The kingdom of Gabou (or Kaabou) was a prestigious Mandingo kingdom of West Africa from the 8th to the 19th century. It was  covering the actual countries of Senegal, Guinea, Bissau, Gambia. Culturally and economically rich, the kingdom of Gabou was also the cradle of typical African uses, customs, Arts and a way of living.

 

The war against the Fulani who invaded the kingdom put an end in 1867 to one of the first kingdoms of West Africa

The following tour aims to make you be acquainted with the ethnic groups and  the cultural values which have survived in the former territory of Gabou

 

Tour description

 

Day1: Bissau

 

Arrival in Bissau, capital town of Guinea Bissau ex Portuguese colony in West Africa. Meet and great. Private transfer to your 4 stars hotel. Overnight

 

 

Day 2: Bissau/Bubaque: ( Bissagos archipelago)

Breakfast in hotel.

Private transfer to the Port of Bissau. Departure by public ferry boat to Bubaque, the largest island of the Bissagos Archipelago classified MAB ( Man and Biosphere). Arrive in Bubaque after a 3 hours picturesque ferry ride. Fish barbecue lunch in Bubaque and visit of the island in 4x4 vehicle. Visit of the  house of Okimpa Pampa who was a famous freedom fighter against the Portuguese colonial troops.

Visit various districts of Bubaque meeting the inhabitants. Dinner and overnight at your 3 stars hotel

 

 

Day 3: Bissagos/Island

 

Breakfast in hotel and leave for a fullday visit of the Bissagos islands classified among the world’s most protected ecological areas as a biosphere zone. Visit this paradise made famous by Captain Cousteau. Visit the island of Rubano, visit the national marine park  of Orango. Pic-nic lunch in Orango

Afternoon visit of the other islands such as Caravel, Para Uno, Tsimaio.

Return to Bubaque at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at your hotel Punta Anchata ( 3 stars)

  

 

Day 4: Bissagos/Bissau

 

Breakfast in hotel.

Leave the Bissagos Islands by  public ferry boat  for Bissau.

Arrival in Bissau at midday. Lunch in a typical restaurant of the Guinean capital city.

Afternoon visit Bissau and admire the old Portuguese colonial styled districts. Visit the various markets among which the market of Quinhamel. Meet local artisans while visiting the handicraft market.

Dinner and overnight at your 4 stars hotel in Bissau

 

 

Day 5: Bissau/Bafata/Bissau

Today will be dedicated to the visit of Mandingo and Mandiak villages outside of Bissau. The Mandingo ethnic group was the ethnic foundation of the Gabou kingdom which had united all the various ethnic groups in a wide and peaceful nation. Visit the villages , Arrive in Bafata and lunch. Visit  Bafata in the afternoon and return to Bissau at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at your 4 stars hotel in Bissau

 

 

Day 6: Bissau/Ziguinchor (Senegal)

Breakfast in hotel and leave for the North

You will pass by and visit Safim, Bula, Ingare, Cacheu, all typical traditional villages and cities, once very important centers of the Gabou Kingdom. Meet villagers and chiefs of villages, arrival in San Domingo in the early afternoon. Stop for lunch.

On afternoon proceed to Ziguinchor where you will arrive at the end of the day. Short visit of Ziguinchor also called the flowers city. You will visit the fishing port while fishermen arrive from a long day of fishing. Dinner and overnight at your 3 stars hotel in Ziguinchor

 

 

Day 7: Ziguinchor/Karabane/Ziguinchor

 

Breakfast in hotel and leave  for the Island of Karabane at the South Western Point  of Casamance. This will permit you to visit  on the way, the villages of Mlomp and Seleti  famous for the typical architecture style developed during the many years of the Gabou Kingdom reign.

From Elinkine, on the north bank of the Casamance river, join Karabane in motor canoe after a wonderful ride through the genuine and enchanting nature of mangrovia . Lunch in Karabane at the restaurant of the monastery and visit the island, former important trading center ( even for slaves)

Return to Ziguinchor at the end of the day

Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

 

 

Day 8: Ziguinchor/Banjul

 

After breakfast and leave for the visit of the lower Casamance region. You will visit the village of Oussouye, residence of the king of Oussouye, descendant from the former Gabou Royal family.

