2022 DC International Senegal Service Adventure

Dear Families, Friends, and Travelers – Welcome to the 2022 DC International Senegal Service Adventure!  To better inform yourself about this once in a lifetime opportunity, there are two webpages at your disposal. The first is the Pre-Enrollment page, the purpose of which is to share the itinerary, exciting highlights and important info that travelers will want to know before signing up.  Once enrolled, your family will begin using the Post-Enrollment page which offers a much greater level of detail.  Please take the time to review the information thoroughly and get excited for Senegal!!
Travel Dates: July 23, 2022 - August 3, 2022
Dates tentative until flight is secured
Group Organizer(s):
WTT Contact:
Program Tuition: $2,790 USD
Airfare not included in program tuition
Estimated Airfare: $1,200
Deadline(s): Enrollment is open!

Ready to Get Started?

Complete this enrollment form to secure your spot today!

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

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!

Immerse yourself in the local language and culture by staying with a host family

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

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 and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group. 

DayLocationDescriptionLodging
July 23USA - Dakar, SenegalToday the group will fly from the USA to Dakar, Senegal.In Flight
July 24DakarThe 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 for an orientation meeting, a visit to a bank to exchange money and possibly a visit with the Peace Corps office. If local language classes are of interest, they can be arranged in Dakar upon request.Hotel Calao
July 25DakarWe will spend most of this day touring Goree Island, the departure point for millions of Africans during the centuries-long slave trade, sitting 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
July 26Host CommunityToday we will depart for our host community, arriving in the afternoon. We will tour the community and place students with their respective families. We may even begin service work this day as well!Host Family
July 27Host CommunityOur service days in our host community represent the heart and soul of our program. We 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 our host community we'll help organize a going away party to celebrate the time with our new friends and family.Host Family
July 28Host CommunityWe will continue working on our service project and spending time with our host families.Host Family
July 29Host CommunityWe will continue working on our service project and spending time with our host families.Host Family
July 30Host Community - JaibalitoWe will continue working on our service project and spending time with our host families.Host Family
July 31Host CommunityWe will continue working on our service project and spending time with our host families.Host Family
August 1Host Community - MbourWe will depart our 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
August 2Mbour - Bandia National ParkToday the group will embark on a safari in one of Senegal’s best game parks! We'll tour a large swath of the savannah in a jeep with our English-speaking tour guide and marvel at a wide range of animals. This evening we will enjoy our last evening together in the country with a celebratory dinner.Pierre de Lisse
August 3Mbour - USATravel back to USAYour 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 hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe.  We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.  

Below are the accommodations we anticipate using on your trip, subject to availability. 
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
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING

My experience with your organization was exceptional. The communication was prompt, courteous, and thorough. The trip was very well planned and the educational focus made me feel this such trip had a great value. My daughter has grown and matured in a wonderful way because of this trip.

Jim
Parent of Teagan, traveler on 2017 program to Thailand

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!

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WTT coffee
Resource center

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.

Learn More

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