Dakar

Dakar is full of colours, music, friendly locals and lively markets with a beautiful fragrance. The best way to get around the city is by taxi. Although, between the shops and colourful houses, it is very easy to get lost in the streets of the Medina or Plateau. And with lots of beautiful beaches, don’t forget to soak up the sun! However, with a wide range of wild animals- including hippos, elephants and buffalos- you might want to head to the Niokolo Koba Park as well! 

After all the liveliness of the city, you might want to head to one of Senegal’s nature reserves. Accounting for more than 8% of the country, these beautiful sports are home to a wide array of protected flora and fauna. If you love birds, then the Djoudj National Park is for you. With more than 3 million bird nests, it’s the perfect place for a spot of birdwatching!

Just off the coast of Senegal, Goré Island is steeped in rich history. It was on this island that tens of thousands of slaves were taken prisoner before being forcibly transported to the United States. You will get a much better understanding of the daily lives of the thousands of victims by visiting the Slave House.

A few kilometres north of the capital, you’ll find the country’s leading tourist destination: a lake with salty, pink water. With a higher salt concentration than the Dea Sea, it's advisable to only spend a few minutes in the water before rising off with French water. To see the lake at its best, plan your outing for a day of bright sunshine. You can also use this stopover to explore the dunes that separate Lac Rose from the ocean.