Eastern Senegal - 15 days*

About This Tour

This tour is dedicated to discovering Eastern Senegal, focusing on the various Mandingue, Peulh and Wolof ethnic groups.

You'll also have the opportunity to travel to Bassari country to discover the Bédik people, followed by a visit to Niokolo-Koba National Park and the wonders of Dindefelo and Salémata. The tour ends with a visit to Casamance, Gambia and the Mbour region.

* This tour is subject to change depending on the season and the target audience. It can be shortened to 12 days.

15 days | 14 nights

Launching offer starting at $2750 or 1850€ /person*.

*Departure guaranteed from 10 persons.

Your itinerary

  • Welcome to Senegal!

    On arrival at Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport, you'll be greeted by a Siramada Tour member. 

    You will then be transferred to the hotel The Lagon 2, where you can relax. 

    Depending on your arrival time, you'll join us for a welcome lunch or dinner, during which we'll get to know each other and review the program and itinerary.

  • After breakfast, depart to the port of Dakar, where you'll board a ferry to the island of Gorée for a panoramic view of the island. A visit to the House of the Slaves (Maison des Esclaves), followed by a remarkably well-documented exhibition, will plunge you poignantly into the tragic history of slavery.

    Free time for lunch, while enjoying the panoramic view over the cove before returning to Dakar.

    A guided tour of Dakar follows, including the Independence Square (Place de l'Indépendance), the old administrative buildings, the colonial-era town hall and railway station, the cathedral, the presidential palace, the Renaissance Monument, the artisan village, Phare des Mamelles and much more.

    In the evening, we'll head to Salim's camp, where you'll end the day with relaxation and a delicious dinner.

  • Start the day with a nourishing breakfast at Salim's camp.

    Departure for Lac Rose or Lake Retba. Our local guide will explain the particularities of this lake and its colour change following the floods of 2022.

    You will then have the opportunity to visit the Dunes of the Paris-Dakar Rally.

    Departure for the town of Kaolack considered an important regional market and Senegal's main groundnut trading and processing center.

    Free time for lunch in a Senegalese restaurant.

    Arrival in Kaolack and get settled in at the Relais hotel, where you can enjoy a moment of relaxation.

    The late afternoon is dedicated to discovering the Kaolack market, one of the largest in West Africa.

    In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner at the Relais Hotel.

  • Start the day with a delicious breakfast, then it's time to head for Eastern Senegal, certainly the country's richest region in terms of surprises and change of scenery.

    Our first destination is Tambacounda, the largest city in eastern Senegal where you'll have free time for lunch followed by a visit to the market.

    Then, we will continue our journey to Mako village located near the Gambia River and close to the Niokolo Koba Park, where we'll stop to observe the local mammals (monkeys, baboons).

    In the evening, head to Badian solidarity camp, where you'll end the day with relaxation and a delicious dinner.

  • Begin your day with breakfast and then embark on a journey to Kédougou, the captivating "Land of Men." Discover the remarkable new Biopark, a 70-hectare ecosystem nestled on the Gambia River.

    After a free lunch, immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the traditional market, a bustling hub of local life.

    Conclude your day with a relaxing evening and dinner at the charming Bedick Hotel.

  • Start your day with a delicious breakfast, then embark on a journey to Bandafassi. Immerse yourself in the local culture by visiting the community village and meeting the friendly locals.

    After a free time for lunch, embark on a rewarding hike to Ibel to meet the captivating Bédik women of the Iwol village, known for their distinctive adornments.

    In the late afternoon, travel to Salemata, settle in at Le Pelunn camp, and enjoy a delicious dinner.

  • After breakfast, morning departure for Ethiolo to meet the Bassari people, an ethnic group based mainly on the plateaux of eastern Senegal and northern Guinea. Together with the Bediks, Coniaguis and Badiarankés, they form a larger group of people known as the Tenda.

    After lunch, visit the local market and meet the inhabitants of the village of Salémata.

