Gorée Island - Dakar City Sightseeing

Goree Island - Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as a global symbol of the slave trade. A visit to this island, just a 20-minute boat ride from Dakar, is a must. For three centuries, Africans were transported from Goree to America. The renowned House of Slaves, one of Senegal’s most visited museums, vividly portrays this grim chapter of history. The island’s charming architecture, with its ocher-plastered facades, transports visitors back in time. Goree Island captivates visitors with its unique charm and emotional resonance. Dining by the ocean is an option here. Afterward, return to Dakar to uncover the city’s hidden gems.

Dakar Railway Station - This station is a stunning example of colonial architecture, with a facade of remarkable beauty. Built in 1885, it connected Dakar to St. Louis and the Dakar-Niger line, enabling travel to Bamako (Mali) in 36 hours, twice a week. Tens of thousands of soldiers from Sudan, Dahomey, and Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) passed through this station en route to European fronts. It quickly became West Africa’s most important railway hub, a bustling center for peanuts, gum arabic, cola, mail, and countless travelers. Located at Place Dakar-Niger, renamed Place des Tirailleurs in 2004, it was restored by Eiffage Senegal.

Place de l’Independance - Situated in the heart of the city, Place de l’Independance is surrounded by majestic colonial buildings, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (formerly the court of French West Africa), the Governance (office of the French governor), and the Chamber of Commerce.

Marche Kermel - Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Kermel Market is a beautiful building from 1860, rebuilt identically in 1997 after a fire in 1994. This colonial-style market is well-preserved, showcasing vibrant colors inside and out. It offers fresh, typical Senegalese products, with market gardeners, grocers, butchers, and fishmongers at its core, surrounded by vendors of decorations, artists, and artisans.

Senegal - The Presidential Palace, an immaculate white building with lush greenery and peacocks, has been the residence of Senegal’s Head of State since independence. Located in the Plateau district of Dakar, it was built in 1902 as the official residence of the Governor General of French West Africa (AOF).

Cathedrale du Souvenir Africain de Dakar - The Cathedral of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, also known as the Cathedral of African Remembrance, is Dakar’s largest church and the archbishop’s seat. Located on Boulevard de la République in the Dakar-Plateau district, it was built in the 1930s and consecrated in 1936. The cathedral’s white facade stands out in Dakar’s landscape. Materials from Sudan, Gabon, Tunisia, Benin, and France were used, resulting in a unique blend of influences. Originally a tribute to African soldiers, it was built on a former Lebou cemetery. The cathedral’s impressive architecture includes extraordinary interior vault paintings. Pope John Paul II visited in 1992. Visitors should note that hats, mini skirts, and shorts are not allowed inside.

Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine - Inaugurated in 2010, the Monument of African Renaissance is a colossal 52-meter bronze statue accessible via a 198-step staircase. It offers stunning views of the peninsula. The statue, depicting a man, woman, and child facing the sun, symbolizes Africa’s openness to the world. The ground floor features a slideshow on the monument’s construction and a fresco of Africa’s history and notable figures. The third floor hosts a temporary exhibition room, the fourth floor a main lounge, and the fifteenth floor offers a breathtaking view from the man’s head.

Pink Lake - Saint Louis

Lake Retba - Better known as Pink Lake, Lake Retba is famous for its color, which shifts from pink to purple depending on the sun’s intensity. Separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a large dune, the lake and its surroundings are ideal for dune crossings. For decades, locals and people from Guinea and Mali have harvested salt here. Standing waist-deep in water, they use a tool called a “djodj” to break the salt crust at the bottom, then transfer the salt into canoes. Women unload and dry the salt on the lakeside. Activities include:

• Touring the lake, nearby Fulani villages, and the beach by quad bike, 4x4 vehicle, or camel.
• Boat rides to observe salt collectors.
• Swimming in the lake to experience the buoyancy from the salt.
• Lakeside dining.

Saint-Louis - The Island of Saint-Louis, a gateway to West Africa’s ocean, offers a unique landscape. This narrow strip of land, nestled between the Senegal River’s two arms, boasts an exceptional environment blending land and river scenery. Established in 1659 as the first French trading post on Africa’s Atlantic coast, Saint-Louis was a hub for European traders seeking slaves, gum arabic, gold, skins, and other goods. It served as the political capital of the colony and French West Africa (AOF) until 1902, and the capital of Senegal and Mauritania until 1957, before declining when the capital moved to Dakar. The island exemplifies a colonial city with a distinctive natural setting, illustrating the region’s colonial development.

Saint Louis - Djoudj Park - Lompoul Desert

Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary - In the morning, visit the Djoudj ornithological park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about 60 kilometers north of Saint-Louis. As the first water point after the Sahara for migratory birds, it offers a magnificent spectacle from November to June. Visitors can admire thousands of gray pelicans, waders, teals, dendrocygans, pink flamingos, spoonbills, crowned cranes, ospreys, orico vultures, Arabian bustards, egrets, geese, gambia, gray herons, cormorants, kingfishers, jacanas, marabouts, and black storks. About 350 species are recorded here. The park also hosts red monkeys (patas), warthogs, monitor lizards, pythons, and crocodiles. A canoe tour through the park’s backwaters is available. Return to Saint-Louis for lunch and a city tour.

