DISCOVERY

AFRICAN WEST COAST Senegal, Gambia and Guinea Bissau

14 days to experience:

NATURE, RITES, TRIBAL AND CONTEMPORARY ART, LIVE MUSIC

ScheduleddeparturedatesfromDakar

2020

February11th(Carnival)

March27th(VacaBrutoMaskdances),May6th(VacaBrutoMaskdances),November13th(Turtlenesting)

December23rd(Highseason;turtlenesting).

EACHDEPARTUREMATCHESWITHASPECIALTRIBALORNATURALEVENT:

Minimum2–Maximum16participants

Anyotherdateuponrequest

PRESENTATION

Auniqueitinerarycrossingthreecountries“northtosouth”toexperienceacontinuouschangeofclimaticecosystemsandhumanenvironments.NATURE.Followingthe“uncertainborder”betweenlandandwaterwemoveacrossanincrediblevarietyofnaturalenvironmentssuchdesertdunes,savanna,estuaries,forest,mangroveswamps,toendwithaocean navigation to discover and enjoy the Bijagos Archipelago. North to south is also the route ofmigratory birds, a constant presence along thewhole journey. Djoudj in Senegal is one of themainmigratorybirdssanctuaryonearthandGambiaisawell-knownbirdingdestination.HISTORY,PREHISTORY&TIMELESSVILLAGES.Wewilldiscoverhistorical sitesasGoréancientslave-tradeisland,SaintLouis–thefirstcolonialcapitalof“FrenchWestAfrica”andBolamathePortugueseGuineacapital,todayforgottenintheforestofaremoteisland.Dakar,contemporarylargecapitalandAfricanintellectualcentersincethetimebeforetheindependence.Wewillexperiencethemeetingwith“Timeless”peopleasNomadicherdersandremotevillagesanddiscoveraprehistoricsites,withthousandmysteriousstonecravedmonoliths.ART,CULTURE&MUSIC.InthenorthernsavannahwewillbeinvitedatthecampofnomadicherdersandwewillmeetwiththelargestreligiousandpeacefulbrotherhoodthatpracticesanAfricanformofIslamthat rejects fundamentalismandviolence. In the south,wewillbe introduced toanimistic traditionalreligions,tribalkings,dancingmasksandremotetribeswhostillworshipingancestorstatues;auniquechancetoenjoytribalartinisoriginalcontest.IntheanimisticCasamanceregionwewillwitnessatthecelebrationsofDiolamask,theincarnationofmythicalspirits…Masqueradeisauniqueexperiencethatinvolvestheparticipationoftheentirevillage inan intensemixtofmagic,music,anddances.Wewillfocusalsooncontemporaryartandmusic:DakarhasalwaysbeentheculturalcapitalofWestAfrica,ameltingpotofpaintersandsculptorsfromthewholecontinent.DuringtheweekendnightsinGambiaandCasamancewewillvibeattherhythmofmusicinthehotAfricanclubs.TRANSPORTSWewilltravelinsixdifferentkindofvehicles;eachonechosentooptimizethedifferentgeographicalandculturalenvironmentsandhavefun.Onthelandwewilltravelmainlyoncomfortableair-conditionedminibusandforshortridesin4WDvehicles,traditionalcalash,donkeychariot,localtaxi.Onoceanwewilltravelwithmodernspeedboats.

Uniqueeventscoincidingwiththedifferentdeparturedates:TurtleNestingintheBijagosarchipelago.PoilaoisuninhabitedislandandthemainnestingsiteforGreenSeaTurtle(CheloniaMidas)inWestAfrica.Afterdark,insilenceonthebeach,weawaitforthemagicmomentwhenafemaleemergesfromtheoceantodigadeepholeinthesandandlayanhundredormoreeggs.Withabitofluckwewillbeabletowitnessthehatching!…Tinyturtlesemergefromthesandtojointheoceanandstartalongjourneythatwillbringthembacktothissameisland30yearsafter,whentheywillreachsexualmaturity.Turtlenesting–coincidingdepartures:Nov13th,Dec23rdVacaBrutomaskdance.InBijagosArchipelagolifeisstillruledbythe“cycleofseasons”.Duringthelongdryseason,whenharvestisover,themainceremoniestakeplace.ThemostspectacularBijagomaskiscalledVacaBruto(wildbull)andisawoodenhelmetwitheyesoffrostedglass,realhorns,leatherearsandaropethroughthenostril.DuringtheVacaBrutoFestivaldancersembodythespiritofthemaskwithgreat realism: they bow and face the ground, just like a real untamed animal would do. The maskrepresentsamaninfullpossessionofhisphysicalstrengthbutwithstillanimmaturebehaviorsincehehasnotyetundergonethefinalinitiations.Allthevillagersattendthisfascinatingceremony.VacaBrutomaskdances–coincidingdeparturesMarch27th,May6

