6 countries of West Africa: Senegal - Gambia - Guinea Bissau - Guinea Conakry - Sierra Leone - Liberia

6 countries of West Africa in one tour:

Senegal - Gambia - Guinea Bissau - Guinea Conakry - Sierra Leone - Liberia

DurationAvailability: 20 days / 19 nights 

Daily meals breakfast/lunch/dinner throughout the tour.

Tour dates in 2024: November 2 2024

Tour cost – 5955 EUR

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Tour program 6 countries of West Africa in one tour

Day 1: November 2, 2023 RETBA Senegal

Arrival in Senegal, dinner and transfer to the town of Retba, overnight at the hotel opposite the Pink Lake.

Day 2: November 3, 2023 DAKAR, AFRICAN METROPOLIS Senegal

Pink Lake, also known as Lake Retba, is a shallow salt water lake surrounded by dunes. Due to the high concentration of salt, the lake often shimmers in pink; swimming in the lake creates a feeling of soaring. More than 600 people work collecting salt from the lake in the traditional way.

Arrive in Dakar, start exploring the city: Dakar has been an important center of political, artistic and intellectual "revival" since independence, and is still a vibrant African metropolis. Visiting the Plateau area, the Presidential Palace, an atmospheric market and an interesting museum.

Ferry to Gore Island: The best time to enjoy Gore Island is at sunset, when all the tourists are leaving, or in the morning, before the crowds arrive.

Day 3: November 4, 2023 GORE ISLAND Senegal

Slaves crowded on the island of Goré, waiting to be sent to America. The island has been completely restored to bear witness to the old days. Today, the cool climate, history and ancient architecture, as well as excellent restaurants and boutiques, make Gore an interesting and trendy place for local and foreign tourists. Ferry to Dakar and visiting the city.

Day 4: November 5, 2023 KAOLAK TOWN Senegal 

We move towards the town of Kaolak, which is located on the Saloum River, which is the most important port in the region for the export of salt and agricultural products. To be and the life of the Senegalese hinterland. 

Day 5: November 6, 2023 GAMBIA, BETWEEN ARCHEOLOGY AND MODERNITY Senegal / Gambia

Early departure to the region between the north bank of the Gambia River and Senegal, home to one of the largest megalithic civilizations on earth. Stone circles in Senegambia are the richest megalithic site with 1102 erected stones. The Gambian border and a "very local" ferry crossing the great estuary of the Gambia River to reach the capital Banjul. Visit to the city center and interesting national museum.  

Day 6: November 7, 2023 DANCING MASKS Gambia / Senegal

Departure to the border with Casamance, the southern region of Senegal.

Late in the evening we will join the ritual dances of the sacred mask of Diol. The masks belong to a secret society and the identity of the dancers cannot be revealed as the mask is believed to be animated by spirits. Drums, dances and a motley crowd bring the tiny village to life under the shade of large cotton trees.

Day 7: 8 November 2023 Cult of Ancestors Senegal / Guinea-Bissau

Crossing the border of Guinea-Bissau. The Manjaco ethnic group calls their traditions "Gendiman". We will visit tiny villages hidden in the forest, find wooden pillars with sculptures called "Pekab", which represent the spirits of their ancestors, in a sanctuary known as "Kab Balugun". By asking permission from the villagers, we will be able to see the different generations and styles of sacred wooden sculptures; this is one of the last chances to enjoy tribal art in its original cultural context. Arrival in Bissau. 

Day 8: November 9, 2023 THE HOLY BIJAGOS ARCHIPELAGO: THE GHOST CAPITAL Guinea-Bissau 

We will begin our exciting 3-day speedboat trip to discover the Bijagos archipelago, its enchanting nature and isolated tribes. The archipelago, consisting of 88 large and small islets, is located on average 40 miles from the coastline. Bijagos is, of course, a "geographical gem".

Bolama has been the capital of Portuguese Guinea since 1871, and in 1941 the capital was moved to Bissau. When the Portuguese left, the locals began to live in this city, which is now, alas, being destroyed, partly already captured by tropical vegetation. Built according to the plans of the "Castrum Romane" (Roman citadel), the city consists of straight large avenues, sunny and empty squares, dry fountains, shrub-like gardens, imposing neo-Palladian office buildings. Goats graze peacefully in the shade of the columns near the former governor's palace. Despite the fact that the capital is populated, it is immersed in the fabulous atmosphere of a ghost town. 

