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Senegal and The Gambia

Senegal, The Gambia - Trip code SE Discovery
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635Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

From the sabar beats of Dakar to the beaches of Ndangane, via the rich birdlife of the Gambia River, this trip explores two West African greats. Journey through Senegal, discovering its glittering capital and slow-paced colonial towns before delving into the region's national parks and cruising along the Gambia River. Our two-week tour uncovers the region's unique culture, awash with vibrant music, fascinating history and colourful wildlife.

Why we love this trip
  • Djoudj - Spot purple heron, white pelican and cormorant at one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the world.
  • Gambia River - Sleep aboard a boat on the mighty Gambia River and sail through tropical forest, bamboo groves and rice paddies.
  • Saloum Delta - Explore the river delta by traditional pirogue boat, passing through mangroves, looking for a range of aquatic birds.
  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 12

    Lunch: 5

    Dinner: 6

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Boat Crew

    Driver(s)

    Local Guide(s)

  • Transport

    Bus

    4WD

    Boat

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    Accommodation

    1 nights simple boat

    6 nights comfortable hotel

    2 nights comfortable lodge

    1 nights simple rondavels

    2 nights comfortable rondavels

  • i

    Trip pace:

    Moderate

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    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 16
    Explore Average 11

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    Wildlife rating

    Frequent wildlife encounters alongside other experiences

Itinerary

Day 1 - Join trip in Dakar (Senegal)

Our tour starts today in Dakar, the seaside capital of Senegal and the gateway to West Africa. With its bustling energy, friendly locals and unique culture that encapsulates centuries of history, Dakar has an unexpected charm that instantly draws you in. Steeped in history, the metropolis has plenty on offer, from mosques and museums to a glittering nightlife scene and plenty of nearby beaches.

For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Dakar at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), which is around a one-hour drive from the city centre.

Our welcome meeting will take place on the morning of day two at 8.30am. If you have free time on arrival, you might like to take in the atmosphere at one of the markets.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: None

Day 2 - Ferry to the Island of Goree; Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site

After breakfast this morning, we'll meet with our tour leader for a welcome meeting. Then, we'll head to the port to catch the ferry to Isle de Goree, a small peaceful, traffic-free island. The crossing takes around 30 minutes, and on arrival, we'll drop off our luggage before taking a walking tour.

A busy trading centre during the 18th and 19th centuries, the island is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its charming colonial-style houses, wrought iron balconies and narrow streets filled with brightly coloured bougainvillaea, you could kid yourself you've been transported back in time as we explore. We'll visit Le Castel, a castle situated on a rocky plateau, as well as the old Slave House, originally built in 1786.

This evening is free to relax.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 3 - Visit to the Lac Rose, known locally as the pink lake followed by an afternoon drive to the old French Capital of West Africa; St. Louis

This morning, we'll catch the ferry back to the mainland and then drive to Lac Rose - the Pink Lake. This large, shallow lagoon is extremely salty and is also renowned for its pink tinge, caused by the high concentrations of minerals in the water, it should be noted however that the pink colour does fluctuate with amount of mineral content in the lake.. We'll have a 30-minute walk around the lake followed by free time for a lunch break. The pink hues change during the day and from season to season, but no matter the time of year the locals can be seen out on the lake working hard to collect salt into baskets on their small boats.

This afternoon, we'll drive north for around four-and-a-half hours to St. Louis. Once the French capital of West Africa, St Louis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - it's a colourful, charming city, moving to the rhythm of the local jazz musicians. We have the evening free to explore here. For dinner, you might like to try the local dish, Thieboudienne, a mix of fish, tomato, rice and vegetable.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 4 - Djoudj bird reserve and St Louis. Visit a charming French colonial town

This morning, we'll have an early start to visit Djoudj National Park, regarded as one of the most important bird reserves in the world. This national park provides the first major water source for migratory birds after their long and gruelling flight over the Sahara Desert.

We'll travel by motorised boat along the complex network of channels which lead off the Senegal River. The bird count reaches millions, some species are prevalent such as pelicans - there are as many as 15,000 in the park. We might see them performing an amazing display of synchronised diving for fish and will see a breeding colony. Around three million birds pass through the park annually which includes 400 different species - including herons, white-breasted cormorants, spoonbills, jacanas, Egyptian geese, West African fish eagles and flamingos to name but a few. You might also spot crocodiles, wild hogs, monitor lizards and water pythons.

Early this afternoon, we'll return back to St. Louis in time for lunch and some free time before exploring this marvellous old town by calesh (horse-drawn carriage) with a local guide. Full of 19th-century French colonial buildings, this was the first French settlement in Africa and the Headquarters of Senegambia (the term used to describe the whole region). By the late 18th century, St Louis was a busy port and trading centre and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 5 - Explore the Langue de Barbarie by motorised pirogue

Today we'll start early for our visit to the Langue de Barbarie National Park, located on a thin sandspit in the estuary of the Senegal River, and home to water birds such as flamingos, pelicans, cormorants, herons, egrets and ducks. During the months from November to April, the park also fills with many more migratory birds from Europe.

