Overview
Tri-Voyage to The Gambia, Sénégal & Mali
Djapo Cultural Arts Institute
8 reviews
Dec 30, 2025 - Jan 18, 2026
Tri-Voyage to The Gambia, Sénégal & Mali
Banjul, The Gambia
Dec 30, 2025 - Jan 18, 2026
Djapo Cultural Arts Institute
8 reviews
$3,000
Deposit: $500
About your trip
Have you ever wanted to go home?
Not just any home — but the home.
The one etched into your DNA. The one you may have never seen, but have always known.
The home where rhythm lives in the soil… where music, dance, history, and spirit move as one.
The home that calls you back — again and again.
Answer the call!
Embark on a transformational three-week cultural voyage across The Gambia, Sénégal, and Mali — the heart of West Africa. Walk the paths of your ancestors, explore sacred landmarks, and awaken your senses in places rich with legacy, beauty, and resilience.
Each day offers a deep dive into traditional life:
🪘 Folkloric drumming and dance workshops led by legendary artists
🍲 Authentic meals infused with generations of flavor
🎭 Storytelling, language, music, and art that connect you to something greater
Shop vibrant markets in Serekunda, Achellum, and Mali’s famous Artisana — filled with one-of-a-kind treasures.
Relax in forest parks, bask on golden beaches, or let loose in the pulse of West Africa’s nightlife.
Live immersed in comfortable, shared, traditional housing — with all the amenities and the warmth of local hospitality. (Private rooms available upon request.)
This isn’t just a trip.
It’s a return.
A celebration.
A remembering.
Fekk Ci Ñu.
“Join us” in Wolof.
The Gambia: Voyage Highlights
The Gambia: Voyage Highlights
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 ($$)
Serekunda Market Place
Masquerade Festival
Sénégal: Voyage Highlights
Senegal, a country with beautiful scenery and mass cultural preservations. It is situated on the coast of West Africa. Vibrant and welcoming Senegal is where rich traditions and natural beauty combine to great effect.
Fathala Wildlife Reserve (Excursions Available $$)
Renaissance Monument ($$)
Musee Civilisations Noires
Achellum Marketplace
Sandagar Marketplace
Pink Lake
Goree Island
Mali: Voyage Highlights
Mali is West Africa's beating heart. A country as rich in history as it is blessed with jaw dropping landscapes and diverse cultures. A country steeped in legend, music and incredible natural beauty, Mali is one of the most rewarding destinations in West Africa.
Artisana Marketplace
Niger River Cruise ($$)
Dembafoli
Donso Hunter Performance
Kirina/Sibi Excursion ($$)
National Museum of Mali
National Ballet
Daily Cultural Arts Workshops
Kutiro, Bougarabou, Sabar, Balafon, Kora, Djembe, Djeli Dunun Classes, Song Classes
Language Experiences (Wolof, Mandika, Bambara) and evening group culture talks/reflection.s
What's included
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
Comfortable Ground Bus Transport
ACCOMMODATIONS
Shared Accommodations. Single Accommodations offered for an additional fee. Inquire within
ALL CULTURAL WORKSHOPS
Drum, Dance, Song, Language, Cooking Workshops
MEALS
2 Fresh and Nourishing Meals (Breakfast & Dinner). Drinks Not Included. Vegan Options Available
ENTRY FEES
Specific Mentioned Points of Interest Only
GREAT HOSPITALITY!!
From the moment you arrive, you are not just a guest—you are family. Our hospitality is rooted in warmth, generosity, and a deep tradition of welcoming with open arms, open hearts, and open homes.
What's not included
Airfare
Visas
Vaccinations
Travel Insurance
Tips
Please be prepared to tip the voyage hosts, drivers, instructors and artist/performers during festival events
Optional Excursions
There is an abundance of excursions that you may want to explore in your spare time: horse back riding, kayaking, camel riding, ATV, Jet Skiing, lion walk, etc.
Tues. Day 1 Gambia
Dec. 30: Welcome to The Gambia, "The Smiling Coast
Arrive in Banjul, The Gambia
Check in Room
Welcome & Introductions/ Safety Talk/ Money Exchange
Brief Tour Around Surrounding Areas
Welcome Dinner
Culture Talk/ Reflection
Wed. Day 2 Gambia
Dec. 31: Gambian New Year's Celebration
9:00AM Breakfast/Review agenda for the day
Balafon, Kora & Dance Song Workshop
Lunch
Visit Arch 22
Serekunda Marketplace
New Year's Eve Celebration
Thurs. Day 3 Gambia
Jan. 1: A look into Gambian culture, geography, and wildlife
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)
Fri. Day 4: Gambia
Jan 2: Exploring The Gambia Through Culture and History
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)
Sat. Day 5 Gambia
Jan 3: A Day in the Life in The Gambia's Waters
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)
Sun. Day 6 Gambia
Jan. 4: Experiencing The Gambian River
9:00AM Breakfast/Review agenda for the day
Gambian River Cruise with lunch $$
Currency Exchange
Open Free time
Dinner
Culture Talk/Final Departure Meeting for Senegal
*All Travel Bags/Suitcases need to be in front of all rooms by midnight
Mon. Day 7 Sénégal!
