DAY 1 - Monday October 18
Depart for your international flight to Abidjan.
DAY 2 - Tuesday October 19 (Abidjan)
Upon arrival at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport
in Abidjan, you will be warmly welcomed by our professional
team, who will assist you with arrival formalities before escort-
ing you to your private transfer. Relax and enjoy a comfortable
drive to your hotel, taking in your first impressions of the
vibrant city of Abidjan along the way.
After check-in, the rest of the day is at your leisure. You may
choose to relax after your journey, enjoy the hotel’s facilities, or
explore the surroundings at your own pace.
Accommodations: Azalai Hotel
DAY 3 - Wednesday October 20 (Abidjan-Grand Bassam-Abidjan)
Today, depart for Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, and the former colonial capital of Côte d’Ivoire. Serving as
the seat of French colonial administration from 1893 to 1896, it
was the country’s first capital before a major yellow fever out- break led to its abandonment. Recognized in 2012 for its histor- ical and cultural significance, Grand-Bassam is renowned for its
remarkable colonial architecture, featuring charming buildings
with galleries, verandas, and lush gardens.
During your visit, explore the Costume Museum, the craft cen- ter, and the former Governor Binger’s Palace. Time permitting,
you may also visit a nearby pineapple plantation.
Return to Abidjan in the afternoon and start the city tour vis-
iting the National Museum, which houses an impressive col-lection of Ivorian art, including statues, masks, jewelry, tools,
carved doors, and musical instruments representing the coun-
try’s diverse cultures (please note that, as of late 2019, parts of
the museum may have been under renovation).
Accommodations: Azalai Hotel (B,D)
DAY 4 - Thursday October 21 (Abidjan-Yamoussoukro- Bouafle -Yamoussoukro
After breakfast, check out and depart for Yamoussoukro.
Continue to Bouafle. Upon arrival, visit the Medina district, the
cultural heart of Bouaflé, as well as the museum La Maison du Patrimoine. You will then experience a special performance of
the Zaouli dance of the Gouro people. The Zaouli mask, creat-ed in the 1950s, is said to have been inspired by a young girl
named “Djela Lou Zaouli,” and the dance is renowned for its in-
tricate footwork and vibrant cultural expression. After the visit,
return to Yamoussoukro for an overnight stay.
Accommodations: Hotel President (B,D)
DAY 5 - Friday October 22 (Yamoussoukro-Abidjan)
This morning, drive to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the
largest Basilica in the world to attend the morning Mass. Visit
of the Basilica after the mass. Then go on the city tour includ-
ing the crocodile pool, followed by a visit to the Museum of
Ivorian Civilizations. After the tour, late afternoon drive back to
Abidjan. Check in hotel and rest.
Accommodations: Azalai Hotel (B,D)
DAY 6 - Saturday October 23 (Abidjan-Dakar-Senegal)
After breakfast, drive to visit the lively district of Yopougon,
followed by a visit to the indoor Treichville Market, one of the
most vibrant and interesting markets on the tour.
Pass by the Marian Sanctuary, a unique Catholic church
inspired by the shape of a snail, and then visit the Abidjan Art
Center (CAVA), known for its contemporary local artworks.
Continue to the airport before noon and get the flight to
Senegal.
Upon arrival at Blaise Diagne International Airport, proceed
through immigration, collect your luggage, and clear customs.
You will then be met by our team and transferred to your
hotel.Accommodations: Azalai Hotel Dakar (B)
DAY 7 - Sunday October 24 (Dakar-Goree Island-Dakar)
After breakfast, transfer to the port and board a ferry for a short
20-minute crossing to the renowned Gorée Island, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site.
Upon arrival, enjoy a guided walking tour of the island, including a visit to the historic House of Slaves, built in 1776. Hav-
ing been successively ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch, English,
and French, the island’s architecture reflects a striking contrast
between the somber slave quarters and the elegant homes of
former slave traders. Today, Gorée Island stands as a powerful
symbol of remembrance, resilience, and reconciliation.
During your visit, attend an insightful lecture by the curator, of-
fering a deeper understanding of the history of slavery in West
Africa, particularly on Gorée Island, and the lives of those who
were captured. You will then explore the house and its various
compartments, including the poignant “Door of No Return,”
through which millions of Africans passed on their way into
slavery.Continue exploring other significant historical sites across the
island before returning by afternoon ferry to Dakar after lunch.
Upon arrival, visit the Museum of Black Civilizations, an im-pressive four-story complex that fulfills the vision of Senegal’s
first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor. The museum traces the
origins and development of African civilizations and their influ-
ence on the wider world, with architecture inspired by the tra-ditional impluvium huts of Casamance.
After the visit, return to your hotel. Dinner will be served at a
local restaurant.Accommodations: Azalai Hotel Dakar (B,D)
DAY 8 - Sunday October 25 (Dakar-Pink Lake-Dakar)
Today, depart for a visit to the famous Pink Lake (Lac Retba),a unique natural phenomenon created by a rare combination
of microorganisms and high salt concentration, which gives the
water its distinctive pink hue. Although the color is less vivid
than in previous years due to continuous salt harvesting, the
site remains a fascinating attraction. You may also choose to
ITINERARY
experience swimming effortlessly in the highly saline waters.
After the visit, return to Dakar to continue with a city tour,
including a stop at the African Renaissance Monument. Over-
looking the city from a hill more than 100 meters high, this
impressive structure stands taller than the Statue of Liberty.
Once controversial, the colossal bronze statue—constructed
from over 20,000 tons of material—is now one of Africa’s
most iconic landmarks.
Continue to the Soumbedioune Handicraft Village, where you
can browse a wide variety of local arts and crafts.
Afterwards, return to your hotel to freshen up before heading
out for dinner.
Accommodations: Azalai Hotel Dakar (B,D)
DAY 9 - Tuesday October 26 (Dakar, Bandia-Saly)
After breakfast drive to Bandia for a short safari. This reserve
is a real ecological jewel in Senegal. It has succeeded in rein-
troducing much of the marvelous native flora and of some
of Africa’s best loved animals: buffalos, antelopes, impala ga-
zelles, monkeys, tortoises, and crocodiles in addition to white
rhinoceros, kudu, elands, cape moose, giraffes, ostriches, ze-
bras. Stop by the crocodile pool where animals come to drink
and buffalos wallow in the mud. Then we drive to reach Saly
and rest.Accommodations: Palm Beach Hotel (B,D)
DAY 10 - Wednesday October 27 (Saly-Joal Fadiouth-Saly)
Discover other rural area of Senegal. Visit Serrere and Fula
villages. We will discover in Fadial village, the millenary bao-bab tree (1500 years old), then continue to Joal, a Portuguese
settlement in the 16th century and the birthplace of the first
president of Senegal.
By a wooden bridge we can access to Fadiouth, a small village settled on a pile of shells, known as Shell Island. Walking
through this traditional and mystic Serrere village to meet
and interact with the locals. Visit the cathedral, the market-
place and the sacred baobab tree. Early afternoon, return to
Saly where the rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodations: Palm Beach Hotel (B,D)
DAY 11 - Thursday October 28 (Depart Dakar)
Today is at leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight. (B)
