2023 College of Charleston Senegal Cultural Journey
| Travel Dates: | June 4, 2023 - July 2, 2023 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
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| WTT Contact: |
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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.
Cultural Journeys
Cultural Journeys allow travelers to gain insights into the heritage, history and modern realities of their destination by offering a broad diversity of experience. We rely on the expertise of our local staff to plan itineraries which not only explore the prominent sites but also make time for the lesser-known local gems and are intentional about regular interaction with local people.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Ride camels, camp and enjoy a campfire under the stars in Senegal's Lompoul Desert
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 4 | Dakar | Arrival, airport pickup, Hotel installation, Welcome Orientation, Rest, Pool, Lunch. Munument De la Renaisance, City Tour | |
| June 5 | Dakar | Breakfast, Ice Breakers, Head to the Ferry for Goree Island, Lunch in Goree. Return afternoon class with John and Kristen. Rest, pool, debrief. | |
| June 6 | Dakar | Breakfast, Maison des civilization noire, Visit with Peace Corps, Lunch, marcher Keremel, Nice Cream. Back to Hotel, rest, pool and Debrief | |
| June 7 | Travel to Saint Louis | Trip to Saint Louis, lunch on the road, installation at hotel, relax, pool, dinner, team meeting | |
| June 8 | Saint Louis | Breakfast, Langue de Barbarie full day visit, lunch, pool class | |
| June 9 | Saint Louis | City Tour and mangrove visit, lunch, return of the fisherman, horse carrage | |
| June 10 | Saint Louis | Breakfast, opportunity to visit Green Wall project site, class | |
| June 11 | Saint Louis | Breakfast, Park des Oiseau, lunch and possible Desert of Lompoul | |
| June 12 | Travel to Petit Cote | Trip lunch on the way, welcome host family installation, Dinner with host famillies | |
| June 13 | Palmarin | Breakfast, Palmarin tour, lunch, relax, evening hyena watching, Debrief, Dinner with Host famillies | |
| June 14 | Palmarin | Breakfast, Visit mangroves, Island visit, lunch, back to village, debrief, rest, stay with Host families for evening | |
| June 15 | Palmarin | Breakfast, Village clean-up with youth, lunch, evening Wrestling, dinner with Host Famillies | |
| June 16 | Palmarin | Breakfast, Village project, lunch, Day in the life in afternoon with Host families, Good buy party | |
| June 17 | Travel | Trip South to Kedougou, Breakfast on the road, lunch on the road, Spend night in Tambacounda, rest debrief pool | |
| June 18 | Travel | Early Breakfast, travel through the Nation Park of Niokolokoba (might see a lion, baboons, wart hogs, monkeys), lunch in Kedoougou, visit Kedougou Market, Trip to Dindefelo, welcome and host family installation | |
| June 19 | Dindefelo | Breakfast, meet at the tree, Village tour, meet Village Chief and Imam, lunch with host families, afternoon visit local musuem and tourist center, Debrief, dinner with host families | |
| June 20 | Dindefelo | Breakfast, meet at the tree, village project, lunch and afternoon at the Waterfall | |
| June 21 | Dindefelo | Breakfast, meet at the Tree, Village project, afternoon village project, Debrief, Dinner with Host Family | |
| June 22 | Dindefelo | Breakfast, Mountain, termite mounds, lunch at the waterwall, Debrief and back to Village, Dinner with Host families | |
| June 23 | Dindefelo/Bandafasy | Early Breakfast, travel to Bassary villages in Bandafassy/Iwol, lunch on Road, Visit Gambia River, Back to Dindefelo, Dinner With Host Famillies | |
| June 24 | Dindefelo | Breakfast, meet at the Tree, Village project, afternoon village project, Debrief, Dinner with Host Family | |
| June 25 | Dindefelo | Breakfast, meet at the Tree, Village project, afternoon village project, Debrief, Dinner with Host Family | |
| June 26 | Dindefelo | Breakfast, finish project, lunch at the waterfall, evening good bye party | |
| June 27 | Trip back up north | Breakfast, travel visit artisanal mining village, Lunch and dinner in Tamba, Debrief, pool | |
| June 28 | Tamba - Dakar | Breakfast, lunch on road, hotel, pool, rest, dinner | |
| June 29 | Dakar | Breakfast, Shopping, Lunch, Debrief, | |
| June 30 | Travel | Bandia reserve tour, lunch in Mbour (Sally) afternoon Hotel, Evening return of the fishermen | |
| July 1 | Mbour | Breakfast, Visit Joal home of Senegal's first President, lunch in Joal, visit oldest and biggest baobab tree in the area, return to Hotel for night | |
| July 2 | Mbour/airport |
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
This being my first experience with an international trip for my child I have nothing to compare it to. However I feel Walking Tree did an excellent job from conception to completion with informing me on costs, what to expect, safety concerns, and sharing the experience through their blog. While I was worried about how safe my child would be on a trip… on the other side of the world, she told me that she felt safer than school safe.
Stephanie
Parent of Brigid, traveler on Japan Cultural Journey
Your Adventure Includes
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on the itinerary.
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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.