Meet the authentic traditional uses, customs and culture of Kingdom. Lunch in Ziguinchor.

Afternoon proceed to Banjul in Gambia, visiting the villages of the upper Casamance region: Badiana, Baila, Dioulou will  allow you to meet with notables, traditional chiefs and the village population.

Arrival in Banjul at the end of the day. Dinner and overnight at your 4 stars hotel

 

Day 9: Banjul/Toubacouta

Breakfast in hotel and leave for a visit of Banjul, capital  town of Gambia, country made famous by Alex Haley’s best seller ”Roots”. Visit the central market rich of Mandingo  handicraft, medicinal herbs, colorful African fabrics. Visit the National Museum, visit various district of Banjul so picturesque and alive. Lunch in a typical restaurant of Banjul

Afternoon cross the Gambia River by ferry-boat admiring the picturesque scenaries of the river.

Upon arrival at the Barra ferry terminal, continuation to Toubacouta on the Northern bank of the Saloum Delta

Right upon arrival  have a boat ride, on the Saloum river to discover the birds dormitory island. Dinner and overnight at your 3 stars lodge

 

 

Day 10: Toubacouta/Kaolack/Saint –Louis

After breakfast and visit Kaolack with its market rich of species, fabrics and medicinal herbs

Continuation for Saint Louis passing by the Ferlo region inhabitated by the Fulani ( Peulh) cattle breeders. Visit also the holly Muslim city of Touba where you will admire the wonderful mosque all decorated with gold , silver and crystal. Lunch will be hosted by one of the spiritual leaders of Touba. He will explain the philosophy of “Mouridism” which is the foundation of their belief.

Afternoon continue to Saint –Louis visiting villages on the way. Dinner and overnight at your 3 stars hotel in Saint –Louis

 

Day 11: Saint –Louis

Breakfast and leave for the visit to the “Langue de Barbarie” National park at the mouth of the Senegal  River.

After a charming boat –ride reach the park. Visit the park which ranks among the main birds sanctuaries of the world. Lunch in the park.

Return to Saint –Louis in the afternoon. Visit the city once colonial capital of French West African colonies. In horse drawn carriage, visit the historic center with its typical colonial style buildings. Visit the picturesque fishermen district of Guet Ndar. Dinner and overnight at your hotel

    

Day12: Saint –Louis/Desert of Lompoul

Breakfast and leave Saint –Louis for Lompoul

As you follow the coastal road, you will visit fishermen and Fulani sheppards villages on the way.

Arrival in Lompoul desert around noon. Lunch under  a Beduin tent.

In the afternoon, camel ride around lompoul, discover the beauty of the desert, meet some of the nomadic groups

Dinner and overnight at the beduin lodge of Lompoul

 

 

Day 13: Lompoul/Dakar

Early breakfast and leave for the Pink Lake Retba made famous by the car rallye Paris Dakar

In 4x4 drive vehicle, visit the lake, drive on the sand dunes and the wild beach. Visit the Fulani village, meet the “Salt harvesters”. Lunch at the restaurant near the lake.

In the afternoon, drive to Dakar and catch the ferry for Goree Island. Visit the historic island, testimony of 300 years of slave trading that have devastated the Mandingo Kingdom among others. Visit the House of Slave, the Historic Museum , the Fort with the Memorial dedicated to the ancient Slaves and the African Diaspora. Dinner at “Le Chevalier de Boufflers restaurant” in Goree. After  dinner transfer by ferry and by private bus to the  airport for your departing flight

        

 

 Departure  dates of the tour

From  October  2015  to June   2016   :

 

 

1° Departure Octobre  05th      2015

2° Departure November 16th    2015

3° Departure Decembre 21st    2015

4° Departure January 25         2016

5° Departure March 07 th        2016

6° Departure April 25th           2016

7° Departure June 6th            2016