Day 1: Dakar — Departure
Board the expedition yacht in Dakar, Senegal. Afternoon briefing and departure from the harbor, sailing south along the Petite Côte. The adventure begins as the Senegalese coastline recedes. Overnight at sea.
Day 2: Saloum Delta — Mangrove Kingdom
Enter the Saloum Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of West Africa’s most important wetland ecosystems. Navigate through a labyrinth of mangrove islands, spotting pelicans, herons, and the West African manatee. Visit a Serer fishing village accessible only by water. The delta’s oyster harvesting communities are fascinating — watch women in pirogues collecting oysters from the mangrove roots. Overnight anchored in the delta.
Day 3: Into The Gambia — Banjul & Bakau
Cross into The Gambia, navigating the mouth of the Gambia River. Morning dock at Banjul. Shore excursion: Arch 22, Albert Market, and Kachikally Crocodile Pool. Afternoon: reboard and begin the upriver journey. Overnight anchored near Tendaba.
Day 4: Kunta Kinteh Island & Tendaba
Morning: visit UNESCO-listed Kunta Kinteh Island (Fort James) by tender. Walk the ruins and absorb the history. Continue to Juffureh village to meet the Kinteh family descendants. Afternoon: birding and wildlife cruise through the Tendaba creeks — look for the rare African finfoot and Goliath herons. Overnight anchored at Tendaba.
Day 5: Upriver to Kuntaur & Baboon Islands
Cruise deeper upriver as the landscape changes — mangrove gives way to gallery forest and savannah. Afternoon arrival at Kuntaur, gateway to the River Gambia National Park. Tender cruise around Baboon Islands, watching wild chimpanzee families on the riverbanks. The birdlife is spectacular: palm-nut vultures, African fish eagles, colonies of red-throated bee-eaters. Overnight anchored at Kuntaur.
Day 6: Georgetown — Colonial Echoes
Morning cruise to Georgetown (Janjanbureh) on MacCarthy Island. Shore exploration: the 19th-century colonial architecture, the slave house museum, the old commissioner’s quarters. Visit the Wassu Stone Circles — the ancient megalithic site that’s a UNESCO World Heritage mystery. Evening farewell dinner aboard. Overnight at Georgetown.
Day 7: Downriver Return
Begin the journey back downriver. The Gambia looks different from downstream — the changing light, the fishermen in pirogues, the children waving from the banks. Afternoon stop at a riverside village for a final cultural encounter. Sunset over the river — the most beautiful light in West Africa. Overnight approaching Banjul.
Day 8: Disembark & Departure
Morning arrival in Banjul. Disembark after breakfast. Transfer to Banjul airport or continue to Dakar.
