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Timbuktu & The Rivers of West Africa
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Depart: January 26, 2007
Return: February 10, 2007 |
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Audubon Nature Odysseys
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Itinerary Day 1 USA Fly from the U.S. to Bamako, Mali. Saturday, Day 2 Arrive in Bamako, the capital of Mali, this evening and transfer to the Hotel Sofitel l'Amitié Bamako. Sunday, Day 3 BAMAKO Visit the National Museum, housing one of the best ethnographic collections in West Africa. Enjoy lunch at the San Toro Restaurant, which features a gallery of traditional Malian art. Later, explore Bamako's artisan market. (B, L, D) Monday, Day 4 BAMAKO | MOPTI Fly on a private flight to Mopti, located at the confluence of the Niger and Bani rivers. See the impressive mud-brick mosque and local markets, and enjoy a sunset boat ride on the Niger River. Overnight at the Hotel Kanaga. (B, L, D) Tuesday, Day 5 MOPTI | DJENNÉ | MOPTI Little has changed since the 14th and 15th centuries when Djenné profited from the trans-Sahara trade. The main feature here is the Grand Mosque, the world's largest mud-brick structure, which dates back to the 13th century but is repaired and rebuilt each year after the rainy season. Also visit the colorful market and the Bogolon mudcloth workshop. (B, L, D) Wednesday, Day 6 MOPTI | DOGON REGION | MOPTI Tour the villages of the Dogon Region, built along the cliffs of an escarpment, and renowned for their unique architecture and elaborate art forms. Enjoy a spectacular Dogon mask dance performance. (B, L, D) Thursday, Day 7 MOPTI | TIMBUKTU | BAMAKO On a private flight, fly from Mopti toTimbuktu, once one of the wealthiest cities of Africa and a center of scholarship. During a walking tour, see the 15th-century Djingareyber and Sankore mosques; the explorers' houses; and the Ahmed Baba Library of ancient Arabic writings and books. Fly to Bamako and overnight at the Hotel Sofitel l'Amitié Bamako. (B, L, D) Friday, Day 8 BAMAKO | DAKAR, SENEGAL | EMBARK Fly from Bamako to Dakar and embark Callisto. Sail in the evening. (B, L, D) Saturday,Day 9 SALOUM RIVER | DJIFFERE | JOAL-FADIOUT In the morning, Callisto will enter Senegal's Saloum River and sail through scenic waterways and small islands to the village of Djiffere. Drive to the fishing village of Fadiout, one of Senegal's most fascinating sites: the island is composed entirely of shells that have accumulated over the centuries. Everything here is made of shells—they are on the walls of the houses, and they cover the narrow pathways. In the evening, Callisto will enter the River Gambia and sail to the village of Tendaba, located 55 miles upriver. (B, L, D) Sunday, Day 10 TENDABA | KIANG WEST NATIONAL PARK | BAOBOLONG WETLAND RESERVE, RIVER GAMBIA, THE GAMBIA From the village of Tendaba, situated on the south of the riverbank, explore two of The Gambia's most important wildlife reserves. In the morning, drive to the Kiang West National Park, where mangroves, creeks, and mudflats alternate with dry woodland and grassland. Kiang West is notable for its more that 250 species of birds. In the afternoon, board local boats to navigate the waterways and maze of islands that comprise Baobolong Wetland Reserve, a notable bird sanctuary and a wonderland of mangroves, some of which are over 60 feet tall. (B, L, D) Monday, Day 11 KUNTAUR | WASSU STONE CIRCLES, RIVER GAMBIA Early in the morning, Callisto will leave Tendaba to navigate deeper into the River Gambia. The river beyond Tendaba narrows, and its banks are covered with tropical forest. Passing by remote villages with grass-thatched huts, we arrive in the village of Kuntaur. As the ship navigates the twisting river, look for hippos that frequent this part of the river. In Kuntaur, set on a beautiful bend of the river, visit the colorful weekly market where many tribes gather to sell their wares. Also explore the nearby Wassu Stone Circles, the remnants of an ancient Senegambian culture, dating to about a.d. 750. Afterwards, we are greeted in the village by a traditional ceremony of local music and dance. (B, L, D) Tuesday, Day 12 RIVER GAMBIA NATIONAL PARK | JANJANBUREH Board local motorized pirogues in the morning to discover the five mid-river Baboon Islands that constitute the River Gambia National Park. The islands also house the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Trust, the longest running such project in Africa, set up in 1969. Look for monkeys and other wildlife as our boat cruises by the lushly forested islands, and continue to the town of Janjanbureh, also known by its colonial name of Georgetown, once an important trading post for the British. Explore the quaint old town, where most of the buildings date from the 19th century, and shop for local crafts. Janjanbureh's woodlands and leafy riverfront house a large number of bird species, and you will have the opportunity to take a nature and birdwatching walk. Return to Callisto late in the afternoon and spend the night aboard anchored in Kuntaur. (B, L, D) Wednesday, Day 13 THE RIVER GAMBIA Sail from Kuntaur in the morning on our downriver journey en route to Banjul, enjoying river views and life along the way. Time and river conditions permitting, we may stop at one of the villages along our route. Arrive in Banjul late in the evening. (B, L, D) Thursday, Day 14 BANJUL | ABUKO NATURE RESERVE | MAKASUTU CULTURE FOREST | BANJUL Founded by the British early in the 19th century, Banjul is the capital and commercial center of The Gambia. Disembark in the morning and drive to the Abuko Nature Reserve, one of the last surviving examples of tropical riverine forests in the country. Within its confines are about 300 species of birds, as well as red colobus and callithrix monkey. Continue to the Makasutu Culture Forest, a private nature habitat with beautiful woodland and waterways. Enjoy lunch at the reserve. Return to Banjul to visit the National Museum, whose exhibits illustrate the history and culture of the country. (B, L, D) Friday, Day 15 DAKAR | DISEMBARK | GORÉE ISLAND | DAKAR, SENEGAL Disembark in Dakar. Visit Gorée Island, first settled by Europeans in the 15th century, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to Dakar to visit the IFAN Museum, one of West Africa's best, and the Marche Soumbedioune, a craft market with a grand variety of artisan workmanship, and enjoy a specially arranged visit to a contemporary artist's studio. Transfer to the Hotel Sofitel Teranga for dinner and accommodations until the evening. Transfer to the airport for return flights to the United States. (B, L, D) Saturday, Day 16 ARRIVE IN THE USA |
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