Things to do in Senegal

25 things to do in Senegal

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Tour the House of Slaves on Gorée Island

  Step into the sobering Maison des Esclaves, a poignant memorial to the Atlantic slave trade, and stand at the 'Door of No Return' overlooking the Atlantic.

  Gorée Island

• Admire the African Renaissance Monument at sunset

  Gaze up at the colossal 49-metre bronze statue of a family emerging from a volcano, a dramatic symbol of Africa's rebirth, especially spectacular when the sun dips behind it.

  Dakar

• Catch a wave at N'Gor Right surf break

  Paddle out to this world-class right-hand reef break off N'Gor Island, where long, peeling barrels attract surfers from across the globe.

  N'Gor Island

• Float in the rosy waters of Lake Retba

  Wade into the vividly pink, salt-saturated lake, a surreal natural wonder whose colour intensifies in the dry season, and watch salt harvesters at work.

  Cap Vert peninsula

• Spot pelicans and flamingos at Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

  Glide by pirogue through this vast wetland paradise, an essential stopover for millions of migratory birds including vast flocks of pink flamingos and white pelicans.

  Saint-Louis region

• Stroll through the UNESCO-listed island of Saint-Louis

  Wander narrow, colonial-era streets lined with pastel-coloured façades and ornate wrought-iron balconies on this charming island bridging the Senegal River and the Atlantic.

  Saint-Louis city

• Immerse yourself in the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival

  Groove to world-class jazz and African rhythms at this iconic festival that transforms the island city into an open-air stage every spring.

  Saint-Louis

• Haggle for vibrant wax prints at Marché Sandaga

  Plunge into Dakar's bustling central market, where towering piles of brilliantly coloured fabrics and a cacophony of bargaining sounds create an unforgettable sensory overload.

  Dakar

• Glide through mangroves in a pirogue in the Sine-Saloum Delta

  Navigate a labyrinth of emerald mangrove creeks and bolongs in a traditional wooden canoe, spotting ospreys, monkeys and fishing villages hidden among the islands.

  Sine-Saloum Delta

• Taste grilled fish at Kermel Market

  Choose your catch straight from the Atlantic at this elegant round market, then have it grilled on the spot and devour it with spicy onion sauce.

  Dakar

• Contemplate the ancient megaliths at Sine Ngayene

  Walk among hundreds of weathered laterite stone circles, a 1,500-year-old burial ground and one of the world's largest megalithic complexes, set in quiet savannah.

  Kaolack region

• Sip cocktails at a rooftop bar in Les Almadies

  Toast to the sunset over the westernmost tip of Africa from a chic rooftop in Dakar's wealthiest neighbourhood, known for its lively nightlife and ocean views.

  Dakar

• Unwind on the paradise beach of Cap Skirring

  Sink your toes into soft white sand fringed by coconut palms on this stunning Casamance beach, where azure waters and a laid-back fishing village atmosphere reign.

  Cap Skirring

• Safari among baobabs and wildlife at Bandia Reserve

  Drive through a semi-arid landscape of ancient baobabs and acacias to spot rhinoceros, giraffes, zebra and antelope in this private reserve just an hour from Dakar.

  Saly

• Kayak the mangrove creeks of Elinkine in Casamance

  Paddle silently through a tangled waterway of mangroves, spotting kingfishers and mudskippers, and visit the island village of Hitou for a glimpse of animist traditions.

  Elinkine

• Witness the spectacle of Senegalese wrestling at Demba Diop Stadium

  Feel the adrenaline as massive fighters, dripping in gri-gri amulets, clash in the traditional Laamb wrestling, a captivating blend of sport, dance and magic.

  Dakar

• Admire ancient masks and sculptures at the IFAN Museum of African Arts

  Lose yourself in one of West Africa's oldest art museums, home to a superb collection of masks, statues, musical instruments and intricate textiles from across the region.

  Dakar

• Savor the national dish, Thiéboudienne, at Chez Loutcha

  Dig into a steaming bowl of rice cooked in a rich tomato sauce with fish and vegetables, the quintessential Senegalese comfort food, at this beloved local institution.

  Dakar

• Trek the dramatic cliffs of Cap de Naze

  Hike along rugged basalt cliffs plunging into the Atlantic, where volcanic rock formations meet crashing waves, part of the Popenguine natural reserve.

  Popenguine

• Walk on the shell island of Fadiouth

  Cross a wooden bridge to an extraordinary island made entirely of millions of seashells, where streets, houses and even the cemetery are paved with shells.

  Joal-Fadiouth

• Marvel at the towering minarets of the Great Mosque of Touba

  Stand before the immense spiritual centre of the Mouride brotherhood, with its five soaring minarets and vast marble courtyards, one of the largest mosques in Africa.

  Touba

• Witness the vibrant fish auction at Kayar beach

  Watch a frenzy of brightly painted pirogues unloading their glistening catch as women expertly sort and auction fish on the sand in this major artisanal fishing port.

  Kayar

• Chase the Dindefelo Waterfall in the Fouta Djalon foothills

  Hike through lush greenery and remote Bassari villages to a thunderous 100-metre waterfall plunging into a natural pool perfect for a refreshing swim.

  Kédougou region

• Tour the former home of poet-president Léopold Sédar Senghor

  Step inside the elegant residence of Senegal's first president and renowned poet, preserved as a museum showcasing his personal library, artwork and intimate belongings.

  Dakar

• Sleep under the stars in the dunes of Lompoul Desert

  Experience the Sahara-like landscape of orange sand dunes in this small desert, riding camels and spending the night in a traditional Moorish tent under a canopy of stars.

  Kébémer