Senegal & Gambia: 8-day tour with local guide + pickup

Summary

Senegal & Gambia journey: city tours, desert nights, village life

You’ll meet locals in Dakar’s markets, cross to Gorée Island for history that lingers, ride camels in Lompoul desert at sunset, and share mint tea under starlit skies. With hotel pickup and a local guide throughout Senegal and Gambia, you’ll experience moments you’ll remember long after the trip ends.

What’s the experience like?

It started with Samba waving us over at the curb in Dakar — I was still fumbling with my bag when he grinned and said, “You ready for Teranga?” I’d read that word before but didn’t really get it until we were weaving through the city’s markets, the air thick with fried fish and diesel. Samba knew everyone — he’d stop to greet vendors by name or point out a mural I would’ve missed. At Independence Square, he told us stories about protests and music that made the place feel alive, not just another landmark. The African Renaissance Monument was bigger than I expected (and honestly, kind of wild to see up close), but it was Gorée Island that hit hardest. Walking through the old slave house, the silence felt heavy — even the breeze off the water seemed different there.

The next day at Lake Retba — locals call it Lac Rose — we watched women scraping salt from pink water under a sky so bright it made me squint. My shoes got crusted in salt; I didn’t care. Lunch was grilled fish by the roadside (I still think about that spicy onion sauce). Saint-Louis had this faded colonial charm; we rode in a horse carriage past kids playing football and fishermen mending nets. That night in Lompoul desert, drumming started after sunset and someone handed me sweet mint tea. The sand felt cool under my feet; I tried dancing but mostly just laughed at myself.

I didn’t expect Touba’s mosque to be so peaceful — people moved quietly, barefoot on marble floors. Later in Toubacouta, we had free time by the river; I sat watching birds dart between mangroves while locals played cards nearby. Fathala Reserve was a blur of lion pawprints and nervous excitement (the guide joked about my wide eyes). Crossing into The Gambia felt like slipping into another rhythm — Serekunda’s markets were louder somehow, more chaotic but friendly too.

On our last morning in Senegal’s Saloum Delta, we drifted through mangroves by boat as sunlight flickered on the water. In Mar Lodj village, kids waved from under a giant baobab tree; one tried to teach me a Wolof greeting but I’m sure I butchered it (he laughed anyway). By then, goodbyes felt strange — like we’d been gone longer than eight days. There’s something about sharing attaya tea with strangers who start to feel familiar… you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dakar city and Goree Island

• Dakar city tour highlights
• Goree Island visit and ferry crossing

Day 2 — Pink Lake and Saint Louis

• Visit Pink Lake with boat ride
• Drive to Saint Louis and check-in

Day 3 — Saint Louis and Lompoul Desert

• Saint Louis city tour by carriage and drive to Lompoul Desert

Day 4 — Touba Mosque and Toubacouta

• Visit Touba Mosque and drive to Toubacouta

Day 5 — Fathala Reserve and Gambia Border

• Lion walk at Fathala Reserve and border crossing to Gambia

Day 6 — Gambia Highlights Tour

• Visit Serekunda, Banjul, Bakau, and Senegambia highlights

Day 7 — Return to Senegal Delta du Saloum

• Ferry crossing and drive to Delta du Saloum

Day 8 — Delta du Saloum and Departure

• Boat tour in mangroves and visit local villages

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Senegal & Gambia tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included at your accommodation in Dakar on day one.

How many days does this Senegal & Gambia trip last?

The tour lasts 8 days and 7 nights.

Are meals or lunch included during the tour?

Lunch breaks are scheduled if necessary; some meals are included depending on location.

What are some main attractions visited on this trip?

You’ll visit Lake Retba (Lac Rose), Gorée Island, Saint-Louis, Lompoul desert, Touba mosque, Fathala Reserve, Serekunda market area, and Saloum Delta.

Is this tour suitable for families with small children?

Yes; infants can ride in a stroller or sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Do I need my passport for border crossings?

Yes; bring your passport for crossing between Senegal and The Gambia.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes; service animals are allowed throughout the itinerary.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup in Dakar, all ferry crossings between Senegal and The Gambia, guided visits to cities and villages with a local expert throughout the eight days, entry fees where needed (like museums or reserves), overnight stays at hotels or lodges each night as listed in your itinerary—and plenty of chances to try local food along the way before returning at trip’s end.