Experience outstanding wildlife viewing on a yacht cruise along the West Africa Coast and upstream the Gambia River, deep inside the African continent. Embarkation 3 to 4 pm. We leave Banjul and sail upstream to Tendaba.
We reach Tendaba late into the evening. African Night - Overnight at dock in Tendaba. From the ship, we take motor pirogues to reach Tendaba, located on the South Bank in the Lower River Division, our starting point for the Tendaba morning optional excursion. It is a small fishing village of mainly Muslim faith with approximately inhabitants whose main occupation is fishing.
The area boasts over species of birds, many of which are difficult to observe anywhere else. Other residents include Guinea baboons, bushbuck, warthogs, Senegal bushbaby, and marsh mongoose. After a refreshing stop in Batelling, we will board an open safari truck which brings us back to Tendaba. On the way, we pass local villages where you get an impression of local life in The Gambia. In the afternoon, we are picked up from the ship by motor pirogues for the afternoon Tendaba optional excursion to the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve.
This reserve, lying across from Kiang West National Park, features six major bolongs creeks that provide great birding and boating opportunities. Overnight docked in Tendaba. Early morning, we leave Tendaba and sail upstream on the Gambia River all morning to reach Kuntaur. Early afternoon arrival to the bustling Gambian port town of Kuntaur, the last inland stop along the river that is navigable for ocean-going ships. Later in the afternoon, we board a large motor pirogue for a 3-hour optional excursion cruise on The Gambia River.
A local national park ranger joins us onboard to give more information about the park and its fauna and flora. Then we turn, and the motor pirogue slows down, sailing slowly back to Kuntaur, following the shores of Baboon Island.
