Gambia and Bassari Country

Travel day.

Pick-up and welcome at Banjul airport.

Direct transfer to the accommodation in Sanyang Beach.

Accommodation: Eco Lodge Sanyang Beach or similar

After breakfast, and after enjoying the surroundings of the accommodation, we head for Tendaba.

Depending on arrival time, we have lunch on the way or at the accommodation.

In the afternoon we take a ride in a traditional boat, crossing the River Gambia and its tributaries to reach Bao Bolon Wetlands National Park.

We have the chance to spot a huge variety of birds and, with luck, the odd crocodile.

Accommodation: Tendaba Camp or similar

We leave Tendaba early, heading for Soma (in central Gambia, on the south bank), crossing the River Gambia by the Senegambia Bridge to reach Farafenni, where we stop to see its market.

We continue to Wassu, where we visit the stone burial circles, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.

Back on the road, we have lunch on the way to Kuntaur, where we take a boat to cruise River Gambia National Park, where we may spot chimpanzees (3 of the Baboon Islands are home to these primates thanks to the conservation project under way there). During the crossing we may also see hippos, birds and baboons.

We carry on to Janjangbureh Island, crossing the river on the local ferry.

Accommodation: GTHI or similar.

Today is a long day in the car, so we have an early breakfast (around 6 am) and then set off for Mako, passing through Basse and crossing the border into Senegal at Velingara.

We continue by road towards Tambacounda, stopping at Darsalam for lunch.

We carry on across Niokolo-Koba National Park before reaching Mako, where we sleep in an eco-camp beside the River Gambia, which runs through the park.

With a little luck we will see animals as we cross the park. After a short rest, we set off later on a walking excursion in search of hippos.

Back to the camp.

Accommodation: Badian eco-camp (community-run) or similar

After breakfast, we head for the Bassari villages. After leaving our bags at the hotel, we make a short stop at Kédougou market, where you can do some shopping before heading into the villages.

We drive about 25 km inland from Kédougou to Bandafassi, where we begin a trek of about an hour, climbing a hill of around 540 m. We reach the village of Iwol, where we see the most traditional way of life in the country.

Back to Kédougou, where we stay overnight

Accommodation: Hotel Relais Bedick or similar

After breakfast we head to the Peul villages in Dindefelo. From here, we start a trek up Dande mountain.

On the way we visit some caves and reach the goal of our trek, the Dindefelo waterfall. Here you can swim and relax in the natural pool of this impressive setting.

The Dindefelo waterfall is 115 metres high and forms a natural border with Guinea.

We eat a picnic lunch during the trek.

We return to the camp, where our vehicle waits to take us back to Kedougou.

Accommodation: Hotel Relais Bedick or similar

After breakfast, we leave for Velingara, crossing Niokolo Koba National Park again.

We stop along the way to visit the Malinke villages, where gold is mined daily (except Mondays and Fridays).

We continue to our destination, Basse, getting closer to the coast again.

After leaving our luggage at the hotel, we visit the town market.

Accommodation: Hotel Hapines or similar

After breakfast, we head for Kassagne, close to the coast, so a long drive lies ahead. We have lunch on the way before reaching the hotel. We make several stops along the way to make the journey more enjoyable and to get to know a few villages and their way of life.

The afternoon is free to enjoy the surroundings of the accommodation, and you can try activities such as taking a boat or kayak through the mangroves (depending on the season), swimming in the creek, walking among monkeys and more.

Accommodation: Abcas Creek Lodge

We set off in the morning for Brikama, the second-largest town in The Gambia, to visit its woodcraft market, where you can buy traditional souvenirs and watch the wood being carved.

We then continue to Lamin Lodge, a wooden restaurant built over the water where the monkeys steal the show.

After lunch, we carry on to Tanji, the largest fishing village in the country. It is a unique chance to glimpse African life and the daily work of local people, see the fishermen come in and watch the fish being smoked.

After Tanji, we arrive at our accommodation in Sanyang to enjoy the beach.

Accommodation: Eco Lodge Sanyang Beach or similar

Free morning to make the most of the beautiful beach and the surroundings of the accommodation. You can take a walk to the spot where the fishermen gather and smoke fish in Sanyang.

Transfer to the airport.