Tourist Attractions & Monuments Senegal

You won't want to miss it: the popular Santhiaba district, across the bridge, is the historic fishermen's quarter of Saint-Louis, which you can visit either by horse-drawn carriage or on foot, with a local guide. In this overcrowded district that nobody wants to leave, you will come across a bunch of kids, fishermen repairing their nets, goats, street vendors, the real popular Saint-Louisian life. Notice to the sensitive souls: the smells of the fish market are really stronger than in Yoff or Mbour!

Created in 2010, this nature reserve covers 400 ha, between the arm of the Casamance River and the Atlantic Ocean. It is managed by an economic interest group that works in close collaboration with local populations, associations and training schools. Guides have been trained to accompany tourists to discover the local fauna and flora, especially birds, on foot or by bicycle. A small ecolodge with a panoramic view called Ecolodge Sembene Ousmane opened in 2014, and offers among other things a few rooms in an impluvium hut.

Dedicated to the Italian Cardinal Charles Borromeo, this church was erected in 1830 on the ashes of the previous one, burnt by the English, during Christmas Eve 1799, when the island was recaptured. The building was financed by the Signares of Gorée. One appreciates its simple architecture, its square with columns overlooking a quiet square. Every year, the church hosts the island's patron saint's day, the 4th of November or the following Sunday, if this date does not fall on a Sunday.

You won't waste your time going to the tourist office in Ziguinchor. Located in a colonial building that is worth a visit, the office also houses a small museum and some handicrafts. Opened in 2010, it is certainly the most operational of the country with Saint-Louis! It offers tours by dugout canoe, walking and 4x4 to discover the region at very interesting rates. It can concoct tailor-made stays according to your desires and book your boat tickets for an extra charge. Truly unmissable!

They can be discovered by dugout canoe or seen from the bridge that leads to the cemetery. From a distance, they look like the round huts of a typical African village. At the time when the village's huts were made of wood, these granaries were installed outside the island, on the edge of the mangrove, to protect the crops from possible fires, rats and pigs. Today, the buildings are made of concrete, but the granaries are still used by the population to store the crops.

It was the precious dream of Léopold Sédar Senghor, Senegal's first president, to endow the country's capital with an exceptional museum, dedicated to the black peoples from the dawn of humanity to the present day. A promise that has now been fulfilled with the opening of the Museum of Black Civilizations in December 2018. Opposite the Grand Théâtre National, the circular building, inspired by the traditional Casamance impluvium hut, is now a landmark in the capital's landscape, at the gateway to the administrative and business district. It took seven years of work, begun under the mandate of Abdoulaye Wade, and an investment of more than 30 million euros, financed by the Chinese, for its construction and development. With a surface area of 14,000 m², it can accommodate up to 18,000 rooms, presenting the history and evolution of the African continent. Archaeological remains, objects of worship, photographs and contemporary creations are exhibited on two floors, around a gigantic metal baobab (4.5 metres high), created by the Haitian artist Edouard Duval-Carrié. Today, this fascinating museum only presents temporary exhibitions, fed by the collections of partner museums such as the Quai Branly, and which rotate regularly. At a time when the debate on the restitution of works of African art is being revived, this museum offers itself as an ultramodern infrastructure to host them.

Almost at the northern end of the island of Ndar, on the Roume quay, stands a 20-ton steam crane, arrived in parts from France. It was assembled in 1883 by two soldiers, whose names are engraved on the crane, and installed when work on the Malian railway between Kayes (pronounced "Kaï", on the Senegal River) and Bamako (on the Niger River) was starting. All the equipment (up to the locomotives) had to be transported by river and loaded onto the boats. Hence the need for this crane, which seems so disproportionate.

This union brings together tourism professionals, but also volunteers from various associations. An information point is set up not far from the landing stage, on the Human Rights Esplanade. One can ask there for an official guide, who charges a little expensive price for two people, but interesting for a group, to have explanations on this memory island. Part of this money is used, among other things, to clean up the island, and it's a good deed.

The Great Mosque is undoubtedly one of the most impressive buildings in Dakar, overhung by a 67-metre high minaret that you can ask to visit to embrace the city at a glance. Inaugurated in 1964, in the wake of Senegal's independence, it is beautifully decorated both inside and out. In addition to being a place of worship, it is home to the Islamic Institute, a research centre on Islam, and a large library containing, among other things, documents written by Senegalese Muslim scholars.

