Itinerary : Walvis Bay, Dakar



1 other departures
Le Dumont d Urville
13 d
Balcony Stateroom
Walvis Bay
03/12/2028
from
US$ 4,472
Other departures:
03 Mar 2027

2 cruises found
A cruise to Senegal offers an introduction to West Africa through Dakar, a lively, artistic, deeply maritime city facing the Atlantic.
On a single port call, you can move from the capital's markets and corniche to Gorée Island, continue to Lake Retba, venture toward the Petite Côte, or extend the journey into the Sine-Saloum bolongs when the itinerary allows.
The destination blends urban culture, music, crafts, pirogues, beaches, mangroves, Senegalese cuisine, and warm hospitality, creating an experience more personal and varied than a simple beach stop.
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senegal
Itinerary : Walvis Bay, Dakar



1 other departures
Le Dumont d Urville
13 d
Balcony Stateroom
Walvis Bay
03/12/2028
from
US$ 4,472
Other departures:
03 Mar 2027
Itinerary : Tema, Cotonou, Lome, Takoradi, Tokeh, Maio Island Bijagos, Dakar, Tema, Cotonou, Lome, Takoradi, Tokeh, Maio Island Bijagos, Dakar



Silver Endeavour
13 d
Suite
Tema
03/31/2028
from
US$ 16,900
| Season | Weather & swimming | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
March–April Still favorable, but hotter. Days generally remain dry, with heat becoming more noticeable, especially away from the coast. A good choice when the itinerary is well planned. Schedule visits in the morning and leave time for breaks by the sea. | ||
May - June Hotter, but appealing for the arts scene. In some years Dakar hosts major cultural events, particularly around contemporary art. Consider if you are looking for a more urban and cultural stopover, accepting higher temperatures. | ||
July to October Wetter, hotter, and more variable. Downpours can be heavy, roads less comfortable, and some excursions harder to organize. A less favorable period for a cruise focused on Dakar and day trips. It requires greater flexibility. | ||
November–February | The most comfortable period. Temperatures are more pleasant, the air is drier, and visits to Dakar, Gorée, or the Petite Côte are easier to enjoy. | Best window for a first cruise in Senegal, especially if you want to walk, visit and enjoy excursions without high heat. |
In Senegal, cruise hotspots extend from Dakar and nearby excursions to the more aquatic landscapes of the south. The country rewards a carefully chosen port call with time to absorb each place, rather than a rushed sequence of sights.

At the Kermel Market
The colors, fruits, fish and flowers give a concrete entrance into the city.

On the Corniche
The road between the sea, cliffs, beaches and Dakar districts shows the capital in its direct relation to the Atlantic.

At Les Mamelles
The lighthouse and the African Renaissance Monument offer a panoramic view of the peninsula.

On Gorée
The crossing from Dakar and the island's lanes create a powerful port call that feels both nearby and transporting.

In Ngor
The short pirogue crossing leads to an easy beach break, much appreciated when you want to leave the city behind.

At Lake Retba
The dunes, salt, and changing colors of the lake create an easily recognizable excursion from Dakar.

From Gorée Castle
The view of Dakar, the bay and the roofs of the island is one of the most beautiful views near the port.

From the African Renaissance Monument
Dakar unfolds on a broad scale, between ocean, neighborhoods, and peninsula.

In the Sine-Saloum bolongs
The pirogues, mangroves and sunsets give a slower and more natural picture of Senegal.

On the Petite Côte
Popenguine, La Somone, and Joal-Fadiouth offer a seaside respite outside Dakar.

In the Sine-Saloum
A pirogue excursion offers a close look at the delta's mangroves, birds, and villages.

In Ngor
The beach, pirogues, and surf atmosphere create an easy escape from the capital.
Crossing to Gorée from the Dakar port
Gorée remains one of the most memorable excursions from Dakar. Travelers enjoy the short crossing, colorful lanes, old houses, views of the bay, and an island atmosphere that contrasts with the capital's energy.
Exploring Dakar between corniche, markets and contemporary creation
Dakar rewards travelers who look beyond a simple panoramic tour. They remember the Corniche, markets, galleries, cafés, urban beaches, and cultural energy that give the port call its distinctive personality.
Sail through the Sine-Saloum bolongs
When the itinerary or extension allows, the Sine-Saloum leaves a strong impression with its very different pace. Pirogues, mangroves, birds, villages, and the delta's light offer a slower, more natural experience of Senegal.
Sailing to Ngor Island
Just minutes from Dakar, Ngor offers an informal and welcome break. Travelers enjoy the short crossing, small beaches, colorful houses, surfers, and a chance to breathe away from the capital's pace.
Stop in Popenguine on the Petite Côte
Popenguine gives a softer picture of the Senegalese coastline. Travelers enjoy the village, the beach, the cliffs, the calm atmosphere and the feeling of seeing a more local coastline than the large beach areas.
Sharing a grilled fish in the Atlantic
In Senegal, the simplest breaks are often the most memorable. Travelers enjoy stopping at a waterfront spot, ordering grilled fish, rice, a spicy sauce, or a local juice, and watching the pirogues return to the beach.
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.