Senegal and The Gambia

Excellent variety in this tour. Tour leader Assan was outstanding in every department. Additional so was Usman, our driver. Great itinerary and loved the fact there were loads of boat trips! Excellent tour especially for bird watchers and nature lovers

The accommodation can be quite basic on this tour so be prepared but the amazing bird life makes it worth it. Our guide Assan was very knowledgeable and keen to show off his country (Gambia). As well as being a great wildlife spotter, he also taught us a lot about the history and culture of the region.

This trip to Senegal and The Gambia is excellent. Travel is mainly by boat, allowing great views of birds living along the rivers and waterways. The holiday was fast paced but not too much, allowing a few long days in the tour bus to travel to far flung parts of the country. We went off-piste miles from where tourists usually go, seeing several interesting places every day. Food and accommodation was of reasonable to excellent quality especially given basic conditions in some of the lodges. The tour guide was very helpful, well-organised and interesting.

An interesting itinerary which took us far away from the more popular tourist areas on the coast. We travelled on boats along rivers and through mangroves, seeing an abundance of bird life. We also had a glimpse of the life and culture of the two countries. Assan, our guide was excellent and helped make the trip so enjoyable - very knowledgeable and very professional.

Keen birdwatchers will get most out of this trip, but there is plenty for everyone else too, with the old colonial towns and fascinating (if disturbing) history of slavery. The river trips were lovely and relaxing, and even non-birdwatchers couldn't fail to be amazed by the pelicans at Djoudj. Our guide Assan and driver Ousman were excellent. On the downside, the accommodation wasn't great, apart from the Keur Saloum and the better rooms at the Savana. Food was so-so, excellent on the boat trip. Be aware there may not be hot water or wifi even when the trip notes say there is. Be prepared for the cold (seriously!). Nights can be chilly, especially sleeping on the deck of the boat. The five hour boat trip through the Saloum Delta was cold, wet, windy and uncomfortable. Despite the negatives, all in all a good and varied trip to 'off the beaten track' parts of two countries.

Very interesting and excellent tour throughout. Fantastic tour leader Assan and driver Osman. Hotels and food were generally very good. The only issues were sleeping on the boat and the boat trip in Saloum. This was mostly because of the strong wind which made it very uncomfortable and cold for sleeping. on the boat trip I was soaked with sea water. If better prepared this could have been tolerable, however, it was probably bad luck it was so windy.

This trip is an excellent opportunity to explore a little known part of the world, beyond the popular beaches. It is particularly aimed at those who enjoy birdwatching as much of the time is spent on boat trips in wetlands, river systems and a delta, where a huge variety of species are to be seen, often in large numbers. However, there are also opportunities to enjoy French colonial architecture in Ile de Gorée and St Louis, an important mosque and ancient stone circles, all UNESCO World Heritage sites. The accommodation varies from small hotels to African rondavels and a night on a riverboat - all clean and comfortable but you are sometimes without electricity and also without wifi, except in the cities. So prepare to get away from the modern world for a while and experience a very different but colourful and friendly culture.

The tour was so disappointing the accommodation differed for group Members so differently allocated you pay extra and are penalized by being placed away from the group in substandard accommodation. Promised huts over the river but placed outback in a rundown hut. Single women placed away from the group to walk alone in the dark. We had very little local food and no contact with local groups I expected to be taken to local restaurants or have locals cook for us and also no local charities or support groups included. 6 large tourists in a wagon on a small horse carriage so sad one of the horses was bucking under the weight most tour groups have moved away from this cruelty

Well planned itinerary with a combination of culture and nature. Significant emphasis being on birds of senegambia. Lots of boat trips. Some long drives but despite a full group bus had space to comfortably accommodate us all. As with many explore trips, accommodation not high end and some hotels were quite dated, probably closing, however clean and comfortable. In the gambia the accommodation was much more simple and rustic. Electricity limited, no hot water and no wifi. This was however expected and was fine and easily tolerated. The best thing about this trip was our wonderful, humble tour leader Assan. Fun, friendly, knowledgeable, kind. Shared his own stories, and his equipment. He really cared for the group. The driver Serign was also great and good fun.

