Named after the river of the same name, Senegal is a country on Africa's west coast with a rich French-Colonial heritage and many natural attractions. Following an overnight stay at the Hotel Terrou-Bi in the capital city of Dakar, your overland excursion explores the city of Saint Louis. The first capital of French West Africa, Saint Louis is a charming old town with Colonial architecture. Afterward, check-in to the Hotel La Maison Rose for lunch, dinner and an overnight stay. The next morning, proceed for a scenic drive to the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and natural oasis formed by hundreds of miles of partially-flooded lands. Marvel at this wetland habitat and some of the 400 bird species that migrate here each fall from Europe, and take a picturesque boat-ride to Djoudj Island. Next, proceed for lunch and a 4WD journey across the tracks, national roads and dunes of the Lampoul Desert before arriving at a permanent camp situated on spectacular dunes. Upon arrival, proceed for dinner and an overnight stay in the tented camp at the Ecolodge de Lampoul. After breakfast on the third morning, drive to the Pink Lake, a shallow, saltwater lake surrounded by dunes. The water is ten-times saltier than the ocean, and, due to the high concentration of minerals, the lake often shimmers into pink. During your stop at this uniquely beautiful lake, learn about its history and how the collection of salt is organised, and observe the salt collectors plying their trade. Afterward, take a drive in a 4WD vehicle around the lake and through the dunes en route to the beach, then return to the Pink Lake. From here, a stop is made for lunch en route to Dakar Airport. Your Mid-Voyage Land Adventure continues with a scheduled flight to Casablanca, overnight and half day tour in Casablanca. After the tour, embark the ship.
04MIDDKR-A: History, People & Nature of Senegal
Duration: 5 Days/4 Nights
Departs from: Dakar
Re-join ship: Casablanca
Reserve: At least 90 days prior to sailing
IMPORTANT NOTE:
This Silver Shore Mid-Land Adventure requires advance booking through Silversea Reservations no later than 90 days prior to the sail date. Requests received after this date may be accommodated on a space-available basis. Tickets are available in limited quantities, and participation cannot be guaranteed for those guests not booking well in advance. A minimum number of participants is required to operate this programme. If this minimum number is not met, Silversea reserves the right to offer the programme at a different rate based on private arrangements, or to cancel the specific departure. Cancellation fee, unless otherwise advised, 90 - 0 days prior to the initial sailing date: 100% of the programme fare per person is due.
Payment-in-full is due within 120 days prior to sailing. Booking made within 120 days of sailing require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Silversea. Onboard Spending Credit may not be applied to the purchase of this programme.
All Land Adventure fares are subject to change, and not guaranteed until payment is received in full by Silversea. All Land Adventures are non-transferable, and non-refundable, within 90 days of sailing. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. All Land Adventures are owned by independent contractors, and Silversea makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for the services provided by these operators. Land Adventures may be modified by the operators at their sole discretion.
VISA and VACCINATION:
Please check with your travel professional for details regarding visa and vaccination requirements. It is the responsibility of each guest to obtain all appropriate visas and vaccinations before cruising.
LOCAL CURRENCY:
The local currency is the West African CFA Franc; however, Euros and US Dollars are well-accepted by most vendors; local ATMs are available in some locations visited, and credit cards are accepted in most larger shops and hotels.
Explore the French-Colonial history, local lifestyles and diverse natural habitats of Senegal during this panoramic, four-night excursion along the west coast of Africa.
DAY ONE - Friday, May 3, 2019 - Dakar
Transfer to the Terrou Bi Hotel, check-in and time at leisure
Depart the pier for the short transfer to the Terrou Bi Hotel. Upon arrival and after check-in, the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Dinner and overnight accommodations in a Sea View Room at the Hotel Terrou-Bi.
DAY TWO - Saturday, May 4, 2019 - Dakar/Saint Louis City
Scenic drive to Saint Louis City
After breakfast at the hotel, check-out and depart for the scenic, approximately three-hour drive to Saint Louis City. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of this charming old town, which was the first capital of the French West African colonies (AOF). The former base of the 'Aeropostale' airmail pioneer operation between Europe, Africa and South America, Saint Louis also served at the base for famous writer, aviator and author of 'The Little Prince', Saint Exupéry.
Free time to explore Saint Louis City via calash or on-foot, and a transfer to your hotel
The best way to visit the narrow lanes of Saint Louis City is by calash, just as locals do. Upon arrival, some free time is made available to stroll about the tiny avenues and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this old town. At the conclusion of your visit, transfer to your hotel.
Check-in, lunch and time at leisure at the Hotel La Maison Rose
Upon arrival, check-in at the Hotel La Maison Rose, then proceed for lunch at the hotel. After lunch, the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure.
Dinner and overnight accommodations in a Suite at the Hotel La Maison Rose.
DAY THREE - May 5, 2019 - Saint Louis City/Lompoul
Breakfast and a scenic drive to the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive north to the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj). An UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary is a natural oasis formed by hundreds of miles of partially-flooded lands.