As often, the excursions revolve around a few classics, Bird Island, Mar Lodj, but other visits are possible. The Gie Jubdo des piroguiers was set up in 2009 and centralizes the requests of interested tourists. This structure was created to put an end to the hunting of tourists on the village roads and to define a single pricing policy. You should know that renting is done by pirogue. Ask to see the list of excursions and rates and to be grouped with other tourists to share the prices.

Colonial architecture has not really survived the passage of time and few towns and districts, although colonised for centuries by France, have not yet seen modern buildings and dwellings take root. The Ibrahima Sarr neighbourhood, named after the famous trade union leader of the great railway workers' strike in 1947-1948, is one of them. Rather calm compared to the hustle and bustle of Thies, it is an opportunity to discover beautiful colonial residences that cohabit with trees dating from the same period. A pleasant stroll.

It is the oldest lighthouse in Dakar, built in 1864 and considered one of the most powerful in Africa. A keeper ensures the permanence and will give you a guided tour of the building. The spiral stairs quickly make you dizzy (sensitive to vertigo, please refrain!). The effort is worth it, because once you get to the top, you can kiss Dakar with one look, with beautiful panoramic views. Initially powered by oil, the lighthouse is now electrified, but it is still lit manually. A bar-restaurant has been set up where evenings are organised.

This is where you pay your park entrance fee, and also where the pirogues for your visits are organized. Here you can hire an "eco-guide", a young man from a nearby village who knows the site like the back of his hand, and the bird sightings. He'll be able to point them out and name them for you. The visit is most enjoyable between December and March, when the migrants take the site by storm. Bring a cap, a large bottle of water and sun cream. A delicious home-cooked lunch is available on site.

This is often the first place you go, at the southern tip of the island, to enjoy the superb view over Dakar and its bay. All the more so as the path leading to the summit is lined with colorful paintings by Senegalese artists, which you're more than welcome to take the time to admire. At the western end stands Fort Saint-Michel, built by the French in 1892 and on which the Slave Memorial was erected and inaugurated in 1999, a modern structure representing the hull and sail of a ship. Behind it, a telemeter dating from 1907, used to measure the distance of ships in order to adjust the cannons. Until recently, the top of the fort housed the open-air studio of Senegalese artist Balla Ngongo, who died in July 2023, where he exhibited a number of his works based on salvaged materials. Perhaps a local artist will soon replace him. On the other side of the castel, a cannon with a range of 14 km. It was used only once, on September 23, 1940, by Vichy France, to sink an English ship during the Battle of Dakar. The wreck still lies there, several meters underwater. A buoy marks the danger for boats, which is why the longboat that brings visitors to the island makes a wide turn before entering the harbor at the pier. At the time of Senegal's independence, the French sabotaged the cannon so that it could no longer be used. Before you leave, enjoy the breathtaking ocean views and take a deep breath of iodized air!

At "Joseph's", you will know all about the cashew tree, its apple and cashew nut! Paterne, who has taken over his father's business, Joseph Diamacoune, will explain the entire manufacturing process and you will quickly understand why the nut is so expensive. The visit is superb: lively, dynamic, rich in explanations. Small tasting at the end of the tour by peeling the nuts, before discovering the diversity of its range: from natural nuts, lemony, to honey, etc. Not to be missed under any circumstances if you are in the region.

The tourist office located in Joal, opposite the footbridge leading to Fadiouth, federates guides and pirogues, concentrating the offer and rates to avoid the constant solicitation of visitors. An organization that works very well. The price list is unique and posted in the office. Several excursions are proposed: visit of the millet granaries on stilts, a walk in the mangroves, the grand tour of the island with a visit to the 800 year old sacred baobab tree, a horse-drawn carriage ride in the city... An obligatory stop to discover Joal!

Classified as a historical monument, the fort of Bakel was built between 1818 and 1819 to protect itself from resistance to colonization. From 1960, it housed the city's prefecture for several decades, but as the fort was almost falling into ruin, the prefecture moved in 2012. Since then renovation plans have been announced, but there is still no sign of any work... However, one can still enjoy the view from the terrace, overlooking the loop of the Senegal River with a Mauritanian village on the opposite bank.

