Start Nouakchott (Mauritania) / end Bissau (Guinea Bissau)

West Africa is undoubtedly one of the most unknown, diverse and exciting geographical areas on the planet. Origin of all the great Portuguese, French and English expeditions to the interior regions of the continent and center of colonial activity and slave trade until the 19th century. Our route begins in Dakar, and from there St Louis, the first major European city in West Africa and capital of the vast French colonial empire. We will cross, always following the coast, the Sahelian plains where the Sahara pours its last dunes to progressively reach the most fertile lands in the south. We will cross large rivers such as Senegal, the Gambia or the Casamance before entering the incredible universe of the Bijagos archipelago. This exciting route runs from north to south three countries with three different colonial inheritances. From the Baobabs forests of Senegal, to the lush jungles of Guinea Bissau. Between the Gambia, British redoubt and cradle of the famous Kunta Kinte. Colonial cities, a world heritage site with its past of slavery and suffering like Gore, parks and deltas such as Saloum, declared a biosphere reserve, living nature, colorful markets and a multitude of different ethnic groups, traditions and cultures. In short, a trip following the West African coast to the heart of all its secrets.

Day 1 & 2 Nouakchott
Nouakchott the capital of Mauritania since 1957 is (previously the capital was Saint-Louis), at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Nouakchott was created on a zone of camp. The nomads come from time to time to stay around the capital which quickly took the aspect of a modern city.

Day 3 Nouakchott / Saint Louis
St. Louis is a city located on the northwestern coast of Senegal. It is known for its colonial architecture. The old town is on the N’Dar island of the Senegal River. The island is connected to the mainland by the bridge Faidherbe of 1865, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Faidherbe Square has well-preserved ancient monuments, including the Governor’s Palace and Neoclassical Cathedral. The CRDS museum is dedicated to crafts and traditional art.

Day 4: Saint Louis / Dakar
Dakar is the capital of Senegal, in West Africa. This port city on the Atlantic Ocean is on the peninsula of Cape Verde. Its traditional district, the Medina, hosts the Great Mosque, which is distinguished by its imposing minaret. The Théodore-Monot museum displays cultural objects such as clothing, percussion, sculptures and tools. The city’s vibrant nightlife is inspired by local music, mbalax.

Day 5: Dakar / Ile de Gore / Dakar
The Gorée Island or Gorée is at the same time an island of the north Atlantic Ocean situated in the bay(berry) of Dakar (Senegal) and one of 19 municipalities of district of the capital. It is a place symbol of the memory of the slave trade in Africa, recognized officially by the United Nations Organization (UNO) in 1978: Gorée, “island-memory” of this tragedy, so was one of very first places to be concerned the list of the world heritage managed by the United Nations Organization for the education, the science and the culture (UNESCO).

Day 6: Dakar / Saly
Saly is a zone of seaside complexes situated on the Girl-coast(-rib), a region of Senegal. The former(old) Portuguese commercial counter, the village of Saly Portudal welcomes restaurants, the golf course of Saly and craft(home-made) market. Along the coast(rib), on the West, Saly Nord possesses a beach(range) lined with palm trees. In the East, to Saly Niakhniakhal, the sea front abounds in restaurants and in villas. Deepwater fishing boats get back to banks with sailboats, marlins or tunas.

Day 7: Saly / Banjul
Banjul is the capital of Gambia, a small country of western Africa on the Senegalese border. The city is situated on an island where the river Gambia meets the Atlantic Ocean. His(her,its) colonial buildings(ships) include the national museum, dedicated to the culture and to the history(story) of Gambia. In Albert Market’s animated market, sellers propose colored fabrics(tissues) and local products. The main entrance of the city is marked by the immense Arc 22 and its columns.

Day 8: Banjule / Ziguinchor
The city was founded next to the surrounding Bainounks and Diolas villages in 1645 by the Portuguese before being sold on 22 April 1888 to France, which made it an important trading post. It became prosperous thanks to the peanut trade. In the 1960s the French living in Ziguinchor particularly enjoyed the beach of Cap Skirring to spend the weekends, through the obligatory and dusty track (2 hours of road!) And the bins (random!) Essoukoudiak and Niambalang. They had built at the edge of the water of modest bungalows and even tents to live there a few days in a relative comfort. They enjoyed this beach for family swimming and fishing.

Day 9: Ziguinchor / Bissau
The city is known for its carnival which takes place each year, in February, around Mardi Gras.
The places, most frequently visited by tourists, include the Fortress of Amura (Fortaleza de São José da Amura) where is the Mausoleum of Amílcar Cabral, the Pidjiguiti memorial dedicated to the dockers killed during the strike of August 3, 1959 , the National Institute of Arts of Guinea-Bissau, the Ethnological Museum of Bissau and the beaches.

Day 10: Bissau / Orango
What is usually called Orango is actually a collection of five islands that seem almost to be one. Orango is the western most island of the “great Orango” consisting of Canogo, Meneca, Orangoziinho, Mbone and a multitude of islets. It is the greenest island, the wildest, the least inhabited, the most mysterious, the largest of the archipelago. It is also where the Bijagos National Park was created to protect a rare and fragile fauna. Many initiation rites are held there and regularly young bijagos from all over the archipelago go there to make this transition to adulthood. It’s really the end of the world. You will be able to cross there by chance the very rare marine hippopotamus so specific of Bijagos Islands.

Day 11: Orango / Bubaque / Bolama
Bolama is a city in Guinea-Bissau, located on the island of Bolama, Bolama-Bijagos region. The city comes from the old municipality created in 1871 by the Portuguese. Bolama was elevated in 1879 to the status of capital of the former Portuguese guinea, and remained so until the transfer of the capital to Bissau in 1941, transfer became necessary because of the shortage of fresh wate.

Day 12: Bolama / Bissau / Europe