Start Nouakchott / end 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 Gorée, 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.

Days 1 y 2: Nouakchott
It is the capital of Mauritania since 1957 (formerly the capital was Saint-Louis), on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Nomads come from time to time to stay in the capital, which took on the appearance of a modern city.

Day 3: Nouakchott / Saint Louis
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 1865 Faidherbe bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Faidherbe Square has well-preserved monuments, such as the Governor’s Palace and the Neoclassical Cathedral.

Day 4: Saint Louis / Dakar
Dakar is the capital of Senegal. This port city in the Atlantic Ocean is located on the Cape Verde peninsula. Its traditional neighborhood, the Medina, houses the Great Mosque, which is distinguished by its imposing minaret.

Day 5: Dakar / isla de Gorée / Dakar
Gorée Island is a symbol, place of memory of the slave trade in Africa, officially recognized by the UN in 1978: Gorée, «memory of the island» of this tragedy, so it was one of the first places to belong to the World Heritage List managed by UNESCO.

Day 6: Dakar / Saly
Saly is an area of coastal complexes located on Girl-coast. The old Portuguese commercial counter, the town of Saly Portudal hosts the restaurants, the Saly golf course and the craft market. Along the coast Saly Nord has a palm-lined beach.

Día 7: Saly / Banjul
The city is located on an island where the Gambia River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Its colonial buildings (ships) include the national museum, dedicated to the culture and history (history) of the Gambia.

Day 8: Banjul / Ziguinchor
The city was founded next to the surrounding villages of Bainounks and Diolas in 1645 by the Portuguese before being sold on April 22, 1888 to France, which made it an important trading post. It became prosperous thanks to the peanut trade.

Day 9: Ziguinchor / Bissau
The places visited include the Amura Fortress, where the Amílcar Cabral Mausoleum, the Pidjiguiti monument, the National Institute of Arts, the Bissau Ethnological Museum and the beaches are located.

Day 10: Bissau / Orango
What is generally called Orango is actually a collection of five islands that seem to be almost one. It is also where the Bijagos National Park was created to protect a rare and fragile fauna.

Day 11: Orango / Bubaque / Bolama / Bissau
Bolama was proclaimed in 1879 capital of the former portuguese Guinea, and remained so until the transfer of the capital to Bissau in 1941. Transfer to Bissau.