This private reserve covers 6,000 ha, in the heart of a preserved forest ecosystem on the Gambian border, near the banks of the delta. At the initiative of the South African owners, several species have been reintroduced, such as giraffes, buffaloes, Derby elands and zebras. It offers several activities open to non-residents of the lodge, the most popular of which are game drives to observe all sorts of wild animals in the forest and lion walks, for thrill seekers!

Right in the heart of the Plateau, this upscale gallery invites you on a unique artistic journey through the works of contemporary artists. From photography to painting, sculpture, drawing and even digital art, you can appreciate various forms of expression depending on the exhibition. In all, some twenty artists from the four corners of the globe rotate through this private gallery, with its well-appointed space. Numerous themes are explored, from traditions to the environment. A fine art gallery not to be missed!

Pierre and Paul, warm-hearted twins at the head of this travel agency, will take you to discover the Sine-Saloum, aboard their comfortable pirogues. In addition to visits to the surrounding islands and villages, they have built an environmentally friendly platform that floats in the middle of the bolong. We come to spend the day with family or friends and recharge our batteries in the middle of nature, with a good meal and several activities, feet in the water. To discover!

Ten potters have joined forces to present their art to visitors. Less commercial than that of Evelyne Bassène, the visit takes place in a family-run concession where visitors are warmly welcomed. "Sit down and have a look", as the group's name suggests in the Diola language. They'll explain step by step the various stages involved in making the pottery, where the balance between clay and shells is essential to avoid broken pieces.

There are Elhadj, Moustapha, Abdoulaye, Pape, Mohammed and Mbodj, the president, among others the 30 resident guides of Goree who have formed an association. Living on the island for some time, they want to make a difference with the national guides landing in Gorée for the day only. In the company of these locals steeped in Gorée's culture and traditions, you will visit all the points of interest not to be missed, with reliable and precise explanations of Gorée's poignant history. A good plan!

There are two official entrances to the park: Dar Salam and Oubadji. There is a guard post where you have to buy a visitor's permit. It is mandatory to take an official guide to visit the park. You will find them at the park entrance in Dar Salam, where the office of the guides who have been trained by the park office is located. Some are specialized in fauna, others in flora. They will take you directly to where the animals have their habits.

The Bandia Reserve is a small nature reserve located 65 km from Dakar, on the road to Mbour, near the village of Bandia. With a surface area of 35 km2, it offers visitors the chance to discover African wildlife in a grandiose natural setting, with its giant baobabs, thorny bushes and capricious lianas. All of Africa's large mammals can be observed on an unforgettable safari. It is also possible to book specific activities, such as visits to the Pink Lake in combination with the Bandia Reserve.

Like the beaches of the Grande Côte, the Lac Rose beach is splendid and different from the beaches of Dakar and the Petite Côte. A long beach of fine sand, very pleasant, clear water, dunes planted with filaos, and a very low density of swimmers: this beach would be a paradise if there were not a downside: flights are not rare. Also be careful where you leave your car. The beach is not supervised: so be particularly careful of waves and currents!

Located in the city centre of Thiès, opposite the Senegalese Manufactures of Decorative Arts, the Regional Museum of Thiès took up residence in 1995 inside the old city fort, which has remained in its original state. It is a small museum, in very poor condition, but the current curator, Pierre-André Coly, will be pleased to show you around its collections, classified in small pavilions, including one devoted to the railways and their history in the region. You will also discover the ancient artistic universe of the kingdom of Cayor.

Built in 1887, the Basilica of Our Lady of Deliverance is one of the oldest in the country. It is an important place of Catholic pilgrimage (on the weekend of Pentecost) and testifies to the important presence of Catholicism on the Petite Côte. It houses a black Virgin who was blessed by Pope John Paul II in 1992. To accommodate the millions of pilgrims who celebrate Mary each year, a new shrine, of colossal size, should soon open its doors.

A veritable bird sanctuary, the Magdalen Islands are an archipelago located 4 km from Dakar and covering 45 hectares. Following an accident off the islands in September 2019 that killed 4 people, visits to the Magdalen Islands were still suspended at the time of our report. However, check with the Office de conservation de l'île, at the Port de la Corniche near the Supreme Court, during your stay.

