Senegal and Gambia combined represent around a fourth of the genetic and cultural heritage of African Americans living today. From St. Louis, Goree and James Island came a talented and artistic people with culinary gifts that echo across the Atlantic world to this day. Senegalese culture draws from ancient West Africa, the Islamic world, French colonial influence and Vietnamese and Lebanese immigrants. But at its heart it is home to the Serer, the Wolof, the Lebu and Fulani, the Bassari and many others. Dakar is a thriving international city, with a huge academic community, deep spiritual roots and stunning views of the sea representing contemporary Africa at it’s most vibrant and diverse.

Gambia, “the smile of Senegal” is home to many of the same ethnic groups but also home to the Mandinka, one of many Mande peoples that spread out from the old Mali Empire, one of the richest kingdoms in history. The Mandinka were the people of Alex Haley’s ancestor Kunta Kinte, who he immortalized in his Pulitzer prize winning book Roots. Gambia boasts festivals welcoming African Americans and Black Diasporans from across the world back home to celebrate our roots and branches.

Senegambia is an incredible food destination with incomparable seafood and a mixture of food traditions only Senegal could boast from spring rolls to shawarma to baguettes and fried rice. However, it is the national dishes of Senegal that sing…thieouboudienne…fish cooked with savory vegetables served over rice or yassa au poulet, grilled chicken stewed with a lemony sauce and mafé, a sauce used with various proteins and vegetables based on the abundant cultivation of peanuts and dibi–Senegal’s incomparable barbecue tradition. In Gambia we see the beginning of the Jolof rice belt, here known as benachin, as well as British influences and superb chicken and groundnut stew.

We will be sampling all of these tasty dishes while visiting markets, eating roadside food like akara and fried plantain, buying pink salt from a pink lake and watching Fulani herdsman range their cattle. We will see the fish come in, learn how they are smoked and preserved and see shellfish so big they look prehistoric! From rice to millet to fonio we will see how the staple grains center the diet but also how immigrant communities have changed the Senegambian palate. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the culinary and cultural scene that influenced the food of the black Chesapeake, Lowcountry, Louisiana, Haiti and Brazil.

The dates for this tour are from March 7 – March 16, 2020.

9 Days
This Tour will include visits to:
Dakar
The Gambia

The Costs are: $3600 (double) $3800 (single)
Includes: Roudtrip Airfair to Senegal. Transportation in air conditioned bus in and around Senegambia, 2 meals per day, hotel accomodations, gift

Not Included:
Visa fee for the Gambia
Vaccinations (yellow fever vaccine is mandatory)
Transportation to Washington DC
Spending money
Gratuity of $100
Camera fee for some attractions
Insurance

A deposit of $500 is due at the time of registration. The deposit is refundable only within 30 days of initial deposit.

Another payment of $1600 is due on October 1, 2019. The balance of $1500 is due January 1, 2019.If using Paypal, there is a fee of 4% which will be collected at the final payment.

Payments can be made by check or money order to Roots to Glory Tours P.O. Box 92, Stevenson, MD 21153.

Prices are not guaranteed after the payment due date.

PAYMENT PLAN OPTION:

PAYMENT PLAN IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO roots@rootstoglory.com

THE DEPOSIT OF $500 IS REFUNDABLE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PAYMENT ONLY. WE STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT YOU PURCHASE TRIP INSURANCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE ONCE THE AIRLINE TICKETS ARE PURCHASED THERE WILL BE NO REFUND. www.squaremouth.com for insurance.

You can contact us at roots@rootstoglory.com or 410-429-0804.

*Our tours require a moderate amount of walking. Our tours are not recommended for people with serious medical or mobility challenges.