Senegal and The Gambia

This two-week escorted tour from Explore Worldwide heads first to Senegal’s coastal Saly before moving north to Dakar and the traffic-free Goree Island. The island’s colourful streets and the sobering old Slave House set a thoughtful tone before a long drive to St Louis, where horse-drawn caleshe rides reveal dusty colonial villas and fishing communities along the Senegal River.

Heading into the wilderness, the tour visits Djoudj and Langue de Barbarie National Parks, both vital wetlands for millions of migratory birds, before continuing south through Touba’s immaculate mosque and the bustling market of Kaolack. Crossing into The Gambia, the pace slows for a downstream cruise on the Gambia River in a converted groundnut barge, passing tropical forest and rice paddies, with basic but genuine accommodation alongside the wildlife.

The final days include jungle lodges in the Saloum Delta’s mangroves, a brief visit to the Gambian capital of Banjul, and time in the fishing village of Ndangane before returning to Dakar. Along the way there’s birdwatching, remote villages, colonial history and a few modern scenes, all served with an easygoing but respectful eye.

These are the places the trip visits, in order. Explore Worldwide publishes the day-by-day itinerary on its own site.