The museum is housed in the former Fort d'Estrées, built in the ^mid-19th century on the northern tip of the island. Twelve rooms and almost 500 exhibits present the history of Senegal from the Paleolithic to the present day. Simple, well-designed explanatory panels tell visitors all about the Paleolithic period in the region, the great empires and kingdoms of the Middle Ages, the slave trade, resistance, Islam and a history closer to home (colonization, decolonization...).

Installed on the Place du Souvenir africain since 2015, the Henriette Bathily Women's Museum is dedicated to the Senegalese women of yesterday and today and their stories. Through objects and accessories, it reveals the role and place of women in Senegalese society. The emphasis is also placed on women who have left their mark on their time, such as Aminata Fall, a pioneer of jazz in Senegal. There are also quality temporary exhibitions honouring women.

Built in the 1930s and consecrated in 1936, the Cathedral of African Remembrance stands out in the Dakar landscape with its immaculate white colour. The materials chosen were imported from different countries (Sudan, Gabon, Tunisia, Benin, France) for a rather surprising result with diverse influences. Erected on a former Lebou cemetery, it was originally a tribute to African soldiers, it was nicknamed for a time the Pantheon of Africa.

Here you are in the childhood home of former president Léopold Sédar Senghor, located across from the village market. This museum, whose name means "house of the Lion" in Serer, presents the life and work of the first president of the Republic of Senegal, both of which are equally rich. The visit is very pleasant, led by Etienne, the young curator of the museum, and immerses you in the intimate universe of Léopold Sédar Senghor and his family. The tour is also enlivened by readings of texts of the president-poet. A captivating and moving visit.

At the mouth of the Kalissaye marigot, this nature reserve is made up of several islets scattered in the heart of the Casamance river delta. One can observe many species of birds such as Caspian terns, white pelicans and Audouin's gulls. It is also a breeding ground for several species of turtles such as the loggerhead or green turtle. With a bit of luck, you will also be able to see dolphins and manatees.

Edioungou is famous for its pottery, the techniques of which have been handed down from mother to daughter for generations. In the village, each house has its own workshop. Come and see Evelyne who will generously show you her workshop (by appointment) and explain the whole manufacturing process, from the harvesting of the clay in the bolongs, to the firing on the mangrove branches, including a modelling demonstration and the application of a wild fruit-based varnish on the newly shaped piece. Possibility of a training course as well.

Kadioute is an open-air museum set in a forest of centuries-old cheese trees. On a guided tour at the foot of each tree, you'll discover instruments, utensils and detailed, humorous explanations of Diola culture. If possible, visit this museum at the beginning of your stay. You'll then have all the information you need to better understand your trip to Casamance. On the program: discovery of wrestling codes, palm wine harvesting, cooking, fetishes, the agrarian cycle, etc. Valère, the guide, is fascinating!

An agro-ecological farm-school that deserves a visit and has initiated many collaborative projects in the region. You can meet the young people in training, visit the coconut tree nurseries and other plantations, while discovering the ingenious methodology aimed at making the students independent and eco-responsible. You can also eat delicious meals and spend the night there. Other activities are offered to discover the surroundings.

On the main road to Palmarin Facao, the Ecotourism office offers excursions by dugout canoe, horse-drawn carriage and cart. Price lists are available on the spot. The must? A pirogue trip in the bolongs, with a stopover in the village of Falia, with a tasting of fresh oysters. Two women ecoguards in GIE, Ariette and Louise, take care of the visits on foot (hiking in the salt mines or lagoons) or by cart (observation of hyenas). You can also go fishing in the delta or in the sea, among other proposed activities.

Created in 1983, the aim of this reserve is to reintroduce sub-Saharan species such as the Algal Oryx and Dama Mhou Gazelles to Senegal. Brought back from different countries, they are first brought to Guembeul to acclimatize to the country before being released in the Ferlo Nord Wildlife Reserve. A Ramsar site, the site is also home to many birds. At the entrance, there is a small interesting eco-museum with explanatory panels on introduced species.

Located south of Kédougou, about 30 kilometers by track, the Bassan waterfall and mount, as well as the Dimboli waterfall, are nice walks in the area. In December, the waterfall no longer flows, but it is still a very beautiful point of interest. We are here in the heart of the Dialonke country. It is possible to make stops in the villages of Karori, Lingan and Malem, either at the foot of the mountains or perched on the hills.

