About this trip
Fourteen days across Senegal and The Gambia, moving from colonial towns and national parks in the north down to the Gambia River and back through the Saloum Delta. This is a trip built around wildlife and water as much as culture — expect a lot of birdlife, boats and open landscapes.
You'll spend time in Dakar, St Louis and Banjul, where old trading history and busy markets sit alongside a working modern capital. Then the pace shifts to slower river travel, including a night sleeping aboard a boat on the Gambia River as it winds past forest, bamboo and rice paddies.
The final stretch takes you back into Senegal to the Saloum Delta, exploring its mangrove channels and lakes by traditional pirogue in search of the birds that gather there in huge numbers.
What you'll do
- Explore the colonial streets and markets of St Louis and Dakar
- Sleep aboard a boat on the Gambia River
- Watch for birdlife in Djoudj National Park
- Navigate the Saloum Delta's mangroves by traditional pirogue
- Visit Banjul and take in Gambia's coastal capital
- Involves overland travel by 4WD between regions, so some longer driving days
- A night is spent sleeping aboard a boat, which suits travellers happy with simple accommodation
- Strong focus on birdlife and wetland scenery, so it will appeal most to those with a genuine interest in nature
Worth it if you love wildlife, boat trips, and authentic cultural moments with a strong guide. Think twice if you dislike long river journeys or prefer more flexibility in the itinerary.
- Gambia River overnight boat cruise is genuinely excellent: comfortable beds, outstanding food, and peaceful wildlife watching.
- Djoudj bird reserve with thousands of pelicans and Fadiout Island visits are genuinely memorable experiences.
- Gambia River portion feels overextended at two days too long for some travellers; itinerary could use reshuffling.
- Guide quality is consistently excellent, but Saint-Louis and Goree Island deserve more time than currently allocated.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
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Departing in Oct is cheapest — from £2,400, about 21% below the priciest month (Oct).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Saly · 24 Oct – 25 Oct
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