After a morning of exploration, the afternoon is free to relax or wander further around the town. The streets of St. Louis are narrow, dusty and easy to navigate, lined with crumbling old French-style villas.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 6 - Drive to Georgetown (Gambia) via Touba Mosque

Early this morning, we'll begin our journey to The Gambia and most of the day will be spent on the bus travelling. We'll break up the first leg of this journey with a visit to an astounding mosque in Touba, the sacred focus of the Mouride Islamic Brotherhood. Their founder Amadou Bamba, Senegal's most famous and influential 'marabout' (holy man), is buried here and pilgrims visit the town all year round, and as we pass through on a Friday, the Mosque will be busy with worshippers.

Continuing through the town of Kaolack, we'll enter The Gambia and head east following the route of the river towards Georgetown which was an important administrative centre during the colonial period.

Our accommodation this evening is a simple riverside camp made up of simple rondavels with basic ensuite facilities. There is no mains electricity but we'll have limited power from solar-charged panels. There is also no hot water, however, the fantastic location is well worth the trade-off as we get to fall asleep to the sounds of monkeys and birds in the nature that surrounds us.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Rondavels

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7 - Cruise along the Gambia River and visit an archaeological mystery, the Wassau Stone Circles

The Gambia River flows along the entire length of the country for 483 kilometres/300 miles from east to west into the Atlantic Ocean and the banks of the river have been inhabited since 2000 BC. We'll spend the next two days on this mighty waterway, cruising downstream in a converted groundnut boat, passing tropical forest, bamboo groves, rice paddies and mangrove swamps. Amongst the varied fauna present in this area are monkeys, hippos, crocodiles and of course a great number of bird species.

Along the way today, we'll visit the Wassu Stone Circles by bush taxi. There are several circles each consisting of about 10 to 24, reddish-brown stones between 1 and 2.5 metres/3.2 and 8.2 feet high and weighing several tons. These were once burial sites dating back to 500 to 1000 AD, however very little is known about the people who were buried here and the stones still present a mystery to archaeologists.

We'll spend one overnight on board a motor cruiser. Facilities on board are very simple with a Western-style toilet, a small kitchen and a bar. At night, we'll sleep in a communal setting on the upper deck on mattresses, and the daytime can be spent relaxing on the upper deck in the sun or on the lower deck with seating in the shade.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Boat

Single Room Unavailable

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - Bird and wildlife spotting as we continue to cruise down the Gambia River; late afternoon drive to Bintang Bolong

This morning, we'll continue our gentle cruise downstream, with time to take in the flora and wildlife along the riverbanks. The crew will put together lunch on the boat before arriving in the small settlement of Tendaba on the Gambia's south bank in the late afternoon.

On arrival, we'll leave our boat and drive to a lodge on the banks of a tributary of the Gambia River at Bintang Bolong and check in to our riverfront accommodation, home for the next two nights. The next couple of days will be a break from the hustle and bustle of normal life, as our accommodation is set on the water's edge, it's a great chance to explore the natural surroundings spotting the resident birdlife from the restaurant terrace. Due to the camp's rural setting electricity and hot water can be very limited and outages may occur.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Lodge

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 - Full day in the Bintang Bolong river basin

We'll spend a full day in the river basin around Bintang Bolong. The lodge is located in the middle of a mangrove forest which offers fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities, in particular for those with a keen interest in birdwatching. The rich habitat supports a huge range of birds, including kingfishers, egrets parrots, hornbills, lapwings and herons in abundance.

Birdlife is at its most active in the mornings and evenings, we'll start the day with an early morning boat trip to spot wildlife on the banks of the river including three species of monkeys, and at low tide, crocodiles and lizards. The middle of the day is left free to take shelter from the heat. In the evening, apes and vultures inhabit the overwhelming Baobab trees, and after dusk, great colonies of fruit bats can be seen swarming into the night.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Lodge

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 10 - Drive to Saloum Delta (Senegal)

This morning, we'll begin our journey back into Senegal. We'll drive for around three hours to cross over the River Gambia before continuing to the land border to cross into Senegal at Karang. Once we've crossed, we'll then continue to Toubakouta, our home for tonight. Today's journey will take around six hours in total but could be longer depending on how long it takes to cross the border.

The afternoon is at your leisure to relax, have a dip in the pool or explore the local area. Our accommodation is rondavels set within the lush grounds of the hotel on the riverbank. This evening, there will be the opportunity to join other guests on an optional boat excursion.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Rondavels

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 - Saolum Delta National Park; boat trip through the Delta to Ndagane

This morning, we'll cruise north along the Sine-Saloum Delta by motorised fibre boat for approximately four to five hours. We'll weave our way through the maze of wide channels, past mangroves, open forests, sand islands and villages built on islands constructed with oyster shells. Along the way, we might be lucky enough to spot pelicans and flamingos.