Our tour leader Assan and driver Serign were superb. The trip was an interesting mix of culture and nature across two countries. We covered around 3000km in total, and spotted well over 100 birds, many unique to the area.

Our trip to Senegal and The Gambia was very enjoyable. Our trip down the Gambia River was a high point: both relaxing and we saw many different birds, as well as crocodiles and hippo. Our guide, Assan, was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. His warmth and enthusiasm definitely contributed to the holiday.

I enjoyed the tour , the bird life was prolific other sightings included Hippos , Crocodiles and dolphins. I found the House of Slaves , on the island of Goree , fascinating . Trying the local food was interesting. The standard of hotels was pretty good , some better than others , I always had a decent bed , rooms clean & tidy , decent shower, hot water could be a bit erratic but you have to remember where you are. Breakfasts I thought were always good. We were blessed with probably the best tour guide I have ever had - Mr Assan Saine. He always ensured and went out of his way to make everyone's trip a positive experience. Assan is also a very good birdwatcher. the driver - Serin - also deserves a shout out, driving over 3000 km very skilfully and carefully. I changed about 200 Euros and still had money left over , meals in restaurants were reasonable . If you aren't a birdwatcher or have an interest in birdlife this tour might not be for you, as its very much focused on that. I thought the tour was well organised , transfers to and from the airport were excellent.

This trip to Senegal and Gambia is truly outstanding especially if led by the incredible, passionate tour leader Assan. He truly made the trip come alive with his passion, interest and extensive knowledge of both countries as a Gambian. The tour encompassed quite a few UNESCO World Heritage sites and took in so many locations , that I really felt I had enjoyed quite a comprehensive trip in getting to know both countries. The accommodations were comfortable and clean, I ate extremely well as a vegan especially on the Gambia portion ( the chef on the houseboat and the chef at our first accommodation) and I appreciated that there was free time to do what one wanted as well. The highlights of the trip were sailing down the Gambian river on a large boat and sleeping on it for an evening and taking an optional boat ride on the Delta Saloum to see the bird life and see them roost for the night. Incredible and highly recommended! The only thing that I would change in the itinerary is to spend only two days/one night in St Louis not 3 days/2 nights , do a day trip to Gorée Island than an overnight and perhaps take out Pink Lake visit as it is no longer pink in colour due to heavy rains two years ago. Those 3-4 days should extend the visit to Gambia and see more of the country especially the capital of Banjul as little was seen being on the houseboat and of course a trip to visit James Island ( Roots tour). I was disappointed that such an important place in history was not included. The itinerary has a good mix of history, culture, wildlife and relaxation. Highly recommended trip! Hopefully led by Assan and having Seringe as your driver who ensured safe driving at all times!

Assan our tour guide was excellent, his knowledge of the bird species was incredible, how he managed to distinguish the birds from such a distant was beyond me. We were very lucky and saw quite a lot of rare species. This trip is very much geared towards spotting birds and our days on the water were excellent. There are some long days travelling in the bus and currently I feel that the itinerary could be changed to spend longer in The Gambia. You don’t really need to spend a night on Goree, that island was wonderful and thought provoking but you don’t necessarily need to spend the night there. Currently there is no need to visit The Pink Lake, it’s not pink anymore so really that was a wasted day that could have been spent in The Gambia and maybe heading further west exploring that part of The Gambia. Add the Pink Lake to the itinerary again, if and when it’s pink again! Some hotels are basic, with no hot water and electricity but that is part of the charm in visiting these places. Take a swimming costume as there are opportunities to swim at some of the hotels. The Senegalese and The Gambia people are very friendly but be prepared for them to sometimes ask you to purchase goods and not leave you alone. You’ll have to ignore the rubbish everywhere, sadly it is a blight on the landscape.

