A large state on the African continent
Located on the north-western tip of the African continent, Senegal is a large state with a surface area of 196,712 km². It is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east and Guinea to the south. Like most African countries, it's part of the land where the first men lived. A short walk in the desert will allow you to admire the megaliths, stone monuments founded by the country's first occupants. Senegal was also one of the main slave-trading centers in Africa, and several vestiges of this can still be seen on the island of Gorée.
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Itinerary : Walvis Bay, Dakar
1 other departures
Le Dumont d Urville
13 d
Balcony Stateroom
Walvis Bay
3/3/2027
from
US$ 3,904
Other departures:
12 Mar 2028
If you decide to spend a holiday in Senegal, a visit to the capital will allow you to immerse yourself in the country's culture. The slave house on Gorée Island is a must-see. To get there, take a boat from the port. Boarding is scheduled every half-hour during the high season, and every hour during the rest of the year. The slave house was used to imprison black Africans before taking them to America and Europe. It has been converted into a museum to remind us of what these men endured before slavery was abolished in 1850. You can also take a trip to the National Art Gallery. Inaugurated in 1983, this monument features exhibitions of modern plastic art. The works on display are by local and foreign artists.
The Gare ferroviaire, one of the finest architectural monuments of the colonial era, is just a short distance from the port of Dakar. This railway line linked the capital with the city of Saint-Louis, then with Bamako in Mali. Now disused, the station has been renovated to house the national theater. A visit to the Senegalese capital also includes the Kermel market. Housed in a handsome building dating from the 1960s, this shopping center was renovated in 1997 after a fire. Here you'll find everything from food products to handicrafts and butchers.
After Dakar, head for Thiès, a town to the west of the capital, to enjoy the Gran Costa. This long beach stretches all the way to Saint-Louis, and is ideal for anyone seeking peace and quiet. Aside from the small towns in the vicinity, the Gran Costa is a haven of peace and quiet, free from the noise of cars and urban activity. Now it's on to Tambacounda, the largest city in eastern Senegal, to discover the Dindefelo waterfall. To get there, you'll have to pass through the village of the same name, south-east of Kedougou. You can hire a 4X4 and ask for the services of a tour guide to make the journey easier. The Dindefelo waterfall is ideal for a day's picnic. A walk in the forest and a swim in the clear water are just some of the many activities you can enjoy. If you're visiting Tambacounda, the Niokolo Koba Park is a must-see. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it covers 1 million hectares. You'll be able to see 70 species of mammal, including lions, leopards and wild dogs, not to mention primates such as chimpanzees and baboons. The park is also home to 370 species of birds, including the great bustard, crowned crane, Abyssinian bucorve and martial eagle. You can also admire the aquatic fauna that thrives in the 3 rivers that flow through the park. To visit the Niokolo Koba reserve in the best possible conditions, it's advisable to set off as early as possible, before 7am.
Senegal has a hot, humid climate. The year is divided into 2 distinct periods: the rainy season, from June to October, and the dry season, from November to May. Unlike other tropical countries, Senegal can be visited even during the rainy season. During this season, thunderstorms only last a few hours, giving way to sunshine. It's also the best time to discover new vegetation.
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