Unravelling the Rivers of west Africa
An exciting voyage of discovery
This is a cruise with a difference, deep into the interior of West Africa along the length of the Gambia River. In many ways it’s a chance to follow in the footsteps of famous Explorers and discover the ‘dark continent’ at a leisurely pace, stopping at traditional fishing villages and colourful bustling market towns.
The first part of the itinerary runs along the Atlantic coast of Senegal and Gambia. Then we enter the river Gambia and sail 240 miles upstream, discovering the fascinating and hugely varied rich flora, fauna and bird life along the river banks. En route we make regular stops at towns and villages brim-full of amazing local colour and some of the friendliest people you can imagine. In all honesty it’s a unique experience that you can only make on a small vessel.
Don’t miss…
Incredible bird-life
Wonderful wildlife on the river bank
The Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve
Native markets
A trip in a traditional pirogue
The school funded by Variety Cruises’ clients
The incredible Gambian people
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Saturday – Dakar
You will be transferred from your hotel to Dakar port for embarkation. Sail to the Saloun River Delta. Overnight at sea.
Embarkation Time: 14:00
Meals included : Breakfast & Dinner
Sunday – Djiffere – Banjul
Morning arrival at Sine – Saloun. Optional excursion to Djiffere and Joal Fadiouth. In the afternoon we leave Senegal and the Saloum delta and sail south to Gambia to reach Bajul. Fishermen
Night. Overnight in Banjul.
Meals included : Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner
Monday – Banjul – Abuko Nature Reserve
Morning half day excursion to Baka: crocodile pool & botanical gardens and short tour of Banjul. Late afternoon we leave Banjul and sail to Tendaba. African Night. Overnight in Tendaba.
Meals included : Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner
Tuesday – Tendaba
Morning optional excursion to Janjanbureh. Through the generosity of Variety Cruises and of its guests, a new school building is being built. Afternoon visit to the fishing village of Kaur, before we sail downstream to Banjul. Captains Farewell Dinner.
Morning optional excursion to Tendaba, small fishing village and Battelling: small village at the entrance to Kiang West National Park. The area boasts 250 species of birds, guinea baboons, bushbucks and warthogs.
In the afternoon optional excursion to the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve. Overnight in Tendaba.
Meals included : Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner
Wednesday – Gambia River – Kuntaur – River Gambia National Park
Early afternoon arrival at Kuntaur. We board a large motor pirogue for a 3 hour optional excursion on The Gambia River. First we will head to Baboon Island, one of the islands in the Gambia National Park. Overnight in Kuntaur.
Meals included : Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner
Thursday – Kuntaur – Janjanbureh – Kaur
Morning optional excursion to Janjanbureh. Through the generosity of Variety Cruises and of its guests, a new school building is being built. Afternoon visit to the fishing village of Kaur, before we sail downstream to Banjul. Captain’s Farewell Dinner.
Meals included : Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner
Friday – Kaur – Banjul
In the morning we will anchor at St. James Island in the Gambia River, which is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Optional walking tour. Afternoon arrival in Banjul and sail to Dakar. Gambian Night with Kora instrument concert.
Meals included : Breakfast & Lunch or Dinner
Flights from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester.
All local transfers
2 nights at Radisson Blu hotel (Dakar) on a bed and breakfast basis
On Board M/Y Harmony G
Accommodation on board M/Y Harmony G for 7 nights in your chosen grade of cabin with private SH/WC & air conditioning, mini fridge and flat screen TV with complimentary movies.
Full-board: Buffet breakfast and two meals daily, including a Welcome Cocktail, a local themed party evening and Captain’s Dinner.
Regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water free all day, plus abundant fresh fruit.
Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment, sea kayak and stand up paddle boards (subject to availability).
Professional English speaking Cruise Director / Gambia River Naturalist
Port charges
Flights to Dakar are available from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle and Birmingham.
All flights are indirect via either Madrid, Lisbon, Istanbul, Barcelona depending on the airline.
Exact flight details and timings will be advised at the time of booking. Flight supplement may apply.
Outbound – Thursday
- Depart Heathrow:11:30 Arrive Madrid:15:00
- Depart Madrid: 18:00 Arrive Dakar: 20:40
Inbound – Saturday
- Depart Dakar:21:50 Arrive Madrid:-4:10
- Depart Madrid: 07:00 Arrive Heathrow: 08:25
ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 9511
- Dakar airport to Radisson blu hotel – approximately 1h 15 min
- Radisson blu hotel to Dakar port (cruise embarkation) – approximately 30 min
- Dakar port to Dakar airport – approximately 1h
- Beverages except regular (filter) coffee, tea and drinking water.
- Shore excursions or other land arrangements.
- Crew gratuities (optional – recommend Eur10-14 per passenger per day).