Jan. 5: “Aksilen” ~ Welcome to Senegal!
6:00AM Breakfast
7:00AM Depart to Senegal by Bus
Visit Fathala Reserve $$ (optional)
Lunch
Aksilen
Arrive in Dakar
Check in rooms
Exchange Money
Welcome & Introductions/Safety Talk
Brief Tour Around Surrounding Areas
Welcome Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Relax for the evening
Tues. Day 8 in Sénégal
Jan 6: The Renaissance Monument
9:00AM Breakfast
Sabar Drum/Song/Dance Workshop
Lunch
Visit Renaissance Monument$$
Visit Ngore Plage and dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-life (optional)
Wed. Day 9 in Sénégal
Jan 7: Sabar Drum & Dance Intensive
9:00AM Breakfast
Sabar Drum/Dance/Song Workshop
Lunch
Toucoulour Drum/Dance/Song Workshop
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
Thurs. Day 10 Sénégal
Jan 8: Exploring Senegal through the Marketplace
9:00AM Breakfast
Sabar Drum/Song/Dance Workshop
Lunch
Achelum Marketplace
Dinner
Culture talk/reflections
Night-life (optional)
Fri. Day 11 in Sénégal
Jan. 9: A Voyage to Lac Rose (Pink Lake)
9:00AM Breakfast
Depart for Pink Lake *(Excursions Available $$)
*Horseback Riding, Camel Rides, ATV
Sabar class at Pink Lake Dance/Drum/Song Workshop
Lunch at Pink Lake
Sénégalese Dinner/Cooking Workshop
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
Sat. Day 12 in Sénégal
Jan. 10: Goree Island: The Door of No Return
9:00AM Breakfast
Visit Goree Island (Wear White)
Final Shopping Day
Currency Exchange
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night Life (Optional)
Sun. Day 13 in Senegal
Jan. 11: Final Day in Senegal
9:00AM Breakfast
Final Shopping & Packing Day
Currency Exchange
Farewell Ceremony & Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection/Departure Meeting for Mali
Mon. Day 14 in Senegal
Jan 12: Departure to U.S./Mali - Welcome to Bamako!
Lobby Call 4:30AM
Grab & Go Breakfast
Depart for Airport 5:00AM
Flight Mali Air Senegal Flight 307 8:30AM
Arrive in Bamako at 10:15AM
Check in Hotel/Rest
Visit Drum Shop
Exchange Money
Welcome Dinner
Tues. Day 15 in Mali
Jan. 13: Malian Weedie Braimah Dance & Drum Intensive
9:00AM Breakfast
Didadi Drum/Dance/Song Class
Lunch
Djembe Drum/Dance/Song Class
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
Wed. Day 16 in Mali
Jan. 14: Through the eyes of the Artisana marketplace
9:00 Breakfast
Djembe Drum/Dance/Song class
Lunch
Artisana Marketplace
Dinner
Song Class
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
Thurs. Day 17 in Mali
Jan. 15: Malian Weedie Braimah Djembe Drum & Dance Intensive
9:00 Breakfast
Tamani/Maraka Dance/Drum/Song class
Lunch
Djembe Dance/Drum/Song Class
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
Fri. Day 18 in Mali
Jan 16: Departure for Sibi: Waterfalls
9:00 Breakfast
Depart for Sibi Mali Village (1 hours)
Lunch
Donso Performance
History Talk
Djembe Drum/Dance/Song Workshop
Depart for Bamako
Dinner
Culture Talk/Reflection
Night-Life (optional)
Sat. Day 19 in Mali
Jan. 17: Mali: A visit of history, culture, and folklore
9:00AM Breakfast
Bungala Dance/Drum/Song Class
Lunch
National Museum of Mali
Cultural outing TBA
Dinner
Culture talk/Reflection
Night-life (optional)
Sun Day 20 in Mali
Jan. 18: Bon Voyage! Depart Mali
9:00AM Breakfast
Departures are at varying times.
Please try to arrange your flights before 12:00PM leaving from Mali
About your organizer
Djapo Cultural Arts Institute
8 reviews
Djapo Cultural Arts Institute is a non profit organization dedicated to the preservation of art, music, dance, history and folklore of Africa and throughout the African Diaspora. Djapo is proud to have sponsored international excursions to Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Brazil, Cuba, Dubai and The Gambia for over 20 years.
