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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.
Dakar
Located at the westernmost point of the African continent, on the Cape Verde peninsula, the Senegalese capital 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.
Thiès
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. Holidaymakers can enjoy this heavenly half-moon shaped bay, covered with 110 hectares of fine sand. Pointe-Sarène is an ideal place to recharge your batteries, far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. Distance from the airport: 50 km.
Nianing
Nianing is an authentic fishing village that stretches along a beautiful beach. Fishing is the main source of income in this village, but its inhabitants also make a living from livestock, agriculture, trade and tourism. This peaceful village is also a small seaside resort with charming hotels highlighting the culture and tradition of the country. Distance from the airport: 40 km.
Somone
Somone is a small seaside resort located on the Petite-Côte, 77 km from Dakar. It has 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
- For a timeless experience, stroll along the beautiful tree-lined alleys of Thiès, often considered the most beautiful in Senegal.
- One of the must-see places to visit in Senegal is undoubtedly the Pink Lake, 30 km north-east of Dakar. This colour is due to the presence of an iron-oxidising algae and can vary according to the sun's rays. It offers its visitors a fascinating spectacle.
- Do you have the soul of a backpacker? Then go 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 some of the large African mammals that have been reintroduced after almost disappearing. A magical moment for young and old!
Must-see
- Accessible by ferry from Dakar, Gorée Island is a must-see during your visit to Senegal. A former hub of slavery, this small pedestrianised piece of land is popular with tourists for its strong history. By visiting the Maison des Esclaves, you will learn more about this place which has a great symbolic importance.
- Fancy a night in the desert? From Dakar, you can book a two-day trip to the Lompoul desert. The programme includes a walk (and surf!) on the dunes, a camel ride, a traditional meal and a night in a Khaima, the traditional tent used by nomads in the arid desert areas of the Maghreb.
- At the end of the day, rendez-vous on the magnificent beach of Yoff. In addition to the wrestling demonstrations, every day at the end of the day, the fishing boats come back loaded with fish that are sold on the beach. A magical moment where you can see hundreds of fish of all colours and sizes swarming around.
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 for the initiators of slavery. 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 Goree (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 observe the animals of the savannah up close. There are many species to discover, including giraffes, antelopes, ostriches, crocodiles, rhinoceroses and monkeys. This tour can also be combined with the lion tour for an additional fee.
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Experience a tribe of adult lions up close in a 4x4 vehicle with a grill. Hearing their impressive roars is a thrilling and unforgettable experience!
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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 spirulina pond and a women's collective making local products derived from the sea.
For more information and bookings, please contact your LuxairTours guide on site.
