Yacht expedition on the rivers of West Africa

Travel alternative from/to Banjul, Gambia:

Day 1: Banjul – Bakau

Day 2: Tendaba

Day 3: Gambia River – Kuntaur – Gambia River National Park

Day 4: Kuntaur–Janjanbureh–Kaur

Day 5: Kunta Kineth Island – Banjul

Day 6: Dakar

Day 7: Djiffere – Banjul

Day 8: Banjul

Day 2: Djiffer, Senegal – Banjul, Gambia
This morning, you will reach the Sine-Saloum Delta in Senegal, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an Important Bird Area designated by Birdlife International, which provides a natural habitat for many bird species as well as aquatic animals such as sea turtles, dolphins, West African manatees, and crocodiles. Around 200 different bird species live in this important bird sanctuary, including flamingos, pelicans, and birds of prey.

The optional excursion to Joal Fadiouth begins in the fishing village of Djiffer, from where you will reach the village of Joal Fadiouth, located on an island made of seashells, which are also used for local buildings and handicrafts.

In the afternoon, you will leave Senegal and the Saloum Delta. Harmony V will sail south to Gambia and reach Banjul, the capital of Gambia and the gateway to the 700-mile-long Gambia River.

Day 4: Tendaba, Gambia
From the ship, you will travel by motorized pirogue/canoe to Tendaba on the south bank of the Lower River Division, the starting point for your optional morning excursion to Tendaba.

It is a small fishing village of Muslim faith with about 600 inhabitants, whose main occupation is fishing. From there, you hike to Batelling, a small village at the entrance to Kiang West National Park. The area boasts over 250 species of birds, many of which are difficult to observe anywhere else. Other inhabitants include guinea baboons, bushbucks, warthogs, Senegal bushbabies, and marsh mongooses.

After a refreshing stop in Batelling, you will board an open safari truck that will take you back to Tendaba. On the way, you will pass villages again, where you can get an impression of life in The Gambia.

In the afternoon, you will be picked up from the ship by motor pirogue to take part in an optional Tendaba excursion to the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve. Located opposite Kiang West National Park, this reserve has six large bolongs (streams) that offer excellent opportunities for bird watching and boating. Numerous rare birds and migratory birds are native to this area, including the banded fish owl, African reed rail, and grey-headed parrot.

Day 6: Kuntaur – Janjanbureh – Kaur, Gambia
The optional morning bus trip takes you to the ferry port of Janjanbureh. There you board the local ferry for a short trip across the Gambia River to Janjanbureh.

Continue your trip with a visit to one of the oldest cities in Gambia, formerly known as Georgetown. During your walk, you will get a feel for this relaxed city and see the governor's residence, the market, and the Methodist church with its school. Afterwards, you will take the ferry back and board the bus again to travel to Lamin Koto.

Later in the morning, you will stop at the mysterious stone circles in Wassu, a megalithic site believed to have served as a burial ground thousands of years ago. You will visit the small museum at this archaeological site, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After lunch, you will travel downstream to Kaur, a small fishing village on the banks of the Gambia River. You will have the opportunity to stroll through this small community and see how Gambians live today.

In the evening, enjoy our traditional Captain's Farewell Dinner as you sail downstream back to Banjul.

Day 8: Dakar, Senegal
Arrive in Dakar early in the morning. Meet up with your fellow adventurers—who are surely your friends by now—for one last breakfast before your journey comes to an end.

Day 2/7: Djiffer, Senegal – Joal Fadiouth Excursion

You will reach the Saloum Delta in Djifer. Disembarkation takes place using local dinghies, known as motor pirogues. You will then board a bus and travel to the shellfish village of Joal. During the 1.5-hour journey, you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views, observe the daily life of the locals, and perhaps even see different species of birds.

Upon arrival in Joal, a picturesque fishing village, you will board a small pirogue and row for 20 minutes across the shallow bay to the grain storage huts built on stilts; then it's another 10 minutes to the shell cemetery. From there, you will continue on foot across the wooden bridge to the small island or village of Fadiouth, which is also built from shells. After lunch, you will return to Djiffer via the same route, make a short stop at a giant baobab tree, and return to the ship by motor pirogue.

• Full-day tour including lunch
• Price per person: $146
• This tour must be booked before the boat trip.

Day 3/1: Banjul & Bakau Excursion 

This is an introductory tour for visitors who want to get an overview of the most important sights in Gambia's capital, Banjul, and the greater Banjul area.

Before leaving Banjul and heading to the village of Bakau, stop for photos at Arch 22. This is a neoclassical triumphal arch commemorating the 1994 coup d'état. Once you arrive in Bakau, visit the two main attractions: the most famous is "Katchikally," the sacred crocodile pool. It is home to about 70 crocodiles, but is also considered a sacred place for infertile women, for example, who drink from the pool's water or bathe in it to overcome their suffering.