After a packed lunch onboard, we'll arrive in Ndangane, our destination for tonight where the afternoon will be free to absorb the slower pace of life. Ndangane is a small fishing village often used as a base along the Delta, the beach is lined with traditional pirogues and along the main stretch of road, there is a small number of bars and craft shops.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Rondavels

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 - Visit Senegal's giant Baobab tree, explore Fadiout Island and return to Dakar

Today, we'll depart Saloum Delta National Park to begin our journey back to Dakar. Our first stop, just a short time away is to see a giant Baobab tree. Baobab trees are the national symbol of Senegal, some trees dating back 6,000 years and can only be found in a few places around the world. We'll have a short stop here before we continue.

Our next stop will be for a guided walking tour Fadiout Islands. This unusual destination is composed of oysters and clam shells, and the inhabitants are both Muslim and Christian who all live together peacefully. The Christian and Muslim cemeteries are built on a huge ancient shell mound and our guide will take us around to help us understand this very unique community.

Later this afternoon, we'll continue our return journey to Dakar, arriving in time for dinner.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 13 - Trip ends in Dakar

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Dakar.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Dakar at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), which is around a one-hour drive from the city centre.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

Senegal

Climate

Senegal’s tropical climate is split into two periods: The dry season features temperatures in the mid-20s centigrade which can rise to 35 degrees between November to April. The Harmattan is a dry wind which blows from the north, usually from December-February, and evening can feel much cooler during this time. The green (rainy) season of the African monsoon is between June to October, with more rainfall in the south as it heads northwards. Days can alternate between hot and dry and wet and damp, with average temperatures between high-20s to low-30s. Humidity is higher and temperatures lower along the coastal areas, while temperatures inland fall at night. Average sunshine hours per day ranges from 8-10 hours between October to May.

Time difference to GMT

0

Plugs

You will need a power plug travel adapter for sockets type C, D, E and K in Senegal. Take a multi plug adaptor.

Religion

Islam, Christian

Language

French

The Gambia

Climate

The Gambia has a tropical climate which features the green and dry seasons. The green season between mid-June to mid-October sees the annual rains which transforms the dry land into lush green areas. Average temperatures during the green season are in the low-30s with high humidity and more rainfall in the south. The dry season between late-October to May has average temperatures of between high-20s to mid-30s centigrade with sunny days. Humidity is higher though the temperatures are lower on the coast, and temperatures inland fall at night. Average daily sunshine hours between October to May ranges from 6 to10 hours. The Harmattan is a dry wind which blows from the north, usually from December to February.

Time difference to GMT

0

Plugs

3 Pin Flat

Religion

Islam

Language

English

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.


Saloum Delta (Senegal):
Bird watching trip, Approx. Cfa10,000 per person (est. GBP15 per person)

Payment by cash preferred


Clothing

Pack essentially for hot conditions. Light cotton clothing is recommended plus protective headgear in case of strong winds. A light fleece is advisable for cool nights. Long sleeved shirt and trousers help give protection against mosquitoes try avoiding dark colours.
A wide-brimmed sun hat is useful for protection during boat trips and sunglasses.
Please note: Senegambia is predominantly Muslim and women will need a headscarf plus a full length skirt or sarong for visiting the mosque in Touba.

Footwear

Comfortable shoes and sandals.

Luggage

20kg

Luggage: On tour

One main piece of baggage (a soft bag/holdall or rucksack) and a daysac , total allowance: 44lb/20kg. Remember you are expected to carry your own baggage in and out of hotels - so we recommend you pack light.

Equipment

Take a sleeping sheet for the Gambia accommodation as it is basic. Sheets and blankets are provided for the river cruise. Binoculars for bird watching and game viewing, a small torch, insect repellent, water bottle and swimwear. A mosquito net may come in useful - many hotels are close to water and although hotels have nets on the windows and over the beds, these are not always 100% effective.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise a leader that's done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It's a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we'd recommend between £20 to £25 per person per week as a guideline.
Local crew
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group's tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.

Accordingly, you should allow £45 per person for group tipping.


Senegal

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£14
Dinner price
£22
Beer price
£4.0
Water price
£1.6
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
CFA Franc.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
Euros cash.
Where To Exchange
Your Tour leader will advise you
ATM Availability
Only usually days 1, 3 and 4.
Credit Card Acceptance
Very limited and cannot be relied on.

