9 days tour

Mandinka, Mangroves And The Sea

Mandinka, Mangroves And The Sea

This tour includes:

Others

all entrance fees according to the program

Accommodation

4 nights: Lodge in double room 3 nights: Hotel in double room 1 night: hut in double room

Guide

German speaking, local tour guide alternating English speaking local guides

Meals

Meals: 8ร—F, 7ร—A

Transport

all transfers and trips according to the program

Not included:

Others

Arrival/departure Meals and drinks not mentioned Visa (free of charge) optional excursions, entrance fees, NP fees, permits etc. any additional nights before/after the tour gratuities personal

Flights

Insurance

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Itinerary of your trip Mandinka, Mangroves And The Sea

  • Day 1 Day 1: Arrival
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Arrival

      Individual arrival in The Gambia. Your tour guide will greet you at Banjul airport and accompany you to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel. (Travel time approx. 30 min, 25 km).

  • Day 2 Day 2: Juffureh - Kunta Kinteh Island - Wassu Stone Circles - Janjanbureh
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Juffureh - Kunta Kinteh Island - Wassu Stone Circles - Janjanbureh

      In the morning, take the ferry across the Gambia River and follow in the footsteps of Kunta Kinteh, famous from the historical novel Roots. Not far from the village of Juffureh, on a river island, lies the former Fort James (UNESCO), from where thousands of Africans were forcibly enslaved to America. Kunta Kintehโ€™s deportation is also said to have begun here, so that the island is named after him today. The ruins of the old fort, the former prison and the museum in Juffureh offer you an insight into the sad history of the transatlantic slave trade. You then continue to the east of the country and visit the stone circles of Wassu (UNESCO) on the way. The enigmatic megalithic circles were once burial sites and were built between the 10th and 14th centuries. In the evening you reach Janjanbureh, the former Georgetown. Overnight stay at the lodge. (Travel time approx. 4-5 hours, 280 km).

  • Day 3 Day 3: Boat Trip On The Gambia River - Georgetown - Mandinka Mask Dance
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Boat Trip On The Gambia River - Georgetown - Mandinka Mask Dance

      The morning begins with a boat tour on the Gambia River, where you may be lucky enough to spot hippos. Back on the riverbank, you can relax before exploring the history of Janjanbureh in the afternoon. The small town was founded by the British as Georgetown in 1823 and still has some historic buildings. Particularly impressive is the so-called slave house, where people were held captive to be shipped down the river and on to America. The eventful day ends with a spectacular Kankurang mask dance. The Mandinka kankurang was originally a dance to protect young men from evil spirits during initiation. Today, however, it is also performed at weddings, christenings and other festivities. Overnight stay as on the previous day.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Visit The Fula - Tendaba - Boat Trip On The Gambia River
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Visit The Fula - Tendaba - Boat Trip On The Gambia River

      Today you continue east to Tendaba. On the way, you will visit a village of the Fula, also known as Peulh or Fulbe. The Fula are a widespread ethnic group in West Africa and throughout the Sahel with numerous subgroups. While the Fula used to live mainly as semi-nomadic cattle herders, today many of them are also sedentary farmers. During your visit, you will learn all about their way of life and traditions. In the afternoon, another boat trip awaits you on the Gambia River, which, like most rivers in the region, has its origins in the Fouta Djallon Mountains of Guinea. From the main stream, you turn into a bolong or side arm of the river, where numerous bird species can be observed and, with a bit of luck, crocodiles and monitor lizards can be seen sunbathing on the banks. Overnight stay at the camp. (Travel time approx. 2-3 hours, 175 km).

  • Day 5 Day 5: Kassagne - Family Visit - Boat Tour In The Mangroves
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Kassagne - Family Visit - Boat Tour In The Mangroves

      An entertaining drive takes you on to Kassagne. An off-road vehicle tour through the villages awaits you here, during which you will also visit a family and experience everyday life in rural West Africa at first hand. Go and fetch water yourself or take the pestle of the grain mortar in your hand. In the afternoon, life awakens in the species-rich mangroves. You explore the waterways silently in a traditional boat without a motor and an experienced guide takes you to the most beautiful spots to observe birds, cape otters and various species of monkey. Overnight stay at the lodge. (Travel time approx. 1-2 hours, 75 km).

  • Day 6 Day 6: Kassagne: Nature And Relaxation On The Gambia River
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Kassagne: Nature And Relaxation On The Gambia River

      In the morning, you will go on a hike during which you will marvel at the beauty of the Gambian river and savannah landscape. Spot some of the most beautiful and colorful birds you have ever seen. With more than 550 native bird species, you are sure to find a favorite bird. After so many birds, but also monkeys and colorful lizards, you can relax in the lodgeโ€™s tropical garden in the afternoon or set off on another boat tour in the mangroves. Overnight stay as on the previous day.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Gunjur Reptile Park - Tanji Fishing Village - Kololi Beach
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Gunjur Reptile Park - Tanji Fishing Village - Kololi Beach

      After breakfast, drive to Gunjur to learn lots of interesting facts about the various snakes in the region from experienced guides in the local reptile park. Then continue to the fishing village of Tanji on the Atlantic. Here you will find the countryโ€™s largest fish market right on the beach, with hundreds of small fishing boats crowded together in the shallow water. It is a hive of activity: Fishermen, traders and buyers haggle over the best prices, seabirds circle above the scenery waiting for a favorable moment to secure a few morsels. You reach your beach resort in Kololi in the afternoon. Overnight stay at the resort. (Travel time approx. 2 hours, 80 km).

  • Day 8 Day 8: Sacred Crocodiles Of Kachikally - Bijilo Forest Park - Banjul
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Sacred Crocodiles Of Kachikally - Bijilo Forest Park - Banjul

      In the morning, you will visit the crocodile pool of Kachikally, which is home to around 150 sacred crocodiles. The place is considered a place of worship today. You then continue to Banjul, one of the smallest capitals in the world with a population of around 30,000. During a tour of the city, you will visit the famous Albert Market with its arts and crafts center - ideal for buying some Gambian souvenirs. A variety of leather goods, wood carvings, fabrics and much more are on offer here. Afterwards, continue to the National Museum and the Arch 22 triumphal arch, which was erected to commemorate the 1994 coup. In the afternoon, visit the Bijilo Forest Reserve, where you can observe West African colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys and colorful butterflies on a shady hike. Overnight stay as on the previous day.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Abuko Nature Reserve - Journey Home Or Bathing Extension
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Abuko Nature Reserve - Journey Home Or Bathing Extension

      Today you can relax on the beach or take a trip to the Abuko nature reserve. This is home to various species of monkeys, as well as Nile crocodiles and hyenas. A day room is available until your airport transfer. In the evening, you will be taken to the airport and start your individual journey home; alternatively, you can stop time and extend your stay for a few more days on the West African tropical beach (optional). Why not soak up some more sun and enjoy the Gambian way of life?

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 5 / Max: 85

Age range allowed for this experience.

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