Day 9: November 10, 2023 WAKA BRUTTO DANCE CEREMONY Guinea-Bissau

A short trip to the island of Bubac, the "capital" of the Bijagos Archipelago, its market and a small museum. 

Afternoon: Due to remoteness, lack of transport and deep attachment of local people to their traditions, the Bizhaghosh tribe was little influenced by the outside world. Village life is characterized by initiation rites and secret ceremonies. In some villages, young men must undergo a seven-year rite of passage while living in a "monastery" without contact with women. With its wild and idyllic scenery and authentic tribal culture, the Bijagos Archipelago is a "geographical gem". In the Bijagos Archipelago, life still goes according to the "cycle of the seasons". During the long dry season, when the harvest ends, major ceremonies are held.

Waka Bruto (wild bull) - the most spectacular mask on the islands, the dancers give the mask realism, bowing and facing the ground, with frosted glass eyes, real horns, leather ears and a rope through the nostril. All of this conveys the idea of a real wild animal, representing a person in full possession of his physical strength, but still with immature behavior, since he has not yet passed the final initiation. All villagers take part in this fascinating ceremony.

Day 10: November 11, 2023 LIVING ON THE ISLAND OF GUINEA BISSAU

Morning rest on wild beaches and in the pool, walking tour of the island.
After lunch transfer to Bissau.
A car will be waiting for us for a small tour of the city. Bissau is a tiny but intriguing capital city with old Portuguese architecture and a huge fort reminiscent of the era of the slave trade.

Upon request for an additional fee: early in the morning departure for an excursion to the island of Orango in search of hippos acclimatized to life on the islands. They mostly live in freshwater swamps, but sometimes they can swim in the ocean. A local guide will accompany visitors, encountering hippos is not guaranteed.

Day 11: November 12, 2023 GRIOTE AFRICAN TROUBADOURS Guinea-Bissau

Departure early in the morning. After lunch we leave the main road to a small village in the Malinka region. Malinke are descendants of the ancient Mali Empire and are common in the modern territory of Mali, Guinea Conakry, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. Griots are a caste of storytelling musicians that arose during the time of the Mali Empire. The village we are visiting is famous for the griot families who have preserved these traditions from the time of the empire. They are also known for their craftsmanship in the manufacture of musical instruments, they will perform in front of us with a concert. Arrival in Gaba.

Day 12: November 13, 2023 FUTA JALLON Plateau Guinea-Bissau / Guinea Conakry

On a makeshift barge we will cross the Rio Corubal, the natural border between the two Guineas, and reach the small border posts of Conakry Guinea, in a region inhabited by the Malinque and Fulbe (Peul) tribes; stopping in villages where the appearance of foreigners is a very rare event.
Heading along the main road, we will get into the Phuta-Jallon massif. Thanks to the fresh and favorable climate, this area was a favorite holiday destination for the French during the colonial period. In memory of that time, there were plantings of coniferous trees. It is considered the most picturesque region of Guinea: mountains, plateaus and savannahs alternate with deep wet valleys.

This large mountain range is a “reservoir”, because three rivers originate from Guinea, which gave the name to four states: Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Gambia. This area is inhabited by the Fulani, known for their beauty and considered the greatest herders of West Africa. We will visit isolated villages whose architecture is large earthen houses decorated with bas-reliefs, high conical roofs with several layers of straw.

Day 13: November 14, 2023 FUTA JALLON Guinea Conakry

The whole day is devoted to getting to know Phuta Jallon, a place where mountains meet savannah, deep valleys and the highest waterfalls in the middle of the forests. The Peul ethnic group (also called Fula) comes from this area. The Peuls conquered most of the savanna as far as Cameroon and became the largest group in the sub-Saharan savannas. A very large earthen round hut with an ornate grass roof is where the main council meets and where traditional chiefs are appointed. Thanks to our connections, we will ask the leaders and dignitaries sitting on the council to receive us.
Arrival in Dalaba at an altitude of 1200 m.

