The Rivers of Gambia & Senegal, 7-night cruise sure to satisfy your curious minds. Experience outstanding wildlife viewing on a yacht cruise along the West Africa Coast and upstream the Gambia River, deep inside the African continent. Discover the waterways of Senegal and Gambia with visits to no less than 4 Natural Reserves: Sine Saloun Delta, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a birdwatcher's paradise; Djiffere fishing village; River Gambia National Park; Wassu mysterious stone circles, another UNESCO World Heritage site; Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve and Kiang West National Park in Gambia.
- Dakar (Senegal)
- Saloum and Gambia Rivers
- Djiffere fishing village
- Tendaba Nature reserve
- Banjul-Bakau
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected]) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected]) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected]) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected]) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected]) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected]) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected]) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected]) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or [email protected]) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Late afternoon embarkation at 14:00-18:00. After dinner, we set sail southward towards the Saloum River Delta. Overnight at sea, south along the coast.
This morning we reach the Sine-Saloum Delta in Senegal, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and also an Important Birding Area, as designated by Birdlife International. It is a natural habitat for many bird species and also aquatic animals such as marine turtles, dolphins, West African manatees, and crocodiles. Our Joal Fadiout optional excursion starts at the fishing village of Djiffer, from where we reach the village of Joal Fadiouth, set on an island of clam shells that are also used in local buildings and crafts. In the afternoon, we leave Senegal and the Saloum Delta and sail south to Gambia to reach Banjul, the capital of Gambia and gateway to the 700-mile Gambia River. Fishermen Night - Overnight in Banjul.
The morning in Banjul will give you the opportunity to take the optional 1/2 day excursions offered to Bakau with its crocodile "katchikaly" and a short Banjul Tour, including Royal Albert Market & Historical Museum. Mid-afternoon, we leave Banjul and sail upstream to Tendaba. We reach Tendaba late into the evening. African Night - Overnight at dock in Tendaba.
From the ship, we take motor pirogues to reach Tendaba, located on the South Bank in the Lower River Division, our starting point for the Tendaba morning optional excursion. It is a small fishing village of mainly Muslim faith with approximately 600 inhabitants whose main occupation is fishing. From there, we will walk to Batelling, a small village at the entrance to Kiang West National Park. The area boasts over 250 species of birds, many of which are difficult to observe anywhere else. Other residents include Guinea baboons, bushbuck, warthogs, Senegal bushbaby, and marsh mongoose. After a refreshing stop in Batelling, we will board an open safari truck which will bring us back to Tendaba. On the way, we pass local villages where you get an impression of local life in The Gambia. In the afternoon, we are picked up from the ship by motor pirogues for the afternoon Tendaba optional excursion to the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve. This reserve, lying across from Kiang West National Park, features six major bolongs (creeks) that provide great birding and boating opportunities. Numerous rare and migratory birds also reside here, including the Pel’s fishing owl, African fin foot, and brown-necked parrot. Overnight docked in Tendaba.
Early morning we leave Tendaba and sail upstream on the Gambia River all morning to reach Kuntaur. We arrive in the bustling Gambian port town of Kuntaur early in the afternoon, the last inland stop along the river that is navigable for ocean-going ships. Later in the afternoon, we board a large motor pirogue for a 3-hour optional excursion cruise on The Gambia River. First, we head to the southernmost tip of Baboon Island, one of the five islands of The Gambia National Park. A local national park ranger joins us onboard to provide more information about the park and its fauna and flora. Then, we turn, and the motor pirogue slows down, sailing slowly back to Kuntaur, following the shores of Baboon Island. This island is home to the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project. If we are lucky, we may closely observe the chimps with minimal intrusion from our motor pirogue. There is also the possibility of seeing hippos, crocodiles, Red Colobus, Green Vervet monkeys, and The Gambia’s famous birdlife. We return to Kuntaur where we are met by the “Kankurang” and a local dance group on the pier. Believed to have spiritual powers, the “Kankurang” dispenses justice and wards off evil spirits. Overnight docked in Kuntaur.
This morning, our optional excursion by bus takes us to the ferry station of Janjanbureh. There we board the local ferry for a short cruise over The Gambia River to Janjanbureh. We continue our excursion with a visit to one of the oldest towns of The Gambia, formerly called Georgetown. During the walk, you get an impression of this laidback town and see the residence of the governor, the market, and the Methodist church with its school. Afterwards, we take the ferry back and reboard the bus to reach Lamin Koto. Through the generosity of Variety Cruises and many of its clients, a new school building is being built. Later in the morning, we stop at the mysterious stone circles in Wassu, a megalithic site believed to be a burial ground thousands of years ago. You will visit the little museum of this archaeological site, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. In the afternoon, after lunch, we sail downstream to Kaur, a small fishing village on the banks of the Gambia. You will have the opportunity to walk around this small community and see how Gambians live today. In the evening, we leave Kaur and sail downstream towards Banjul. Captain's Farewell Dinner.
This morning we anchor at St. James Island in the middle of the Gambia River, which was an important slave trading post under British rule in The Gambia. In 1976, James Island became famous due to the author Alex Haley and his bestseller book "Roots" and the story of a slave called Kunta Kinteh. The island is now called Kunta Kinteh and is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Optional walking tour: After disembarking by local tenders, your local guide will tell you more about the history of James Island, and afterwards you will have some time to explore the island by yourself. After lunch, we leave Kunta Kinteh to reach Banjul around 4 pm. After formalities, later in the evening, we will sail out of the Gambia estuary into the Atlantic Ocean northwards to Dakar. Gambian Night with Kora instrument Concert - Overnight at sea to Dakar.
Early morning arrival in Dakar. Disembarkation at 9am after breakfast.
Itineraries are subject to change.
Harmony G
The Harmony "G" is a modern vessel with a sleek high-tech look very similar to the private yachts to be found in the famous ports of the world. The 53 meter long / 7.2 meter wide Mega Yacht Harmony G was launched in January 2001 and renovated in 2013. It complies with the most stringent SOLAS safety regulations, while its powerful engines and state of the art stabilizers allow for safe and comfortable cruising.
Harmony G has just 22 cabins with a maximum capacity of 46 passengers who will be looked after by 16 crew. Life on board centers around the Indoor / Outdoor lounge and its American bar, on Upper Deck. The classy dining room located on Main Deck is surrounded by large windows. The spacious Sun deck is the ideal place to bask under the sun, read a good book or just gaze at the scenery. The swimming platform on Harmony G stern enables you to swim when weather and anchorage conditions permit.
Harmony V
Harmony V is a modern vessel with a sleek high-tech look very similar to the private yachts to be found in the famous ports of the world.
The 55m long/ 8.2m wide Mega Yacht was launched in June 2009 and refurbished in 2019. A spacious lounge with classy seating and an American Bar leads into a dining area decorated with warm colors. Both areas offer large windows providing for the most beautiful views of all destinations the ship cruises to.
The 200 m2 sundeck offers a shaded outdoor area for all day dining and a bar as well as sun chairs and loungers. The swimming platform on Harmony V stern allows for easy access to the ship and for a wide range of sea related activities.
The Harmony V cabins are all located on the Upper and Main Decks and all of them have windows. The 25 cabins can sleep a maximum of 49 passengers and feature twin or queen sizes beds. Upper Deck cabins feature flexible (twin or double) bed configuration, flat screen TVs, music channels, mini fridge, direct dial telephone (for internal use), safe deposit boxes, hair dryer. The en suite bathrooms have shower and W/C and toiletries. Harmony V has state of the art twin stabilizers to provide for safe and comfortable cruising.