    At the end of the day, departure for Dindefelo, installation and dinner at the Felo Bungalow Eco-camp.

  • In the early morning of this eighth day, we'll visit the village of Dandé, known for its superb rock formations on the plateau. These formations offer one of the best panoramic views of the landscape and the Gambia River.

    Then we'll visit the Dandé teeth and its caves. The Dandé teeth are a plateau with sharp, tooth-like rock formations, whose ochre-colored rocks are covered with vegetation.

    After the lunch break, destination the Dindefelo waterfall for an afternoon of relaxation and swimming in its natural pool.

    On our way back, we’ll head to the town of Dindefelo known for its famous community reserve where you'll have the chance to meet chimpanzees and baboons along the way.

    The day ends with an overnight stay at the Eco-camp, followed by a delicious dinner accompanied by traditional music performances.

  • Begin your ninth day with an early breakfast and then set off for Niokolo-Koba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing nearly 1 million hectares.

    Immerse yourself in the park's incredible biodiversity and observe the diverse ecosystems firsthand.

    After a leisurely lunch at Nioko Lodge, embark on a thrilling 4x4 drive.

    Arrive in Tambacounda in the late afternoon, check in to Hotel Le Relais, and enjoy a delicious dinner.

  • On this tenth day, after a hearty breakfast, we will be heading for the town of Kolda.

    Kolda is located in Casamance, Senegal's “fruit and vegetable granary”.

    Arrival, check-in and lunch break at the Relais de Kolda Hotel.

    After lunch, free time for swimming and relaxation. Possibility of a visit to the town of Kolda and a guided tour of the Sam Pathé aquaculture project and hatchery.

    Dinner and overnight stay at the Hotel.

  • Following breakfast, we set off on a scenic journey along the Casamance River, arriving in Ziguinchor, the administrative capital of the Casamance region. We will explore the town and visit the vibrant Saint-Maur market.

    After enjoying a leisurely lunch break by the river, we will embark on a historical tour, visiting the Cathedral of Saint-Antoine de Padoue, the Governor's Office, the Regional Council building, the Great Mosque of Santiaba, and the unique mixed cemetery.

    We will then enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the Kadiandoumagne Hôtel or similar.

  • Following breakfast, embark on a journey to Oussouye for a thrilling mountain bike ride. Immerse yourself in Diola culture and interact with the local people with the guidance of a local expert. Enjoy a free lunch at the Casamance VTT camp.

    Continue your journey to Cap Skirring, renowned for its expansive beaches.

    Check in to the Maya Hotel or a similar accommodation.

    Choose to explore the Casamance Ecopark (weather permitting) or simply relax and soak up the sun on the beach.

    Enjoy dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

  • For this day, we will explore northern Casamance, passing through the vibrant towns of Bignona and Diouloulou, the region's major commercial centers.

    Enjoy a leisurely lunch on the beautiful beach at Abéné.

    Continue our journey towards Gambia, crossing the Transgambian Highway. Arrive in Banjul in the late afternoon.

    Check in to the Leemon Creek Hotel or similar and enjoy a delicious dinner.

  • Begin your day with breakfast and then depart for Saly (Mbour). Stop for lunch in Fadiouth.

    Arrive in Saly in the late afternoon and witness the spectacular sight of fishermen arriving in their colorful pirogues. Explore the lively local market with its vibrant colors and enticing aromas.

    Check in to the Hotel Royam in Saly and enjoy a delicious dinner.

  • For this last day, breakfast and relaxation at the hotel.

    Take some free time to prepare your belongings before heading to Blaise Diagne airport for departure.

    Thank you for visting Senegal!

Accommodations during stay

What’s included

  • Transfer from and to the airport

  • Activities and guided tours included in the program

  • Half-board including 28 meals (14 breakfasts and 14 dinners)

  • Accommodation in 4-star, 3-star hotel or atypical lodging*

  • Multilingual local guide (English, French, Spanish)

  • Air-conditioned transport with an experimented driver

  • 4x4 safari in Bandia Private Reserve and Lompoul Ecolodge

*Atypical lodging: Indicates accommodation in a hostel, bush camp, homestay, ecolodge or one night's transport to get from one point to another (check with our local guides).

