West African Mosaic I:
SENEGAL & THE GAMBIA

Day 1 - Dakar, Senegal - Goree Island
Welcome to the land of hospitality. Dakar, the capital of Senegal is a modern city. It is home to all of Senegal's ethnic groups including the Wolofs, Peulhs, Diolas, and Lebous. Upon arrival you will be met by our local representative and escorted to your 5-star hotel. This afternoon, take a ferry to Goree Island, which was the departure point for millions of Africans shipped to the Americas in bondage. In the evening enjoy a welcome dinner.
Le Meridien President (D)

Day 2 - Dakar City Tour & Saly
The sites and sounds of West Africa come alive in your morning visit to the open-air markets. Smell the spices of the foods, hear the sounds of vibrant trading and see the colorful women dressed in magnificent fabrics. After lunch, drive to Saly, a beautiful seaside resort.
Savana Koumba Resort Hotel (BL)

Day 3 - Saly Beach Resort
Enjoy the sun, water sports, fishing, visit a Fulani village or take one of the many optional tours. In the evening visit the nearby fishing village of Mbour where fisherman bring in their catch on brightly colored canoes.
Savana Koumba Resort Hotel (B)

Day 4 - Banjul, The Gambia
Visit small villages on your way to The Gambia, Africa's smallest country. Drive to Juffure village to visit Binta Kinteh, the distant relative of Alex Haley (author of "Roots") and Kunta Kinteh, then take a ferry to Banjul.
Kairaba Hotel (BL)

Day 5 - Banjul
Spend the morning on an escorted walking tour of the markets, which are filled with creative batiks, carvings and tie-dyed fabric. There is time to meet the local people and learn about their lifestyle. A stop is made for lunch at Lamine Lodge, an unusual floating log cabin restaurant.
Kairaba Hotel (BL)

Day 6 - Pink Lake/Dakar
On your way back to Dakar, stop at the Pink Lake, a mysterious rose colored body of water surrounded by dunes. Here, you will have the option of joining an adventurous 4 x 4 sand dune ride to the Atlantic Ocean.
Le Meridien President (BL)

Day 7 - Departure
Continue on the West African Mosaic scheduled departure to Cote D'Ivorie and Ghana or to another segment of your custom itinerary.

West African Mosaic II:
GHANA(top)

Day 1 - Accra, Ghana
Meet at the airport, assist and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Accra.
Labadi Beach Hotel (B/B)

Day 2 - Accra City Tour
We begin the tour today with a drive through the principal streets of Accra to the DuBois Memorial Center for Pan-African culture, and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park built in honor of Ghana's first President Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. From there we would continue to the Arts Center where we can shop for handicrafts and traditional African clothes, then to the National Museum where there are on display ancient as well as contemporary antiquities. En-route to the hotel we will stopover at an Art Gallery to admire some African art ware before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Accra.
Labadi Beach Hotel (B/B)

Day 3 - Accra / Elmina Castle
Our tour today takes us to Elmina via the many fishing villages dotted along the coastline and among them is Abandze where the famous American Jazz Musician Louis Armstrong traces his ancestry to. On reaching Elmina, we would visit the first and largest of the slave forts and castles which was built by the Portuguese in 1482, and has numerous dungeons that were used during the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade. The rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Elmina.
Hotel (B/B)

Day 4 - Kakum / Cape Coast Castle
Today we leave the hotel early in the morning and head north of Cape Coast to the Kakum Nature Park a tropical rainforest in the heart of the Atandanso reserve for an adventurous and breathtaking walk on the 'Canopy Walkway', its composed of 350 meters of suspended bridge and six platforms at a height of 30 meters. From the Park we would continue to the Cape Coast Castle built in 1667 and used during the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade. Overnight in Elmina.
Hotel (B/B)

Day 5 - Elmina / Kumasi
We leave Elmina for Kumasi where we would visit the Prempeh II Museum to see a replica of a chief's Palace and also witness the production of Ghanaian 'tye & dye' fabric by the local women. You would have the opportunity to participate and acquire some skills in the making of 'tye & dye'. Overnight in Kumasi.
Hotel (B/B)

Day 6 - Kumasi / Craft Villages / Kumasi
We leave the hotel this morning for the craft villages of Ahwiaa, Ntonso and Bonwire for shopping in woodcarving, the Adinkra Cloth, and the world famous kente cloth. You will as well have the opportunity to witness the production of these handicrafts. We return to Kumasi. In the afternoon tour the Manhyia Palace Museum situated on the premises of the Asantehene Palace, (the Asantehene is the king of the Ashanti People) where you would see exhibits of authentic Royal relics and effigies of both past and present kings. The rest of the day is at leisure.. Overnight in Kumasi.
Hotel (B/B)

Day 7 - Kumasi / Accra
We leave for Accra. The rest of the day at leisure. In evening there would on display traditional drumming and dancing to entertain you. Overnight in Accra.
Labadi Beach Hotel (B/B)

Day 8 - Accra / Departure
Depart for home today or continue on to another segment of your custom itinerary.

Extension: BENIN (top)

Extension: MALI (top)

Day 1 - Bamako
Nomads wander on their camels, men fish in dugout canoes and the local people live in hobbit type homes perched on rock cliffs. Mali is for those wanting to see the Africa of yesteryear and looking for a true adventure. Arrive in Bamako, where you are met by our local representative and escorted to your hotel.
Grand Hotel (B-D)

Day 2 - Timbuktu
Fly this morning to Timbuktu, whose mere name conjures up thoughts of the ends of the earth. It was once a watering spot for caravans traveling across the Sahara. In the heart of the town is a 14th Century mosque. Morning walking tour and in the afternoon, a camel excursion into the desert where you have an opportunity to meet and have tea with the Touareg people.
Hotel Azali (B-L-D)

Day 3 - Mopti / Djenne
Board your flight to Mopti. In the heart of the town is a Sudanese-style, mud brick mosque built in the 14th century. The historic waterfront is packed with brightly painted boats and people selling their goods.77
Kanaga Hotel (B-L-D)

Day 4 - Sangha / Dogon Country
Today's three-hour drive to Sangha, the heart of Dogon Country is worth the effort. Your guide will explain the significance of the many sacred objects. Rich in culture, it is famous for its unique architecture, granaries and fetish houses. Don't miss the famous mask dance. Our most rustic accommodations, but necessary to see this intriguing area.
Dogon Encampment (B-L-D)

Day 5 - Dogon Country Mopti
The Dogon area is truly unusual. Buildings are constructed in pairs on the mountainside with two basic structures: the plateau type built on flat rock out crops; and the spectacular escarpment type, erected on the side of the cliff. The houses are made of mud-brick and rock. On the drive back to Mopti, stop to see the ancient rock paintings.
Kanaga Hotel (B-L-D)

Day 6 - Djenne / Segou
A day exploration to Djenne, the oldest city in West Africa. This town dating back to the Middle Ages is known for its mosque, the largest mud structure in the world. In the afternoon drive to Segou.
Hotel L'Auberge (B-L-D)

Day 7 - Segou / Bamako
Segou is situated along the Niger River and was once the capital of the Moslem Empire. It is now the main city of the Bambara tribe and is known for the mud-cloth that is made in the area. Nearby are the remains of Mbella, the ancient Bambara capital. Arrive into Bamako this evening.
Grand Hotel (B-L-D)

Day 8 - Bamako / Departure
After breakfast, a half-day tour of Bamako. Afternoon is on your own to shop at the Grand Marche. Great bargains can be found in masks, rugs, pottery and jewelry. Be sure not to miss the National Museum. Depart for home today or continue on to another segment of your custom itinerary.

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