In the Footsteps of the Traditions of Kalounaye and Fogny
Program
Day 1: Airport – Somone
Upon arrival of your flight, transfer to your hotel in La Somone. Dinner is not included and is at your leisure. Spend the night at Hotel Africa Queen or a similar accommodation.
Day 2: Somone – Diass Airport – Ziguinchor Airport – Ziguinchor
Breakfast. Transfer to Diass Airport for your flight to Ziguinchor (schedule to be determined based on availability).
At Ziguinchor Airport, a transfer will take you to your hotel, Kadiandoumagne or similar. Lunch is not included. Explore Ziguinchor, an old colonial town and a small capital founded in 1645 by the Portuguese and later taken over by the French. Visit the historical center with its Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Cathedral and Saint-Maur-des-Fossés Market. Have dinner at a restaurant in Ziguinchor and spend the night.
Day 3: Ziguinchor – Djilapao – Affiniam – Koubalan
Breakfast. Boat ride to explore various species of migratory birds: sacred ibis, flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, cormorants, serpent birds… We continue the journey to Djilapao Island, known for its peculiar two-story house, an artist’s home nestled in the midst of mangroves.
We sail towards Affiniam. Lunch will be served at Affiniam in a camp. Drive to Koubalang, located in the Kanoulayes area along a beautiful bolong (creek). Dinner and overnight stay at the village camp. Evening event with Ecoumba Karamba masks (the forest pig) dances.
Day 4: Koubalan – Koubanao – Kongoly – Bignona
Breakfast and departure to Koubanao, the first modern village in the Kalounayes area. Visit the village, continue to Kongoly: observing the bolongs (creeks) and rice fields along the way. Picnic under the palaver tree. In the afternoon, witness the dance of masks, a typical dance featuring different masks. For instance, the Kompo, a mythological character disguised in woven raffia leaves with a long stick on the head, dances like a whirlwind. The Kumpo is a traditional mythological figure of the Diola and Manding peoples in Casamance and Gambia. It represents both a mask and a moonlight dance to evoke the spirit that emerges from the forest where it resides. Another character is the Essamaye, disguised as a rice sack with a mask on the face, representing a one-handed figure. Continue to Bignona. Dinner and overnight stay at BBC Hotel or similar.
Day 5: Bignona – Baila – Kafountine
Breakfast. Visit the capital city of Fogny: Seni Camara’s pottery, the cultural center, and Badiane roundabout, an important figure in Casamance who was the first mayor of Bignona and originated the rebellion in 1972.
Continue to Baila, the birth village of the great architect Pierre Atépa Goudiaby. Lunch at the village camp. Visit the fruits and vegetables processing unit with the possibility to purchase handmade pots. Continue to Kafountine. Dinner and overnight stay at Kassoumaye Resort or similar. Traditional Diola dance evening.
Day 6: Kafountine – Abéné – Kafountine
Breakfast and departure for a visit to Kafountine, the prime fishing port in Casamance, its cultural center, and market. It’s a cosmopolitan village that gathers various ethnic groups, representing several African nationalities.
Then, head to Abéné to visit the intertwined six sacred fromager trees, a gathering place for women for traditional prayers. Lunch at a seaside restaurant. There’s an opportunity for a swim before returning to Kafountine. Dinner and overnight stay at Espéranto Lodge or similar.
Day 7: Kafountine – Kassel – Ziguinchor
Breakfast and departure for a canoe ride to the Kassel bird sanctuary, a remote island known for its ornithological breeding grounds hosting pelicans, Goliath and grey herons, cormorants, and large raptors like the fish eagle, along with a few surprises. Return to Kafountine. Lunch. Then proceed to Ziguinchor. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Flamboyant or similar.
Day 8: Ziguinchor – Ziguinchor Airport – Diass Airport – Saly
Breakfast and transfer to the airport. Arrival at Diass and transfer to Saly. Check-in at Hotel Royal Saly or similar. Lunch at the hotel. Free afternoon safari at the Bandia Reserve. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Royal Saly or similar
Day 9: Saly – Airport
Breakfast. Free morning. Lunch on your own (not included). Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.
End of our services.
Rates
Benefit from preferential rates negotiated with our partner (starting from – rates vary depending on the date).
For a personalized quote or any specific request, please fill out the contact form on the contact page.
- For 8 people in Double Rooms: € 890 net per person
- For 6 people in Double Rooms: € 1165 net per person
- For 4 people in Double Rooms: € 1315 net per person
- For 2 people in a Double Room: € 1500 net per person
- Single Supplement: € 200 net per person
These prices include:
- Accommodation as mentioned in the program
- Meals as specified in the program (full board from breakfast on day 2 to lunch on day 9)
- A vehicle at your disposal with a driver and fuel from day 2 to day 9
- Park entrances, visits, and excursions scheduled in the program
- Assistance of a driver-guide for 02-06 persons
- Necessary transfers
These prices do not include:
- Tips and personal expenses
- Airfare
- Optional excursions
- Lunches that are not included or left free
- Drinks during meals
- Supplements for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day