How many travellers will be in my group?

Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

How fit do I need to be?

Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

When are the next departures?

The next available departures are 21 December 2026. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

What's included in the tour price?

Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; One-way economy class flight from Dakar to Bissau including 20k baggage allowance; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

Where exactly does this trip go?

This tour visits Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Guinea-Bissau15 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendly

Senegal and Guinea Bissau Explorer

From Dakar's colonial streets and a pink-hued salt lake to the remote sacred villages of the Bijagós Archipelago, this 15-day journey reaches West Africa rarely seen by outsiders.

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About this journey

What to expect on this trip

A great opportunity to see the best of Senegal and Guinea Bissau in our Senegal small group tour. We start our adventure in the Senegalese capital Dakar and explore this bustling city before immersing ourselves in the slave history at Goree Island. Then we head to northern Senegal, reaching the border with Mauritania and the Djoudj National Park, a natural oasis composed of hundreds of miles of partially flooded land. Our next stop is the holy city of Touba where we visit its Grand Mosque. Our adventure continues as we explore the Saloum Delta by canoe and visit some villages of the Sérère ethnic group.

After travelling back to Dakar, we continue by air on an afternoon flight to Bissau, capital of tiny Guinea Bissau – one of West Africa’s truly ‘undiscovered’ destinations. Few western travellers make it to this former Portuguese colony, but those that do return full of incredible experiences and memories of a stunning part of the continent. From Bissau, we travel by boat to the magnificent Bijagos Islands – a group of islands where traditional culture is at its strongest and ancient customs still hold sway. We visit local communities to learn about their lifestyles, some of the most traditional on the continent. The joy of this trip is the fact that you will be visiting an almost untouched corner of Africa; expect truly genuine encounters with local people and feel privileged to be one of the very few to have travelled here.

The journey

Senegal and Guinea Bissau Explorer

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route

The highlights

Gorée Island and the House of Slaves
A ferry transports the group to Gorée Island, where the House of Slaves documents the history of the Atlantic slave trade through its notorious 'door of no return'. The visit also takes in the town square, Catholic Church, and historical museum set within the island's colonial architecture.
Retba Pink Lake (Lac Rose)
Retba Lake sits between white sand dunes and the Atlantic Ocean, its waters turned a distinctive pink by salt-loving algae. Travellers observe women harvesting salt from the lake's depths before an evening sunset at Ocean et Savane Lodge within Langue de Barbarie National Park.
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
The world's third-largest bird reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Djoudj hosts approximately 1.5 million migratory birds annually across a 16,000-hectare wetland in the Senegal River Delta. Bird-watching is conducted by pirogue, with sightings of white pelicans, cormorants, Gambian geese, ospreys, and crocodiles.
Saloum Delta and Mar Lodj Island
A canoe journey crosses the water to Mar Lodj, a picturesque island opposite Ndangane and home to the Sérère ethnic group. The group explores the villages of Mar Lodj and Marfafaco, with lunch served at Essamaye camp overlooking the lagoon.
Joal-Fadiouth Shell Island
Fadiouth is an island constructed entirely of shells, with alleys lined in shell underfoot and an interfaith cemetery shared by Muslim and Christian communities. The group explores the local market and church before lunch at La Taverne du Pêcheur in the adjacent town of Joal.
Orango National Park and Eticoga Village
Within the Bijagós Archipelago, a guided forest walk leads to Eticoga village and the sanctuary of Queen Okinka Pampa, an important site for worship and traditional ritual. The group also meets the local women's association to learn about artisanal work and horticulture in this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Full itinerary · 15 days

Free — no sign-up

Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

Departs	Returns	Status	Price pp	Single supp.
21 Dec 2026	4 Jan 2027	Guaranteed	£4,835	+£1,375	Book now

Departure
21 Dec 2026 → 4 Jan 2027
Guaranteed
From
£4,835 pp
Single supp. +£1,375
Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Guinea-Bissau journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip

What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
One-way economy class flight from Dakar to Bissau including 20k baggage allowance
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
Any airport taxes (except from Dakar to Bissau)
Travel Insurance
Visa – To be obtained in advance
Drinks
Items of personal nature
Tips (Discretionary)

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the [Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Guinea-Bissau Travel Advice](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guinea-bissau), and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Guinea-Bissau that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

For additional official guidance, travellers may also refer to:
- US Department of State — US State Dept Guinea-Bissau Travel Advisory
- Australian Government — Smartraveller Guinea-Bissau Advice
- Government of Canada — Canada Travel Advice for Guinea-Bissau

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens — nationals of other countries should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Senegal and Guinea Bissau Explorer. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

“A very enjoyable time. You select good local tour operators and guides. We had a very capable guide, Magyama, and a skilled driver, Rassoul. ”

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Werner Fobo, Germany

“Particular thanks go to the hotel staff at Dunia in Bissau and the hotel staff at Orango. Jamilla was so welcoming, organised and reassuring throughout our stay, even in the face of unexpected challenges she adapted and enabled us to have an amazing time so thank you. And to reinforce my thanks to Hafez, who organised our transport from Dunia to Orango and was the middle-man for our first few days. Went above and beyond, even helping us haggle in a local market on our last day! ”

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Traveller from the UK

“Jamilla was so welcoming, organised and reassuring throughout our stay, even in the face of unexpected challenges she adapted and enabled us to have an amazing time so thank you. And to reinforce my thanks to Hafez, who organised our transport from Dunia to Orango and was the middle-man for our first few days. Went above and beyond.”

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Traveller from the UK

“I had such an amazing experience overall and what made it for me was the feeling of inclusion and being able to participate in everything with such a wonderful group of people, especially Madiama. ”

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Ramnit Bassi, UK

“Madiama is one of the best guides I have ever had. I am so glad I booked Senegal when my plan A Christmas trip was cancelled. It is maybe not a classic wow factor country, but it was a mellow, varied, colourful, sunny Christmas break. The incredible guide, driver and a lovely bonded group of 5 travellers made it extra special, thank you for a great trip.”

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Bernice Hird, USA

“Madiama was an excellent guide. Very knowledgeable, great sense of humour, he made sure we were taken care of and had fun. Could not have been better!”

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Traveller from the UK

“Great trip, great sightseeing and tribal experiences as well as great local rep. The itinerary was great and we also got to see an unexpected tribal ceremony in the Casamance part of Senegal. Another very agreeable surprise was a trip to Kayar, a large fishing village on the Atlantic Ocean coastline.”

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Dominic Turnbull, USA

“Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.”

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Bernice Hird, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

“Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise”

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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.”

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Traveller from the UK

Want to customise this tour?

Make Senegal and Guinea Bissau Explorer your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

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More to explore

More tours in Guinea-Bissau

Guinea Bissau – Archipelago Adventure

Guinea-Bissau is one of the smallest, and least visited, countries in Africa – few western travellers make it to this former Portuguese colony, but those that do return full of incredible experiences and memories of a stunning part of the continent. Starting in Bissau, we travel by boat to the magnificent Bijagos Islands – a group of islands where traditional culture is at its strongest and ancient customs still hold sway. We visit local communities to learn about their lifestyles, some of the most traditional on the continent. The joy of this small group Guinea-Bissau trip is the fact that you will be visiting an almost untouched corner of Africa; expect truly genuine encounters with local people and feel privileged to be one of the very few to have travelled here.

From

£3,295

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