Saint-Louis - Upon arriving on the island via the Faidherbe Bridge, visitors are greeted by the imposing governance building of the old colonial fort. The thick base walls, remnants of the original buttresses, are visible from the street. To the west, the governance opens onto a shady square named after Governor Faidherbe, whose statue stands in the garden. Place Faidherbe, initially called the Savannah and then Place d’Orleans, is bordered by the northern and southern barracks. The island’s two districts, the south and the north, flank this central square. Along the way, visitors can explore old buildings with distinctive architecture. The afternoon is free to enjoy the beach or the hotel pool, with dinner at the hotel or in town.

Désert de Lompoul - After the Saint-Louis city tour, head to Lompoul village, where a dune vehicle will transfer you to the desert. Located on the coastal border between Dakar and Saint-Louis, the small Lompoul Desert offers a captivating, fictional landscape. Its 18 km² of ocher-red sand dunes, shaped by the trade winds, reach heights of nearly 50 meters, providing stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean waves. The desert’s solitude is equally enchanting. Accommodation includes a comfortable Khayma tent with a nomadic style, offering a magnificent sunset view. Morning activities include camel rides or walks in the dunes, with the option of dune surfing.

Lompoul - Touba - Kaolack

Kaolack-Tambacounda-Mako

Tambacounda - (About 468 km) After breakfast, depart for eastern Senegal through the shrub steppe, a favorite area for nomadic herders. Arrive in Tambacounda, the largest city in eastern Senegal, bordering Mali and Guinea. Some of its historical sites were listed as Historic Monuments in 2003. Tambacounda developed naturally around its train station. Local activities include cattle breeding, cotton farming, and tourism, thanks to nearby hunting camps and Niokolo Koba National Park. Visit the Tambacounda market. After lunch, depart for Mako on the outskirts of Niokolo Koba Park.

Bedik Country-Dindefelo-Kedougou

Kedougou-Tomboronkoto-Wassadou

Kedougou - Visit the vibrant and colorful Kedougou market, one of Senegal’s most interesting markets. It offers fabrics imported from Guinea-Conakry and Mali, including indigo, batiks, and handmade cotton fabrics, as well as shea butter, palm oil, honey, natural health products, and a variety of regional and West African fruits.

Kedougou - Travel to Tomboronkoto village, a popular destination for African nationals due to its gold deposits. Visit the artisanal gold mining sites. Afterward, head to Wassadou village for lunch and an overnight stay.

Wassadou - Wassadou is set in an exceptional location in the middle of the forest, where visitors can observe the lively wildlife and experience the sounds and smells of the bush. The camp overlooks the Gambia River, offering canoe rides to see hippo colonies (water level permitting) or guided walks along the river to explore the local flora and fauna.

Wassadou - Saloum Delta Park

Le Relais Hotel - Depart early for the Saloum Delta. Along the way, pass through steppes with nomadic Fulani herders and villages. Stop for lunch at “Relais de Kaolack” by the Saloum River.

Saloum Delta Park

Parc National du Delta du Saloum - Enjoy a full day in the Saloum Islands National Park, a World Biosphere Reserve. Covering about 180,000 hectares, the park features mangroves, lagoons, forests, and sandbanks, and is home to a rich variety of birds, including pelicans, flamingos, herons, cormorants, and green parrots. A fishing trip is available upon request. Enjoy a picnic on a pristine islet beach.

Joal-Fadiouth & Bandia Safari

Joal Fadiouth - Visit the twin villages of Joal and Fadiouth. On the way, see one of West Africa’s largest baobab trees. Joal, located on the mainland, is the birthplace of the first president, Léopold Senghor. Fadiouth, on a small island connected by a long wooden bridge, is made entirely of shells. These shell middens are remnants of mollusks consumed by humans over centuries and host both Muslim and Christian tombs. Visitors can cross the bridge or take a canoe between Joal and Fadiouth. Afterward, head to the Bandia Reserve.

Reserve De Bandia - The Bandia Reserve offers a chance to observe wildlife up close in an eco-friendly environment. Upon arrival, take a 4x4 safari vehicle to explore the 3,500-hectare park, home to animals reintroduced to Senegal after long absences, such as rhinoceroses, giraffes, large antelopes, dama gazelles, Derby elks, buffalos, patas monkeys, vervets, warthogs, and jackals. After the visit, transfer to your accommodation or the airport, marking the end of the service.

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast
• Hotel Pick Up

• Beverage

We present an opportunity to delve into the indigenous culture, interact with the Bassari and Bedik communities that have maintained their conventional lifestyle, and relish the varied natural marvels and narratives of Senegal. The distinct aspect of this route is its diverse terrain encompassing mountains, forests, deserts, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, all in one, along with a vibrant geographical landscape.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.