Highlights of Senegal

After breakfast, you will embark on an orientation tour of Dakar, the vibrant Senegalese capital bustling with colorful sights and lively activity. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before departing for Gorée Island, a 25-minute boat ride from Dakar. This natural fortress was a highly contested stopover for Europeans and served as the main slave trading post for those bound for the Americas. Gorée Island is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the island's points of interest, including the Castel with its panoramic view, the House of Slaves built in 1776, the Saint Charles Church, and the picturesque, colorful streets. Dinner will be served on the island, followed by a return to Dakar for the night at Onomo hotel.

Continue your journey to Rose Lake, also known as Retba Lake, renowned for its pink hue that varies with the intensity of sunlight. Discover the lake and observe the salt collectors at work. Take a swim in the salt lake and rinse off in the refreshing freshwater springs amidst the shade of banana trees. Enjoy lunch and then visit Kayar, one of Senegal's largest traditional fishing ports, famous for its multicolored boats. Dinner and overnight stay at Trarza hotel at Lac Rose.

Embark on a road trip to the north, passing through the Niayes region known for its market gardens cultivating tomatoes, cherries, peppers, papayas, mangoes, and cassava. Arrive in Saint-Louis by late morning and check-in at the hotel. After lunch, explore the historic colonial city of Saint-Louis. Many notable figures, including Mermoz, Saint-Exupéry, and writer Pierre Loti, have been captivated by the allure of this city, often described as a "melting pot of ethnic groups and cultures." Enjoy a dinner featuring local Saint Louisian specialties and spend the night at La Poste hotel.

Dedicate the morning to a visit to Djoudj National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a crucial water source for migratory birds crossing the Sahara. Explore the park's backwaters by canoe or boat, and have lunch within the park. Return to Saint-Louis, and the late afternoon is free for leisurely walks and relaxation. Enjoy dinner and spend the night at Hotel de La Poste.

Embark on a morning drive to the lush Saloum Delta. Take a lunch break in Thiès, a former railway capital of Senegal, and encounter villagers and Fulani herders with their herds of zebus along the way. Continue to the small river port of Ndangane, the gateway to the Saloum Delta. Check-in at the hotel and enjoy a canoe ride through the mangroves, discovering Bird Island at sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at Cordons Bleus hotel in Ndangane, Saloum.

Cross over to the picturesque Mar Lodj Island, located just opposite Ndangane. Experience a unique horse-drawn carriage ride, the primary mode of transportation for the island's inhabitants, who are mostly from the Serere ethnic group. Visit the main village centered around a magnificent cheese maker. Meet local dignitaries and artisans, take a short tour of the market and the church. Have lunch by the lagoon and return to your hotel for an afternoon of relaxation by the pool or on the beach. Optional horseback riding is available (approximately €15 per hour). Enjoy dinner and spend the night at Cordons Bleus hotel.

Depart for Joal-Fadiouth, following the scenic Samba Dia track known for its vast palm tree forest, towering baobabs, and welcoming villages. Enjoy lunch in Joal, a mainland town, and then visit Fadiouth, a small island connected to the mainland by a long wooden footbridge. Fadiouth is known for its shell cemetery, where Muslim and Catholic graves peacefully coexist. The island also features millet granaries built on stilts. Continue along the Petite Côte, passing by the former residence of poet-president Senghor and the fishing port of Mbour, where you can witness the spectacle of fishermen's arrival. Return to Dakar.

Transfer to Dakar airport for your journey back home, carrying countless stories and memories.