DAY 1: Saint-Louis
The crew will meet you at 1 pm at the Hôtel La Résidence (or similar) for lunch. You will then go to the quay for embarkation at 3 pm. After dropping off your belongings in your cabin and taking a short tour of the boat, you will set off on a horse-drawn carriage tour of the city of Saint-Louis. The former capital of the country, this city is also nicknamed "African Venice" because it is surrounded by water. You'll have the chance to see the town hall, the Palais de Justice, the famous Faidherbe Bridge, and the fishermen's quarter. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 2: Saint-Louis - Diama - Tiguet (the Djoudj)
You will cruise the river's waters as far as the Diama dam, which prevents the salt water from rising. Step out onto the bridge to observe the delicate manoeuvre of passing through the very narrow lock. After lunch on the boat, you'll set off again along the Diouling reserve, where you can spot many species of birds. You will then board a pirogue to explore the third largest ornithological reserve in the world: the Djoudj National Park. Here you will see millions of wintering birds, including pelicans and pink flamingos. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 3: Tiguet (the Djoudj) - Richard-Toll
You continue your cruise upriver. You'll see rice-growing areas and a few warthogs and pass Rosso, a border town between Senegal and Mauritania where people, animals and vehicles cross by pirogue and ferry. You will have lunch on board. In the afternoon, you will visit Richard-Toll and its Compagnie Sucrière Sénégalaise sugar cane factory, the town's main source of income, covering 10,000 hectares. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 4: Richard-Toll - Dagana
Today, you'll head for Dagana. After breakfast, you will be given a Senegalese cookery workshop. At lunch, you'll enjoy a traditional meal under mango and palm trees: rice with fish or "tiep bou dien". You will board the dinghy to go to the Wolof village of Dagana, known as the "Capital of Walo", a former trading post in colonial times. There you will visit the dye works, the market and the school. To round off this wonderful day, you'll stop off at the Fort de Dagana, renovated as a hotel establishment, where you can enjoy a magnificent pool by the river while sipping a glass of local drink. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 5: Dagana - Thiangaye
This morning you'll head to the riverbank for a walk (around 2 hours round trip) through the Goumel forest. You will discover a traditional Peulh village with oblong huts. You'll then set sail again to enter the heart of the African Sahel in the Toucouleur Kingdom, where you'll be treated to some stunning scenery. After lunch, you will stop off at the Toucouleur villages, built entirely with mud, which are the oldest villages on the river. In the evening, we depart for a mechoui dinner on the banks of the river by hurricane lamp. Night on board.

DAY 6: Thiangaye - Podor
Your journey continues toward Podor, where you will cruise along the river all morning. After lunch, disembark in Podor, a former trading post from the French colonial era. Admire the pretty shophouses lining the quays and immerse yourself in the town's history as you listen to your guide. At the end of the afternoon, you'll visit the old trading posts of the Cour du Fleuve and the Auberge du Tekrour and head for the Fort de Podor. You can also visit the market and stroll through the peaceful streets. Dinner and overnight on board.

DAY 7: Podor - Saint-Louis
This is the end of your cruise, and you will disembark on land after a final breakfast on board. You will be transferred from Podor to Saint-Louis by bus.

Please note:

• Depending on departure dates, the itinerary will be in reverse: transfer by bus from Saint-Louis to Podor, embarkation in Podor and disembarkation in Saint-Louis.

• Departing from Podor, there will be no lunch on Day 1.