Commissioned by Bob, the only toubab living in Salémata, this neo-gothic-style fortified castle strangely stands out in the middle of the village's traditional huts, bewildering tourists and locals alike as they pass by. Nothing historical however, it is only the work of a fantasy of a very eccentric French expatriate who initially wanted to build a hunting lodge in Salémata, then finally a nightclub. We don't know where he's going with this, but he used locals to make his dream come true, and that's good enough!

In addition to the waterfall, it is possible to visit the Dandé caves in the village of Alpha Yaya and to go to the source of the waterfall on the plateau with a guide. You can also hike to the top of the falls to get a bird's eye view and thrill in the descent (notice to experienced hikers). You can also make a full day loop through the potters' village of Nandumare and the Afia waterfall, with a view of the Ségou waterfall.

This is the most spectacular waterfall in the region! Bathing suit essential. As you go deeper into the dense forest along the path leading to it, the air is refreshed by lush vegetation. After a good half hour's walk, you arrive at a real pool of pure, fresh water, a haven of peace in an exceptional setting. Be aware that if you go in the dry season, the waterfall will be less abundant in water and therefore less impressive. But, rest assured, you can always take a dip in the natural pool!

In Ibel, all the buildings are made of marble. Impressive visit of the marble mine, obligatory accompanied by a guide. There are tons and tons of off-white, grey, pink, green... stones which unfortunately are not exploited, despite the opening of the mine in the 1960s. At the origin artisanal, the exploitation became industrial, but requires many means. Today, it is necessary to make a way between the clay tracks, the grass, the stones to arrive at the quarry.

It is said that this cheese tree, several hundred years old, was planted there by migrants who settled away from the village of Djembéring when it was located in the place of the Sangawatte eco-museum (where remains have been found). There is a remarkable forest of cheese trees on the way to the sea in the direction of Nikine. Some trunks have been hollowed out for the construction of dugouts, plates, musical instruments... A walk is necessary if you are in the vicinity.

On the road to Djembéring, about ten kilometres from Cape Town, is the small village of Bouyouye, which is appreciated by some inhabitants of the region. Nothing really special, but still an authentic atmosphere, a gentle way of life, very close to the seaside resort. Inhabited by about 300 souls, the village is today entirely powered by solar energy, electricity and even water, thanks to the investments of a Belgian, very attached to this place. It is also a good place to stop for a bike ride for those who want to take their time and have a drink.

This open-air museum is located in the old village where the first inhabitants of Djembéring lived. Bones have been found there, proof of the existence of a cemetery, but no dating has been carried out. As in the Kadioute ecomuseum, we discover the culture and traditions of the Diola through an interesting journey, in the bush this time, where we discover objects of daily life such as fishing boats or mortar to plunder seeds. At the end of the visit, you will taste the local palm wine!

Jean will take you to see the village fetishist or the forest of cheese trees, giving very interesting information about Diola traditions and history. He can also suggest nice excursions, like going to Kachiwane by all-terrain vehicle, taking a pirogue to Nikine and returning by 4x4. Possibility of excursion by rowing boat to Egueye Island to see the crocodiles and the mangrove oyster harvest. A trip off the beaten track, which will delight travelers, we are here in the heart of Africa.

The craft village has a good sixty workshops-shops that can be discovered through shady alleys. Traditional clothing, jewellery, sculptures, batik fabrics, recycled objects, leather goods, paintings... this is an opportunity to buy your souvenirs. The village is interesting because you can see the artists at work, and you can easily chat with them. Take the time to go from shop to shop before making your choice. Then, it will be up to you to exercise your skillful haggling skills. Be firm!

Here is one of the largest baobabs in Senegal, an impressive specimen with a circumference of 33 m and about 850 years old, in a forest that is home to multi-centenary baobabs. Its trunk is very wide, made up of bulges that form folds and folds. Vendors of all kinds are waiting for the tourists, but in order not to put pressure on them, they decided to organize themselves. From now on, each in turn invites visitors to enter the tree to discover a colony of bats and give very interesting information about the site.

On your way back from Bird Island, why not stop for a picnic at Oudierin, on the beautiful beach in the village of a woman marabout, which is extremely rare in the country. One hut, then two were built around her lair, then a mosque. His fame is acquired in the area. She worked mostly telepathically, and it is said that even the governor travelled to consult her. Today, tired with age, she has gone to rest in her native village. It is her son, Mamadou Diouf, who has replaced her at the head of Oudierin.