- Passenger personal expenses
- Wi-Fi (available at charge)
Ports of call: Dakar – Banjul – Gambia River– Kantaur - Gambia River National Park – Kaur – Tendaba – Djiffere – Janjanbureh
The Weather
Reliable sunshine is virtually guaranteed throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from the low 20s in winter and up to the high 20s or even low 30s in the height of Summer. The climate generally provides warm or hot days with cooler nights and virtually no humidity
Your vessel: The M/Y Harmony G
The Harmony “G” is a modern mega yacht with a sleek high-tech profile, boasting spacious and comfortable accommodation . At 53 meters long / 7.2 meters wide, she is large enough to offer superior comfort for up to 42 guests in 21 guest cabins. whilst permitting access to small harbours and islands beyond the reach of large cruise ships. There is a spacious lounge and bar plus a dining room and a spacious sun deck. The vessel was launched in January 2001 and renovated in 2009-10 and again in 2013/14. She complies with the most stringent SOLAS safety regulations ,while its powerful engines and state of the art stabilizers allow for safe and comfortable cruising.
Home at Sea
- Single seating dining Indoor & Outdoor Lounge – Bar
- Indoor & Outdoor Restaurant
- Audiovisual in Lounge
- Mini library
- Beach Towels
- Snorkeling equipment
- Kayak
- Board Games
- Swimming Platform
- Wi-Fi
Comfort Zone
- Windows: upper & main deck cabins
- Portholes: lower deck cabins
- Triple Occupancy cabins: Category C
- Flat-Screen TV
- Mini Safe
- Mini Fridge
- CD & DVD player
- En suite bathroom with shower
- Individually controlled A/C
- Hairdryers
- Telephone for internal use
- Central music
Category C:
Lower Deck
1 Double Bed or 2 Lower Beds
Category B:
Main Deck
2 Lower Beds
Category A:
Main Deck
2 Lower Beds
The Category A cabins are located on the main deck. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).
Category P:
Upper Deck
1 Double Bed or 2 Lower Beds
The Category P suites are located on the upper deck. Cabins have bathroom with shower, individually controlled A/C, piped music, flat-screen TV (Satellite channels), CD/DVD player, telephone for internal use, mini safe, mini-fridge, hairdryer, adapters (220V).
Lounge Area
Sundeck
Dining Room
Outdoor Dining Area
Your Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar Sea Plaza
Located in the affluent Fann Corniche area of Dakar, Radisson Blu is housed in a contemporary building with outdoor pool. It features nearby golfing facilities.
Air-conditioned rooms at Radisson Blu Dakar are fitted with marble floors and designer furnishings. They all include a flat-screen TV and en suite bathrooms with walk-in showers. Some rooms overlook the Atlantic Ocean.
Guests can enjoy a fusion of international dishes at the restaurant of the hotel. The chef also offers a modern take on traditional Senegalese specialities. Drinks and cocktails are served outdoor by the pool bar.
Located only 20 yards from the beach, Radisson Blu hotel is a base to explore Dakar’s IFAN Museum of West Africa and Gorée Island.
Facilities
- Free WiFi
- Airport shuttle
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- 24-hour front desk
- Room service
- Tea/coffee maker in all rooms
Superior room with garden view (included in your holiday)
The following room types are available with a supplement
- Superior room with balcony sea view
- Superior room with terrace garden view
- Premium room with balcony sea view
- Junior suite with balcony sea view
- Royal suite with terrace sea view
Prices
december, 2022
Rivers Of West Africa flight inclusive package
Prices (£) per person from:| Departure Dates | Category C | Category B | Category A | Category P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30/12/2023 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 06/01/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 13/01/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 20/01/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 27/01/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 03/02/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 10/02/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 17/02/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| Monday Departure dates from Banjul | ||||
| Departure Dates | Category C | Category B | Category A | Category P |
| 01/01/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 08/01/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 15/01/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 22/01/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 29/01/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 05/02/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
| 12/02/2024 | £3,250 | £3,858 | £4,206 | £4,676 |
Rivers of West Africa Cruise - Single & Triple occupancy
| Category C | Category B | Category A | Category P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single use | £4,604 | £5,517 | £6,039 | £6,743 |
| 3rd person | £2,422 | n/a | n/a |
Rivers Of West Africa
Prices (£) per person| Departure Dates | Category C | Early Booking Discount Category C | Category B | Early Booking Discount Category C | Category A | Early Booking Discount Category A | Category P | Early Booking Discount Category P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30/12/2023 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 6/1/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 13/1/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 20/1/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 27/1/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 3/2/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 10/2/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 17/2/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| Monday Departure dates from Banjul | ||||||||
| Departure Dates | Category C | Early Booking Discount Category C | Category B | Early Booking Discount Category C | Category A | Early Booking Discount Category A | Category P | Early Booking Discount Category P |
| 1/1/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 8/1/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 15/1/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 22/1/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 29/1/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 5/2/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
| 12/2/2024 | £1,957 | £1,761 | £2,565 | £2,309 | £2,913 | £2,622 | £3,383 | £3,045 |
Rivers of West Africa Cruise - Single & Triple occupancy & port charges
| Category C | Early Booking Discount Category C | Category B | Early Booking Discount Category C | Category A | Early Booking Discount Category A | Category P | Early Booking Discount Category P |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single use | £2,935 | £2,642 | £3,848 | £3,463 | £4,370 | £3,933 | £5,074 | £4,567 |
| 3rd person | £1,370 | £1,233 | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||
| Port charges | £309 | £309 | £309 | £309 |
Book your flights with us to ensure full financial protection for your holiday.
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Your flight inclusive holiday with us is financially secure as we are ATOL licensed and the full package is ATOL protected. We have been trading since 1995 so you can book with total confidence. |
