Day 1 – Marrakech
Arrive in Marrakech and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax or explore Morocco’s most enigmatic city. Overnight tourist class hotel.
Day 2 - Ait Ben Haddout
Cross the High Atlas via the stunning Tizi n Tichka pass, with superb views of the mountains along the way. Driving through the Berber heartlands we continue to the stunning collection of kasbahs at Ait Ben Haddou, then drive to nearby Ouarzazate for the night. Overnight tourist class hotel. (BLD)
Day 3 - Draa Valley
Exploring this landscape of arid mountains, we meet isolated communities and some of the most traditional people in Morocco, some of whom still live in caves. Make our way towards the lush Draa Valley where we spend the night. Overnight tourist class hotel. (BLD)
Days 4-5 - Erg Chegaga – Iriqui
Enter the Sahara and drive to the dunes of Erg Chegaga, much less known than the famous Erg Chebbi but equally impressive, then continue to the dry salt lake of Iriqui. Overnight tented camp and tourist class hotel. (BLD)
Days 6-7 - Guelmime – Ksar Tafnidilt
Continue to Guelmime, the last major town of Morocco proper and a former trading centre for the Saharan camel caravans. From here we head off on rough tracks along the beach, sandwiched between the dunes. Explore the remote region surrounding the Draa estuary, with tiny settlements and abandoned military posts. Overnights at Ksar Tafnidilt, a traditional style kasbah close to Tan Tan. (BLD)
Day 8 - Tarfaya
Travel south, our route taking us between the desert and the Atlantic Ocean, passing small caves inhabited by fishermen as well as the impressive Naila lagoon, an inland sea separated from the ocean by rows of dunes. In the afternoon we arrive at the small town of Tarfaya. Overnight Hotel Casamar or similar. (BLD)
Days 9-11 - Laayoune – Western Sahara
Drive to Laayoune, the main town of Western Sahara. From here we meet our local Saharawi guide and embark on an expedition into this largely unknown area. We venture into an untamed landscape of dunes and desert, stopping at wells to meet the Reguibat nomads and their herds of camels that eke a living from this unforgiving habitat. We camp for two nights, then on Day 11 reach Dakhla and stay overnight in a tourist class hotel. (BLD)
Day 12 - Dakhla
Spend the day exploring Dakhla and surrounds, with its superb beaches and opportunities to fish in the Atlantic. Overnight in Buena Vista Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Day 13 - Nouadhibou
We head south to the border with Mauritania, following a remote road between the desert and the ocean. After completing border formalities, continue to Nouadhibou, Mauritania’s second city. Overnight Hotel Medina or similar. (BLD)
Days 14-16 - Desert crossing - Chinguetti
Head to Chinguetti, one of Islam’s holiest cities and a real gem of Mauritania. With its collection of historic buildings this is one of the Sahara’s most interesting towns, with a sense of history that is almost tangible. We travel south first to the small town of Chami, then accompanied by an expert guide we drive through a remote part of the desert, where we hope to encounter local nomads and see the traces of prehistoric man such as ancient pottery. We arrive in Chinguetti on Day 16. Two nights simple hotels, one night local guesthouse. (BLD)
Day 14 – Touba - Thies
Drive to Touba, a stronghold of the Mourid Islamic brotherhood and considered to be a sacred town in Senegal. Spend the rest of the day exploring the town and learning about the spiritual traditions of Islam in Senegal, before continuing to Thies. Overnight tourist class hotel. (BLD)
Day 17 - Chinguetti
Spend today exploring Chinguetti, visiting its historic quarter and seeing one of the collections of ancient manuscripts for which it is famous. Overnight local guesthouse. (BLD)
Day 18 - Ouadane
Drive to Ouadane. Founded in the 12th century, Ouadane is a fascinating collection of old houses and mosques and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We have plenty of time to explore the historic quarter. Return to Chinguetti in the evening. Overnight La Gueila guesthouse or similar. (BLD))
Day 19 - Amogjar Pass – Terjit
Continue our exploration of Mauritania, driving along the Amogjar Pass with its prehistoric petroglyphs, as well as the visiting the ruins of the ancient Almoravid capital of Azougui. Continue to the pretty oasis of Terjit for the night. Overnight Hotel Sahara or similar. (BLD)
Day 20 - Nouakchott
Today we arrive in the capital Nouakchott, the first major city we will have encountered for a few days. Overnight tourist class hotel. (BLD)
