The Best of Senegal
The Best of Senegal
The Best of Senegal
Perched on Africa’s western-most tip, shaded by Mauritania to its north, gazed at admiringly by little Guinea Bissau to its south, with the endless Atlantic ocean to its west, the welcome here in Senegal is as warn as it is peaceful. Visitors usually arrive in the vibrant capital city of Dakar, which will tempt you to spend all your time here. But whether you go north towards Saint Louis, the former French colonial capital that is now Senegal’s cultural center and a UNESCO World Heritage site, south towards Cap Skirring with its endless lonely beaches, or to any of Senegal’s sparsely populated regions, resist Dakar’s temptation and see at least some of the less urban Senegal. This tour takes you to some of the must-see sites in Senegal including vibrant, metropolitan Dakar, the UNESCO world heritage site Goree Island, the natural phenomenon that is Pink Lake with its hardworking salt harvesters, the former colonial capital Saint Louis, home to the internationally famous annual Saint Louis Jazz Festival, Djoudj National Park , with its world famous bird sanctuary, the holy city of Touba-Africa’s Vatican city, the twin cities of Joal-Fadiouth, with its shell island and harmonious coexisting multi-ethnic, multi-religious rural villages. Visit Bandia Game reserve to see some of West Africa’s last surviving large wildlife and end the tour at Saly Beach resort where you can bask on the white sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean.
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Trip Itinerary
Start and end in Dakar! With the In-depth Cultural tour The Best of Senegal,8 Days, you have a 8 days tour package taking you through Dakar, Senegal and 10 other destinations in Senegal. The Best of Senegal,8 Days includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more.
Arrive Dakar. You will be met, assisted and transferred to your hotel. Today’s activities will be determined based on your arrival time. You may relax and unwind or start the tour of Dakar and vicinity. Overnight at Hotel Ndiambour
This morning take a 20-minute ferry ride to Gorée Island. The tour includes a visit to the ethnographic museum and a lecture by the curator on the history of the Goree, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon return to Dakar and go on a city tour. Visit the colourful markets including Tilen Market, famous for a variety of medicinal herbs and traditional healers. Stop by Dakar’s grand Mosque, the Presidential Palace, and the Artisans Market. Meals included: Breakfast Overnight at Hotel Ndiambour.
After breakfast depart to Saint Louis located in the north of Senegal. En route take a tour of Pink Lake, a rare natural phenomenon caused by a unique combination of microorganism and high concentration of salts which gives the lake its pink colour. Interact with the women harvesting salt. Visit the Fulani village where you may be welcomed by the Chief. Continue to Saint Louis, Senegal’s former colonial capital. Early evening go on a city tour of Saint Louis and explore the narrow streets flanked by houses with carved wooden balconies and verandas and stop by the vibrant fisshing village of Guet Ndar. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight at Mermoz
After breakfast, visit the Djoudj National Bird Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the world. Situated on a major palearctic migratory route, this park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Some of the world’s greatest concentrations of white pelicans and amingos can be seen here: up to 10,000 species. Enjoy a pirogue ride to better view the many species of cormorants, pelicans, ducks, flamingos, various songbirds and more. You may also see crocodiles, boas, boars and other wildlife. Complete your city tour of Saint Louis. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight at Mermoz
After breakfast drive to Sine Saloum located in a beautiful wild nature. Stop on the way to visit Touba, the holy city of Mouride brotherhood. Get to Ndagane and have a cruise through the mangroove . Get to your hotel and overnight. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight at Hotel Les Cordons Bleus
After breakfast, depart to Joal Fadiouth visiting en route the central market of Mbour. Continue to Joal, made famous partly because it is the birth place of Senegal’s first President Leopold Senghor. Visit the sh market and observe the lively daily activities. Visit the Senghor museum. Con continue to the traditional Serere village of Fadiouth where you will observe the cathedral, the market place, the sacred Baobab tree and the famous cemetery where Muslims, Christians and Animists are buried. Continue to Saly beach resort with stops at small villages. Arrive in time to enjoy the beach before nightfall. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight at Royam Saly
This morning travel to Bandia National Park for a safari. Bandia Game Reserve is located in a 3500-hectare wide conservation area. Here you will see numerous species native to Senegal including: buffalos, antelopes, impala gazelles, monkeys, tortoises and crocodile in addition to white rhinoceros, kudu, elands, cape moose, giraffes, ostriches, zebras. Stop by the crocodile pool where animals come to drink and buffalos wallow in the mud. You will see numerous bird species including the small hornbills, grey heron, eagles, blackbirds and kingshers. The Bandia wildlife reserve has succeeded in reintroducing much of the marvellous native ora and fauna that are unique to West Africa and had gradually disappeared due to demographic pressure and poaching. Early evening return to Saly Beach Resort. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight at Royam Saly.
With the assistance of your driver and guide decide on your excursions and activities before you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight Meals included: Breakfast End point Blaise Diagne International Airport, Dakar, Senegal.