GYR- Rivers Of West Africa 2019-2020 cruise - Harmony V

GYR- Rivers Of West Africa 2019-2020 cruise - Harmony V

The M/Y HARMONY V is a 183 ½ ft-wide

elegant yacht and was rebuilt/launched in July

2009. The HARMONY V complies with

EUROSOLAS safety regulations, ISPS

(International Ships Port Safety Code) ISM,

(International Safety Management), while its

powerful engines, generators and state of the

art stabilizers will allow for safe and comfortable

cruising.

Service on board is provided by your Captain,

the Cruise Coordinator and your experienced

Marine and Hotel crew members. Service will be

attentive or unobtrusive according to your

requirements and priority is always given to the

safety and comfort of passengers. Organized

excursions are available for most ports of call

and can be pre-booked or reserved 24 hours in

advance.

Itinerary

Day 1: Dakar/ Senegal

Pass By: River Gambia National Park, Banjul Gambia
Late afternoon embarkation at 14:00-18:00. After dinner, we set sail southward towards the Saloun River Delta.

Overnight at sea, south along the coast.

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The 25 cabins of the M/Y HARMONY V are located

on the Main deck (9 cabins) and on the Upper

Deck (16 cabins).

Day 2: Djiffere/ Senegal- Banjul/ the Gambia

Stop At: Citta, Joal Fadiouth Senegal
This morning we reach the Sine – Saloun Delta in Senegal, an UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and also an Important

Birding Area, as designated by Birdlife International and natural habitat for many bird species but also such aquatic

animals as marine turtles, dolphins, West African manatees and crocodiles. Our Joal Fadiout optional excursion

starts at the fishing village of Djiffere from where we reach the village of Joal Fadiouth, set on an island of clam shells

that also are used in local buildings and crafts. In the afternoon, we leave Senegal and the Saloun Delta and sail south

to Gambia to reach Banjul, the capital of Gambia and gateway to the 700-mile Gambia River. 

Fishermen Night - Overnight in Banjul.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The 25 cabins of the M/Y HARMONY V are located

on the Main deck (9 cabins) and on the Upper

Deck (16 cabins).

Day 3: Banjul- Abuko Nature Reserves/ the Gambia

Stop At: Abuko Nature Reserve, 15 Miles South of Banjul Kombo North District, Banjul Gambia
The morning in Banjul will give you the opportunity to take the optional 1/2 day excursions offered to Bakau with its

crocodile "katchikaly", its Botanic Garden and a short Banjul Tour. Mid-afternoon, we leave Banjul and sail upstream to

Tendaba. We reach Tendaba late into the evening.

Mediterranean Night in Africa - Overnight at dock in Tendaba.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The 25 cabins of the M/Y HARMONY V are located

on the Main deck (9 cabins) and on the Upper

Deck (16 cabins).

Day 4: Tendaba/ the Gambia

Stop At: River Gambia National Park, Banjul Gambia
From the ship we take motor pirogues in order to reach Tendaba, located on the South Bank in the Lower River

Division, our starting point of our Tendaba morning optional excursion. It is a small fishing village of mainly Muslim

faith with approximately 600 inhabitants whose main occupation is fishing. From there we will walk through to Batelling,

a small village at the entrance to Kiang West National Park. The area boasts of over 250 species of birds; many of which

are difficult to observe anywhere else. Other residents include Guinea baboons, bushbuck, warthogs, Senegal bushbaby

and marsh mongoose. After a refreshing stop in Batelling, we will board an open safari truck which brings us back to

Tendaba. On the way we pass again local villages where you get an impression of local life in The Gambia. In the

afternoon, we are picked-up from the ship by motor pirogues for the afternoon Tendaba optional excursion to the

Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve. This reserve, lying across from Kiang West National Park features six major bolongs

(creeks) that provide great birding and boating opportunities. Numerous rare and migratory birds also reside here

including the Pel’s fishing owl, African fin foot and brown-necked parrot. Overnight docked in Tendaba.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The 25 cabins of the M/Y HARMONY V are located

on the Main deck (9 cabins) and on the Upper

Deck (16 cabins).

