Chimpanzee and wildlife holiday in Gambia

country:	Gambia
departures:	This trip is closed betwwen mid June and mid october. Aside from this period this trip can be arranged any time to suit you and can be adapted to your requirements as necessary.
price:	From £829 - £899 (8 days) excluding flights, depending on group size (2-10 people).

Gambia holidays

Safari holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

A week long tour including four nights and five days visiting the chimps on Baboon Islands National Park.

We are met by Stella Brewer, the project and National Parks Director, who is our host and chimp expert during our three day stay at Baboon Island. Stella will explain what we can expect during our stay and the itinerary in more detail. We will take to the river and follow the feeder boat to go out to see the chimps on Baboon Islands National Park, usually accompanied by Stella herself who will explain why this is necessary and introduce us to the Chimps by name.

This is a magical experience in itself, you are only a few feet away from the chimps and screened viewing hides are planned for the near future. We return to base camp as the sun begins to set over the river and are very likely to see some of the 40-50 hippos which are in this area as well as the abundant birdlife. Dinner is served at the Waterhouse, right on the river in peaceful tranquility. The Waterhouse is completely screened to protect you from mosqitoes and an ideal location from which to view the bird and wild life as well as 'Star gazing' and a wonderful relaxation area.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for your first night.
Day 2:	We travel to the port of Banjul where we cross to the north bank of the country on the ferry with the locals, quite an experience in itself. We proceed by road the 300kms up river to the old Colonial encampment - Georgetown, stopping to visit local villages en-route. We arrive at our overnight accommodation in time to freshen up for dinner. Dinner will be enjoyed while we are entertained by local cultural dancers. Overnight in Georgetown
Day 3:	After breakfast there is a guided tour around Georgetown visiting the main sites and attractions including old Colonial buildings and slave dungeons of a bygone era. Time for lunch before proceeding via the south bank route to the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Base Camp. Here we are met by Stella Brewer, the project and National Parks Director, who is our host and chimp expert during our three day stay. Time to get to know each other over a cool refreshing drink at the Waterhouse bar and dining area. Then time to book into the wonderful tented/stilted accommodation high up over looking the River Gambia and National park. Taking a shower beneath the full moon with the River Gambia shimmering below is described by some visitors as "an ethereal experience." Stella will explain what we can expect during our stay and the itinerary in more detail. Around 4pm we take to the river and follow the feeder boat to go out to see the chimps on Baboon Islands National Park, usually accompanied by Stella herself who will explain why this is necessary and introduce us to the Chimps by name. This is a magical experience in itself, you are only a few feet away from the chimps and screened viewing hides are planned for the near future. We return to base camp as the sun begins to set over the river and are very likely to see some of the 40 -50 Hippo's which are in this area as well as the abundant birdlife.
Day 4:	Breakfast at the Waterhouse followed by a visit to the neighbouring village of Sambel Kunda and the community projects in place within the village including the clinic, school and the Horse and donkey project (registered charity). Here the local people really do benefit directly from Stella's programmes which have brought to the villages significant direct and in direct employment. There are more than 300 children currently sponsored at the village school for example. There will be opportunities for horse and cart riding or horse riding through the forest park (small additional cost). In the late afternoon there will be more of the fantastic and rare chimp viewing with Stella and her team followed by supper at the Waterhouse and the option to watch one of the documentaries made about Stella's work with the Chimps. Overnight in your safari tents - deep in the Africa Bush.
Day 5:	You may tailor your morning from a number of options offered to you, i.e early morning birdwatching, Hippo watching, forest walk, revisiting the village projects to name a few. Over lunch there will be time for more discussions with Stella and her team and guests may wish to enter the Adopt a Chimp Scheme before leaving this majestic place. Our return journey is via the South Bank route which is bumpy and dusty but a worthwhile journey capturing the true Gambian Culture far away from the tourist areas of the coastal region. By late afternoon we reach the Presidents home village of Kanilie where we will be spending the night at the 4* Sindola Lodge. Time to refresh before dinner after which we may be entertained by some of the local people. Overnight at Sindola lodge (or poss Tendaba camp) A 4* Lodge with air conditioned en-suite rooms and a swimming pool set in luscious gardens.
Day 6:	An early start to visit Kanalies Wildlife park which has many animals. Time to relax, maybe take a swim before lunch. Our journey then resumes back to the coastal area arriving at our hotels around 6pm. Overnight at a hotel on the coast.
Day 7:	Time to relax over a leisurely breakfast at your hotel followed in the afternoon by a visit to the capital city - Banjul, with time to shop at Albert Market for local crafts you may wish to take home. The evening is spent at a farewell gathering over dinner at the lively resort area of 'Senegambia.'
Day 8:	A morning of leisure before being transported to the airport for the homeward flight in the afternoon.

how this holiday makes a difference

Responsible tourism is our concern, we want to be keeping as much monies in this beautiful country so its economy may benefit. We want to employ as many local people as possible. We currently employ 6 full time and 3 part time local people but the numbers will of course grow as we grow and develop and we will only employ Gambians. We have joined with two British charities who are based in Gambia and actively work to promote the wellbeing of the Gambian people and their communities.

Through our holidays a proportion of your money is paid directly to the charity involved, which, in turn, directly benefits the semi-remote village in which the charity is based and are working. The monies pay to build fences, schools, pays salaries for teachers and others to amongst other sustainable items.

By offering you packages to the Chimpanzee rehabilitation Project, 50% of your money directly funds the ongoing maintenance of the chimps and the Baboon Islands National Park. We make minimum profits from these packages for our priority is to actively promote tourism which directly benefits the local people, their communities and the wild life.

Our birding guides come from the WABSC (British charity) who train local people in order to improve their employability, reduce poverty, protect the bird and wild life and are concerned to actively promote responsible tourism. You will not find our programmes available elsewhere, our groups are small, between 4 and 10 people and somewhat exclusive, you will certainly receive that personal touch combined with flexibility.

We aim to offer you that something “extra” whilst supporting the local communities which we visit including schools and clinics in the semi remote parts of this wonderful and exciting country. By traveling with us you help support the above projects and directly help local people in their efforts to alleviate themselves from poverty. You also help conserve the environment, the endangered Chimpanzees, and have a great time while you are doing it. We supply you with a responsible tourism alternative to mass packaged holidays with travel ethos that co-operate with the local communities to improve their economy, and protect their local environments.

Tourism is a vital part of The Gambia's economy and the primary area for employment growth within the country's previously disadvantaged communities. Thus, revenues and taxes generated are vital to government spending in areas such as health and education. By booking through us you are contributing to the rebuilding and rebalancing of the country's economy.

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