2021 Westminster Schools Senegal Service Adventure
| Travel Dates: |
May 25, 2021 -
June 5, 2021
Dates are tentative until flights are secured
|
| Group Organizer(s): |
|
| WTT Contact: |
|
| Program Tuition: |
$2,290 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
|
| Estimated Airfare: | $1,750 |
| Deadline(s): | Enrollment deadline forthcoming |
Tuition Calculator
There are two options for payment, including an interest-free installment plan. Follow whichever works best for your family. If we are within 90 days of travel, only the pay in full option is possible.
Program Tuition: $2,290
Pay in Full
$2,290.00
due today
Payment Plan
Pay a $500 deposit at the time of enrollment and establish an interest-free monthly payment plan. If you enroll today, your estimated* monthly payments would be:
$63.93
per month
All prices in United States Dollars.
Senegal Service Adventure
The ocean breeze of Senegal is lucky. It carries the animated French, Wolof and Pulaar languages from its people, the rhythmic beats of West Africa’s vibrant music scene, the solemn calls to prayer from towering minarets, and the exotic aroma of local cuisine. The momentum builds in the country’s nerve center of Dakar and then spills out through beachside palms to French colonial islands, pink lakes, thriving game parks, and colorful communities. Senegal is a wonderful option for travelers eager to experience the best of Africa in the only country in the region with an uninterrupted history of peaceful democratic transition. Prepare yourself for the experience of a lifetime as you work on vital community service projects, improve your French, and explore a place few will ever be lucky enough to visit.
Service Adventures
Service Adventures can combine rural homestays, adventure travel, and meaningful service projects which are guided by our community partners. Living in these small communities provides the opportunity to engage the language and culture from a uniquely advantageous position.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Volunteer on a local community project
Visit Goree Island, the departure point of millions during slave trade
Spend time with local host families
Swim on the Atlantic Coast in Mbour
Hike to secluded waterfall deep in the jungle
Go on Safari to view elephants, giraffes, hippos, and more!
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers, but given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but if inclement weather pushes us off course or an unexpected opportunity arises which travelers are excited about, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Day | Location | Description | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | USA - Dakar, Senegal | Today the group will fly from the US to Dakar, Senegal. | Airplane |
| May 26 | Dakar | The group lands in the capital city of Dakar and will head to our hotel which sits right on the coast. We'll spend most of this day resting, relaxing and recuperating from our long day of travel. We'll also make time to have an orientation meeting, visit a bank to exchange money and possibly visit with the Peace Corps office. If local language classes are of interest, they can be arranged in Dakar upon request. | Hotel Calao |
| May 27 | Dakar | We will spend most of this day touring Goree Island which was the departure point for millions of Africans during the centuries-long slave trade and sits just off the coast of Dakar. We'll explore the island with a local guide and, time allowing, explore some of the bigger artisanal markets in the capital. | Hotel Calao |
| May 28 | Dakar - Host Community | Today we depart for the host community. The drive time will vary depending on the precise location of the community as well as traffic conditions, but we'll aim to arrive in the afternoon. We’ll tour the community and place students with their respective families. We may even begin service work this day as well! | Host Family |
| May 29 | Host Community | This chunk of time represents the heart and soul of the program. Students will volunteer on meaningful service project/s during the day while also enjoying sufficient free time to hang out with host families and fellow travelers, practice language skills and explore the surrounding area. At the end of our time in the host community we'll help organize a going away party to celebrate the time with our new friends and family. For more information regarding what time in the host community will look like please refer to the section on this webpage titled Partner Communities. | Host Family |
| May 30 | Host Community | We will continue working on our service project and spending time with host families. | Host Family |
| May 31 | Host Community | We will continue working on our service project and spending time with host families. | Host Family |
| June 1 | Host Community | We will continue working on our service project and spending time with host families. | Host Family |
| June 2 | Host Community | We will continue working on our service project and spending time with host families. | Host Family |
| June 3 | Host Community - Mbour | The group will depart the host community and travel to Mbour on the central Atlantic coast of Senegal. After arriving at a lovely hotel we’ll spend the day resting, relaxing and swimming in the ocean! | Pierre de Lisse |
| June 4 | Mbour - Bandia National Park - Dakar | Today the group will embark on a safari in one of Senegal’s best game parks! We'll tour a large swath of savannah in a jeep with our English-speaking tour guide and marvel at a wide range of impressive animals. This evening we will head back to Dakar and enjoy our last evening together in the country. | Hotel Calao |
| June 5 | Dakar - USA | Travel back to USA | Your own bed, eventually! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with locally-operated, three-star equivalent hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.
La Pierre de Lisse
A small paradise about 45 minutes from Dakar, La Pierre de Lisse is true oasis located on the beach of Toubab Dialaw. Students will stay in private cabanas of stone walls and thatch roofs scattered throughout a large, exotic garden. Internet access throughout in the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Hotel Le Calao du Lac Rose
This lovely, family-run property is a short distance from the international airport near an enchanting pink salt lake. The ocean-front hotel is located on beautiful grounds where students stay in individual cabanas surrounded by flower and tree-lined paths. Free Wi-Fi access throughout the building keeps everyone feeling connected. Students will be grouped in their rooms according to gender and availability.
Homestay
This will be the best part of your trip! Staying with a host family immerses you in the language and culture of the destination, and can lead to deep and lasting relationships with your hosts. Initially intimidating but ultimately unforgettable, there’s no better way to begin to truly understand the place you’re visiting.
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
Thank you for giving my son a memorable lifetime experience. [There was] constant contact with the parents with updates and photos to ensure us about the students’ safety and that they were doing well. [The Program Leader] and the teachers were outstanding. Couldn’t have had anyone else better to do the job than they have done.
Michele
Parent of Benjamin, traveler on Costa Rica Service Adventure
Your Adventure Includes
Estimated Airfare
In order to give our travelers the best possible price, we break out airfare from the Program Tuition. We will still handle all booking and ticketing via our flight partner who has access to special fares not available to the general public. Once confirmed, you will be invoiced for the flight roughly 75 days prior to travel.
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on itinerary.
Need to Raise Money? We Have You Covered.
Walking Tree Travel is proud to team up with Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that distributes organic coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, avocados, cocoa, chocolate bars, and more. There is no limit to the amount you can earn, so the sooner you can start, the better!
Learn more here.
Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.