Visas are required for U.S. citizens to enter Mali and The Gambia. Senegal does not require U.S. citizens to have a visa for stays up to three months. Mali and The Gambia visas must be acquired before departure.
What vaccinations are required for travel to West Africa?
All travelers on this journey, regardless of nationality, are required to show evidence of yellow fever vaccination. The CDC recommends that all travelers to West Africa be up-to-date on vaccinations for measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT), poliovirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid; however, you should consult with your personal physician.
The best time to visit West Africa is October through March, with December and January being the most crowded. Mali is primarily desert and the climate is semitropical in the south and arid in the north. Senegal has well-defined dry and humid seasons. Dakar’s annual rainfall of about 24 inches occurs between June and October, when maximum temperatures average 82° F. In January and February, when we will be there, low temperatures average about 63° F. Rainfall increases substantially farther south, exceeding 60 inches annually in some areas. The Gambia is generally recognized to have a most agreeable climate. The weather is subtropical, with distinct dry and rainy seasons. From mid-November to mid-May, coastal areas are dry, while the rainy season lasts from June to October. Inland the cool season is shorter and daytime temperatures are very high between March and June. Sunny periods occur on most days even during the rainy season.
How active are IE’s West Africa travel packages?
A trip to West Africa is an active holiday that calls for good health. All excursions involve a fair amount of standing and quite a bit of walking, sometimes over rough or wet ground and sometimes uphill. Mobility is essential for climbing in and out of small local boats used for disembarkation at several ports of call during the cruise. In addition, pirogues (local West African boats) are used for daily excursions from the Pegasus. The pirogues are of varying size and design but most have sides and numerous thwarts, crossing the width of the boat from gunwale to gunwale. You should be mobile to get in an out of these crafts.
How much luggage can you take to West Africa?
We suggest you travel as light as possible. There are strict baggage allowances for our flights in West Africa. Each guest is limited to one suitcase (maximum of 55 lbs.) and one carry-on. Laundry services are available throughout your expedition at an additional cost anywhere we spend at least two nights, including onboard the Pegasus. Fees for overweight luggage are your responsibility should they be incurred.
