Tour overview

This 14-day small-group journey loops through Senegal and The Gambia, two of West Africa's most welcoming countries, combining colonial towns, sacred sites and some of the region's finest birdlife. Groups have between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You travel by private vehicle, ferry and boat, and stay 13 nights in hotels and lodges, a simple riverside camp and one night sleeping on the upper deck of a Gambia River motor cruiser. Thirteen breakfasts, seven lunches and nine dinners are included.

From the beach town of Saly, you head into Dakar and take the ferry to Gorée Island, a peaceful, traffic-free island of brightly painted houses and a powerful memorial to the Atlantic slave trade. You drive north to St Louis, the old French capital of West Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of crumbling villas and live jazz. By motorised pirogue you explore Djoudj National Park, a vital stop for millions of migrating birds after their flight across the Sahara, and the Langue de Barbarie National Park.

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Heading south, you visit the Great Mosque of Touba, the sacred centre of the Mouride brotherhood, before crossing into The Gambia. The Wassu stone circles, ancient burial sites of reddish stones, lead to Janjanbureh and a night at Laminkoto Camp, a simple riverside camp with solar power. You then spend a day and a half cruising down the Gambia River in a converted groundnut boat, past forest, rice paddies and mangroves, looking out for monkeys, hippos, crocodiles and birds.

At Bintang Bolong you stay two nights in a lodge among the mangroves, with wildlife walks and boat trips. After a tour of Banjul and a night on the Atlantic coast, a ferry crossing returns you to Senegal and the Sine-Saloum Delta, explored by boat through channels and shell islands. A giant baobab and the shell island of Fadiout complete the loop.

The physical rating is low, with some long drives and basic facilities in places. This trip suits curious travellers and birdwatchers who want to see a little-visited corner of Africa in a sociable group.

Trip highlights

  • Gorée Island and its history (Day 2)
  • Colonial St Louis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Day 3)
  • Djoudj bird reserve by pirogue (Day 4)
  • The Great Mosque of Touba (Day 5)
  • A day and a half cruising the Gambia River (Days 7–8)
  • The Sine-Saloum Delta by boat (Day 12)

Your route

17 stops from Saly to Fadiout Islands

14-day route: Saly – Gorée – St Louis – Touba – Janjanbureh – Gambia River – Banjul – Saloum Delta – Saly
  1. Saly Days 1 & 13–14
  2. Dakar Day 2
  3. Gorée Island Day 2
  4. Saint-Louis Days 3–4
  5. Djoudj National Park Day 4
  6. Touba Day 5
  7. Kaolack Day 5
  8. Wassu Stone Circles Day 6
  9. Janjanbureh Day 6
  10. Gambia River (Kuntaur) Day 7
  11. Tendaba Day 8
  12. Bintang Bolong Days 8–9
  13. Banjul Day 10
  14. Gambian Coast Day 10
  15. Toubacouta Day 11
  16. Ndangane Day 12
  17. Fadiout Islands Day 13

Why choose this tour

Two countries in one loop, with history, faith, wildlife and coast. A slow river cruise and mangrove lodge stays that few tours include.

Best suited to

  • Birdwatchers
  • Travellers interested in West African history
  • Curious travellers looking for somewhere new
  • Solo travellers looking for a group
Painted fishing boats along the Senegalese coast

Day-by-day itinerary

14 days from Saly, Senegal to Saly, Senegal

  1. Day 1 · Saly Arrive in Saly

    Arrive at any time in this coastal town south of Dakar, around 40 minutes from the airport.

    Hotel
    Hotel Keparanga or similar
  2. Day 2 · Dakar, Gorée Island Gorée Island

    Drive into Dakar and take the ferry to Gorée Island for lunch and a guided visit.

    Hotel
    Hotel Madou or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · St Louis St Louis

    Return to the mainland and drive north to the old French capital of West Africa.

    Hotel
    Hotel Sindone or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day 4 · Djoudj National Park, Langue de Barbarie Djoudj bird reserve

    Explore Djoudj and the Langue de Barbarie by motorised pirogue.

