Return to the Sea

A Sankofa Sojourn to South Carolina’s Sacred Islands

This October, walk the shores of the Sea Islands—home of the Gullah-Geechee people—and reconnect with your roots through healing, heritage, and remembrance.

About The Trip

This isn’t just a trip—it’s a sacred return. The land remembers. The water remembers. Now it’s time for you to remember too.” — Gina, Lead Sojourner

Meet Your Guide

Gina Diouf – Lead Sojourner

I created Sankofa Sojourns to help people reconnect to their truth. The Sea Islands have stories to tell—stories of resistance, of healing, and of remembrance. I’ll be with you every step of the way as we walk back through history to reclaim our power.

Reclaim What Was Never Lost

You’ve done everything they told you to do—but something still feels missing. You’re ready to reconnect with your deeper story. This Sojourn isn’t about escape—it’s about returning to your ancestral strength.

We guide you every step of the way with a structured, safe, and spiritually aligned experience that honors the legacy you come from.

Pre-trip orientation & journaling guide

Cultural grounding sessions

Safe, secure accommodations + logistics handled

This Is the History Textbooks Forgot.

You want more than photo ops—you want perspective, meaning, and stories that stay with you long after you return home. Our Sea Islands Sojourn is for those who crave cultural depth, ethical tourism, and meaningful connection.

Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and living history of the Gullah-Geechee culture.

Walk historical paths with Gullah guides

Eat traditional cuisine prepared by local chefs

Engage with the art, language, and resistance of our ancestors

You’ve Held So Much. Now It’s Time to Let Go.

This Sojourn is your sacred space to release, reflect, and renew. We understand the quiet burden of being the strong one, and we’re holding space for you to soften, breathe, and heal.

This is your time to stop surviving and start transforming.

🧘🏾‍♀️ Gentle movement & meditation
📝 Reflective journaling + group healing circles
🏝️ A nurturing schedule with room to rest

Your Sojourn Experience Includes

✔ 5 Days, 4 Nights on the South Carolina Sea Islands

✔ Visits to historic Gullah-Geechee communities

✔ Cultural immersion with elders, chefs, and historians

✔ Guided rituals, meditation, and journaling sessions

✔ Private transportation to all activities

✔ All accommodations + most meals included

✔ Community, healing, and support

Historical Locations

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston was one of the main ports of entry for enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade, with an estimated 40% of all African Americans tracing ancestry to those who passed through its docks. The city's streets carry the weight of centuries of struggle and resistance, from the historic Mother Emanuel AME Church to the legacy of Denmark Vesey and the vibrant preservation of Gullah culture. Charleston is a cornerstone in understanding the African American experience in the United States.

Saint Helena Island, South Carolina

Saint Helena Island is a cradle of Gullah-Geechee culture, where the descendants of enslaved Africans preserved their African language, cuisine, crafts, and spirituality in remarkable ways. After the Civil War, it became one of the first places where freed people owned land and formed self-sustaining communities. The island is also home to the historic Penn Center, one of the earliest schools for formerly enslaved people, and a meeting place for Civil Rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Oyotunji African Village, South Carolina

Founded in 1970, Oyotunji African Village is a sovereign community built to revive and live out Yoruba traditions from West Africa. Created by African Americans seeking spiritual and cultural reconnection, the village is a bold statement of self-determination, Pan-African identity, and cultural pride. It stands as a living symbol of resistance to assimilation and a celebration of ancestral heritage, with rituals, language, and governance rooted in traditional African systems.

What time is check-in and check-out?

Check-in is typically between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, while check-out is by 11:00 AM. If you need to arrive earlier or leave later, please contact us, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes, we are happy to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences. Please let us know in advance if you have any specific needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or any food allergies, so we can prepare a breakfast that suits you.

Are children and pets allowed?

Our Bed and Breakfast is family-friendly and welcomes children. We also have specific rooms that are pet-friendly. Please inform us ahead of time if you plan to bring a pet so we can ensure the appropriate accommodations are available.

What amenities are included with my stay?

Your stay includes a complimentary homemade breakfast, free Wi-Fi, on-site parking, and access to our communal areas, including the garden and lounge. Each room is equipped with comfortable bedding, toiletries, and coffee/tea-making facilities.