Wetland habitats and bird species, including pelicans and flamingos
The best habitat and nesting site for over a million migratory and resident birds, this 'humid paradise' lies on the southeastern bank of the Senegal River and offers a range of wetland habitats that are especially popular with migrating birds, many of which arrive here for the winter after crossing the Sahara. Since this park is the single-most important wintering site in the region, over 400 species of birds, including pelicans, flamingos and aquatic warblers, migrate here from Europe.
Picturesque boat-ride to Djoudj Island
Upon arrival at the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, embark a boat for a picturesque, approximately one-hour ride to Djoudj Island.
Lunch and a drive across the Lampoul Desert en route to a permanent camp on spectacular dunes
Following your visit to the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, a stop is made for lunch. After lunch, re-board your vehicle for the approximately four-hour drive across the tracks, national roads and dunes of the Lampoul Desert before arriving at a permanent camp situated on spectacular dunes.
Check-in, dinner and time at leisure
After check-in, enjoy some time at your leisure to explore the location in the desert. Proceed to dinner and overnight accommodations in a spacious tent with beds at the Ecolodge de Lampoul.
Please note: May is the end of the dry season, and the lagoon might be dry. If such is the case, not many pelicans may be seen. The weather in the Lampoul Desert may be a bit breezy at night; a light coat or jacket is recommended. Since the tents are situated on the dunes, guests must climb down-and-up a dune to go to the tent and back to the restaurant.
DAY FOUR - May 6, 2019 - Lampoul/Pink Lake/Dakar/Casablanca
Breakfast, a visit to Pink Lake, and off-road driving around the lake and dunes en route to the beach
After breakfast at the Ecolodge de Lampoul, check-out and depart for the scenic, approximately three-hour drive to Lac Rose (Pink Lake), a shallow, saltwater lake surrounded by dunes and also known as the 'Lac Retba'. The water is ten-times saltier than the ocean, and, due to the high concentration of minerals, the lake often shimmers in a hue of pink. More than 600 workers collect salt in the waters of the lake in the traditional way. During your stop at this uniquely beautiful lake, learn about its history and how the collection of salt is organised, and observe the salt collectors plying their trade. Afterward, take a drive in a 4WD vehicle around the lake and through the dunes en route to the beach, then return to the Pink Lake.
Lunch at a local restaurant
Leaving the Pink Lake, re-board your coach and proceed for lunch at a local restaurant.
Dakar Airport transfer, scheduled flight to Casablanca and a transfer to your ship
After lunch, commence the approximately 1.5-hour drive to Dakar Airport for your scheduled approximately 3.5-hour flight to Casablanca. Upon arrival in Casablanca, transfer to the Four Seasons Hotel for dinner and your overnight stay. Please note that this hotel is a 'dry hotel'. No alcohol is available.
Breakfast, a visit to Casablanca, and transfer to the ship
After breakfast at the hotel and check-out, depart for a sightseeing tour of Casablanca. Proceed to the awe-inspiring Hassan II Mosque. The Mosque is the second-largest mosque in the Islamic world. This magnificent building is both overwhelming in its grandeur and exquisite in its detail. The Mosque can hold 25,000 people and the foundations are built partly on land and partly over the water. Some of the ceilings are over 200 feet tall (70 meters), and a part of this amazing and sacred building has a retractable roof. The construction of the Mosque began in 1980 and was completed in 1993. After your visit at the Mosque, get off the coach to Mohamed V Square for a photo opportunity. Continue to the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church and then 'Habbous Quarter' for a short stroll through this historic part of the city, lined with souks, shops, and a warren of alleyways & surrounding the Royal Place.
Your Mid-Voyage Land Adventure concludes at the pier in time for your lunch on board Silver Whisper.
Please note: This Mid-Voyage Land Adventure involves an extensive amount of off-road driving and a moderate amount of walking, at times over uneven, natural, sandy and bumpy surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and embark/disembark the boat, and at the sites visited. This tour is suitable for active guests in good physical condition. This tour is not suitable for pregnant guests, guests with neck and/or back problems, guests with heart and/or respiratory conditions, guests prone to motion sickness, guests with limited mobility, and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring a light jacket, camera, and any necessary medication from the ship. Hotels, restaurants, coaches, guides, and equipment are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Operation of this tour is subject to weather conditions. The tour sequence may vary. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Programme Includes:
- One-night stay in a Sea View Room at the Hotel Terrou-Bi - Dakar
- One-night stay in a in a Suite at the Hotel La Maison Rose - Saint Louis City
- One-night stay in a spacious tent with beds at the Ecolodge de Lampoul - Lampoul
- One-night stay in Casablanca at the Hotel Four Seasons
- Scheduled flight: Dakar/Casablanca (Economy-Class). Business-Class is available upon request at an additional charge and subject to availability, as most aircraft do not offer business seating
- Four breakfasts, three lunches and four dinners (lunch includes choice of two local beers, soft drinks, bottled water; beverage at dinner also includes house wine)
- Guide services
- Boat-ride to Djoudj Island
- Dune rides in a 4WD vehicle at Pink Lake
Not Included:
Any meals and drinks not specified above, gratuities to drivers and tour guides, laundry, telephone calls, cancellation insurance and other personal items.
