Senegal is an increasingly popular winter sun destination among Dutch tourists. This has everything to do with the pleasant temperature and the special culture of the country. The big advantage that Senegal has compared to many other winter sun destinations is that it is only a six-hour flight from the Netherlands. Most sights in Senegal have a natural origin, such as Djoudj National Park, Lago Rosa or the Niokolo Koba National Park. All these natural attractions ensure that Senegal has a clear character of its own and can therefore not be compared with other African countries. Most of the tourists who visit Senegal stay on the Petite Côte. The most beautiful beaches can be found in this part of the country. If you want to learn more about the culture and history of Senegal, visit the island of Gorée, the city of Saint-Louis or the holy city of Touba. Check topmbadirectory for how to get to Senegal.
Top 10 things to do in Senegal
#1. Dakar
Dakar is the largest and most important city in Senegal. In 1902, the city became the capital of French West Africa and later of Senegal. The city owes its reputation mainly to the fact that the Dakar was the final station of the Paris-Dakar until 2008. As of 2009, the race is still known as the Dakar Rally, but is held in South America. In many ways, Dakar cannot be compared to most cities and places in Senegal. For example, there is a clear street pattern in the city and the majority of the houses are of higher quality. Many of the people employed in Dakar live in the Dakar metropolitan area. This ensures that the city is always burdened by major traffic congestion. Main attractions in Dakar are the presidential palace, the various embassies, the Cathedrale de Souvenirs and the island of Gorée.
#2. Petite Côte
Senegal’s Petite Côte is the country’s main tourist attraction. This coastal strip stretches between the Cape Verte near Dakar and the Saloum Delta. In this part of Senegal you will find the popular tourist resorts of Saly, Somone and M’Bour. Beautiful hotels and resorts can be found almost everywhere in this coastal region. The main reason that all these hotels are located there is the fact that the most beautiful beaches of Senegal can be found in this part. It is also the place where the richer population, especially from Dakar, have their second home or holiday home. Main attractions in this part of Senegal are Lago Rosa, the Saloum delta and the island of Fadiouth. Check simplyyellowpages for mass media and culture of Senegal.
#3. Saint-Louis
Saint-Louis is not one of the largest cities in Senegal, but it is considered one of the most important. The city of Saint-Louis has always been the capital of the country until Dakar took over this task. There are still quite a few signs of the colonial period in the city. Partly for this reason, the city has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. During the time of French rule, Saint-Louis was an important trading place in gold, ivory and slaves.
The city is located in the northeast of Senegal where the Senegal River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. This river delta consists of several mangroves and nature parks. Hundreds of bird species and turtles live in these parks.
#4. Djoudj National Park
The Djoudj National Park is located in the northwest of Senegal near the city of Saint-Louis. The park is formed by the Senegal River, which also forms the border with neighboring Mauritania. The park has been included on the Unesco World Heritage List because of its special biodiversity and the fact that it is an important resting place for migratory birds. The park is home to several large colonies of flamingos and the largest colony of pelicans in the world. In total, more than four hundred different bird species have been counted in the park. The park is therefore popular with ornithologists. The park is open to the public all year round except for the rainy season.
#5. Lago Rosa
Lago Rosa or the Pink Lake of Senegal is a special lake in the vicinity of the capital Dakar. The lake, which looks a lot more pink in most photos than it actually is, is a well-known tourist attraction and an important source of income. The Senegalese go out on the lake in boats and shovel the salt from the lake onto a boat with large baskets and let it dry on the shore. Once it dries it is sold. The tourists come to the lake to float in it. Due to the large amount of salt, the pink lake has the same properties as the Dead Sea in Jordan and Israel. The pink color of the lake is due to a certain kind of algae and the salt.
#6. Fadiouth
Fadiouth consists of three shell islands in total. One island on which people live and live, one that is used as a cemetery and the last one used to be used as a storage for food. This was kept on another island so that it would not be lost in a fire. The islands of Fadiouth are connected to the Senegalese mainland by a bridge. What is special about these islands is that they were created entirely by shells that were waste from shellfish fishing. Shellfish fishing is still one of the main forms of income for the island. The island used as a cemetery is the main attraction.
#7. Touba
The city of Touba is a holy city in the western part of central Senegal. The city was created after the construction of the Great Mosque of Touba. This mosque was built in honor of Amadou Bamba founder of Muridism. Muridism is a branch of the Islamic Sufi order. The place where Touba can be found today was nothing more than a few huts 100 years ago. Today, Touba is the country’s third-largest city with nearly half a million inhabitants. The Great Mosque of Touba has striking green and blue domes and five minarets.
#8. Niokolo Koba National Park
The Niokolo Koba National Park is one of the largest and most beautiful natural parks in Senegal. The landscape of the park is determined by the Gambia River and its two tributaries. This ensures that the landscape of the Niokolo Koba National Park is quite varied and versatile. It is not without reason that the park is on the Unesco World Heritage List. No less than 350 different bird species and more than 80 different mammals live in the park. It is also the only place in Senegal where elephants can still be found in the wild. Due to poachers in the 1990s, the population has been decimated and now consists of a few dozen elephants. The Niokolo Koba National Park can be visited.
#9. Goree
The island of Gorée is located about four kilometers off the coast of the capital Dakar. The island, which once played an important role in the transatlantic slave trade, is today a popular tourist attraction. Despite the island’s turbulent past, Gorée is today a pleasant place to visit. There is a completely different atmosphere than in most other Senegalese places. This is partly due to the brightly colored houses on the island. The main attractions on the island are the Maison des Esclaves, the Fort D’Estrees, the cannons used in the movie “The Guns of Navaronne” and the Slavery Freedom Monument.
#10. Saloum Delta National Park
The Saloum Delta is a river delta in the southwestern part of Senegal. The delta forms part of the border with The Gambia. In the Saloum delta you can find several shell islands that have been formed by man over the centuries. Long before our era, the first people settled in this area. They lived from fishing and collecting shellfish and crustaceans. Many archaeological finds have been made on these islands. The Saloum Delta National Park can be found on the Unesco World Heritage List. This is because of its important historical value and the fact that the delta is an important stop for migratory birds.
