Africa Travel Blog

Category: Senegal

  • Malaria in Senegal

    Malaria in Senegal is a serious risk to all travelers. If you are planning to visit Senegal, you should make sure to take the necessary precautions to minimize your risk of contracting the disease.

    The entire country is a high-risk area for malaria, so you will need to protect yourself wherever you travel in Senegal. It is good to be prepared when you arrive so that you can be safe and healthy during your entire trip.

    Malaria is spread by mosquitoes that come out at dusk and stay active throughout the night. As such, make sure to use plenty of insect repellant in the evenings and wear long sleeves and trousers as well as shoes and socks at night. Most hotels have mosquito nets over beds, but if yours doesn’t, make sure to bring one with you when you travel to Senegal.

    Additionally, you should get antimalarial pills from your nearest travel health clinic before you travel to Senegal. Pills like Malarone should be taken one to two days prior to visiting Senegal, then taken throughout your trip, and for seven days after you leave the country. Taking antimalarials will help prevent you from contracting malaria, but no pill is 100% effective. You will still need to use insect repellant, wear appropriate clothing, and sleep under a mosquito net to avoid getting malaria in Senegal.

  • Top 5 Things to Do in Dakar

    There is no shortage of things to keep people busy in Dakar when they are visiting Senegal. Here are is my list of the top 5 things to do in Dakar:

    1. Take a ferry to the Ile de Goree. The beautiful architecture and rich history of the island make it one of the top places to visit when you are in Dakar. The ferry ride is another highlight, as it offers passengers great views of both the city and the Ile de Goree.

    2. Go to the westernmost point in Africa. La Pointe des Almadies is as far west as you can get on the continent. There is a great beach there from which you can watch the sunset, and the sand is lined with plenty of restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops. Going to the Pointe des Almadies is not only one of the top 5 things to do in Dakar, but one of the top things to do in all of Africa.

    3. Take a day trip to Lac Rose. Not far from Dakar is the famous pink lake, which is so named because in a certain light the water looks rose colored. Visitors can go there for lunch, participate in adventure sports, or go shopping at the craft stalls by the water’s edge.

    4. Experience the nightlife in Dakar. The city has some of the best nightlife in West Africa, and no trip is complete without a visit to a bar or club. Dakar also has a vibrant music scene, and going to a live show is a great way to experience the Senegalese culture.

     

    5. Take a day trip to the Village des Tortues. The turtle conservation center is a great place to see large and small turtles alike. It is located near Lac Rose, and can easily be combined with the lake on a day trip. Visiting the two destinations is definitely one of the top 5 things to do in Dakar.

  • Best Places to Visit in Senegal

    The best places to visit in Senegal are dotted throughout the country. Some are cities, others villages, islands, or nature reserves.

    A great place to start your travels in Senegal is Dakar. The capital of Senegal deserves a visit and is a good way to get a feel for Senegalese culture while you are in the country.

    Dakar offers a wide variety of things to see and do, including great restaurants and nightlife, a beach on the westernmost point in Africa, and the famous Ile de Goree. The last of these is not only one of the best places to visit in Senegal, but one of the best places to visit in all of West Africa.

    Near Dakar, visitors shouldn’t miss a chance to visit Lac Rose and Le Village des Tortues. The former is a lake that turns pink in a certain light and is surrounded by small shops, resorts, and restaurants. The latter is a turtle sanctuary where turtles from all over West Africa can be seen. Le Village des Tortues’ conservation and repopulation efforts are evident throughout the grounds.

    Another great place to go in Senegal is Saint Louis. This city in the north of Senegal was made famous by early postal routes that flew from Europe to South America via Africa. Now the city is home to beautiful colonial architecture, long sandy beaches, a huge fish market, and several museums.

    Near Saint Louis is the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary. Visitors can go on a day trip from Saint Louis and take a boat safari to see thousands of pelicans and other migratory birds. There are also warthogs and other animals on the land there.

    South of Dakar, the Petite Cote is famous for its beaches and laid-back atmosphere. Small shops, restaurants, and accommodations line the coast, and the area is very popular with visitors from Europe.

    Another one of the best places to visit in Senegal’s southern region is the Palmarin Nature Reserve. Palmarin is located at the southern tip of the Petie Cote above the Sine-Saloum Delta. It is close to the border with The Gambia. Visitors to Palmarin can enjoy the area’s beaches, go on river cruises through the delta, and stay in a treehouse at Les Collines de Niassam lodge.

  • Top 10 Things to Do on the Ile de Goree

    The Ile de Goree is one of the best places to visit in Senegal, and is certainly the highlight of a trip to Dakar.

    Below is a list of the top 10 things to do on the Ile de Goree:

    10. Get lost in the small, narrow streets of the Ile de Goree

    9. Go shopping for local art and souvenirs in the markets

    8. Visit the Church of Saint Charles and the mosque on the island

    7. Hike up to the castle for great views of Dakar

    6. Visit the fort museum on the top of the island

    5. Go to the Museum of the Sea

    4. Visit the History Museum to learn about the Ile de Goree’s role in Senegalese history

    3. Have coffee or dinner at one of the sea front cafes by the ferry port

    2. Photograph the brightly colored buildings and flowers near the fort

    1. Visit the powerful Slave Museum on the Ile de Goree to learn about Senegal’s role in the historic slave trade