For those choosing Trip Option 1 (14-days in Senegal AND The Gambia) or Trip Option 2 (6-Days in Senegal)

Arrange your roundtrip flight to arrive at Blaise Diagne International Airport in Dakar, Senegal on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Airport pickup will be provided at no cost to our hotel Iris Hotel in Toubadu Dialaw within the Commune of Yenne.

Overnight Lodging: Iris Hotel in Toubadu Dialaw
Included Meals: Dinner

Discover the hidden gem of Toubab Dialaw, where time slows down and serenity reigns supreme. This quaint village nestled on Senegal's coastline beckons with its vibrant culture and warm hospitality. Lose yourself in the rhythm of daily life and sunsets over the ocean.

Activities Include

• Orientation
• Introduction culture and Wolof lessons
• Pre-Goree Island Lecture
• Visit to village middle school (Donations of school supplies encouraged)
• Experience rural life and engage with locals
• Enjoy a cultural night party

Overnight Lodging: Iris Hotel in Toubadu Dialaw
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Travel by ferry and spend the day on Gorée Island, a place where history whispers through the narrow streets and colonial buildings. Here we'll bear witness to the resilience and spirit of our ancestors who passed through its doors during the tragic era of the Atlantic slave trade. Let us honor their memory as we reflect on the profound lessons this island imparts upon us.

Activities Include

• Tour of island
• Visit to Slave House and Door of No Return, now a museum
• Shopping at market

Overnight Lodging: Hotel in Dakar or optional 2-night stay with a local host family. Note: A homestay involves lodging with a local family, providing African-American travelers with an immersive experience in African culture. Opting for a 2-day homestay while in Dakar offers a direct connection to ancestral roots, fostering a deeper understanding of heritage, traditions, and daily life in Africa. Through this intimate form of accommodation, African-American visitors can forge meaningful connections, enrich their cultural experience, and create lasting memories in the lands of our ancestors.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Dakar, the capital of Senegal, is a vibrant coastal city known for its bustling markets, lively music scene, and rich cultural heritage. Immerse yourself in the rhythmic energy of the city with a dynamic cultural dance and drumming workshop. Explore the fascinating world of traditional medicine and healing, learning about age-old practices and natural remedies passed down through generations.

Activities Include

• Cultural dance and drumming with Kay Feec
• Visit to Yoff community for traditional medicine and healing

Overnight Lodging: Hotel in Dakar (or 2nd night with local host family)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• For those choosing Trip Option 3, 9-days in The Gambia Only, arrange your roundtrip flight to arrive at Banjul International Airport in Banjul, Gambia on Monday, November 25, 2024. Airport pickup will be provided at no cost to Mama Africa Guesthouse.

Travelers with Trip Options 1  and 2: Deepen your cultural connections by delving into the profound history of Dakar with a visit to one of its renowned historical museums. Wander through exhibits that chronicle Senegal's rich past, from ancient civilizations to colonial struggles and the journey to independence. Engage with powerful artifacts and stories that highlight the resilience and spirit of the Senegalese people. This exploration offers a poignant reflection on the city's heritage, providing a deeper appreciation for Dakar's cultural and historical significance.

Activities Include 

• Guided tour of Dakar: History, and Colonial Archives
• Visit The Monument of Black Civilization
• Visit The Monument of Renaissance

Travel by bus to the The Gambia and check into the beautiful Mama Africa Art Residence. Nestled in the heart of Gambia, Mama Africa guesthouses offer a serene retreat where vibrant art and nature harmoniously coexist. Owned and lovingly operated by a dynamic Gambian mother-daughter duo, this unique resort invites guests to experience the warmth of local culture and hospitality. The guesthouses, thoughtfully arranged to mirror the charm of a traditional village, provide an authentic and comfortable stay. Delight in fresh, delectable meals and fruit drinks made from garden-fresh produce, enhancing your journey with wholesome flavors. Each corner of the resort is adorned with stunning works of art, creating an inspiring and tranquil atmosphere perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation.

