Senegal & Gambia: 8-Day Dakar, Pink Lake & Desert Tour

Eight Days Across Two Countries: Dakar to the Saloum Delta

You get eight days moving through Senegal and Gambia with a guide handling all transport, border crossings, and hotel changes. The itinerary hits Dakar's main sites, Gorée Island's history, the pink lake, a night in the desert with camel ride and sunset, a wildlife reserve, two countries' worth of museums and markets, and ends in the Saloum Delta mangroves. Dinner is included every night. Confirm your final airport transfer when booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Dakar city and Goree island tour

• Pick up at 9:00am
• Visit Dakar city highlights
• Ferry to Goree island
• Visit former slave house
• Explore Goree island
• Return to Dakar

Day 2: Pink lake visit and travel to Saint Louis

• Check out and depart at 9:00am
• Drive 1 hour to Pink Lake
• Boat ride on Pink Lake
• Free time and toilet break
• Drive 5 hours to Saint Louis
• Check into hotel and rest

Day 3: Saint Louis city and Lompoul desert

• Breakfast and check out
• Saint Louis city tour by carriage
• Lunch in Saint Louis
• Drive 1.5 hours to Lompoul desert
• Check into lodge and free time
• Camel ride and watch sunset
• Drumming, dancing, and dinner

Day 4: Touba mosque and Toubacouta stay

• Breakfast at 8:00am
• Depart at 9:00am to Touba
• Visit Touba mosque for 1 hour
• Drive 2.5 hours to Toubacouta
• Lunch if necessary
• Check into hotel and free time

Day 5: Fathala reserve and Gambia border crossing

• Drive 20 minutes to Fathala reserve
• 30 minutes lion walk
• Drive 10 minutes to border
• Cross Senegal-Gambia immigration
• Drive 1.5 hours to Jufureh museum
• Visit museum for 2 hours
• Drive 1 hour to ferry
• 40 minutes ferry crossing
• Check into hotel and free time

Day 6: Gambia highlights tour

• Breakfast
• Visit Serekunda, Banjul, Bakau, Senegambia
• Visit National Museum of Gambia
• Visit Arch Kachikali and crocodile pool
• Visit monkey forest park and Tanji fishing port

Day 7: Return to Senegal Delta du Saloum

• Breakfast and check out
• Ferry crossing 40 minutes
• Drive 5 hours to Delta du Saloum
• Check into hotel and free time

Day 8: Delta du Saloum boat tour and departure

• Breakfast and check out
• Boat tour in mangroves
• Visit Mar Lodj village
• Visit large baobab tree
• Visit Joal Fadiouth seashell village
• End of service and transfer options

The experience

You land in Dakar and suddenly realize you have a week to move through two countries, cross a border, sleep in a desert lodge, and see a pink lake: all without figuring out the logistics yourself. That's the shape of this trip. Day one starts at 9am with a pickup from your hotel, three hours through Dakar's neighborhoods (Independence Square, the African Renaissance Monument, the cathedral, the kernel markets), then a 20-minute ferry to Gorée Island. The former slave house with the Door of No Return sits there waiting, heavy and still. You walk the rest of the island after, and return to Dakar by evening.

The next morning you drive an hour to Lake Retba, the pink lake, take a 15-minute boat out, and then it's five hours north to Saint Louis, where you sleep at either Hôtel de la Poste or Hôtel la Résistance. Day three is a two-hour carriage tour of Saint Louis city, lunch, then another hour and a half to Lompoul Desert. You check into a lodge (Rêve de Nomade or Eden Lodge), rest until 5pm, then ride a camel for 15 minutes to watch the sunset, listen to drumming and dancing, and eat dinner under the desert sky. It's the kind of moment that feels staged until you're actually there.

After that the trip moves faster. Breakfast at 8am, then two hours to Touba and its great mosque, one hour there, then two and a half hours to Toubacouta (Keur Saloum hotel). Day five is a 20-minute drive to Fathala Reserve for a 30-minute lion walk, then ten minutes to the Senegal-Gambia border. Immigration happens, then an hour and a half to Jufureh and the Kunta Kinteh museum (about two hours), then a 40-minute ferry crossing into Gambia. Day six covers Gambia's highlights: the National Museum, Arch Kachikali crocodile pool, monkey forest park, Tanji fishing port. Roughly five hours of stops around Serekunda, Banjul and Bakau. You sleep somewhere in Gambia that night.

The last two days reverse the journey. A 40-minute ferry back to Senegal, five hours driving to Ndangane in the Saloum Delta (Cordon Bleu or Nouvelle Vague hotel), then a final morning boat tour through the mangroves, a visit to Mar Lodj village, the massive baobab tree near Joal-Fadiouth, and the seashell island. Dinner is included throughout. Minimum group size is two people. Airport transfer back to Dakar or Saly is available. Just confirm when you book.

What’s included

• Your 8 days include hotel accommodation for 7 nights (with two options at each stop), all transport between sites, entry fees to Gorée Island, Lake Retba, Touba Mosque, Fathala Reserve, Kunta Kinteh Museum, and Gambian attractions, a 15-minute camel ride at sunset in Lompoul Desert, a boat tour through the Saloum Delta mangroves, dinner each evening, and a local guide throughout. Breakfast is at your hotel.
• lunch is available during the day but not always included in the package price. Border crossings to Gambia and back are handled as part of the itinerary. Airport or hotel transfer at the end can be arranged. Confirm your preference when booking.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 10 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trip tour senegal

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see both Senegal and Gambia in one trip without arranging transport, hotels, border crossings, or daily logistics yourself. The fixed 8-day structure is what makes moving across two countries and sleeping in five different places actually work.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the 8-day tour?

Hotel stays (7 nights), all transport between sites, entry fees to attractions, dinner each night, and a local guide. Lunch is available but not always included: the itinerary notes "if it's necessary." Breakfast is at your hotel.

Do I need a passport for this trip?

Yes. You'll cross the Senegal-Gambia border on day five, so bring your passport. Both countries require it for entry.

How long is the ferry to Gorée Island?

About 20 minutes from Dakar. It's included in day one.

What's the pink lake like?

Lake Retba is a shallow saltwater lake north of Dakar. You take a 15-minute boat ride on it. The pink color comes from algae and salt content, though it's more visible in certain seasons and times of day.

Is there a camel ride included?

Yes, a 15-minute camel ride at sunset in Lompoul Desert on day three. It's part of the evening activity before dinner.

How many people do I need to book this?

Minimum 2 people. Groups are kept small throughout the tour.

Can I choose my hotels?

The itinerary offers two options at each stop (e.g., Hôtel de la Poste or Hôtel la Résistance in Saint Louis). You can request your preference when booking.

What happens on the last day?

A boat tour through the Saloum Delta mangroves, a visit to Mar Lodj village, the baobab tree near Joal-Fadiouth, and the seashell island. The tour ends after breakfast, and airport transfer back to Dakar or Saly is available on request.

What's the Fathala Reserve lion walk like?

A 30-minute guided walk in the reserve on day five. It's a wildlife viewing experience, not a safari drive.