The Rivers of West Africa Discover Gorée Island and the Charm, Culture & Wildlife of the Gambia River on board Harmony V • January 20–February 1, 2015
We invite you to join Lyn Mair, our naturalist enormous number of birds, from white-faced from South Africa, as she returns to West Africa whistling duck to storks, egrets, ibis, and pelicans, to lead our group on board the 25-cabin motor as well as manatees, crocodiles, and monkeys. yacht Harmony V. This trip gives us a way to We will continue upriver to Kuntaur and explore a part of the world most of us have Janjanbureh (historic Georgetown), a sleepy not seen, in all of the comfort of Harmony V. former colonial administrative center. We will The trip will begin with a pretrip to Dakar to visit villages, and motor by pirogue on the river. visit Gorée Island, an historic point where slaves See African dance groups and learn about their were shipped to the American Continent, now instruments and music. a memorial with excellent museums. This will be a We will also visit Lac Rose, just north of Dakar, terrific adventure which is famous for its pink color (due to algae) to a special part of and as the end point of the famous Paris to Dakar the world! Road Race. We will explore on camels or dune We hope you buggies, and have lunch under an open African will join us and tent with traditional music. take advantage of On board M/Y Harmony V, we will explore the this opportunity! Sine-Saloun Delta, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and an important area for breeding waterbirds, including 30,000 pairs of royal terns. Margaret Betchart We will then sail south to explore the 700-mile- President, Betchart long Gambia River, including Banjul, the capital Expeditions Inc. of The Gambia, and historic St. James Island as For AAAS Travels, we proceed up the Gambia River. Sigma Xi & ACS Our journey on the Gambia River will include Expeditions the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve, with an Itinerary Days 1/2 Washington Dulles to Dakar Depart Washington Dulles Int’l. Airport in late afternoon for Dakar, Senegal. Arrive on the morning of Day 2. Transfer to our Hotel (3 nights). Enjoy a welcome lunch and afternoon at leisure. (L) Day 3 Dakar – Lac Rose This morning, we will travel an hour from Dakar to visit the famous Lac Rose, which is north of the Cap Vert peninsula of Senegal. Lac Rose is the ending point of the famous Paris–Dakar Rally, and is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by sand dunes. We will enjoy buggy or camel rides here, with entertainment by African drums, and lunch under a than 540 species traditional tent. (B,L) are found in the park. It is the Day 4 Gorée Island habitat of many Today we will have a full day water birds, excursion to Gorée Island which including white- lies 3 km off the coast of Senegal. faced whistling From the 15th to 19th centuries, it duck, storks, was one of several trading points egrets, herons, on the African Coast for slaves being ibis, pelicans, and sent to the American Continent. We darters. The West will learn about the history and have African manatee a guided visit including the House of and Nile crocodile Slaves, which was reconstructed as are found here, as a museum and memorial. (B,L) are monkeys and Day 5 IFAN Museum of African baboons. (B,L,D) Arts & Board Harmony V leave Senegal and the Saloun Delta, Day 9 Gambia River – Kuntaur Today we will visit the IFAN Museum and sail south to Gambia to reach – River Gambia National Park of African Arts for a special tour and Banjul, the capital, and gateway to This morning we will sail upstream lecture. We will see original African the 700-mile Gambia River. (B,L,D) all morning to reach Kuntaur, a artifacts from the entire continent. Day 7 Banjul City Tour bustling Gambia port town. This is Then embark the Harmony V in & Bakau/the Gambia the last inland stop that is navigable mid‑afternoon and begin our cruise This morning, we’ll explore Banjul for ocean-going ships. In the after on the rivers of West Africa. After including its crocodile “katchikaly,” dinner, sail south towards the Saloun botanic garden, and the city. After River Delta. (B,D) lunch, we will sail upstream. We will Day 6 Djiffere – stop at St. James Island in the middle Banjul/the Gambia of the Gambia River. Disembark in The morning, we will reach the Sine- local tenders and learn more about Saloun Delta in Senegal, a UNESCO the history of James Island with time to Biosphere Reserve and important explore on your own. In late afternoon, birding area, particularly for migrating sail upstream for Tendaba. (B,L,D) water birds. Over 30,000 pairs of royal Day 8 Tendaba/the Gambia – terns breed here. Our excursion Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve starts at the primitive fishing village of From the ship, we will take motor Djiffere. We will head for the village of pirogues to reach Tendaba, on the Joal Dafiouth. In the afternoon, we south bank in the lower river division. We will walk through to Batelling, a small village at the entrance to Kiang West National Park. Then board open safari trucks to return to Tendaba. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve which protects an enormous number of birds. More & SIGMTHE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHA XSOCIETYI & ACS Expeditions