• Explore and enjoy the beauty of Mama Africa with its Unique Art Gallery.
• Lounge on the porch of in your hut-shaped oasis
• Take a dip in the Africa-shaped pool

Overnight Lodging: Mama Africa Art Residence
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your adventure in Tanji, Gambia begins with a prestigious meeting with the US Ambassador, offering unique insights into US-Gambian relations. Enjoy a delightful lunch at Cafe Zora, an African American-owned restaurant known for its delicious Pan-African cuisine. As night falls, immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture at a lively dance night, where the rhythms of djembe drums and traditional dances captivate your senses.

Activities Include 

• Meeting w/ US Ambassador Sharon Cromer
• Visit a Monkey Park
• Cultural Dance Night

Overnight Lodging:Mama Africa Art Residence
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner (Lunch at Cafe Zora not included)

Experience the Gambia through food during a hands-on cooking class, learning to prepare traditional dishes bursting with local flavors. Find serenity through a guided meditation session amidst the natural beauty of the Gambian landscape, fostering a deep connection with the land. Gather around the campfire for an enchanting session of Gambian poetry and storytelling, where the rich oral traditions come to life, weaving tales of history, wisdom, and community.

Activities Include:

• Cooking time with Mama Africa: This cooking classes allows guests to experience African/Gambian culture through food. You will go to the local fishing market at Tanji to buy the ingredients needed, like fresh vegetables and fish. Come back to the lodge where you will start cooking the local way on an open fire. Serve lunch and enjoy!
• Letting Go Workshop with Black Jewell Recovery Life Coach: Join us for a transformative workshop where we learn to embrace radical forgiveness followed by a cleaning mediation at the beautiful Atlantic at sunset. Together, we honor our shared heritage, empowering each other to let go of what holds up back from the past and step into a brighter, more harmonious future.
• Visit to village Kotu Senior Secondary School (Donations of school supplies encouraged)

Overnight Lodging:Mama Africa Art Residence
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the day cruising along The Gambia River surrounded by Mangroves which are populated by oysters, and it's an absolute highlight! Once at Lamin Lodge, explore the craft market! Lunch and drinks will be served on board.

Activities Include:

• Boat ride on the Gambia River
• Visit and explore Limon Lodge
• Optional outfit fitting

Overnight Lodging:Mama Africa Art Residence
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Activities Include:

• Morning mediation at the ocean with Black Jewell Recovery Life Coach, if desired
• Experience the warmth of African hospitality as our African-Americans sisters and brothers who have made Africa their home invite us to share in a Thanksgiving celebration With them. Foster relationships across continents in a day of gratitude and unity among us all.

Overnight Lodging: Mama Africa Art Residence
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Discover the rich heritage of African vegan cuisine and its profound impact on wellness, guided by knowledgeable local experts. In the afternoon, embrace the tranquility of nature with a kayaking adventure along the serene river, immersing yourself in the lush landscapes and diverse wildlife.

Activities Include:

• Attend A Vegan Journey Workshop: Discover how cooking and eating nutritious plant-based recipes can support overall good health for folk of African descent
• Kayak to Baboon Island

Overnight Lodging:Mama Africa Art Residence
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our time together draws to a close, but the memories we create will endure forever. On your final day, we will travel by bus back to Dakar and make the most of your remaining hours, embracing the warmth of West African hospitality and the spirit of your ancestors.

Overnight Lodging: AirBNB in Dakar
Included Meals: Breakfast (Lunch and Dinner on your own)

Arrange your roundtrip flight to depart from the Blaise Diagne International Airport in Dakar, Senegal on Sunday, December 1, 2024.

Farewell, West Africa, until we meet again on the next great adventure. Afro Discoveries wishes you safe travels home, filled with cherished memories of our time together.

Meals: On Your Own