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MON. DAY 01: NEW YORK/DAKAR, SENEGAL Depart New York for Dakar via Air Afrique, West Africa's multi-national airline. Begin your journey with a preview of things to come; delicious Afro-French meals, gracious and attentive African-robed hostesses, and the exotic ambiance of Air Afrique.
TUE. DAY 02: DAKAR, SENEGAL Upon your arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Senegal, Gateway to Black Africa, was part of the great medieval Empire of Mali and one of the major trading ports of slaves bound for the American Continent. The balance of the day is at leisure for your personal relaxation.
WED. DAY 03: DAKAR In Dakar this morning take a short boat trip on the Atlantic Ocean to the Island of Goree. Forty million enslaved Africans are said to have passed through the hands of the traders located on this tiny island. Visit the original slave house. See the dungeon and prisons used up until the time of the French abolition of slavery. This island is covered in relics of the famous past. Old cannons still lie half-buried in the sand, attesting to the savage battle fought for possession of this strategic outpost. Return to your hotel for the balance of the day at leisure.
THU. DAY 04: DAKAR This morning visit Sandaga Market, Kermel Market, the Grand Mosque, Saumbedioune, Artisinal Village, Dakar University, National Assembly, the Palace of the President with its colorful guards and the Colon of Independence and the residential areas. Return to your hotel.
FRI. DAY 05: DAKAR/BANJUL, THE GAMBIA Depart Dakar and drive to Banjul, the Gambia. The Gambia is the small but significant West African country where the Black American writer, Alex Haley, in his best selling book and movie, "Roots", traced his ancestry to a village on the Gambia River. Proceed to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
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SAT. DAY 06: JUFFURE A full day tour along the bank of the River Gambia to the fishing village of Albreda. Albreda was formerly a post for trading and controlling the hinterland used by both the French and the British. In 1857, under British control, it became a haven where any slave could claim freedom. A short walk will take you to the historic and "national landmark" village of Juffure, destined to become immortalized by Alex Haley in his famous documentary based on his ancestral search. Juffure is the native home of Kunta Kinte of "Roots", whose descendants still live in the village. Return to the hotel.
SUN. DAY 07: BANJUL Enjoy a city tour of Banjul including the Kanifing Industrial Area, Serekunda and Bakau. Craftsmen in the Gambia produce beautiful silverwork and tye-dye batik. Visit the most well known tye-dye manufacturer and the workshop of a silversmith. Continue to the Tourist and Craftsmen's Market and to the Albert Market, the local market in Banjul. A visit is also made to the Gambia's only museum, situated on Independence Drive. Balance of the day is at leisure.
MON. DAY 08: BANJUL / DAKAR Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Dakar. Upon your arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
TUE. DAY 09: PINK LAKE Depart Dakar for a visit to the "Pink Lake". The lake has its own peculiar movement in the form of thousands of birds that throng to its opaque pink mineral waters. Flamingo, spoonbill, pelican, heron, tern, and all kinds of waders as well as a great variety of sea birds congregate on the placid waters. It is a spectacle not to be missed. Return to Dakar for dinner. Midnight transfer to the airport to check in for your return flight to New York.
WED. DAY 10: DAKAR/NEW YORK Arrive in New York in the morning local time.
Note: Itinerary based on air schedules currently in effect and subject to change without prior notice.
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