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7 nights
Best things to do in Senegal
Join us as we look at Senegal's best bits, from an island made of seashells to a wildlife reserve.
Senegal’s a colourful country marking Africa’s westernmost point, and it’s fast becoming a hot topic in the travel world. It has islands made of seashells, mangrove forests you can sail through and beaches that seem to go on forever. Want to know more? Here are a few of our favourite things to do in Senegal...
Once you’ve had a read, find out more about holidays to Senegal.
Once you’ve had a read, find out more about holidays to Senegal.
Spot wildlife on a safari
Always wanted to hop on a safari truck and cruise around African grasslands on the lookout for zebras and giraffes? Senegal’s the place for it. The Bandia Reserve covers over 3,500 hectares – almost the size of 5,000 football pitches – and it’s home to a whole host of wildlife. You could see anything from gazelles and warthogs to monkeys and rhinos on your trip.
When you arrive at the reserve, you’ll hop on an open-top 4x4 and make your way out into the forest, past baobab trees and swampy lakes. Keep your eyes peeled, as you never know what could be hiding in the bushes or waiting around the next corner. There’s a guide on board who can help you spot the animals, and they’ll tell you all about your surroundings, too.
All that animal-spying made you hungry? After your game drive, you can grab a bite to eat at the reserve’s restaurant. The seating terrace looks out over a lake where you might catch a glimpse of crocodiles having a swim, and don’t be surprised if you see a monkey or two swinging by your table. If you want to get up close to Senegal’s animals, this is the way to do it.
When you arrive at the reserve, you’ll hop on an open-top 4x4 and make your way out into the forest, past baobab trees and swampy lakes. Keep your eyes peeled, as you never know what could be hiding in the bushes or waiting around the next corner. There’s a guide on board who can help you spot the animals, and they’ll tell you all about your surroundings, too.
All that animal-spying made you hungry? After your game drive, you can grab a bite to eat at the reserve’s restaurant. The seating terrace looks out over a lake where you might catch a glimpse of crocodiles having a swim, and don’t be surprised if you see a monkey or two swinging by your table. If you want to get up close to Senegal’s animals, this is the way to do it.
Sail to Gorée Island
If history’s your bag, be sure to pencil in a trip to UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gorée Island.
This spot off the coast of Dakar has a harrowing past, having once been one of the main slave-trading points in Africa. There are lots of memorials dotted around the island, and the most famous one’s a museum called the House of Slaves. It’s been visited by the likes of Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela.
Despite its history, Gorée Island is a colourful place abuzz with local people selling handmade crafts and tourists coming to pay their respects. The architecture will catch your eye from the get-go – it almost feels like a scene from a Mediterranean postcard thanks to swaying palm trees and pastel-coloured buildings.
To visit Gorée Island, you’ll need to jump on a 20-minute ferry ride from Senegal’s capital. You could spend all day there if you wanted to, visiting memorials and taking in the scenery. It’s truly picturesque, with cascading plants draping over cobbled streets, rustic waterside bars and tiny beaches. Top tip – don’t forget your passport for the ferry ride.
This spot off the coast of Dakar has a harrowing past, having once been one of the main slave-trading points in Africa. There are lots of memorials dotted around the island, and the most famous one’s a museum called the House of Slaves. It’s been visited by the likes of Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela.
Despite its history, Gorée Island is a colourful place abuzz with local people selling handmade crafts and tourists coming to pay their respects. The architecture will catch your eye from the get-go – it almost feels like a scene from a Mediterranean postcard thanks to swaying palm trees and pastel-coloured buildings.
To visit Gorée Island, you’ll need to jump on a 20-minute ferry ride from Senegal’s capital. You could spend all day there if you wanted to, visiting memorials and taking in the scenery. It’s truly picturesque, with cascading plants draping over cobbled streets, rustic waterside bars and tiny beaches. Top tip – don’t forget your passport for the ferry ride.
Visit a tortoise reserve and catch a 4x4 to Lake Retba
Like to be at one with nature? If the answer’s yes, you’ll want to add this trip to your to-do list. It takes you to Noflaye Tortoise Park, and then stops off at the second-most saline lake in the world, Lake Retba.
Noflaye Tortoise Park is home to six different species of tortoise, including the sulcata tortoise, which is the largest in Africa. The oldest one’s a whopping 150 years old. The park’s full of greenery and there’s a path weaving through it, taking you past groups of tortoises and plaques filled with info. You’ll have a guide who can tell you all there is to know about the creatures, too.
Fancy cranking up the adrenaline? After the tortoise reserve, you’ll hop on a 4x4 and zoom over sandy terrain to Lake Retba. F1 fans, listen up – this place was the original endpoint of the Dakar Rally, and the spot’s marked with red, white and green tyres, lots of flags and painted wooden boats. You’ll also spot mini pyramids of salt dotted about by the water, and foamy waves lapping the shore.
Another zippy 4x4 ride will take you from the lake, down to one of Senegal’s longest stretches of sand, where you’ll have lunch with a soundtrack of crashing waves.
Noflaye Tortoise Park is home to six different species of tortoise, including the sulcata tortoise, which is the largest in Africa. The oldest one’s a whopping 150 years old. The park’s full of greenery and there’s a path weaving through it, taking you past groups of tortoises and plaques filled with info. You’ll have a guide who can tell you all there is to know about the creatures, too.
