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Spiekermann
Tour Itinerarys...
SENEGAL and MAURITANIA Itinerary
February 05-06 USA to SENEGAL
Depart the US on a night flight from JFK arriving in Dakar, Senegal the
following day. Transfer from the airport* to the Hotel Sofitel or similar.
February 07 GORÉE
After breakfast take a tour of the city, with stops at the local markets and
the cathedral. Dakar, Senegal’s largest city and its capital, was settled in
the 15th century by the Lebou people, an ethnic group related to the Wolof and
Sereer. It is located on the Cape Verde Peninsula, on the country’s Atlantic
coast and is the westernmost African city. From the port take a boat to Gorée
island and have lunch before touring the House of Slaves and the colonial
streets. Head back to Dakar for dinner in town and then return to the hotel
for your overnight. (B,L,D)
February 08 DAKAR to TAMBACOUNDA
Travel overland to Tambacounda, capital of the Mandingo tribe with a stop for
lunch enroute. Upon arrival visit the market place that features unique local
items such as “thiouvaye-gongo” (incense) and “djali-djali” (pearls sold by
women in the market). Proceed to the Oasis Oriental Hotel or similar for
dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 09 TAMBACOUNDA to KEDOUGOU
After breakfast depart for Kedougou and check into the Hotel Relais Bedik or
similar. Have lunch before heading out to Bandafassi, land of the Bassari
tribes. Set out on a hike to the Peul village of Ibel (about 45 minutes
walking) through the highlands of the Fouta Djallon to the source of the
Senegal River ending in the village of Iwol. Return to the hotel in Kedougou
for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 10 DINDIFELO
Head to the waterfal of Dindifelo for a hike through the forest. Take time to
enjoy a picnic lunch and a swim in the limpid pool of the 240’ fall. Return to
the hotel in Kedougou for dinner an overnight. (B,L,D)
February 11 KEDOUGOU to KAOLACK
Prepare for a long day of driving as you travel to Kaolac, the peanut capital
and home to the largest market in Senegal. Have dinner and overnight at the
Hotel Relais de Kaolac or similar. (B,L,D)
February 12 KAOLACK to ST. LOUIS
Depart for the holy city of Touba and the grand mosque. Continue to St Louis
and La Maison Rose Hotel** or similar. Explore the city, including the
Governor’s Palace, Faidherbe Square, and the marketplace. Take a horse drawn
carriage through Guet Ndar. Lunch and dinner in town. (B,L,D)
February 13 DJOUDJ NATURE PRESERVE
After breakfast, depart towards the Djoudj Nature Preserve, a 12000 hectar
wide plot of land in the delta of the Senegal River. Created in 1971, it is
believed to be the third largest ornithological park in the world. It is home
to thousands of birds and more than 20 species of mammals. Stop for lunch as
you spend the day exploring the park. Return to St Louis for dinner and
overnight at the hotel. (B,L,D)
February 14 ST LOUIS to NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA
Depart for Mauritania. Drive through the Diawling National Park in the Diama
region stopping for lunch. Arrive into Noakchott, Mauritania late afternoon
and check into the Al Wissal Hotel or similar for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 15 NOUAKCHOTT to ATAR
Head to the popular tourist area of Atar, capital of the Adrar region.
Discover the nomad camps along the way. Dinner and overnight at the Al Waha or
similar. (B,L,D)
February 16 ATAR to CHINGUETTI
Drive to Chinguetti, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as the 7th Holy City
of Islam. Visit the mosque and a repository of thousands of old Arabic
manuscripts, some dating back to the 11th century. Situated in a lush oasis it
was on the caravan route that linked Mauritania with Sudan where salt, wheat
and dates were traded for gold and ivory. The ancient city, established in the
late 1260’s was a center of studies for theology, poetry, philosophy and law.
It was from here that Islam and the Arab-Muslim culture spread throughout West
Africa. The Minaret of Chinguetti, topped by the iconic ostrich egg, has
become the symbol of Mauritania. Dinner and overnight at Auberge Maure Bleu**
or similar. (B,L,D)
February 17 GUELB RICHAT (AFRICAS EYE) and OUADANE
Cross the oasis through dunes and desert to Ouadane. Once one of West Africa’s
main caravanning centers, it is now a dormant city conquered by sand dunes
over 3 centuries ago. Continue to Africa’s Eye or Guelb Richat crater, a
depression created by a meteorite. Tour the site then return to the hotel for
dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 18 CHINGUETTI to ATAR
Drive on the high plateau to Amogjar Pass with its impressive canyon and mesa
mountain range to see the rock paintings. Continue to Atar for dinner and
overnight at the Al Waha or similar. (B,L,D)
February 19 OASIS OF TERJIT and AZOUGUI
Drive to the village oasis of Terjit in the heart of the canyon of the Adrar
Mountains. Nestled in a hollow in the valley, this lush bit of greenery fed by
its thermal springs is considered to be the most beautiful oasis in
Mauritania. Visit Azougui, the ancient capital of the Almoravids, a group of
Muslim warrior monks who conquered Morocco, Spain and sub-Saharan Africa in
the eleventh century. See vestiges of the fortress that was built in the cover
of 20,000 palm trees and the mosque among a maze of rocks. The wall that
surrounded the city still stands but it was not enough to protect it from the
Mauritanians who returned to their homeland during the guetna. Head back to
Atar for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)
February 20 ATAR to NOUAKCHOTT
Return to Nouakchott stopping along the way to visit little oases towns hidden
in the dunes and the nomadic tribes that inhabit them. Have lunch before
continuing to Nouakchott. The Neolithic site of the present city was covered
by the ocean and many shells can be found on the shore along the coast. Upon
arrival, tour the local market and the main mosque with its two minarets. Late
afternnon, head to the harbor to watch the fishermen returning with their
colorful boats at sunset. Have dinner and overnight at the Al Wissal Hotel or
similar. (B,L,D)
February 21 MAURITANIA to USA
Morning visit to the outstanding National Museum showcasing interesting
ethnographical and anthropological exhibits. After lunch return to the hotel
to relax and repack. Gather for dinner and then transfer to the airport for
the flight to the US arriving tomorrow: February 22. (B,L,D)
We (STS) reserve the right to chage hotels, restaurants or the order of
activities if/as needed.
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