Assan (guide) and Serin (driver) could not do enough for us to make sure we had a memorable trip and were a great pair to take us around the two countries. I travelled to Senegal and The Gambia over Christmas and New Year and had a wonderful time. With the right amount of Christmas, and a fun celebratory night for New Year where we danced away at the hotel. The organisation of the trip meant we were able to maximise our time in each location, though more time in Gambia would be great. Yes, the accommodation wasn't 5 star, but it was all comfortable and clean, which I view as more important. The food was plentiful and delicious - especially so on the boat on the Gambia River. We pretty much had the Gambia River to ourselves and had some amazing sightings of birdlife - Assan's knowledge of the wildlife is brilliant! Bintang Bolong staff were welcoming and friendly, wanting to make sure they provided us with a great experience - try the chocolate cake there if you have the chance. As others have noted, the pink lake is no longer pink, which is a shame, but nothing anyone can do about it. I would recommend taking the optional boat trip too, there are plenty of birds to see and some unique experience. Additionally, if you have a day spare at the beginning or end of the trip, it is worth hiring a taxi for a couple of hours to take you around Dakar to see some sights - we had a two hour tour and ticked off a couple of the highlights.

An excellent well balanced programme and itinerary

The jewel of the trip was our guide, Assan Saine. From the first day, he welcomed us to Senegambia with wise counsel on what to expect and thanked us for choosing to visit this remarkable region of the world. The itinerary was full-on and covered a wide range of interests. My own curiosity was the spirituality of this region before the arrival of Christianity and Islam. Bird-watching lovers will especially enjoy what both countries offer. For me, the overnight river motor cruiser trip was magical. To sleep under the stars with 13 of your newest friends is an interesting challenge but we all made it - 18 of us (with 4 crew and guide) sharing a single toilet on board. The toast of the trip must certainly be our cook, who produced magnificent meals from her tiny kitchen, and out captain and his mate, who kept us safe throughout the river journey. Unlike many tours of this region, the company wisely avoided Banjul and focussed on the lesser visited upriver communities. I especially enjoyed learning about the mysterious Wassu Stone circles erected by ancient Gambians, the story of Kunta Kinte, the Atlantic and Arab slave trades, as well as the shell island of Fadiout (pronounced fad-jut) where 90% of the population are Catholics in a country where 97.5% of the population are Muslim - and they live together, even buried together in a cemetery of mixed religious faiths. The sights and sounds of nature as we traversed the Saloum Delta will remain with me for the rest of my life. Wildlife abounds and the few travelers around makes for an authentic experience. Suggestion to guests: Bring your own sleeping sheet, pillow case and a good selection of snacks and emergency rations as meals on such road travels can be unpredictable. I commend Explore! for having anticipated so many permutations of things possibly going wrong and I suspect the years of experience on this itinerary along with reviews by guests contributed to evolving improvements. Suggestion to Explore!: The Savana hotel in Dakar is clearly well past its prime and the management failed to maintain the rooms - the lack of hygiene and basic cleanliness in a major city hotel is inexcusable. Finally, perhaps add an extra day in Dakar to enjoy and celebrate the famous musical legacy of Senegal.

If travellers are looking for some winter sunshine in W.Africa in a five * hotel this would not be for them. If, however, one is looking to explore Senegal and/or The Gambia to understand these countries culture, wildlife and societies this trip provides most of what one would wish for. Both countries have similarities in culture and religion but grounded in differing histories they have subtle differences too. Combining both countries in this one trip facilitates understanding of this. Accommodation was varied and only what I have come to expect of Explore! Some was basic but still, I imagine, more luxurious than much of the population whom we encountered. A great group and a great tour leader

This was my 20th Explore trip and the only holiday I would not recommend unless you are a bird twitcher. It was sedentary and little in the way of memorable experiences. The only positive was that Assan the tour guide was lovely but uninterested in any other animals other than birds. The accommodation we stayed in was poor value for money given this trip was really pricey. Normally explore treats us with lateast one to two decent places to stay but not on this trip. The night sleeping on mattresses on the boat in the Gambia river was a highlight.

