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Vacation in Dakar
A land of shared riches
With its rich nature, wild animals, bush villages and fine sandy beaches, Senegal is the perfect place to discover the African continent! Senegal boasts a variety of unique landscapes and ecosystems, from desert landscapes, such as the impressive Saint-Louis region in the north, to dense forests, mountains and the vast coastline.
Beyond its picture-postcard views, Senegal has a rich cultural and historical heritage. Some of its monuments, such as the megaliths of Wassu, date back to the prehistoric era, while others, such as the Maison Rose in Saint-Louis, date back to the colonial period. During your holiday, you can also discover Senegalese cuisine, one of the most famous in Africa.
A major seaport and a hub of economic and cultural activity
Located at the westernmost point of the African continent, on the Cape Verde peninsula, the Senegalese capital Dakar is characterised by its rich cultural mix and architectural diversity. In this dynamic and rapidly changing city, you can experience the authenticity of the popular districts of Medina, Yoff or Patte d'Oie. Dakar is known above all for its wonderful markets, such as Sandaga, with its sumptuous neo-Sudanese architecture, which is worth a visit in itself, or Thilène, known for its local fruit and witchcraft items. Finally, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can discover the charming island of Gorée, which lies just a few kilometres from Dakar and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An ideal starting point for numerous explorations
Thiès is one of the fourteen administrative regions of Senegal. Despite its modest size, it is the most populous region in the country after Dakar. It has two coastlines – the Grande-Côte in the north and the Petite-Côte in the south, which is one of the most tourist-oriented areas in Senegal. There are several seaside resorts in Thiès, such as Pointe Sarène, Somone, Saly and Nianing, each of which has its own particular charm and boasts unique natural landscapes between beaches, small villages and nature reserves. Staying in Thiès also makes it easy to explore the west of the country. You can reach the capital, Dakar, fairly quickly, but Thiès is also a good starting point for visiting key attractions such as the shell island, the Bandia reserve, and the island of Gorée.
Hotel areas
14.716677, -17.467686
Pointe Sarène
The seaside resort of Pointe Sarène is a haven of peace. This is no coincidence, as Pointe Sarène means "serene point" in French. Visitors can enjoy this heavenly half-moon shaped bay, covered with 110 hectares of fine sand. It's an ideal place to recharge your batteries, far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. Distance from the airport: 50 km.
Somone
Somone is a small seaside resort located on the Petite-Côte, 77 kilometres from Dakar. It boasts beautiful sandy beaches surrounded by greenery, but it is also known for its magnificent lagoon in the middle of a nature reserve. Throughout the year, you can observe a wide variety of bird species here, such as pelicans, herons, egrets and pink flamingos. Distance from the airport: 33 km.
Saly
Saly, a former Portuguese trading post, has taken advantage of the tourism boom in Senegal to become one of the country's most popular beach resorts. There is so much to do and see here – be enchanted by its paradisiacal landscapes and beautiful palm-fringed beaches, or discover its streets full of small craft shops and local restaurants and bars. For lovers of authentic culture, inland excursions, such as to the handicraft market of M'bour, are a must. The region is also known as a destination for sport fishing and attracts many enthusiasts each year. Distance from the airport: 27 km.
Must-do & Must-see - our suggestions
Must-do
- Are you a backpacker at heart? Then head off on an adventure in one of the many parks or nature reserves in the country. In the Bandia reserve, south of Thiès, you can admire large African mammals that have been reintroduced after nearly becoming extinct. A magical activity for all ages!
- The immaculate landscape of the Siné-Saloum delta provides a fascinating backdrop for a pirogue trip through its ecosystems, which are home to a multitude of animal and plant species.
- From Dakar, you can book a two-day getaway to the Lompoul desert. Go for a walk (and surf!) on the dunes, ride a camel, enjoy a traditional meal and a night in a Khaïma, the traditional tent used by nomads in arid desert areas.
Must-see
- The island of Gorée, accessible by boat from Dakar, is a must-see during your visit to Senegal. This small pedestrianised piece of land is popular with tourists for its poignant history as a central point of the slave trade. Visit the House of Slaves to learn more about this place and its symbolic importance.
- At the end of the day, head to the beautiful Yoff beach. Every day, fishing boats return loaded with fish that are sold on the beach, and you can even watch a wrestling display.
- It goes without saying that a visit to the capital, Dakar, is a must. This cosmopolitan city combines African traditions with European modernity in a festival of colours, enthusiasm and pride.
Excursions
Excursions will allow you to discover your destination from all perspectives. LuxairTours offers a range of selected tours that will allow you to discover unmissable places, paradisiacal beaches, typical dishes... LuxairTours organises a range of quality excursions for you.
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Enjoy an African dinner under the stars in the heart of the bush. At the foot of the baobabs, you can enjoy drumming, local dances and traditional wrestling shows performed by the villagers. Aperitifs and drinks included.
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This excursion will lead you into the magical landscapes of the Lompoul dune desert on camelback.
In the evening, you can enjoy a dinner under the stars and around a campfire before spending the night in a traditional tent equipped with all modern comforts.
The next day, you will head for Saint-Louis, a city that is deeply marked by its colonial past. You can explore it in its entirety with a horse-drawn carriage tour before having a lunch full of local specialities and returning to the hotel. -
This trip will take you to Dakar, the capital of Senegal, and to the famous island of Gorée – an island that served as a centre point in the slave trade. Its tragic past makes it a place of remembrance for the whole continent. A boat will be waiting for you to sail to the island of Gorée (about 25 minutes crossing time). After lunch on the island, you will return to the mainland and visit Dakar, passing by the railway station, the town hall, Independence Square and the African Renaissance Monument.
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This excursion will take you into the heart of a magnificent baobab and acacias forest. Accompanied by a wildlife guide, you will be able to see the animals of the savannah up close. There are many species to discover, including giraffes, antelopes, ostriches, crocodiles, rhinoceroses and monkeys.
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The excursion starts with a visit to an authentic African market where you can find fabrics, medicinal herbs, animals, fruits and vegetables. Afterwards, you will have lunch in a hotel in the Saloum Delta and enjoy a boat ride in the mangrove to observe local wildlife and birds.
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Visit the shell island of Fadiouth, linked to the mainland (Joal village) by a wooden bridge. As its name suggests, the island is entirely covered with shells of molluscs that have been eaten by the inhabitants for many thousands of years. The tour includes a visit to a women's collective that makes local products derived from the sea.
For more information and bookings, please contact your LuxairTours guide on site.