CarnivalisthemainfestivityinGuineaBissau.CarnivalgoeswildintheafternoonwhenalongtheMainAvenue,groupsfromallthecountrystarthoursofparade:sacredtraditionalmasks,warriorsdressedinacrocodileskinandarmedwitharrows,initiatedgirlswearingonlystringsofglassbedsaroundtheirwaistand contemporary masks made of papier-mâché. An intense “fiesta popular” combining PortugueseinfluencewiththecheerfulAfricanspirit.Carnival–coincidingdepartureFeb11th(requestspecificitinerary)DAYBYDAYPROGRAMDAY1:Dakar,thecapital-SENEGALArrivalinDakarandtransfertothehotel.Meals FreeOvernight HotelDjoloff,hoteldecharmewithfinetraditionalarchitectureandcomfort,orsimilar(Airconditioned,en-suiterooms)DAY2:Dakarcontemporaryartmetropolis&Goré-SENEGALDakarbecamethecenterofpolitical,artisticandintellectual“renouveau”fromindependencetime.Visitof the “Plateau” district, the Governor Palace and some interestingmarkets as Kermel built in purecolonialstyle.Lunchinatypicalrestaurant.ArrivalattheportofDakartoboardaferryandspendanightinGoreIsland.InGoréslavesusedtobecrammedandthenshippedtotheAmericas.Thetownistotallyrestoredtobearwitnessofthoseancienttimes,howeverthankstothenicebreeze,theancientarchitecture,themanyrestaurantsandboutiques;Gorétodayhasbecomeaverypleasantandtrendylocation.Meals B–L-D Overnight Hotel Municipal, “hotel de charme” in a full restored stone building, or similar (airconditioned,en-suiterooms).DAY3:Gorè,LacRoseandfishermanvillages-SENEGAL

WakingupinGorébeforethecrowdarrivesisapleasure,asstrolling in the tiny stone paved alleys of this historicalsettlement.FerrytoDakaranddrivetoLacRose,ashallowsaltwaterlakesurroundedbydunes,alsoknownasLacRetba.Thewateristentimessaltierthanintheoceanandthankstothis high concentration the lake often shimmers into pink.Workers here collect salt in the traditionalway. Along thecoastwe discover the largest fisherman village in Senegal,morethan4500woodenpaintedpiroguescometotheshorewiththecatchoftheday…Wewill leaveourvehiclesfora

lessintrusive,butfun,donkeychariottoapproachthefishermansellingtothelocalmarketwomen,tomeettheartisanscravingthelargepirogues,thepaintersdecoratingthemwithbrightcolorsandifweareluckythe“localsaint”forfinalblessingbeforesailing…AttheedgeofLampoulDesert,some4WDvehicleswillbewaitingtocrossthedunesandtakeusatourfixcamp.

Meals includedinarestaurantandatthecamp.Overnight Permanenttentedcamp(comfortabletentswithbedsandensuite)DAY4:SaintLouis–SENEGALSaintLouisisacharmingoldtownwhichwasthefirstcapitalofWestAfricaFrenchcolonies(AOF).Ithasbeentheformerbaseofthe“Aeropostale”airmailpioneeroperationbetweenEurope,AfricaandSouthAmerica.SaintExupéry,thefamousauthorof“TheLittlePrince”,wasoneofAeropostalepilotfollowingthisroute.ThebestwaytovisitthenarrowlanesofSaintLouisisbycalash,justaslocalsdo,andwalkinthefishermanquarters.Timetostrollinthetinyavenuesandenjoytheuniqueatmosphereofthisoldtown.Wewillspendthenightatthehistorichotelofthetown-builtin1895andnowfullyrenovated-itwasherethatallAeropostalepilotsusetostay.Meals B–L-D Overnight HoteldelaPosteorsimilar(Airconditioned,en-suiterooms).DAY5:Birdsanctuary&Nomadictribes-SENEGAL

