Dakar in 5 days
Senegal's capital sits on the westernmost point of mainland Africa, a peninsula where Kermel market is twenty minutes by ferry from Gorée Island. A city of around four million people who live outdoors, between surf breaks, thieboudienne and concerts that run until dawn.
The plan, day by day
Day 1
- Morning
Kermel Marketfree · about 30 minAn octagonal iron market hall in the Plateau district, built in 1910 and rebuilt after a 1993 fire, selling fish, shellfish, fruit, spices and flowers.
- Afternoon
Gorée Islandhalf a dayA car-free island of ochre houses and bougainvillea off the port, UNESCO-listed since 1978, with the House of Slaves and its Door of No Return.
Day 2
- Morning
Museum of Black Civilisations2 to 3 hA circular museum opened in 2018 opposite the Grand Théâtre, fulfilling a project launched by Léopold Sédar Senghor in 1966.
- Afternoon
The Corniche Ouest and Soumbédiounefree · 2 to 3 hA clifftop road along the Atlantic; at Soumbédioune the pirogues land their catch late in the afternoon, and grills are lit after dark.
- Late afternoon
African Renaissance Monumentabout 1 h 30A bronze statue about fifty metres tall on the Mamelles hill, taller than the Statue of Liberty, inaugurated in 2010 and criticised for its cost.
Day 3
- Morning
N'Gor Islandhalf a dayA small car-free island five minutes by pirogue from N'Gor beach, with two sheltered beaches, fishermen's and artists' houses and seafront restaurants.
Day 4
- Morning
Lake Retba (the Pink Lake)free · half a dayA shallow lagoon behind the dunes north-east of Dakar, so salty, up to ten times the sea, that swimmers float easily.
Day 5
- Morning
Bandia Reservehalf a dayA private reserve of baobab savannah on the Mbour road, where giraffes, white rhinos, buffalo, Derby elands and zebras have been reintroduced.
Where to sleep in Dakar
- La Maison Abaka · €45 a night
- Auberge Keur Diame · €35 a night
- Casa Mara · €80 a night
- Hotel Le Djoloff · €80 a night
- Hôtel Al Afifa · €85 a night
- Hôtel Sokhamon · €100 a night
- King Fahd Palace · €170 a night
- Terrou-Bi · €190 a night
- Azalaï Hotel · €150 a night
Plan this trip
Hotel prices per room per night, checked when written. Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.