5 independent reviews for Senegal and Gambia river cruise vacation
Reviews for Senegal and Gambia river cruise vacation
Peter Lowles review 2 Jan 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The boat trips, and our excellent guide Assan2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Take a good bird guide book3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We even visited a poor homestead who had suffered crop failure, and brought gifts of food, soap, candles etc purchased from the group kitty.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Brilliant, seeing the real Africa away from the tourist places and seeing it through the eyes of our local guide Assan.Christine Miles review 1 Jan 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Loved seeing the bird wildlife of Senegal particularly in Djoudj National park. The coastal beauty of Senegal was wonderful and the views in the Delta so amazing. Partícularly enjoyed the hose and carriage tour around St. Louis. Enjoyed visiting a local family and doing a village tour.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If you enjoy bird watching then you will enjoy this vacation. Other wildlife viewing was quite limited. The vacation is at quite a relaxing pace although one day there is a 12 hour drive. 4 nights of the accommodation is very rustic and in my opinion the places weren’t clean so come prepared with a sleep sheet, your own towel etc. Our guide and bus driver were very good and organised.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Our tip kitty was used to pay local guides and services so in this manner the local people benefited. Explore used a Gambian tour company and local guides to run the trip for them.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Personally I think that the itinerary could be improved to include more variety. Eg. City tour of Dakar, a night at the beach, a visit to one of the animal safari parks. The river cruise in The Gambia was nice only for a day. The second day consisted of just sitting in the boat for the whole day since the river is so wide wildlife viewing is limited. The great thing about the tour was that it was a safe and easy way to see a lot of Senegal and a bit of The Gambia. As a solo independent traveler I would have struggled to have done this itinerary alone and for this reason I am giving it a 4 star…however aspects of it were only worth 3 stars. The dirty basic accommodation in The Gambia is worthy of 1 star.Fiona Wilson review 31 Jan 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The birdlife was spectacular- high numbers and close views. Learning about the culture and seeing the people and landscape. The overnight river cruise was fabulous as expected. Accommodation much better standard than I expected. Our guide was excellent, being able to answer any questions about the place you might have and nothing was too much trouble, made the vacation very relaxing, felt safe at all times.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
There is some waiting around at times due to it being a group vacation and a couple of longish drives - use the time to people watch, its fascinating! Senegal does seem to be 2 pin round plugs as in Europe. Note 2 days without electricity. Note there is a small tips kitty to contribute to on arrival. Note no need to take Euros, pounds are changed fine. There is opportunity to change money on first morning. If you are vegetarian you will have enough to eat but it won't be exciting and may be odd combinations at times and meals can be late and very slow to arrive, I took some dried snacks with me. Be wary about using swimming pools which may not be clean.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we had a couple of unexpected trips to a school and to a local family, which were done respectfully and we were able to contribute to them if we wished. We were shown a well that had been put in for a women's cooperative garden and had a talk about the guide's charity work in education field.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A real break, great mix of birdwatching and culture and history, itinerary generally well planned and ran extremely smoothly.John Walford review 20 Nov 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Ferry crossing River Gambia.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don'expect too much.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All of these, to some extent.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We had an excellent leader and driver. The birds we saw were great but apart from that, i don't think these two countries have much else to offer. I wonder if more locations in the east and south of Senegal might be worth exploring.Laura Palmucci review 3 Apr 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The overnight on the boat, sleeping under the stars with the mattresses and mosquito nets on the deck2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Don't forget repellant, binoculars and a torch light. Take with you some clothes to give away, they can be left for community projects.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we slept in places managed by local people, we visited a local community school which can be helped and sponsored, I left the money I didn't spend to the guide who runs a local NGO4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I would concentrate it a little more if I had to organize it myself because it's very relaxed and my opinion was shared by others in the group. Anyway it's an interesting trip, especially if you're interested in birds. Our guide Baba was absolutely exceptional.Holiday Reviews
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