Early morning departure northwards to discover DjoudjNationalBirdSanctuary(ParcNationaldesOiseauxduDjoudj),anaturaloasisformedbyhundredsofmilesofpartiallyfloodedlandswhichhasbeendeclaredaUNESCOWorldHeritageSite.This“humidparadise” - thebesthabitatandnestingsite forover a million of migratory and resident birds - lies on thesoutheasternbankoftheSenegalRiverandoffersarangeofwetlandhabitatsthatareverypopularamongmigratingbirds,manyofwhichgethereaftercrossingtheSahara.Outofmorethan 400 species, pelicans and flamingos are the mostcommon,whereasaquaticwarblersareabitlessconspicuous

-migratingherefromEurope,thisparkistheirsinglemostimportantwinteringsiteyetdiscovered.Apartfrombirdsthere isalsoawiderangeofwildlifesuchaswarthogandcrocodiles.Motorboatexcursionleadedbyalocalguide-ornithologistIntheafternooncontinuationtotheFerloDeserttodiscoverthearidregionwherenomadicFulanitribesherds large droves of zebu. The Fulani (also called Peul) are the largest tribe roamingWest Africansavannahs,livinginavastareafromSenegaltoChad.Theiroriginsarestillcoveredwithmystery,buttheyallshareacommonandaristocraticcultforbeautyandelegance.Intheafternoonalocalguidewilljoinusforavisittotheneighboringvillagesandshelters.Whentheherdscomeback,wemightevenbeinvitedtowitnessthemilkingprocess.Meals B–L-D Overnight Campmadeupofsimplegrasshuts,managedbyalocalentrepreneur(allroomswithbeds,

mosquitonetsanden-suite).DAY6:TubaBrotherhood-SENEGAL

The rarely visited holy town of Tuba (Touba) is the right place toappreciate thehospitalityof anAfricanbrotherhood.Tuba inhabitantsfollowMouridismandthetownitselfisasortoftheocratic“statewithinthestate”,ruledbyaCaliph.ThefounderofMouridibrotherhoodwasaSufinamedAmhadouBàmbaMbakeandstilltodaytheMouridihavealargesocialandeconomicimpactinSenegal:thankstotheirpeaceful(andAfrican)visionofIslam,MouridismhasbecomethebastionthatprotectsSenegalfromradicalIslam.Duringtheannualfestivalthetownisvisitedbyfourmillionpilgrims.Mouridiwelcomeanyinterestintheirtraditionsyet since Tuba is a sacred town, all visitors should show respect fortraditionalrules,thereforewemustapplyaconsideratedresscode,notsmoke,notdrinkalcoholandnot listentomusicduringthevisit. Ifwefollowthesesimplerules,wewillbewelcomed.BayeFall,amemberofacolorfulbranchofMouridism,willaccompanyusduringthevisit.Meals B–L-D Overnight HotelKabacotoSafatiorsimilar(Airconditioned,en-suiterooms).DAY7:Stonecercles–SENEGAL-GAMBIAEarly departure,wewill leave themain road to discover the uniquemegalithic site of SineNgayenecomposedby52circlesoferectedstones,includingadoublecircle.UNESCOhasincludedthe1102carvedstonesinitsprogram.AfterGambiaborderformalities,wewilldrivetothenorthernbanksofGambiaestuarywherewewilljoinaferrywithacolourfulcrowdtocrossthislargeriver.WewillshoreatBanjul.ItwillbeFridayevening,lunchinarestaurantbeforeroamingfromclubtoclubtoenjoyvibrantmusicandAfricanstyleofenjoy.Meals B–L-D Overnight Atlantichotel,separatebuildingsinatropicalforestvegetation,privatebeachfacingtheocean.DAY8:Gambianbirds–GAMBIA-SENEGALWithanornithologicalguidewewilldiscoverdifferentspeciesofAfricanbirdsintheirhabitat.VisittheNationalmuseumfocusedondifferentaspectofthecountry:fromarchaeologytorecenthistory,toart,musicandphotography.LunchandintheafternoondrivetothesouthernborderwhitCasamanceregionofSenegal.EveningarrivaltoourcomfortablehotelonthebanksofCasamanceRiverwherewewillstaytwonights.Meals B–L-D Overnight KadiandoumangeHotelonthebanksoftheriverorsimilar(airconditionedensuiterooms)DAY9:Sacredkings–SENEGAL

