Rivers of West Africa 7-night Cruise

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Gambia & Senegal Tours  |  Banjul

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7 nights from £1449pp

 

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We’re delighted to once again offer our guests the chance to explore West Africa via its network of rivers, by embarking on a memorable cruise aboard the beautiful Harmony G Mega Yacht, complete with a range of optional excursions.

Journalist's Opinion

"Riding the River Gambia's languid tide provides a completely different perspective of The Gamba. Away from the beach resorts you'll see real African life, including mangroves, stone circles and chimpanzees.​"

- Mark Stratton - Journalist 

 

What we love

  • Harmoney G is an elegant and modern vessel with just 21 cabins split across three decks.

 

Good to know

  • This cruise can be experienced as part os a Senegal holiday with embakation in Dakar.

Travel dates and more about the Harmony G Mega Yacht

This cruise departs on Mondays between 26th December 2022 and 13th February 2023 inclusive. Departing from the capital, Banjul, guests can enjoy a seven-night cruise aboard this beautifully elegant, fully equipped modern yacht, sister ship to the Harmony V we have used previously. With contemporary, light guest cabins, a sundeck, a classy dining room and lounge bar amongst some of the boat’s facilities, you’ll enjoy excellent service and comfort during your exploration of The Gambia. Discover its history, culture and wildlife and witness scenes of local life as you cruise its waterways. With an English-speaking cruise director and a maximum of 44 guests, this is an opportunity to experience unique cruising in an intimate environment.

Seven-night cruise itinerary & optional excursions

Day 1: Embark the yacht at 4pm and set sail upriver to Tendaba, where you’ll dock overnight.

Day 2: Your first full day offers two optional excursions, one to explore Tendaba and Kiang West National Park along with its wildlife, the other to discover Baobolong Reserve aboard motorised pirogues. Both offer incredible birdwatching opportunities and you will be accompanied by expert guides.

Day 3: In the morning, set sail along the River Gambia to reach Kuntaur, a small Gambian port and base for further exploration upriver. During the afternoon, you can embark on an optional river excursion which passes Baboon Islands in the River Gambia National Park to witness the amazing resident chimps in their natural habitat, alongside other wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, birdlife and monkeys. You’ll also get the chance to meet the local dance group, ‘Kankurang’. Stay overnight in Kuntaur.

Day 4: With the yacht staying in Kuntaur, you can choose to enjoy an excursion to Janjanbureh, one of The Gambia’s oldest towns and rich in slave trade history, afterwards visiting the school of Lamin Koto. You’ll also get the opportunity to visit the stone circles in Wassu, a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site believed to be an ancient burial ground. After lunch, the yacht will sail down to the small fishing village of Kaur, which you’ll be able to explore before leaving for Kunte Kinteh Island.

 Day 5: After anchoring at Kunte Kinteh Island in the middle of the River Gambia, you’ll get the chance to learn much about its discovery in 1455, alongside its slave trading history. Embark on an optional walking tour with a knowledgeable local guide, before exploring for a while on your own. After lunch, you’ll sail back to Banjul, before sailing out of the estuary into the Atlantic Ocean headed for Dakar, Senegal - this is an overnight crossing.

Day 6: After an early arrival in Dakar, you can embark on an optional excursion to explore Gorée Island and the city of Dakar itself. Visit memorable landmarks such as the City Hall and Presidential Palace alongside craft markets, before taking the ferry over to Gorée Island where you’ll enjoy lunch. Absorb the natural beauty and learn about the slaving history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site before heading back to the yacht. Set sail southbound overnight for the Sine Saloum River Delta.

Day 7: After reaching the Sine Saloum Delta, a place of incredible biodiversity and birdlife, you can choose to enjoy an excursion which begins at the fishing village of Djiffere, before heading on to Joal Fadiouth by bus. Row across the shallow bay and witness granary huts on stilts, before continuing on foot to the village to witness the island made up almost entirely of sea shells. Enjoy a final night on the yacht as you set sail for Banjul.

Day 8: After a fulfilling breakfast, you’ll disembark the Harmony G Mega Yacht, taking with you the fantastic memories of your experience.

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What's included in your booking

  • Full Board accommodation for seven nights
  • Services of onboard Cruise Coordinator and naturalist
  • Unlimited filter coffee, tea & drinking water
  • Transfers to/from port
  • All port charges

What's not included in your booking

  • Optional excursions (prebook or payable locally)
  • Crew tips
  • Beverages (except those mentioned above)
  • Travel insurance
  • Single & upgrade supplements
  • International flights

Harmony G Mega Yacht Facilities

  • Bar lounge and dining room
  • Sun deck with sunloungers
  • Restaurant serving either buffet or à la carte meals in a single sitting; may be served al fresco and meals have a local flavour
  • Wi-Fi available (local charge)
  • 21 cabins 

Cabin Facilities

  • Twin or double beds (twin only category B & A)
  • Air-conditioning
  • Mini fridge
  • Flat screen television
  • Safety deposit box
  • Hairdryer

Activities

  • Full programme of optional excursions can be booked on board 24 hours in advance
  • Alternatively they can be booked as a package in advance - please contact us for details
  • The optional excursions described are subject to change and provide an indication only of what is available

This 7-night cruise is designed as an add-on to a longer holiday in The Gambia; pricing does not include flights - additional nights can be added at any of our resort hotels.The cruise is also possible starting in Dakar as an add-on to a SEnegal holiday - see gambia.co.uk/rivers-of-west-africa-7-night-cruise-dakar for more information.

Due to the nature of the itinerary, this cruise is only allowed for children aged seven and over.

Category Cabin C - A contemporary double or twin bedded cabin with two port holes, located on the lower deck, will sleep up to 3 - A third adult or child aged 7 years or above can be accommodated in this cabin.

Category Cabin B - A contemporary twin-bedded cabin with windows, located on the main deck, will sleep up to 2.

Category Cabin A - A contemporary twin-bedded cabin with windows, enjoying a good location on the main deck, will sleep up to 2.

Category Cabin P - A contemporary double or twin-bedded cabin with windows, located on the upper deck, sleeps up to 2.

 

About the Local Area (Banjul)

Banjul is one of the smallest capitals in Africa and given it is located on an island, St Mary’s Island - a sandbank at the south of the River Gambia, there is little room for expansion.

It is a strange mixture of colonial buildings, shanty buildings and modern offices and is the main administrative centre for the country. Bathurst (as Banjul was originally called) was founded in the early 19th century by the British Army and Royal Navy as a military base to prevent the continuation of the slave trade along the River Gambia. The name was changed to Banjul shortly after The Gambia received its independence from Britain in 1965.

Banjul is relatively easy to navigate as the roads are laid out in a grid. The main heart of the city is 22 July Square and Albert Market where you can buy anything from spices to shoes. This is where most local residents do their daily shopping, whilst the small tourist and craft market behind offers a good selection of local crafts and some more unusual pieces from neighbouring countries such as Mali and Guinea Bissau. Although Banjul has little specifically aimed at tourists, it is an interesting place and a hive of activity with plenty of hustle and bustle. Banjul Museum, situated in the centre of Banjul, has many items of interest relating to tribal traditions, music, agriculture and the British Colonial years, right up to the present day.