The Rivers of West Africa: Jan 17—30, 2010

Photo: Travel Dynamics

Experience Senegal and The Gambia by land and by yacht, exploring three great rivers of western Africa—the Saloum, the Senegal, and the Gambia—for excellent birding and rich cultural activities.

On the near shores of the African continent lies a region unlike any other. West Africa is its name, its lifeblood delivered by a network of rivers draining that continent's vast interior. Far from the traditional safari routes of East and Southern Africa, this is a land awaiting discovery, a land of exciting, little-known natural wonders, rich history, and vibrant West African culture.

Come discover an Africa few people have seen—a journey to Senegal and The Gambia for a two-week odyssey of wildlife viewing, history, and culture. This trip's centerpiece is a weeklong voyage, cruising West Africa's famous Saloum and Gambia rivers aboard the beautiful 34-guest, private yacht Callisto. Expedition cruises offer a rare and exciting opportunity to explore little-known corners of the planet, and this specially designed cruise epitomizes that concept. We will travel and be accommodated in considerable luxury—so often a rarity in West Africa.
 
Our specially customized itinerary will take us to the region's best parks and preserves, revealing some of the greatest waterbird spectacles found in all of Africa. Tens of thousands of resident, wintering, and migrating birds are assured. Waterfowl, pelicans, spoonbills, flamingos, shorebirds, gulls, and terns are expected in overwhelming abundance. At one of Senegal's finest wildlife lodges, we will enjoy a menagerie of vultures, hawks, kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers, hornbills, turacos, and buntings, many within or close to the grounds of our accommodations.

Aboard the Callisto we will explore the Saloum Delta of Senegal, and then spend six days exploring the length of the Gambia River. The Gambia, a small English-speaking enclave within Francophone Senegal, projects inland like a finger along the river that gives the country its name, extending from the pounding surf of the Atlantic to the heat and dust of the dry interior. Not only will this be a rare opportunity to see a cross section of the birds and wildlife of sub-Saharan Africa, but it is also an ideal introduction to the continent's fauna and flora.

This is wintertime in this neck of the woods, and the days will be sunny and warm, but not too hot, and we will be able to enjoy our morning and afternoon hikes and boat trips while relaxing during the midday. Imagine setting your eyes on the likes of White-backed Night-Heron, the very rarely seen White-crested Tiger-Heron, African Scissor-tailed Kite, the elegant Black-crowned Crane, the sneaky African Finfoot, African Skimmer, Gray Pratincole, dapper Egyptian Plover, Violet Turaco, Standardwing Nightjar, Red-throated Bee-eater, resplendent Blue-bellied Roller, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Bearded Barbet, Pied-winged Swallow, Oriole Warbler, Western Bluebill, Black-chinned Quailfinch, African Golden-breasted Bunting, and western red colobus!

Natural wonders are only half the draw of this voyage, as we will explore a number of sites of historical and cultural significance: the colorful open air markets of Kuntaur; the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of St. Louis and Goree islands; and the Wassu Stone Circles of ancient Senegambian culture. We are also including the opportunity to visit the Gambian National Museum, the Ifan Museum, and Marche Soumbedioune artisans' craft market in Dakar.

An optional pre-trip to Mali and Timbuktu will visit the Sahel, a semiarid transition zone between the arid Sahara to the north and the lush, tropical green forest to the south. A host of wonderful birds, mammals, and reptiles will be complemented by visits to legendary Timbuktu; Djenne, the oldest city on the ancient trans-Saharan caravan route and home to the remarkable Great Mosque—the world's largest mud-brick building; and the Dogon country, where we will witness the fabulous Dogon Mask Dance.

A multi-faceted program combining strong natural history themes with equally strong cultural and historical components; outstanding accommodations and cuisine on land and aboard Callisto; warm temperatures expected; itinerary is subject to modification.