What’s not included

  • International flights to and from Dakar

  • Travel insurance (including cancellation and repatriation insurance)*

  • Other meals (14 lunches) and drinks not mentioned in the tour

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Other paid activities and excursions not included in the tour

  • Formalities (visa, vaccination)

  • Personal expenses

  • Tips and gratuities

*We highly suggest purchasing insurance to cover your trip.

How to book your tour?

Book your trip with a deposit of $1237,50 (45% of the total amount).

This deposit is non-refundable.

The remaining amount of $1512,50 CAD must be received no later than 30 days before departure or on the date indicated on your invoice, depending on the trip chosen.

Helpful informations

About Senegal

The Republic of Senegal is a country located in the westernmost part of sub-Saharan Africa. With a surface area of 196,722 km², it is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east and Guinea to the south.

In 2021, the total population was around 16.7 million, of which 40% is mainly concentrated in rural areas and the Dakar Region (23%).

Finally, the country's tropical climate is characterized by two seasons: the dry season from October to June, and the rainy season (wintering) from July to September.

Accommodations

During your tour, you'll stay in the following or similar accommodations:

  • Dakar: The Lagon 2 Hotel

  • Lake Retba: Salim Camp

  • Kaolack: Relais de Kaolack Hotel

  • Badian: Badian Solidarity Camp

  • Kedougou: Bedick Hotel

  • Salemata: Pelunn Camp

  • Dindefelo: Felo Bungalow Eco-camp

  • Tambacounda: Relais de Tamba Hotel

  • Kolda: Relais de Kolda Hotel

  • Ziguinchor: Kadiandoumagne Hotel

  • Cap Skirring: Maya Hotel

  • Banjul: Lemon Creek Hotel Resort

  • Saly: Royam Hotel

Meals

The meals offered during your tour are half-board (breakfast and dinner) except breakfast on day 1 and dinner on day 15.

Lunch is at your own discretion and expense. Picnics can be arranged when no restaurant is available nearby.

Useful information

  • Departures are guaranteed from 10 participants. Maximum 15 participants.

  • Multilingual guide: (English, French and Spanish) who will explain the tour on the day before departure.

  • Air-conditioned vehicles adapted to the number of participants.

  • Accommodations: on this tour, you can choose from a range of simple accommodation options, depending on the location: 3-star and 4-star hotels, lodges and camps.

  • Some itineraries may be subject to change depending on the time of year.

  • Local currency: CFA Franc - We recommend exchanging funds the day before departure, if possible on arrival at the airport. ATMs are available in major cities (Dakar, Mbour, Saint-Louis, Kaolack).

  • Tips and gratuities: Tips are not mandatory. If you are satisfied with the service you can leave a tip for the guide and driver at your own discretion. Allow around 4 euros or 4 Canadian dollars per person per day.

Custom requirements

Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

If you are traveling with minors, please make sure you have parental permission and/or permission to leave the country.

Visas

As of May 1, 2015, French and Belgian citizens can enter Senegal without a visa.

For Canada, Canadians can enter Senegal without a visa if their stay does not exceed 90 days.

Vaccinations

If you're visiting an African country, a Yellow Fever vaccine is mandatory. A proof or vaccination is required. We recommend to check with the relevant authorities and consult your family doctor, a travel clinic or a Yellow Fever Vaccination Center before you leave.

Canadian travelers: please, visit this helpful link (Vaccine section) to find out more.

French travelers: Please visit this helpful link to learn more about requirements.

For other countries: we recommend referring to the websites of the governments or ministries of your respective country of residence.

COVID-19

Some countries may require sanitary measures (PCR tests, vaccinations, etc.). We recommend that you consult the websites of the governments or ministries of your country of residence.

Additional resources

For any other inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us at siramada.tours@gmail or you can refer to our general terms and conditions by clicking here.