The Gambia

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£15.00
Dinner price
£20.00
Beer price
£2.50
Water price
£1.25
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Dalasi
Recommended Currency For Exchange
Pounds Sterling cash.
ATM Availability
Only usually days 1, 3 and 4.
Credit Card Acceptance
Very limited and cannot be relied on.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

Bus, 4WD, Boat

Accommodation notes

Senegal's tourism infrastructure is well-developed and standards are generally good throughout the country. We stay in a selection of properties ranging between simple guesthouses and comfortable hotels chosen for their location or authenticity. All properties feature hot water and electricity but as with many countries in West Africa, Senegal is subject to low water pressure and outages at any time.
Gambia's tourism infrastructure is far less developed. Hot water and electricity are unreliable. Standards of service can vary greatly and waiting times for simple requests can be lengthy but staff are welcoming and friendly.
We stay in two different eco-camps, located on the riverbank. Electricity is only available between set hours and can be temperamental, and hot water can also be unreliable. The rural location of both camps offers excellent bird spotting opportunities as well as a great place to watch sunsets along the river or sit under clear skies without light pollution.
We also spend one night aboard a simple boat with basic facilities. There is one Western-style WC, a small kitchen and a bar. Sleeping arrangements are under the stars on the upper deck. Thick mattresses cover the deck to create a communal sleeping area, with mosquito nets provided at night. During the daytime, you can relax under the sunshade or on the lower deck where there is comfortable seating.
Mosquito nets are provided on all nights of the tour except in Dakar and the Saloum Delta National Park.

Food and drink

Food option will be more limited in West Africa. Lunch and dinners are typically a combination of chicken or fish with vegetables in season and rice or potatoes. Please note that there are no fast food outlets, it can take some time to prepare meals, especially in more rural areas. Vegetarians can be catered for, but the variety will be very limited at times.

Nuts are used extensively in dishes throughout West Africa, if you have a nut allergy, please discuss this with us prior to booking.

Senegal

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip. 

 

The Gambia

Food and drink

Can you drink the water? 
The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip. 

 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination's safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. Relevant government website links for UK, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens are available on our Travel Safety page.

If you'd like some inital information on country-specific entry requirements, such as visas or any health declaration forms, please refer to our Entry Requirements page.  The services and information on this page are provided by a third party, and so we will still recommend that you cross check this against your government website for the latest advice.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information


Senegal: Visas are not required for holders of UK passports. If travelling on a one way ticket you need to have a minimum of 3 months validity on your passport. If you are travelling on a return ticket your passport must be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.

All other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.

A multiple entry visa is required for this trip if a visa is required for your nationality to enter the country. We will need to gain your multiple entry visa prior to arrival in Senegal.

The Gambia:
Visas are not required for UK passport holders when arriving into an international airport or crossing land borders from Senegal to The Gambia. Passport must be valid for the entire duration of your visit.

Visas are not required for Canadian, Australian & New Zealand passport holders when arriving into an international airport. Passports must have a minimum validity of 6 months and at least 1 blank page at time of travel.

Visas are required by US citizens and should be obtained before departure.

When crossing land borders from Senegal to Gambia an entry stamp is required by some nationalities (unless you already have a valid Gambian visa) and maybe chargable at approximately GMD3,000 (£60-65). We advise for all passengers to travel with the entry stamp fee in case this charge becomes applicable to other nationalities at short notice.

All other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.

Yellow Fever certificates: The official advice from Senegal and The Gambia is that proof of yellow fever immunisation is no longer required, unless travelling from or via an infected country. It should be noted that we have had reports of immigration officials still requesting to check for yellow fever certificates and customers have experienced delays as a result, we therefore advise to take a yellow fever certificate if you have one, alternatively if you have a yellow fever exemption certificate this is also accepted.


If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Senegal

Vaccinations

Yellow Fever certificates: The official advice from Senegal and The Gambia is that proof of yellow fever immunisation is no longer required, unless travelling from or via an infected country. It should be noted that we have had reports of immigration officials still requesting to check for yellow fever certificates and customers have experienced delays as a result, we therefore advise to take a yellow fever certificate if you have one. We recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, diphtheria, tetanus, typhoid, polio and yellow fever. You must travel with your Yellow Fever vaccination card. You may also want to take immunisation against meningococcal meningitis. Malaria is present in the region so consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. You must travel with your current vaccinations card/booklet as this will be requested by the Senegalese border authorities. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

The Gambia

Vaccinations

Yellow Fever certificates: The official advice from Senegal and The Gambia is that proof of yellow fever immunisation is no longer required, unless travelling from or via an infected country. It should be noted that we have had reports of immigration officials still requesting to check for yellow fever certificates and customers have experienced delays as a result, we therefore advise to take a yellow fever certificate if you have one. We recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, diphtheria, tetanus, typhoid, polio and yellow fever. You must travel with your Yellow Fever vaccination card. You may also want to take immunisation against meningococcal meningitis. Malaria is present in the region so consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

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