Wewill leave themain road to visit an adobe-fortifiedbuildingstillinhabitedbyalargepatriarchalDiolafamily,a very interesting example of traditional African“sculptural architecture”. These large clay and woodenfortifiedhouses,wherelightcomesfromacentralholeintheroof,areknownas“impluviumhouses”andhadthefunctiontoprotectitsdwellersfromoutsideattacks.WewillbereceivedbythekingofaDiolaKingdom.Aftertheprotocolsalutationstheking,that isalsothehighpriestholdingbothpoliticalandmysticalpower,willanswerourquestionsonthetraditionalrulesinDiolasociety.Intheafternoonwefollowanisolatedpathtoatinyvillageand…masksleavethesacredforest(whereonlyinitiatedareadmitted)todanceforanenthusiasticlocalcrowd.MasksarepartoftheanimisticDiolaculture and Malinké traditions - people fear and respect masks, consider them spirits who play animportantroleinsolvingconflictsbetweenvillagers.EveningreturntoZiguinchor.Meals B–L-D Overnight KadiandoumangeHotelonthebanksoftheriverorsimilar(airconditionedensuiterooms)DAY10:Ancestors’cult–SENEGAL-GUINEABISSAUEarlydepartureforalongbutinterestingday.AftercrossingtheborderwithGuineaBissauourdaywillbededicatedtoexploringtheregioninhabitedbytheManjaco.Thisethnicgroupcallstheirtraditions“Gendiman”andkeepsthemstillverymuchalive.Wevisittinyvillageshiddenintheforesttodiscoversculpturedwooden poles called “Pecab” representing the spirits of their ancestors; they are kept insanctuariesknownas“CabBalugun”.Withthepermissionoftheelders,wewillhavetheopportunitytoadmiresacredwoodensculpturesvaryinginageandstyles. It is indeedauniqueopportunitytoenjoytribalartinitsoriginalculturalcontext:thevillage.ArrivalinBissauMeals B–L-D Overnight HotelAzalaiorsimilar(airconditionedensuiterooms)DAY11:FromtheghostcapitaltotheBijagosArchipelago-GUINEABISSAU

Aboardaspeedboat,westartoursailingtodiscovertheBijagosArchipelagowithitsremoteislandsandisolated human settlements. The BijagosArchipelago is locatedapproximately40milesoff-shoreand,withits88islands(ofwhichonly21arepermanentlyinhabited),isthelargestarchipelagoinAfrica. With its wild and pristine landscapes, itsgenuinetribalcultureanditsuniquefauna,Bijagosisa“geographicaljewel”.Duetotheremotenessofthedestination,thelackof transportationand thedeepattachment to thelocal traditions, theBijagos inhabitantshavebeen

littleinfluencedbytheexternalworld:duringceremonieswomenstillwearthesaiya-atraditionalskirtmadeofstraw-andtherhythmoflifeinvillagesisgivenbyinitiationsandsecretceremonies–forexample

