Senegal, Dakar

Discovering Senegal 3^*

Welcome and assistance on arrival at Blaise Diagne International Airport. Transfer to Lake Retba, better known as the Pink Lake.

Departure for Dakar to reach Gorée Island, a place of remembrance listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through this former stronghold of the slave trade, an island of faded colours, painted wooden balconies and small sandy streets that all lead to the sea, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Visit the House of Slaves and enjoy lunch before returning to Dakar for a panoramic tour of the capital.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel at Lac Rose.

A 4x4 excursion to discover how salt is extracted from the lake’s waters before crossing the vast dunes separating the lake from the Atlantic’s unspoilt beaches. In Thiès, visit the Senegalese Decorative Arts Factory, where talented craftspeople continue the tradition of creating unique tapestries. Arrive in Saint-Louis, Senegal, at the end of the day. Known as the ‘Pearl of the North’, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Settle into the hotel on the Langue de Barbarie. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning boat trip through the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, the world’s third-largest ornithological reserve. This remarkable UNESCO-listed natural sanctuary welcomes millions of migratory birds during the winter. Return to Saint-Louis for lunch with a local family and the chance to discover Senegal’s national dish, Thiéboudienne, now included on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Afterwards, explore the city by horse-drawn carriage, taking in its colonial architecture and distinctive neighbourhoods.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Departure for the village of N’Guelakh for a memorable experience immersed in the daily life of a Sahel village that has chosen to take charge of its own development. Visit its organic farm, vegetable gardens, weaving and dyeing workshops, schools and health centres. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the village. Then continue through majestic landscapes that, in places, evoke the vastness of the Sahara Desert.

Dinner and overnight stay in the desert in a Saharan tent.

For stays in 2026

This morning, head towards the small village of La Somone. Enjoy lunch between the sea and the lagoon in an unspoilt natural setting. In Mbour, watch the fishermen return with their catch and visit the bustling market. Arrive at the seaside resort of Saly-Portudal in the late afternoon.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

For stays in 2027

This morning, head towards the small village of Nianing to admire a church with striking architecture. On arrival in Joal-Fadiouth, enter the beautiful Sine-Saloum region. Explore Fadiouth Island on foot, built on a mound of seashells. Fadiouth is known for its millet granaries standing on stilts above the river, its charming Catholic cemetery where people of all faiths are laid to rest, its peaceful lanes and its warm, welcoming community. Arrive in the village of Palmarin in the late afternoon.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

For stays in 2026

Early departure for a day exploring the islands of the Sine-Saloum. Board a traditional pirogue at Djiffer and sail to the islands of Dionewar and Niodior, which you will then explore on foot and by horse-drawn cart. Enjoy a private barbecue lunch on an unspoilt beach. During the afternoon, visit Fadiouth, the island of shells. Return to Saly at the end of the day.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Saly.

For stays in 2027

Enjoy a heart-warming meeting with the children at Samba Dia nursery school before setting off for a wonderful day exploring the islands of the Sine-Saloum. From Ndangane’s jetty, board a traditional pirogue and sail to Bird Island, a natural sanctuary whose mangroves are home to a wide variety of species. Then continue to Mar Lodj Island. Stroll through the village, where three religions—Catholicism, Islam and animism—coexist and blend harmoniously. Visit the intertwined Sacred Trees, a site used for marabout healing rituals. Learn about the world of spirits and jinn, and discover the talking drum used to communicate between villages. The journey continues to the Fossémou bolongs, tidal channels winding through the mangroves. Enjoy a grilled fish lunch with your feet in the water on a platform. Return to Ndangane, then travel onwards to the seaside resort of Saly.

Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Saly.

Arrival day and welcome: You will be met and assisted by a local French-speaking representative at Dakar airport. They will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name.

Visa: French nationals do not require a visa to travel to Senegal. They must carry a valid passport.

Tipping: Tipping is an entirely personal matter; the decision on whether or not to tip, and how much, is entirely at your discretion, depending on how satisfied you are with the service received and your personal budget. That said, tipping for services rendered is part of the local culture and is often expected and will be greatly appreciated.

The guide will be French-speaking for bookings made on the French market, Spanish-speaking for the Spanish market, Italian-speaking for the Italian market and English-speaking for other markets.

PLEASE NOTE: For those booking the “hotel only” package (without an international flight), please provide us with your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form under ‘Help and Contact’ at the bottom of the page, so that we can arrange your transfers. To make the most of the programme in store for you, it is best to arrive before 11.00 a.m. on the first day and depart after 4.00 p.m. on the last day.