggestions for booking flights to and from Senegal!

ARRIVE: As early as possible on January 17th - we will depart on the ship later in the afternoon. For those wanting to arrive a day or two early, we will put together small add-ons for that later, but please note your interest on the booking form!

Depart: Late afternoon or night on January 24th

We always like to be fully transparent with our trips, so please be sure to read these few disclaimers!

- This is a brand new trip that we personally have not done before, however we have worked with the company before.

- Please note on the itinerary that there are several shore excursions mentioned that are "optional", meaning you unfortunately have to pay extra for them - they are mostly around 100 euros.

- Senegal and The Gambia have typical crime problems as most other countries, with theft being prevalent in main city areas. Please be aware of this and yourself/belongings at all times.

- If we end up not reaching more than 6 people for this trip there is a chance Alyssa will not be able to go to host it, but it's still a possibility!

Our cancellation policy is based on our local tour companies’ policies as well for timing until things like hotels and tours are not refundable, as well as our own fees for all of the admin and work we do to create these trips, and handle all of your bookings! We hope you understand! 

This is also why we make travel insurance MANDATORY, and we highly recommend getting it around the same time you book your flights. That way if a covered issue happens like a flight cancellation or delay, or you (god forbid) get sick or injured, the insurance will likely cover your trip. However, if you cancel for PERSONAL reasons, including work-related issues, financial-issues, family-issues, or fear of travel, the insurance does not cover those reasons, and neither can we, however we try to be as flexible as possible! 

UPDATE: As of 2024, we now require:

• 50% of total trip price paid by 6 months before the trip
• 100% of total trip price paid by 3 months before the trip

Below is an overview of our cancellation policy timeline for personal reasons:

• Up to 8 months before:  Payments other than deposit refunded
• Up to 6 months before: Any other payments besides deposit refunded if spot is filled 
• Up to 3 months before: Payments refunded if spot is filled only, otherwise non-refundable deposit + potential fees from tour company deducted from non-refundable/non-transferable items and admin fees
• Less than 3 months before: non-refundable

For emergency health situations; we will evaluate them on a per basis situation depending on the time of cancellation and ability to have travel insurance cover it or not.

Prices are based on double occupancy, meaning sharing a room! If you'd like o book a single room, please select that option

General Information:

Length: 55 m 

Launched: 2009 | Renovated: 2017 

Cabins: 25 

Capacity: 49 passengers Crew: 16-18 

The M/Y HARMONY V is a 183 ½ ft-wide elegant yacht and was rebuilt/launched in July 2009. HARMONY V complies with EUROSOLAS safety regulations, ISPS (International Ships Port Safety Code) ISM, (International Safety Management), while its powerful engines, generators and state of the art stabilizers will allow for safe and comfortable cruising. Service on board is provided by your Captain, the Cruise Coordinator and your experienced Marine and Hotel crew members. Service will be attentive or unobtrusive according to your requirements and priority is always given to the safety and comfort of passengers. Organized excursions are available for most ports of call and can be pre-booked or reserved 24 hours in advance.

CABIN SPECIFICATIONS The 25 cabins of the M/Y HARMONY V are located on the Main deck (9 cabins) and on the Upper Deck (16 cabins). All cabins are premium and contemporary and are decorated with soft color furnishings. All 16 cabins on the Upper Deck offer flexible bedding configuration, which can be set to offer either two twin beds or a double bed. All cabins offer large windows and ensuite bathrooms with shower and elegant Corian finishing on walls and floors. Each cabin is equipped with flatscreen TV, DVD player, mini-fridge, hairdryer, individually controlled A/C, and safety deposit box.

PLEASE CLICK HERE for the 360 ship tour and to see cabin types: https://my.thevivestia.com/tour/voyager-harmony-vivestia

Category C  -  $4,310 (plus $465 Port fees)

11-12.5 sq.m. / 119-135 sq.ft.
Main Deck
Double Beds
With windows

Category B - $5,076.5 (plus $465 Port fees)

12.5-13 sq.m. / 135-140.5 sq.ft.
Main Deck
Twin or Double Beds
With windows

Category A - $5,536 (plus $465 Port fees)

12.5-13.5 sq.m. / 135-146 sq.ft.
Upper Deck
Flexible beds
With windows

Welcome to Senegal! The first of the two countries we will be exploring on this trip! 

Please be sure to arrive as early as possible or even a day early to avoid any problems, since today we will be embarking on the ship!

For those who arrive early, we will take a look around Dakar, and perhaps visit a market and local restaurant!