youngmenhavetogothroughaseven-yearinitiationriteduringwhichtheyliveina“convent”withoutanycontactwithwomen..OurfirststopwillbeBolamaIsland,theformercapitalofPortugueseGuineafrom1871to1941,beforeitwasmovedtoBissau.WhenthePortugueseleft,nativepeoplecametoliveinthetownwhichisnowfallingapartandispartlyinvadedbytropicalvegetation.Itwasoriginallybuiltfollowingtheplansofa«CastrumRomanum»(romancitadel)sotodaywecanwitnessitslargesunnylethargicavenues,itsemptysquares,itsdryfountains,itsbush-likegardensanditscharmingadministrativebuildingsinneoPalladianstyle.IntheGovernor’sPalacewecanstilladmirecolumnsintheclassicstyle…wherenowgoatsgraze!Bolama,althoughinhabited,isplungedinthefairy-taleatmosphereofaghosttown.ArrivalonRubaneIslandwherewewillstayatthemostbeautifullodgeoftheBijagosArchipelago.Meals B–L-DOvernight Hotel Ponta Anchaca or similar (ocean front comfortable bungalows en-suite with airconditioning,privatewildbeach,seawaterswimmingpool,spectacularbarandgastronomicrestaurantonstilts).DAY12:Dancingmasksorturtles’nesting–GUINEABISSAUtheitinerarywillbemodifiedtoparticipatetothevisitofTurtlenesting,ortoparticipatetothe“VacaBruto”maskdances.Meals B–L–DIncaseofVacaBrutodancingmasks:Overnight Lodge Ponta Anchaca or similar. Large and comfortable ocean front air-conditionedbungalows. Swimmingpool,privatebeach.Gastronomic restauranton stilts, Frenchand internationalcuisine,specializedinthecatchoftheday,differentmenusavailable.OrIncaseofTurtlenesting:Overnight intents,basicDAY13:Islanderlife–GUINEABISSAUDayofrelaxtoenjoythearchipelagowayoflife:relaxatthewildbeach,swimmingpool,orwalkingtoexplorevillagesandluxuriantvegetation.Optionalincluded:excursiontoSogabayandBubaque,thelargestvillageinthearchipelagoandtheonlyoneconnectedtothecontinent,byanoldferryonceaweek.InBubaquewewillfindunpavedalleys,atinycolorfulmarket,localbarsandtraders.QuiteinterestingthesmallethnographicmuseumdedicatedtotheBijagosculture.ReturntoourcomfortablebaseatRubaneIslandforlunch.Optionalnotincluded:gamefishing.Optional not included:excursion to Orango island to watch hippos (actual seeing the hippos is notguaranteed)Meals B–L-D

Overnight Lodge Ponta Anchaca or similar. Large and comfortable ocean front air-conditionedbungalows. Swimmingpool,privatebeach.Gastronomic restauranton stilts, Frenchand internationalcuisine,specializedinthecatchoftheday,differentmenusavailable.DAY14::toBissauArrivalbyspeedboatinBissau,theactualcapitalofthecountry.HereavehiclewillbewaitingtotakeusonabrieftourofthistinyandintriguingcapitalwhichmixesthecommunistandthePortuguesetimeWewillstrollaroundBissau-Vehlo:thelivelyoldquarterwithitssleepystreetsandalleys.HerewewillbeamazedbytheinterestingPortuguesearchitecturewhichgivesBissauanatmospherethatremindsusofPortugalbackinthedays.OldwoodencaféwheretodrinkPortuguesewineandwatchPortuguesenews.Oranopen-airrestaurantwheretodrinkthebestmojitointown…Intheeveningtransfertotheairportfortheflightout.Meals B–LDay-use Roomsinday-usetill18.00(allroomsen-suiteandwithairconditioning)RecommendedExtension:

At theendof this intense journey,wecanrecommenda fewextradaysintheBijagosArchipelago.Onrequest,wecanarrangeforsomeextradaysinPontaAnchacaHotelonRubaneIsland,inacomfortableocean-front bungalowenjoying fine French and tropical cuisine.Atthehotelyoucanrelaxatthepool,goforwalksonthewildbeach,discovertheislandlushvegetationordosomesportfishing-allinthenatural paradiseof TheBijagosArchipelago.BijagosArchipelago isknownfortopgamefishing.

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DATASHEET§ Duetothelimitedquantityofavailablerooms,pleasebookinadvance.