Our group loved this EXPLORE adventure on the whole. It was excellent value for the money, and we liked the fact that we were lodged in a variety of accommodations that were adequate, even very good 3 or 4-star stays, but not "Luxury Class" - which would have, in our opinion, been less of an "immersive, in-country" experience. Our guide, Kebba Camara, was pleasant and well-informed about the cultural, historical and political significance and aspects of the locations and sites that we visited. For the most part, he listened to our needs when we expressed them. We appreciated the fact that he found local guides who spoke French as well as English, which helped accommodate the 4 French-speakers in our group. This tour was extremely well organized, and we appreciated how Kebba and our driver, Ousmane, made it feel seamless, from the way our bags were handled, to how local staff was attentive to our needs (and appropriately tipped), to the ease in crossing borders between Senegal and The Gambia. Our biggest disappointments were perhaps the lack of "free time" to explore more on our own. There seemed to be only a couple of afternoons in the entire tour that included "unscheduled/unorganized" time for us to wander through markets/towns on our own. Secondly, we also felt that the tour was heavily oriented to "bird watching" and as such, EXPLORE may consider making this VERY CLEAR in its publicity about the tour. There were days when we felt this was less a tour of EXPLORE SENEGAL AND THE GAMBIA and more a tour of EXPLORE THE BIRDS OF SENEGAL AND THE GAMBIA. More culture, less birds. Our group of 6 would make a few recommendations to make it even better: 1) PURCHASE FOR YOU GUIDE A QUALITY PAIR OF BINOCULARS!! As it ended up, the tour guide probably "borrowed" and used our pair of binoculars more than we used them ourselves. Especially, if the tour emphasizes bird watching, then we would expect a guide to be personally equipped to find and point out birds. What if we hadn't graciously loaned our own equipment? Would the experience have been as good for others on the tour? 2) Forget "Lac Rose" as a destination. This site was a TOTAL WASTE OF TIME. Unless or until it is actually the stunning rose color seen in stock photographs from years past AND people are actually working the salt (which they weren't) it is of no particular interest - it's just another big body of water. Instead, we would suggest another nearby site en route to Saint Louis with which we are familiar: the "Manufactures ségégalaises des arts décoratifs" in Thies, where one can actually see artisans weaving cloth on traditional looms. 3) Perhaps break the long day's drive from Saint Louis to Georgetown into 2 days, with a stop?? to be chosen, where travelers might enjoy and explore the African market place. That particular day on the bus with a stop at Touba was very, very long. 4) More culture, less birds 5) More free time, a few less structured "group outings" with perhaps recommendations by the guide on what to explore on our own and what to expect. 6) Included in that "free time" – allowing participants to explore and take meals in restaurants of their own choosing when the itinerary says "lunch" or "dinner at your own expense." We found it a bit usual and deceptive that a meal "was on our own" yet confined to a restaurant chosen by EXPLORE and/or the tour guide to dine as a group. I had a personal, private and honest conversation about this with Kebba when I discovered that the 4 UK participants somehow"schemed" out of a group dinner in Saint Louis, while our group of 6 (4 French + 2 Americans) were told "we dine together" even when we foot the bill individually. There were plenty of group meals – and appropriately so (on the boat, in remotely located camp settings). While some travelers may prefer that all meals be organized by the tour/guide, others may prefer personal options. These tours are oriented (or so it seems) to adult travelers, not high school students who may need to be under a watchful eye. Otherwise, again, we would emphasize this was a great experience. We liked the small-group environment and how smoothly the entire experience unfolded for us. We would absolutely and enthusiastically recommend EXPLORE to friends and family. Kudos!! Tim & Marie-Helene Rake

Mixture of hotels as per say with Explore, from full electricity to an African Hut lit by candle light. Please note accommodation is very basic compared to Western standards which Assan stressed to the group on the first day of the trip. As mentioned in the itinerary there is a heavy emphasis on the bird life and the majority of trips are geared towards the birds. If birds are your thing then this is a trip for you. The guide Assan is an excellent & enthusiastic birder with a comprehensive knowledge of the birds from The Gambia & Senegal. Assan is a very open and honest guide & will relay his personal experiences of his own village life in The Gambia. Driver Cering was excellent & ensured we were all safe & comfy on the long journeys on the bumpy African roads. Bottled was provided on the bus along with regular local fruits. Food wise, a lot of enthesis on fish cooked and served whole. I am a vegetarian non fish eating and with help from Assan I never went hungry. Local children enjoyed the sweets the group brought from the U.K.

A most enjoyable trip in two very interesting countries. Given the general lack of tourist infrastructure in both countries the itinerary was really good and the facilities as good as possible.