ATTRACTIONS 

Resorts & Excursions

DAKAR:

This is the capital city; a bustling modern  port city at the tip of Cape vert peninsula.  Its markets and museum, the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noir are  tourist attractions.  The President’s Palace, National Gallery and the great mosque, medina are visited by every visitor.

Dakar’s main beaches include the Plage Bel-Air and the cleaner and safer N’Gor and Yoff. Other good beaches within reach are Yenn and Toubab Dialao which are well known for their spectacular red cliffs.

Excursions:

Île de Gorée

Situated hardly 3 km from the city is the Island Goree.  This was the first French settlement in the continent.  Later on, this became notorious  as the market for slaves.  The island has several old colonial buildings , the House of Slaves { Maison des esclaves ) museum and a small beach.  It is also the terminal for the Paris-Dakar motor rally.
The island is declared by UNESCO  as world heritage.

ST LOUIS:

This is a good spot for river cruise in the River Senegal.  A former slave settlement and once Senegal’s capital, St Louis is partly located on the mainland, partly on an island and partly on the Langue de Barbarie peninsula at the mouth of the River Senegal.  When Dakar came into prominence , St Louis lost its glamour.  Still the historic value of the old colonial buildings and the historic importance as the point where the unification of old tribal kingdoms started in 1854  is permanent for St. Louis. 

 THE PETITE CÔTE:

Petite Cote or the Small coast is one of the beaches in Senegal.  Mbour and Sali portudal are the most important areas here.  This area has the highest concentration of luxury hotels in Senegal.

 
SINÉ-SALOUM DELTA:

This delta formed by the confluence of two rivers into the attlantic is the place where the main center for the ground nut production in Senegal.  Innumerable lagoons and small islands fringed by palms and small fishermen villages are some  attractive sights for tourists who can move around the islands  in the traditional country crafts.

 BASSE CASAMANCE:

This fertile, swampy region borders The Gambia in the north and Guinea-Bissau in the south. However, travelers are advised to avoid this region as there is an element of risk involved due to the separatist group of Casamance. Two resorts,  Cap Skiring and Ziguindor  are considered safe for visit at the moment.   There are countless hotels in the area.  On the island of Karaban, the old ruins of the Breton church and colonial settlements are worth visiting.

National Parks

There are six national parks and four  wild animal sanctuaries in Senegal.  Visitors are  strictly forbidden to do any thing to disturb the wild life.  The best season for visiting the parks is from October to april.   Accommodation for tourists are arranged in the  lodges. 

For further information, contact the

Ministère de la Culture, du Tourisme et des Loisirs

(see Contact Addresses section).

Parc National de Niokolo Koba:

This is one of the largest wild life parks in west Africa.  Sprawling in a 2.2 million acres of land, the park has some rare species of birds and the large variety of mammals.    The park stretches over two geographical areas: the Sudanese savannah and the Guinea forest. Over 84 species live here, including Africa’s largest lions, elephants, panthers, crocodiles, a variety of antelopes and over 300 species of birds.

The park headquarters are in Tambacounda.  Visitors can reach the place by air , train or by road.
 

 Parc National des Oiseaux de Djoudj:

This is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the world.  The geographical location makes it a chosen camp for  the migrating birds . 

Situated in the northeast, 60km (37 miles) from St Louis, at the southern edge of the Sahara, this beautiful park has 40,000 acres of water stretches.  A  number of previously unknown bird species have recently been identified in this bird sanctuary.  This place is  listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. 

Parc National de Basse Casamance:

This park is 60km (38 miles) from Ziguinchor in the extreme south of the country, and extends over some 4920 hectares (12,300) acres of forest and mangroves. This is one area where the maximum rain is available.    Basse Casamance is famous for its tropical vegetation and a variety of wildlife, including  rare  antelopes  and  many species of monkeys.

The park can  be reached by air  or by road  from Dakar. The park headquarters are in Oussouye.

Parc National Langue de Barbarie:

A narrow strip of  land between the atlantic ocean and the River Senegal, this is the haven for migratory birds and sea tortoise.  The Tortoise visit here at the breeding season.

Boat trips from St Louis are available.

 Parc National du Delta du Saloum:

This is another sanctuary for migratory birds.  Hundreds of bird species like pelicans and pink flamingoes are found here.  The vast landscape of sand dunes and lagoons among so many  small islands make it a perfect habitat for birds.  

Parc National de l’Île de la Madeleine:

This is a small  marine park about 3 km from the main land near Dakar.  The rocky archipelago, believed to be of volcanic  origin is the favored habitat for birds.  This is a protected area.