Day 21 - Djoudj National Park – Saint Louis
We head south to Senegal, and then travel to Djoudj National Park with its incredible bird life. We take boats on the lagoon to discover vast flocks of pelicans, flamingos and more, then continue to the atmospheric town of St Louis, once the capital of French West Africa. Overnight Hotel de la Poste or similar. (BLD)
Day 22 - Saint Louis – Lampoul
Spend the morning visiting Saint Louis, exploring its streets by traditional caleche (horse and carriage). Afterwards, we head Lampoul and our fixed camp amongst the dunes. (BLD)
Day 23 - Lac Rose – Dakar – Goree Island
Drive to Lac Rose. A shallow salt lake surrounded by dunes, the high concentration of minerals sometimes gives it a pink hue. Explore the surrounding area and visit a nearby fishing village, the largest in Senegal. From here head to the lively capital, Dakar, and visit nearby Goree Island, once a centre of the slave trade. Overnight Hotel Municipal or similar. (BLD)
Day 24 - Dakar
After seeing some of the sights of Goree, return to Dakar and explore this bustling modern city. Overnight Hotel Ganale or similar. (BLD)
Days 25-26 - Kaolack - Sine Ngayene - Banjul
Drive to Kaolack and then to Sine Ngayene, an astonishing megalithic site of over a thousand carved stones arranged into fifty two circles , recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here we cross the border into the Gambia and take a ferry across the river, and transfer to Banjul. We then visit the National Museum with its exhibits on local archaeology and history, as well as the city centre, before arriving at our hotel. Overnight Hotel Kabacoto Safari or similar (Day 25) and Atlantic Hotel or similar (Day 26). (BLD)
Day 27 - Banjul – Casamance
Spend the morning in the company of an ornithological guide, looking for birds in the large park by the hotel – this is home to over 70% of the species that live in the country. We then cross into Casamance, the southern region of Senegal, head out into the surrounding villages to learn about the animistic customs that hold sway here, seeing a striking mask dance. Overnight tourist class hotel. (BLD)
Day 28 - Bissau
Drive to the border with Guinea-Bissau and continue to Cachungo. Today we visit the villages of the local Manjaco people, known for their ancestor worship and unique wooden sculptures. Continue to Bissau for the night. Overnight Hotel Azalai or similar. (BLD)
Days 29-30 - Bijagos Islands
Sail to the Bijagos Islands, a magical and unique world of authentic tribal traditions and unusual wildlife. First visit the island of Bolama, once a colonial capital but now largely abandoned, its Portuguese buildings slowly being taken over by vegetation and goats. We then spend two days exploring the archipelago, looking for rare saltwater hippos and learning about the customs of the local people. Two nights tourist class hotels. (BLD)
Day 31 - Bissau
Leaving the islands behind we return to the mainland. In Bissau we have time for a quick look around the city before having lunch and transferring to the airport for your onward flight. (BL)
Please note: This long journey can be booked as shorter sections as follows:
– Marrakech to Dakar
– Dakhla to Bissau
– Dakhla to Dakar
– Marrakech to Dakhla
– Dakar to Bissau
Please contact us for details and prices of the shorter journeys.
Included in price:
- Airport transfers
- Accommodation – as listed in the dossier. The nature of the destinations that we operate may sometimes mean that we need to change hotels, but we’ll always endeavour to keep the same standards. Please be aware that as we operate in many countries where tourism is in its infancy, hotel standards may not be the same as you’re used to elsewhere.
- Guides – In most cases you will be accompanied by one guide from start to finish. However there may be occasions when this is not practical, for example if your trip covers a number of different countries. In these cases it often makes more sense to include different guides for each place, to take advantage of their specific knowledge of the destination.
- Meals – As listed within the itinerary / dossier (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner).
Entrance fees – Entrance fees are listed for those sites that we mention within the itinerary. If there are any other sites that you’d like to see, these would be at your own expense.
Not included:
- Visas
- Airport taxes
- International flights
- Travel Insurancedirection of a reputable provider that can assist.