§ VISAS:Senegal–notrequiredforEU,USAandCanadacitizen(askcompletelist).Gambia:please,cheack;GuineaBissau-singleentryvisarequiredandobtainableduringthetour(pleaseadviseifwehavetoarrangeforit)

§ VACCINATIONS:Yellowfever–compulsory;malariaprophylaxis-highlyrecommended;choleranotnecessaryatthemomentbuttobecheckedupondeparture

§ MEALS: lunch-restaurants(touristmenus)orcoldpicnic;dinner-atthehotelrestaurant(completetouristmenu).

§ LUGGAGE:max 20 kg and in duffle bags, best ifwaterproof;whenon the speedboat, passengersmay getsplashedbywaterorfoam,weadvisetoprotectanycameraequipment.

§ TRAVEL INSURANCE: Not included. Mandatory for medical assistance, repatriation, material and physicaldamages.Wearenotresponsibleforanymaterialandphysicaldamageduringthetour

§ TRANSPORT:onroadsandtracksbyMinibusor4x4,speedboatonCacheuRiverandspeedboatfittedforocean

crossingtotheBijagosArchipelago.

§ TIDES:witheachdeparture,visits couldbe re-scheduledasper the tides;allwillbevisitedbutmaybe inadifferentorder.

§ ACCOMMODATIONShotelsandlodgesarealwayschosenwithmaximumcare,howeverduetopossiblelackofavailabilityinsomehotels,theTourLeadermayhavetoreplacesomehotelsduringthetouritselfwithothersofsimilarstandard.Insomehotelssingleroomsarenotalwaysgranted.Onehotelweuseonlyhas8rooms.

§ Allourtripsaredesignedtobeflexiblesothatwecanadapttoexternalconditions,andtakeadvantageofopportunitiesthatariseoncethere.

§ Consideringthespecialnatureofthejourney,somepartsmaybemodifiedduetounpredictablefactorsandare based on unarguable decisions of our Tour Leader. Costs originating from such variationswill be soleresponsibilityoftheparticipants.OfcoursetheLeaderwilldohis/herutmosttoadheretotheoriginalprogram.

§ Pricescouldchangeincaseofmajorchangesinservicescosts,beyondtheorganizer’swill

RatesperpersoninsharingdoubleValidity2020

All departures are confirmed with minimum 2 people, when booking occurs at least 60 days priortodeparture.

NumberofParticipants

PublishedRate

Basedon6+guests 3879EuroBasedon2/5guests 4279EuroSinglesupplement 478Euro

SpecialratesfordepartureFeb11thandDec23rdPerpersoninhalfdouble:+100euroExtensionatRubane:PontaAnchacaTobeannouncedThescheduledtourissoldbyaninternationalpooloftouroperators.AdeparturecanalsobebookedprivatelybyatouroperatorIncluded:

• AssistanceatDakarairportuponarrivalandBissauairportupondeparture

• Transfers and tour in a great variety of 6 different transports, each fitting the different geographicalenvironment, allowing maximum interaction with the local peoples, comfort and fun:minibuses/microbuses,4WDvehicles,localcalash(privateuse),localbushtaxicalled“taxibrousse”(privateuse),donkeychariot,speedboatfittedforoceancrossingtotheBijagosArchipelago.

• TourLeader(languagesspoken:English,French,ItalianandSpanish)• Toursandvisitsaspertheprogramme• Accommodationinstandardrooms/bungalows/permanenttentsasperitinerary• Allmealsasdescribed,frombreakfastofday2tolunchofday14.• Mineralwaterinthebus/car/boatduringthevisits,upto1bottleaday.• Entrance fees to parks, concessions, protected areas and cultural sites, festival and events as in the

program.• Passforcarnivalwhenapplicable• FirstAidbox• Allservicechargesandtaxes

Notincluded:

• InternationalflightstoDakarandfromBissau• Visafees• Mineralwateranddrinksatrestaurantsandhotels.• Portage• Feesforpersonalphotosandvideos• Personalinsurance(compulsory).• Tipsfordrivers,guidesandhotelstaff• Anyitemofpersonalnaturesuchasphonecalls,laundry,etc.• Whateverisnotmentionedasincluded

TERMSOFPAYMENTPAYMENTPOLICYAdepositof30%isrequiredatthetimeofconfirmationandthebalanceisduenolessthan14daysbeforethearrivalofguestsatthedestination.