Fancy cranking up the adrenaline? After the tortoise reserve, you’ll hop on a 4x4 and zoom over sandy terrain to Lake Retba. F1 fans, listen up – this place was the original endpoint of the Dakar Rally, and the spot’s marked with red, white and green tyres, lots of flags and painted wooden boats. You’ll also spot mini pyramids of salt dotted about by the water, and foamy waves lapping the shore.
Another zippy 4x4 ride will take you from the lake, down to one of Senegal’s longest stretches of sand, where you’ll have lunch with a soundtrack of crashing waves.
Ride a pirogue boat through the Saloum Delta
If you fancy a chilled-out day where you can really get to grips with Senegal’s culture, a sail through the Saloum Delta National Park’s just the ticket.
When you visit these weaving waterways, you’ll often start the day by visiting an authentic African market, where you can browse everything from fruits and vegetables to fabrics and herbs. Your colourful pirogue boat sets sail from a vast, flat beach, and heads in the direction of a mangrove forest. Keep an eye out for crabs on your way to the water – there are plenty of them, and they're super speedy as they jump in and out of the sand.
When you set sail, you’ll pass by huge sandbanks where migratory birds often gather, and then make your way into the channels. It’s peaceful here, and very green – you might spot the odd paddleboarder on your journey, but for the most part, it’ll just be your boat and the birds out there.
When you return to the beach, you’ll be whisked off to a local restaurant where you’ll have lunch with your group before returning to your hotel.
When you visit these weaving waterways, you’ll often start the day by visiting an authentic African market, where you can browse everything from fruits and vegetables to fabrics and herbs. Your colourful pirogue boat sets sail from a vast, flat beach, and heads in the direction of a mangrove forest. Keep an eye out for crabs on your way to the water – there are plenty of them, and they're super speedy as they jump in and out of the sand.
When you set sail, you’ll pass by huge sandbanks where migratory birds often gather, and then make your way into the channels. It’s peaceful here, and very green – you might spot the odd paddleboarder on your journey, but for the most part, it’ll just be your boat and the birds out there.
When you return to the beach, you’ll be whisked off to a local restaurant where you’ll have lunch with your group before returning to your hotel.
Walk over a bridge to an island made of seashells
There’s an island just off the coast of Senegal made up of millions and millions of seashells. Sound like your cup of tea?
Fadiouth – AKA Seashell Island – is a small city that you can reach via a 400-metre-long wooden bridge. When you walk over, keep your eye on the water, as you’ll likely see big schools of fish glinting in the sunlight alongside colourful boats bobbing on the waves.
Once you reach the island, your guide will tell you about the history of the city, and you’ll have a chance to browse market stalls for trinkets and fabrics. You’ll notice the shells underfoot straight away – they reach 10 metres deep at points – and you’ll see shards of them embedded into the buildings, too.
Fadiouth – AKA Seashell Island – is a small city that you can reach via a 400-metre-long wooden bridge. When you walk over, keep your eye on the water, as you’ll likely see big schools of fish glinting in the sunlight alongside colourful boats bobbing on the waves.
Once you reach the island, your guide will tell you about the history of the city, and you’ll have a chance to browse market stalls for trinkets and fabrics. You’ll notice the shells underfoot straight away – they reach 10 metres deep at points – and you’ll see shards of them embedded into the buildings, too.
Enjoy a night of traditional Senegalese entertainment
There’s a small village in rural Senegal where a community of chefs, singers, musicians, dancers and children all come together to put on a roaring performance in celebration of Senegalese culture. If you want to go completely off-grid and immerse yourself in your travels, you’ve hit the jackpot with this.
The night includes a string of performances, from rhythmic drummers and groups of singers to fire-eaters and Senegalese wrestlers. Dinner’s a traditional affair, with a big pot of jollof rice and beef shared around your table, and a cup of sweet Senegalese tea to wash it down with. There are cocktails and canapes on arrival, too.
A lot of the acts unravel in a clearing by your table, but by the end of the evening, you’ll be gathered around a bonfire for the finale. Get ready for people stomping their feet in unison, walking on stilts while swinging burning ropes, and rolling around the ground dressed like lions. It’s an experience you can only have in Senegal, and it’ll make your trip one for the books. Just so you know, you can only book this experience once you’re in Senegal. Ask your TUI rep for all the details.
The night includes a string of performances, from rhythmic drummers and groups of singers to fire-eaters and Senegalese wrestlers. Dinner’s a traditional affair, with a big pot of jollof rice and beef shared around your table, and a cup of sweet Senegalese tea to wash it down with. There are cocktails and canapes on arrival, too.
A lot of the acts unravel in a clearing by your table, but by the end of the evening, you’ll be gathered around a bonfire for the finale. Get ready for people stomping their feet in unison, walking on stilts while swinging burning ropes, and rolling around the ground dressed like lions. It’s an experience you can only have in Senegal, and it’ll make your trip one for the books. Just so you know, you can only book this experience once you’re in Senegal. Ask your TUI rep for all the details.
Ready to go?
Find out more about holidays to Senegal.
Or, for more inspiration, have a read of the best holiday destination in Africa, best last-minute getaways and best long-haul destinations.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Sophie Heward
Last updated: 25.07.24
Find out more about holidays to Senegal.
Or, for more inspiration, have a read of the best holiday destination in Africa, best last-minute getaways and best long-haul destinations.
Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.
Author: Sophie Heward
Last updated: 25.07.24