Day 5: Gambia River- Kuntaur- River Gambia National Park/ the Gambia

Stop At: River Gambia National Park, Banjul Gambia
Early morning we leave Tendaba and sail upstream on the Gambia River all morning to reach Kuntaur. Early afternoon

arrival to the bustling Gambian port town of Kuntaur, the last inland stop along the river that is navigable for ocean-

going ships. Later in the afternoon we board a large motor pirogue for a 3 hours optional excursion cruise on The

Gambia River. First we head to the southernmost tip of Baboon Island, one of the five islands of The Gambia National

Park. There a local national park ranger is joining us onboard in order to give more information about the park and its

fauna & flora. Then we turn, the motor pirogue slows down and sails slowly back to Kuntaur following closely the shores of Baboon Island. This island is home of the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project. If we are lucky from our motor pirogue

we can closely observe the chimps with minimal intrusion. There is also the possibility of seeing hippos, crocodiles, Red

Colobus, Green Vervet monkeys and also The Gambia’s famous birdlife.

We return to Kuntaur where we are met by the “Kankurang” and a local dance group on the pier. Believed to have

spiritual powers the “Kankurang” dispenses justice and wards off evil spirits.

Overnight docked in Kuntaur.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The 25 cabins of the M/Y HARMONY V are located

on the Main deck (9 cabins) and on the Upper

Deck (16 cabins).

Day 6: Kuntaur- Janjanbureh- Kaur/ the Gambia

Stop At: Janjanbureh Clinic, Janjanbureh, The Gambia
This morning, our optional excursion by bus takes us to the ferry station of Janjanbureh. There we board the

local ferry for a short cruise over The Gambia River to Janjanbureh. We continue our excursion with a visit of one of the

oldest towns of The Gambia, formerly called Georgetown. During the walk you get an impression of this laidback town

and see the residence of the governor, the market and the Methodist church with its school. Afterwards we take the

ferry back and re board the bus to reach Lamin Koto. Through the generosity of Variety Cruises and of many of its

clients, a new school building is being built. Later in the morning we stop at the mysterious stone circles in Wassu, a

megalithic site believed to be a burial ground thousands of years ago. You will visit the little museum of this

archaeological site, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. In the afternoon, after lunch, we sail downstream to Kaur a

small fishing village on the banks of the Gambia. You will have the opportunity to walk around this small community and

see how Gambians live today. In the evening we leave Kaur and sail downstream towards Banjul.

Captains Farewell Dinner
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The 25 cabins of the M/Y HARMONY V are located

on the Main deck (9 cabins) and on the Upper

Deck (16 cabins).

Day 7: Kunta Kinteh Island- Banjul / the Gambia

Stop At: River Gambia National Park, Banjul Gambia
This morning we anchor at St. James Island in the middle of the Gambia River, which was an important slave trading

post under the British rule in The Gambia. In 1976 James Island became famous due to the author Alex Haley and its

bestseller book "Roots" and the story of a slave, called Kunta Kinteh. The island is now called and is a UNESCO World

Cultural Heritage Site. Optional walking tour: After disembarking by local tenders your local guide will tell you more

about the history of James Island and afterwards you will have some time to explore this island by yourself. After lunch,

we leave "Kunta Kinteh" to reach Banjul around 4pm. After formalities, later in the evening, we will sail out of the

Gambia estuary into the Atlantic Ocean northwards to Dakar.

Gambian Night with Kora instrument Concert - Overnight at sea to Dakar.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The 25 cabins of the M/Y HARMONY V are located

on the Main deck (9 cabins) and on the Upper

Deck (16 cabins).

Day 8: Dakar/ Senegal

Stop At: The Kunta Kinte - Alex Haley Memorial, Sidewalk At City Dock, Annapolis, MD 21401-1808
Early morning arrival in Dakar. Disembarkation after breakfast.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.