Adventure in the Bissagos Islands

On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, you’ll enjoy the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. Far from the effervescence of the city, Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as a place of remembrance, having once been a slave trade outpost. On the other side of the plateau, the wild Madeleine islands are protected by a national park.

Maio is a small island in Cape Verde, a volcanic archipelago nation off the coast of West Africa. It’s known for the sandy beaches around its main town of Vila do Maio and north, near the village of Morrinho. Santana Bay attracts nesting sea turtles. In a forested area of the west coast, Calheta is a fishing village with many colorful houses. The nearby village of Morro is popular for its handicrafts.

On Carache Island, you will visit Ampincha, a village with strong traditions. In the villages of the Bijagos Islands, animist traditions live on, punctuated by sacred rituals shrouded in mystery. For the Bidyogo, each natural element has a soul. These people’s greatest treasure is their environment: their canoes are carved out of the majestic kapok trees, their clothing is made from palm fibre, and their diet mainly consists of shells found in the mangrove and along the foreshore.

The private island of Kere is an unspoiled Eden, a one-hectare (two-acre) stretch of tropical forest in the heart of the Bissagos Islands. One original feature of this island is that a small, sustainable and fair-trade ecotourism business was developed upon it. On the island’s magnificent beach, a Frenchman has set up a business to show people around this exceptional natural environment or to take them out for some game fishing, particularly in search of tarpon, a fish weighing over a hundred kilos (220 pounds). The bungalows made from earth and straw blend into the idyllic setting and reflect the mindset of the islet’s owner: authentic and respectful of nature and people.

On Carache Island, you will visit Ampincha, a village with strong traditions. In the villages of the Bijagos Islands, animist traditions live on, punctuated by sacred rituals shrouded in mystery. For the Bidyogo, each natural element has a soul. These people’s greatest treasure is their environment: their canoes are carved out of the majestic kapok trees, their clothing is made from palm fibre, and their diet mainly consists of shells found in the mangrove and along the foreshore.

On the tip of the African continent, the buzzing capital of Senegal stretches along the narrow peninsula of Cape Verde. You may be overwhelmed by its sheer size, but Dakar will win you over with its richly diverse districts, appealing cultural scene and rich natural surroundings. In the historic centre, you’ll enjoy the pell-mell of colours and tasty delights in Kermel market. Far from the effervescence of the city, Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as a place of remembrance, having once been a slave trade outpost. On the other side of the plateau, the wild Madeleine islands are protected by a national park.