Then there will be a late afternoon embarkation at 3 to 4pm, followed by dinner. After dinner, we set sail southward towards the Saloum River Delta. 

Overnight at sea, south along the coast

This morning we reach the Sine – Saloum Delta in Senegal, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and  also an Important Birding Area, as designated by Birdlife International and natural habitat for  many bird species but also such aquatic animals as marine turtles, dolphins, West African  manatees and crocodiles. 

Our Joal Fadiout optional excursion starts at the fishing village of  Djiffer from where we reach the village of Joal Fadiouth, set on an island of clam shells that also  are used in local buildings and crafts. 

In the afternoon, we leave Senegal and the Saloum Delta  and sail south to Gambia to reach Banjul, the capital of Gambia and gateway to the 700-mile  Gambia River. 

Fishermen Night - Overnight in Banjul.

The morning in Banjul will give you the opportunity to take the optional 1/2 day excursions  offered to Bakau with its crocodile "katchikaly“ and a short Banjul Tour, including Royall Albert  Market & Historical Museum. 

Mid-afternoon, we leave Banjul and sail upstream to Tendaba. We  reach Tendaba late into the evening. 

African Night - Overnight at dock in Tendaba. 

From the ship we take motor pirogues in order to reach Tendaba, located on the South Bank in  the Lower River Division, our starting point of our Tendaba morning optional excursion. It is a  small fishing village of mainly Muslim faith with approximately 600 inhabitants whose main  occupation is fishing.

From there we will walk through to Batelling, a small village at the entrance  to Kiang West National Park. The area boasts of over 250 species of birds, many of which are  difficult to observe anywhere else. Other residents include Guinea baboons, bushbuck, warthogs,  Senegal bushbaby and marsh mongoose. 

After a refreshing stop in Batelling, we will board an  open safari truck which brings us back to Tendaba. On the way we pass again local villages  where you get an impression of local life in The Gambia. 

In the afternoon, we are picked-up from  the ship by motor pirogues for the afternoon Tendaba optional excursion to the Bao Bolong  Wetland Reserve. This reserve, lying across from Kiang West National Park features six major  bolongs (creeks) that provide great birding and boating opportunities. 

Numerous rare and  migratory birds also reside here including the Pel’s fishing owl, African fin foot and brown-necked  parrot. 

Overnight docked in Tendaba

Early morning we continue our journey upstream on the Gambia River, heading to the bustling port town, Kuntaur. This is the last inland stop navigable for ocean-going ships. Yes, even our small ship. The optional excursion this afternoon is a motor pirogue journey further inland to Baboon Island, a part of The Gambia National Park. 

Listen and learn as a local park ranger teaches us all about the park's flora and fauna. Then, as we drift slowly and peacefully back towards Kuntaur, keep a look out for the chimpanzees at a rehabilitation project en route. You may also spot hippos, crocodiles, Red Colobus monkeys, and more. An exceptional dance, the Kankurang, is performed on our return to Kuntaur. The Kankurang is believed to dispense justice and ward off evil spirits. 

Overnight docked in Kuntaur.

We hope you’ve slept well as we have a varied and active optional tour today. First to Janjanbureh via bus and local ferry. Janjanbureh is one of the oldest towns in The Gambia, formerly known as Georgetown. 

Wander the streets and take in the laid back vibes before we head back to the bus and on to our second destination: Lamin Koto. Here, you’ll see a new school in the process of being built, thanks to generous donations from previous passengers on this trip!

From here we’ll visit the mysterious stones of Wassu, a sacred burial ground thousands of years old, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch we sail downstream to the small fishing village, Kaur. 

Explore and see how local Gambians live here today. Lastly, join us in the evening for our signature Captain’s Farewell Dinner as we sail downstream, back towards Banjul.

One more day in The Gambia, with lots more to learn and discover. This morning we anchor at Kunta Kinteh Island. Strategically located in the middle of the Gambia River, the island has a dark history in the slave trade, the story of which has been told to the world via author Alex Haley’s book, Roots. 

A local guide will teach us about the history, after which you’ll have some time to walk around before we head back to Banjul. Tonight we host Gambian Night on board, complete with a concert performed on the kora, a west African string instrument. 

Overnight at sea, heading towards Dakar.

Early morning arrival in Dakar. Disembarkation at 9am after breakfast!

You will have the option to get transported directly to the airport, or to a hotel. For those with later flights, we will try to find a luggage storage or share a hotel room, and we can go out to eat and do a city tour!