Introducing Senegal – 6 Days

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN DAKAR, SENEGAL

Upon arrival at Blaise Diagne International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed, escorted, and transferred to your hotel in Dakar for check-in. Your tour guide will provide a brief overview of what to expect during your stay.

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing and exploring at your own pace

Hotel: Novotel Dakar

DAY 2: DAKAR – GOREE – DAKAR

Following breakfast, we will embark on a magnificent drive through Dakar’s city center, passing by Independence Square, the Presidential Palace, and the main cathedral. Our journey continues to Soumbedioune market and the Mosque de la Revelation, showcasing the contrast between upscale residential areas and bustling neighborhoods.

Visit the lively Kermel market, renowned for its fresh vegetables and seafood, or Tillem market, where you can browse textiles and a variety of local goods. Next, explore two of Dakar’s iconic landmarks: the Monument de la Renaissance Africaine, the tallest statue in West Africa, and the expansive Museum of Black Civilization.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll take a short drive to the port and cruise to the famous Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its role as a significant slave transit station. Delve into the curator’s insights on West African slavery and the conditions faced by slaves on Goree Island, including a visit to the House of Slaves and its poignant “Door of No Return.” Wander the island’s streets, interacting with local artisans who craft and sell various items.

Return to Dakar, where our driver will meet you and transfer you back to your accommodation. Refresh and enjoy dinner at a neighborhood restaurant, sampling delicious Senegalese cuisine and beverages.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Hotel: Novotel Dakar

DAY 3: DAKAR – PINK LAKE – BANDIA – SALY

After breakfast, we will drive to Pink Lake, an extraordinary natural wonder isolated from the Atlantic Ocean by thin sand dunes. The lake’s distinctive pink hue is attributed to the presence of Artemia Salina bacteria and its exceptionally high salt concentration (380g/L), making it 11 times saltier than the Atlantic Ocean and second only to the Dead Sea in salinity. The lake’s color varies from pale mauve to deep pink depending on seasonal factors and sunlight exposure. Here, you can interact with salt harvesters and even swim or float in its shallow, 1.5-meter-deep waters. For adventure enthusiasts, there’s the option to explore the sand dunes and shoreline by quads, buggies, or Jeeps. Enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants before continuing our journey.

Next, we will take a short trip to Bandia National Park, nestled in a classified forest spanning over 2,000 hectares. Embark on a three-hour safari through Baobab and acacia woodlands to observe a variety of herbivorous wildlife including buffalos, antelopes, impalas, gazelles, elands, kudu, giraffes, rhinos, monkeys, and zebras. Keep an eye out for bird species such as little hornbills, eagles, vultures, kingfishers, and grey herons. During our visit, we will also explore a rare Baobab tree that serves as an archaeological site, known as the Griots’ Grave. Griots were caste individuals who were storytellers, drummers, and singers, and were traditionally buried within the hollows of Baobab trees. Learn more about these fascinating individuals from our local guide.

Before heading to Saly beach, we will stop for a refreshing drink at a tavern along the crocodile river.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Hotel : Palm Beach

DAY 4: BUSH AFRICAN MARKET – VILLAGES DISCOVERY

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic drive through rural Senegal, immersing yourself in the daily lives of its people. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with locals and gain insights into their traditions and daily routines. Our journey will take us through a Serrere village, inhabited by a predominantly Christian ethnic group who also maintain traditional beliefs and act as custodians of sacred woodlands.

Visit the famous Baobab tree in Fadial and continue our exploration in search of a Fulani or Peulh nomadic settlement. The Fulani people, found across several African countries, are primarily nomadic herders, constantly seeking pasture and water for their livestock.

We’ll make stops at additional points of interest, such as a local weekly market, known as the African Bush Market, and perhaps a visit to a local school to learn about education in rural Senegal.

On our way back to your accommodation, we’ll visit Mbour’s bustling fishing port, the largest in the country. Take a stroll through its lively open-air Souk (market) before heading back to the resort.

Hotel: Palm Beach
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

DAY 5: SALY – JOAL FADIOUTH – SOMONE – SALY

After breakfast, we will drive to Joal Fadiouth, starting in Joal, a historic 16th-century Portuguese trading port and the birthplace of poet Léopold Senghor, Senegal’s first president. Learn about Senghor’s family history and Senegal’s rich cultural heritage at the Senghor complex, now a museum.

Next, we’ll cross a wooden bridge to Fadiouth, also known as Shell Island. Wander through its quaint streets, stopping to interact with local residents. Cross another bridge to visit the mixed cemetery, a poignant symbol of religious tolerance where Christians, Muslims, and Animists are buried side by side.

Our final stop in Fadiouth will be the millet granaries on stilts within the mangrove forest.

After lunch, we’ll return to Saly and embark on a sail across the Somone Lagoon, enjoying the scenic views and birdwatching opportunities.

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Hotel : Palm Beach

DAY 6: SALY – DEPART