Day 14: November 15, 2023 AFRICAN BAS-RELIEF Guinea Conakry

A visit to the small and quiet town of Dalaba. Of particular interest is the "house of words" (casa a palabra) with beautiful bas-reliefs in the pure Peoul architectural style. Chiefs used to gather here to meet with the colonial administration.
Visit to the villa built by the colonial governor and later used by the first president of independent Guinea. The leader of independence was Sekou Toure, one of the most radical anti-colonizers; he refused any cooperation with the French, established contact with the bloc of the Soviet Union and struck up friendly relations with Ceausescu. Under Sekou Tura, the country became increasingly isolated and the government turned to dictatorship. Some of the villas used by ministers and guests of Sekou Toure are reminiscent of that time. At one of the destroyed villas, Miriam Makeba met and married Stokely Carmichael, an exile from the United States who was one of the masterminds behind the armed Black Panther Party.
We will reside in Dalab, following the southern slope of the massif to reach Mamu, an interesting trading city and its market.

Days 15 and 16: November 16-17, 2023 MASKS IN THE FOREST Guinea Conakry / Sierra Leone

A narrow path will take us to a small border with a remote area of Sierra Leone, arrival at the village of Kamakwi, in this region where foreigners are rare, if we are lucky, we will attend traditional dances and the exit of sacred masks, called "devils" here.
The next day, moving towards the Freetown Peninsula.

Day 17: November 18, 2023 FREETOWN PENINSULA Sierra Leone

Origins of Freetown: In 1786, the first 308 freed slaves arrived in Sierra Leone from America, where they fought in the war of independence for the British, after losing the war, the British sent them to Sierra Leone. The newcomers starved, fell ill with new unknown diseases and fought with the locals, who hardly tolerated them. A few years later, during the Napoleonic War, Freetown was attacked by seven ships of the French fleet and destroyed. The few survivors are saved on pies sent by ... slave traders ... Since 1807, in connection with the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire, slaves in Sierra Leone have been freed.

In 1808, Freetown became the capital of the first British colony in tropical Africa. At that time there were more than 50,000 Krio, or former slaves, which created a whole group that put pressure on the colonial administration, demanding better education, living, etc. In 1845, Fora Bay, the first university in West Africa, was built. During colonial times, Freetown was known as the "Athens of West Africa". We will drive along the coast along the slopes of the mountains of the Freetown Peninsula ... only the yellowness of the beaches separates the green of the lush vegetation from the blue of the ocean. The country was named after these mountains - the lion mountain. Let's go to Banana Island.

Day 18: November 19, 2023 BANANA ISLAND Sierra Leone

We will spend the whole day exploring, walking and getting to know this unspoiled island, with mountains in large pristine forests, villages and remote beaches. For the more adventurous of us, a jungle trek.

Day 19: November 20, 2023 BUNDO: WOMEN'S MASKS Sierra Leone

We're heading north.

In most parts of Africa, masks are the prerogative of men, but among the Mende people and neighboring peoples, the Bundo masks are the domain of women and play a crucial role in initiation rites. We get to a tiny village where we will see a ritual performance involving these masks. 

Day 20: November 21, 2023 DIAMONDS Sierra Leone / Liberia

Diamond Diggers: The opportunity to find a "state" may only be a reality for a lucky few. Diamonds have played an important role in the recent troubled history of the country. Along the trail we will reach a village with mud and straw huts.

After asking permission from the headman, several villagers will take us to a place where we can meet with the diamond seekers. A local resident will explain to us the technique of artisanal mining and "sand washing". A breathtaking road through the forest will take us to the Mano River, the natural border with Liberia. After passing through the border formalities, we will continue our journey to reach Monrovia in the evening.

Day 21: November 22, 2023 LIBERIA: LAND OF FREE PEOPLE Liberia

Liberia is the only African country that has never been a colony or a protectorate; Liberia was founded by the Krio, freed slaves who returned to Africa from the Americas, hence the name "Liberia". The Krio make up 5% of the population and are the main actors in economics and politics, they are considered the creators of the nation and the modern economy. The 80% population speaks the Krio language, a kind of American English "Pidgin".

Lunch with the group and transfer to Roberts International Airport with an English speaking driver.

Price: from 5955 EUR per person in a double room

Supplement for single room 850 EUR

Our Telegram channel with all the news and updates on Expeditions
https://t.me/KalipsoUkraine

The cost of 6 countries of West Africa in one tour includes:

• accommodation in a double room in hotels according to the tour program;
• breakfasts / lunches (snacks snacks) / dinners every day;
• transport throughout the tour;
• English speaking guide during the whole tour;
• all permits, entrances, entrances, payment, representation, etc.;
• water 1 bottle per person per day;
• tour leader from Ukraine. 

The cost of 6 countries of West Africa in one tour does NOT include:

• personal expenses;
• international flight;
• tips;
• insurance.

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