Roots - West Africa

Day 1. United States - Depart the United States in the evening on your overnight jet flight to West Africa.  

Day 2. Banjul to Dakar -  After breakfast at your hotel depart by bus today across the border into Senegal arriving in the capital city of Dakar in the afternoon.  Transfer to the the SOFITEL TERANGA HOTEL. 

Day 3. Dakar - After breakfast at your hotel a morning tour of the city visits some of the many colorful marketplaces, Kermel,  Sandaga, the handicraft market of Soumbedione, the Tilen Market famous for its medicinal herbs and traditional healers.  Stop at the Great Mosque, the Presidents Palace and the Houses of Parliament.  Visit the picturesque district of Medina and Fann before stopping at Anta Diop University.  The afternoon is at leisure.

Day 4. Dakar - Take a ferry boat ride this morning to Goree Island with its 300 years history of Slave Trading.  Visit the Slave House for a lecture delivered by the curator, the Auction Block, the Ethnographic Museum and the Fort where you will have time to meet the local inhabitants.  Afternoon at leisure.

Day 5. Dakar - A morning excursion to the delightful fishing village of Cayar to see the arrival of the Big Game fishing fleet, when hundred of fisherman pour the daily catch from their picturesque canoes.  The shore turns into an open air market and a festival of sounds and colors.

Day 6. Banjul - After a brief transfer in Dakar, Senegal continue to Banjul, the capital city of The Gambia where you will be greeted upon arrival and transferred to the NOVOTEL KOMBO BEACH.

Day 7.  Banjul - A full day tour of the city visiting the national Museum, an Elementary School to meet the students and teachers, the great July 22^nd Square and various government buildings.  Stop at a crocodile pool en-route to the Serra Kunda Market, a huge area where you can purchase traditional Gambian wares, crafts,  jewelery, sculptures clothing and see local weavers at work.  

Day 8. Banjul - Take a ferryboat ride today to Juffureh Island for an extraordinary as well as spiritual experience, leading back in time to the ancestral home of Alex Haley and the Kunta Kinte family who still reside here on the island.  Experience life during the time of the slave trading by viewing actual remains of the trade and the vessels used to transport slaves across the Atlantic ocean.

Day 9. Banjul - Dakar - United States. Transfer to Senegal in the morning in time for your return flight to the United States.