    Hotel
    Hotel Sindone or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Touba, Kaolack Touba and Kaolack

    A long drive south with a visit to the Great Mosque of Touba.

    Hotel
    Le Relais de Kaolack or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  6. Day 6 · Wassu, Janjanbureh Into The Gambia

    Cross the border and visit the Wassu stone circles on the way to Janjanbureh.

    Hotel
    Laminkoto Camp, simple riverside camp
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  7. Day 7 · Gambia River Gambia River cruise

    A full day cruising downstream, looking out for monkeys, hippos and birds.

    Hotel
    Motor cruiser, sleeping on deck
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Tendaba, Bintang Bolong To Bintang Bolong

    Cruise on to Tendaba, then drive to a lodge in the mangroves.

    Hotel
    AbCa's Creek Lodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  9. Day 9 · Bintang Bolong Bintang Bolong

    Wildlife walks and birdwatching in the river basin.

    Hotel
    AbCa's Creek Lodge or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  10. Day 10 · Banjul, Gambian coast Banjul

    A tour of the capital, including Arch 22, and a night on the Atlantic coast.

    Hotel
    Senegambia Beach Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  11. Day 11 · Barra, Saloum Delta To the Saloum Delta

    Take the ferry across the river and return to Senegal.

    Hotel
    Keur Saloum Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  12. Day 12 · Sine-Saloum Delta, Ndagane Delta by boat

    Cruise through the channels and shell islands of the delta.

    Hotel
    Le Pelican Hotel or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  13. Day 13 · Fadiout, Saly Baobab and Fadiout

    See a giant baobab and walk on the shell island of Fadiout.

    Hotel
    Hotel Keparanga or similar
    Meals
    Breakfast
  14. Day 14 · Saly Trip ends in Saly

    The trip ends after breakfast.

    Meals
    Breakfast
The Grand Mosque of Touba, Senegal

Where you stay

  • Saly (1 night) Hotel Keparanga or similar
  • Gorée Island (1 night) Hotel Madou or similar
  • St Louis (2 nights) Hotel Sindone or similar
  • Kaolack (1 night) Le Relais de Kaolack or similar
  • Janjanbureh (1 night) Laminkoto Camp, simple riverside camp
  • Gambia River (1 night) Motor cruiser, sleeping on deck
  • Bintang Bolong (2 nights) AbCa's Creek Lodge or similar
  • Gambian coast (1 night) Senegambia Beach Hotel or similar
  • Saloum Delta (1 night) Keur Saloum Hotel or similar
  • Ndagane (1 night) Le Pelican Hotel or similar
  • Saly (1 night) Hotel Keparanga or similar

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 11 nights in hotels and lodges, 1 in a simple riverside camp and 1 on a motor cruiser
  • Meals 13 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 9 dinners
  • Private transport, ferries to Gorée Island and across the Gambia River
  • Djoudj and Langue de Barbarie by motorised pirogue
  • Gambia River cruise and Sine-Saloum Delta boat trip
  • Great Mosque of Touba, Wassu stone circles, Banjul and Fadiout
  • Tour leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Senegal
  • Airport transfers, unless booked
  • Meals not listed
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
A Nile crocodile on a riverbank in The Gambia

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want luxury — some nights are basic
  • You need hot water every night — Laminkoto Camp has none
  • You want a private cabin on the river — one night is spent on deck
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Senegal · UK FCDO travel advice for The Gambia
Boats on a river in The Gambia

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,595 per person, twin share, tour only. 14 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What is the night on the river like?

You sleep communally on the upper deck of the motor cruiser, with meals prepared on board.

What is Laminkoto Camp like?

A simple riverside camp with basic en-suite rondavels, limited solar power and no hot water.

Is this a good trip for birdwatching?

Yes. Djoudj, the Gambia River, Bintang Bolong and the Saloum Delta are all rich in birdlife.

Can I enter the mosque in Touba?

Yes. Modest dress is required, and your guide provides suitable garments where needed.

Do I need vaccinations?

A yellow fever certificate may be required and malaria protection is recommended. Seek medical advice.

How many people travel together?

Between 4 and 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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