Essential Senegal
This tour combines the best of Senegal’s tourism offerings in an eight-day package. From the capital city to the desert, the beach, the delta, and beyond, this trip is perfect for first-time Senegal visitors who want to have a taste of everything the country has to offer.
Stand at the “door of no return” in Goree Island’s House of Slaves
Ride camels in the Desert of Lompoul
Wander the old colonial streets of Saint Louis
Relax on the beaches of the Petit Cote
Spot rhinos, giraffes, monkeys, and more at Bandia Reserve
Essential Senegal
$1729+ includes:
- Comfortable accommodation for the entire trip
- Car, driver, and fuel for the entirety of the trip
- All activities mentioned in this itinerary
- All meals
- Unlimited purified water
Itinerary
Packing List
Itinerary
Day 1
As you exit the airport in Dakar, you will be greeted with a smile by a member of the Uprise team, who will take you to a quiet hotel in the city. Depending on your arrival time, you will have a short orientation session, have your first Senegalese meal, or head straight to bed. Tomorrow is your first full day in Senegal!
Day 2
Today you will explore Dakar, a city with a long and fascinating history. This morning you will board the ferry to Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its complicated colonial history, as well as its prominent role in the transatlantic slave trade. While touring the island you will have the chance to stand in the Door of No Return, the last place captive slaves stood before entering ships bound for the Americas. Later this afternoon, we will return to the mainland of Dakar to visit the Medina Market and the Grand Mosque of Dakar.
Day 3
This morning you will make some brief stops around Dakar, including the African Renaissance Monument and the Presidential Palace. You will then make your way north to Lompoul, situated roughly halfway between Dakar and Saint Louis. The dunes of the Lompoul Desert will remind you of your proximity to the Sahara. Today you will have a range of activities available, including camel rides, ATV tours, and sandboarding on the dunes. Tonight’s accommodation, The Lompoul Ecolodge, is known for its comfortable Bedouin-style tents, complete with a bed, sink, shower and toilet. After observing the bright stars over the desert, you will turn in for the evening.
Day 4
This morning you will make your way north to Saint Louis. This historic city is situated on an island at the mouth of the Senegal River, and was the prized capital of the French colony. Known for its colorful colonial architecture and its annual jazz festival, Saint Louis is also known for its large fishing village and nearby beaches. The city is best explored by horse and carriage, which is exactly what you will do after settling into your hotel. Your local guide will explain the fascinating history of the city as you wander the streets in the open air. Depending on the season, you may also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Djoudl National Birds Sanctuary.
Day 5
You will spend the first half of today driving south, to the northern edges of the Sine Saloum Delta. This area is an ideal launching point for birdwatching tours in the Sine Saloum Delta. After arriving at your hotel, you will have time to relax and enjoy and the scenery in the delta. Tomorrow you will begin exploring!
Day 6
This morning you will take a half-day boat tour in the Sine Saloum Delta. This is a unique opportunity to see a wide range of bird species including flamingo if you are lucky. After searching for birds, you will stop on a small village on nearby island to learn about its history and culture. This afternoon, you will visit the shell island of Joal-Fadiouth. This unique man-made village is made entirely of shells, and is connected to land by a long footbridge. This majority Christian community is notable for its mixed-religion cemetery.
Day 7
This morning you will depart your hotel on the Sine Saloum Delta and take a short drive north the Petit Cote, a strip of Senegal’s coastline that is known for its palm-lined beachside resorts. In the remaining days of your trip, you will have time to explore the tourist offerings of this region. You will be free to spend as much time as you like at the beach, but you may visit the Mbor Market for another chance to observe typical life in Senegal.
Day 8
This morning you will pack your bags for one final adventure in Senegal. Bandia Reserve is a small conservation area known for its indigenous and imported wildlife. Your guided jeep safari will allow you to see a range of species, including zebra, buffalo, giraffe, rhinoceros, roan antelopes, pata monkeys, vervet monkeys, crocodiles, and more. After waving goodbye to the animals you will set out for Dakar, the airport, and wherever your final destination may be!
Packing List
The Uprise team is happy to assist you with your luggage, but feel free to pack light and keep it simple!
- We highly recommend that you speak with your doctor about about antimalarial medications or any vaccinations that he or she may suggest.
- If your trip includes a safari, please include darker, more neutral-colored clothing in order to avoid scaring off the animals.
- Also, please consider culturally appropriate dress. While many cities and beaches in West Africa are more liberal with their dress codes, many people will be offended if you show too much skin. In some communities women should cover their shoulders and knees. Consider packing capri pants, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, or scarves to cover your shoulders.
In your hand-luggage:
- Passport
- Photocopy of your passport
- Visa for Ghana/Togo/Benin (if applicable)
- Yellow fever vaccination card
- Wallet and money
- Waterbottle
- Medications
- Phone
- Camera
- Chargers
- Books/games
In your checked luggage:
- Underwear
- Socks
- Pants
- Shorts
- Tee shirts
- Bathing suits
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Sneakers/hiking shoes
- Sandals
- Rainjacket
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Soap/facewash
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Shaving cream
- Bugspray
- Sunscreen
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SCHEDULE CHANGES
Uprise Travel reserves the right to change this itinerary at any time. We might make changes for a variety of reasons, including local holidays, road or bridge closures, flight delays or cancellations, weather or natural disasters, issues with subcontractors or external vendors, the substitution of a new activity, or any unforeseen circumstances. The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. In the event that we need to alter this schedule, we will make every effort to inform you of changes as soon as they occur.
All activities listed in this itinerary are included in the cost of the trip, unless otherwise indicated. If you have any questions, please email tours@uprisetravel.com.
Screen Shot 2018-01-23 at 12.18.00 PM
Copy of _LBJ8801 (1)
Copy of _LBJ8682
Copy of _LBJ8648
Copy of _LBJ8052
Copy of _LBJ7969
Copy of _LBJ1146
Copy of _LBJ8650
Comments are closed.