The second attraction in Bakau is the Botanical Gardens, a small, peaceful park next to the residence of the British High Commissioner in The Gambia. You will also visit the National Museum, where you will gain a better insight into the history of The Gambia.
Before returning to the ship, the excursion ends with a visit to Albert Market, a colorful daily market. Here you will have the opportunity to buy souvenirs at one of the many stalls selling handicrafts.

• Morning tour, including refreshments.
• Price per person: $58

Day 4/2: Tendaba – Kiang West National Park

From the ship, you will travel by simple motor pirogues to Tendaba, located on the south bank in the Lower River Division. It is a small fishing village of Muslim faith with about 600 inhabitants, whose main occupation is fishing. There you will begin an easy 5 km hike over uneven terrain through the savanna bush to Batelling, a small village at the entrance to Kiang West National Park. The area boasts over 250 species of birds, many of which cannot be seen anywhere else. Other inhabitants include guinea baboons, bushbucks, warthogs, Senegal bushbabies, and marsh mongooses. Your local guide will point out the species we see along the way! Once in Batelling, refreshments will be served before you board an open safari truck that will take you back to Tendaba. On the way, we will pass local villages again, giving you a glimpse of life in The Gambia. Please note that you will need to walk approximately 5 km over uneven terrain. This tour is quite strenuous and not suitable for guests with mobility issues. Please remember to bring plenty of water, insect repellent, an extra T-shirt, sunscreen, and a hat. Protect your cell phone or camera while traveling by motor pirogue!

• Half-day morning tour with refreshments
• Price per person: $55

Day 4/2: Tendaba – Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve

You will be picked up from the ship by motor pirogue and taken to the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve. Located opposite Kiang West National Park, this reserve has six large bolongs (streams) that offer excellent opportunities for bird watching and boating. Numerous rare birds and migratory birds are native here, including the Pel's fishing owl, the African reed rail, and the brown-necked parrot.

It is possible to see Nile crocodiles and white-cheeked otters, and baboons can be spotted in the dry areas. Please note that you will be traveling for approximately 3 hours on a simple motorized pirogue and that there are no toilets.

• afternoon tour
• Price per person: $55

Day 5/3: Kuntaur – Gambia National Park 

Today, you will board a large motorized pirogue and take a 3-hour trip on the Gambia River. First, you will travel to the southernmost tip of Baboon Island, one of the five islands in the Gambia National Park. There, you will be accompanied by a local park ranger who will provide you with further information about the park and its fauna and flora.

Then you turn around, the motor pirogue slows down and sails slowly back to Kuntaur, always close to the shore of Baboon Island. This island is home to the chimpanzee rehabilitation project. If you are lucky, you can observe the chimpanzees up close from your motor pirogue without disturbing them. There is also the possibility of seeing hippos, crocodiles, West African colobus monkeys, southern green monkeys, and the famous bird life of The Gambia.

After the local ranger disembarks at the northernmost tip of Baboon Island, you will continue on to Kuntaur. Before reboarding the ship, you will meet the "Kankurang" and a local dance group at the pier. The central figure in the "Kankurang" is an initiate who is completely disguised and masked with tree bark, plant fibers, and leaves. The "Kankurang" is believed to have spiritual powers, ensuring justice and warding off evil spirits.

• afternoon tour
• Price per person: $110

Day 6/4: Kuntaur – Janjanbureh & Wassu Stones

From the pier in Kuntaur, the bus will take you to the ferry station in Janjanbureh. There, you will board the local ferry for a short trip across the Gambia River to Janjanbureh. You will continue your excursion with a tour of one of the oldest towns in Gambia, formerly known as Georgetown. During the walk, you will get a feel for this relaxed city and see the governor's residence, the market, and the Methodist church with its school. Afterwards, you will take the ferry back and board the bus.

Before returning to your ship, stop at the mysterious stone circles in Wassu, a megalithic site believed to have been a burial ground thousands of years ago. An interesting guided tour of the small museum and a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site are on the agenda.

• morning tour
• Price per person: $122

Day 7/5: James Island / Kunta Kinteh: the history of slavery

James Island, located at the mouth of the Gambia River, was discovered by the Portuguese in 1455. The first settlers on the island came from the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia (now Latvia) in 1651. The Courlanders built a fortress, but a few years later the Dutch took over the island. Over the centuries, the French and English also occupied the island, and the fortifications were expanded.

Under British rule, it became an important slave trading post in Gambia. Around 1780, the French recaptured James Island and blew up the most important buildings. The British did not rebuild the island, but instead founded Banjul at the mouth of the Gambia River on the Atlantic Ocean after the abolition of the slave trade.

In 1976, James Island became famous thanks to author Alex Haley, who wrote the book Roots. The book tells the family history of a slave named Kunta Kinteh. For this reason, the island was renamed Kunta Kinteh Island in early 2011. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After disembarking with the dinghy, your local tour guide will tell you more about the history of James Island, and then you will have some time to explore this small island on your own.

• morning tour
• Price per person: $24