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AAAS Travels, Sigma Xi & ACS Expeditions. Expeditions. ACS & Xi Sigma Travels, AAAS expenses quarantine, expenses reserve to substitute another leader of similar the right only for the time stated. We expertise or reservecase the the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which entire Responsibility: and the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Society, Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research act only as agents for the passenger with respect to American Chemical Society (ACS) we can assume transportation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. However, no services the reserved be tariffs and rates, time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current and participants. Operation of It is understood that the air ticket when Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. issued The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, during Betchart Expeditions Inc. ©2014 All rights reserved. Map by April Milne. ___ Cat C: $5,495 ___ Cat A: $6,095
Photographs courtesy of Edie Barschi, and Lyn Mair, Cruises. Variety Please Mail To: AAAS the Twin
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Arrive in Dakar this morning and early in the morning Leave Kaur will then ferry back and board We excursion by This morning our Janjanbureh (Georgetown) Janjanbureh (Georgetown) Gambia – Kaur/the Dulles Int’l. Arrive Washington at 6:25 a.m. (B) Airport Day 13 Evening transfer to the airport Park. for your return flight to the USA. have a day to explore Bandia Safari Days 12/13 on concert. (B,L,D) and sail further downstream towards Banjul. Have a special Gambian Night
Day 11 Dinner in celebration of our Farewell voyage. (B,L,D) small fishing village on the banks of the Gambia. Enjoy the Captain’s After the bus to reach Lamin Koto. a lunch, sail downstream to Kaur,
22 km north center. former colonial administrative stone circles are found The Wassu the Island one of the (formerly Georgetown), oldest towns of we will board the Janjanbureh. There local ferry to cruise to Janjanbureh ferrybus takes us to the station of
Day 10 and dispenses justice “Kankurang” evil spirits. (B,L,D) wards off The group on the pier. local dance where we will Kuntaur, Return to and a the “Kankurang” be met by pirogue large motor board a noon, River. on the Gambia for an excursion AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435
FIRST CLASS
Explore the Rivers of WEST AFRICA! January 20–February 1, 2015
adventure for travelers in good health Air Fare & Airline Ticketing: who would like to explore an intriguing Air fare quoted is based on a group fare with Costs & Conditions part of the African world. (No smoking in South African Airways from Washington Expedition Fee: Is based on twin share vehicles, during lectures, or meals.) Dulles to Dakar, round trip. AIR FARES per person (depending on cabin category) Expedition Fee Includes: ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND FUEL for 13 days plus group air are of $1,595 Land transportation as described; group SURCHARGE. including tax with South African Airways airport transfers; accommodations twin Reservations, Deposits from Washington to Dakar, RT. share; meals as indicated; entrance fees, and Payments: To reserve a place on Category C...... $5,495 baggage handling, leadership, this expedition, please mail the completed administration. Category B...... $5,795 reservation form with a deposit of $1,000 Expedition Fee Does Not Include: per person to: Category A...... $6,095 International air fare (quoted separately); The Rivers of West Africa 2015 Category P...... $6,495 tips on board ship; gratuity to expedition Betchart Expeditions Inc. Port charges $300. leader; personal items such as laundry, 17050 Montebello Road phone calls, alcoholic beverages, snacks, Single Supplement is $150% of the cabin Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 bottled water, passport, excess baggage rate. We encourage all singles to bring a charges, personal insurance. The balance is due 90 days before departure roommate, or we may be able to pair you (October 20, 2014). up with one. M/Y Harmony V: Accommodates 50 guests in comfortable Questions: What to Expect: An exceptional explora twin share cabins with double or twin Please call Taunya DeYoung at tion of the Dakar—Sine/Saloun Delta area, beds and private facilities. There is a Betchart Expeditions Inc. and the Gambia River, traveling on board the comfortable lounge, well-stocked library, comfortable 50 passenger M/Y Harmony V. and ocean view dining in a spacious Phone: (800) 252-4910 (USA) Enjoy excursions to cultural and natural restaurant area. or: (408) 252- 4910 (Int’l.) points of interest, including Gorée Island, a Fax: (408) 252-1444 memorial to the African slave trade with E-mail: excellent museums, the Sine/Saloun [email protected] UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve, with a profusion Cancellations & Refunds: of birdlife, monkeys, and more. The The initial deposit for the expedition itinerary includes Dakar and Banjul, the is refundable up to 90 days before capital of The Gambia, plus village visits, departure less a handling fee of $100 excursions by pirogue, and African per person. There will be no refund for dance groups, instruments, and music, any cancellation after the 90-day period with leadership by an excellent Betchart unless your place can be resold, then naturalist. Typically, it will be in the 80’s only the $100 handling fee will be with moderate humidity; it will be the dry withheld. There are no refunds for season, though there could be some rain. unused meals, accommodations, If you have any questions, please consult or other expedition features. your physician. This expedition will be an