Discovery and Relaxation in Sénégal
Between the dunes of Lompoul, the pink waters of Lake Retba and the shores of the Petite Côte, discover the contrasting faces of Sénégal.
Duration
8 days
From
€1,220/pers.
Ideal seasons
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
Style
Guided tour
Comfort
Charm & Character
Travelers
Couple, Solo, senior, With friends
The spirit of travel
Set off on a trip to Sénégal between Dakar, Gorée, Lake Retba, the Lompoul desert and the Petite Côte. This itinerary invites you to discover varied landscapes, lively markets, craft workshops, a wildlife reserve and several emblematic places in the country, while enjoying free time by the sea.
Throughout the stages, you alternate between cultural visits, meetings with local people, unusual experiences and moments of relaxation in carefully selected accommodations. From the memory of Gorée to the colors of Lake Retba, from the fishing villages of the Grande Côte to the dunes of Lompoul, each day reveals a new facet of Sénégal.
You will also discover the craft skills of Mékhé, the atmosphere of Thiès markets, the peaceful landscapes of the Somone lagoon and the richness of wildlife during a safari at Bandia. The journey continues on the Petite Côte, where free days allow you to enjoy the ocean or set off to explore the Saloum Delta and the island of Fadiouth.
A balanced circuit that combines cultural discoveries, nature, local encounters and moments of relaxation, to appreciate all the diversity and authenticity of Sénégal at a pleasant pace.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Welcome to Sénégal!
Welcome at Dakar airport, then departure without delay towards Lake Rose, or more precisely Lake Retba, known for its violet waters and high salt content.
You will then settle at Campement Keur Salim (or at the Gîte du lac, depending on availability), in an environment located in the middle of the dunes and on the edge of a swimming pool. This first day is also an opportunity to discover your first Sénégal specialty at dinner, in a pleasant natural setting.
Optional:
- 1-hour horseback ride along the lagoon, with return through the dunes: €26 / person
- 1-hour mini quad safari on a cart track around the lake: €45 / quad for 1 to 2 people
Gorée, Dakar and Lac Retba
The morning begins on Gorée Island with a visit to the slave house, commented on by the curator or our local guide.
You then continue with a stroll through the flower-filled streets up to the promontory, which offers a view over Dakar Bay, before visiting the church.
Lunch is planned at a typical restaurant on the island.
In the early afternoon, return by boat to Dakar for a discovery of the city through Independence Square, the old colonial buildings, the railway station, the cathedral, the presidential palace and Kermel market.
From the corniche, you enjoy a panorama of the Madeleine Islands at sunset. The route also passes by the Ouakam Mosque and then by the African Renaissance monument.
You finally head towards Lake Retba, the real name of Lake Rose, known for its pink hue and salinity greater than that of the Dead Sea.
Lac Rose, Kayar and Lompoul Desert
Departure for the Lake Rose, where salt collectors work their craft. On site, your local guide tells you the story of the lake and how salt extraction works, before a crossing in a salt pirogue to the opposite shore.
You then experience a floating moment on the lake, followed by relaxation time on the arranged beach.
Lunch is scheduled at a bamboo restaurant.
You then cross the dunes, depending on the tide or by cart track in the vehicle, to reach the immense beach of the Grande Côte, then the cart paths leading to Kayar, the largest artisanal fishing center. You witness the arrival of fishermen, the unloading of fish, negotiations on the beach, loading into carts, as well as the various stages of salting, smoking, drying and selling under the market hall.
You then continue on the road towards the Lompoul Desert. A 4x4 truck allows you to cross the dunes before your installation in a charming bivouac, in the heart of an oasis. You then enjoy a camel ride through a landscape opening onto the desert and coastline.
At the bivouac, a welcome cocktail awaits you before a traditional meal composed of kid goat couscous with vegetables and Moroccan wine, accompanied by djembes, local dances and Sénégal tea. The night is spent under khaïmas, traditional Moorish tents equipped with full bedding and a private bathroom.
From Mékhé to the Petite Côte
You take the road towards the Petite Côte passing through Mékhé, known as the capital of Senegalese footwear, where you visit artisanal workshops.
The itinerary continues towards Thies, a former railway town, whose past can still be read through its many colonial buildings. You also discover the central market, with its varied products: foodstuffs, fabrics, snake skins, traditional remedies and aphrodisiac powders.
You then continue to the baobab forest of Sindia until the La Somone lagoon, at Rasta Somone, for lunch followed by a relaxation moment on the beach.
The day ends in Ngaparou, on the Little Coast, with accommodation at Keur Noel, in a property presented as authentic, away from the hustle and bustle of Saly.
Safari at Bandia
This day takes you to Bandia Wildlife Reserve for a safari.
On board a 4x4 pickup accompanied by a wildlife guide, you set out to discover numerous species, including white rhinoceroses, greater kudus, oryx, Cape elands, giraffes, ostriches, zebras, buffalo, kobus, impalas, warthogs and monkeys.
A stop is also planned at the crocodile pool.
Free day on the Petite Côte
These days are left free, with lunch at the hotel not included, to enjoy at your own pace the swimming pool, the ocean, free activities or optional excursions.
- Among the suggestions, we offer you the discovery of Saloum Park (option €80 – based on 2 people). The excursion begins by road then by bush tracks, to meet Peul and Wolof villages. From Ndangane, you depart for a boat trip in the mangrove, with the possible observation of numerous birds on their natural roosting site.
- The discovery continues by local cart across the three Mar islands. You first reach Mar Soulou, where a silk-cotton tree, a caïcédrat and a palm tree, closely intertwined, symbolise the harmony between the three religions of the country: Islam, Catholicism and Animism. You continue to Mar Fafako, with its old millet granaries in the middle of a tann covered with water, then to Mar Lodj, with its small church and its thousand-year-old silk-cotton tree, at the foot of which lies the tam-tam telephone.
Lunch is provided at a local home, around the national Senegalese dish, thieb bou dien, followed by entertainment from the Mamas Sérères. The return to Saly is in the late afternoon.
It is also possible to combine this day with an extension to the shell island of Fadiouth (option €15 – based on 2 people). You then take the road to Joal, the birthplace of President Léopold Sédar Senghor. Located opposite Joal, Fadiouth is an island formed by layers of century-old shells. You board a small poled pirogue that skirts the oyster parks and mangroves, before reaching the millet granaries and the cemetery. You then continue your visit to Fadiouth, its alleyways and its church, then reach Joal on foot by crossing the 800-metre wooden bridge that connects the island to the mainland.
See you soon in Sénégal!
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
Les informations ci-dessous concernent les voyageurs ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen (EEE), de la Suisse et du Canada se rendant au Sénégal dans le cadre d'un séjour touristique. Les règles d'entrée pouvant évoluer, nous vous recommandons de vérifier les informations auprès des autorités officielles avant votre départ.
Passeport
Pour entrer au Sénégal, votre passeport doit être valide au minimum six mois après la date d'entrée dans le pays et comporter au moins une page vierge pour les tampons d'immigration.
Le document doit être en bon état (pas de pages détériorées, déchirées ou modifiées).
Séjour touristique sans visa
Les ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen, de la Suisse et du Canada bénéficient d'une exemption de visa pour les séjours touristiques au Sénégal.
Cette exemption permet un séjour pouvant aller jusqu'à 90 jours à compter de la date d'entrée sur le territoire. Au-delà de cette durée, une prolongation ou un titre de séjour devra être sollicité auprès des autorités sénégalaises compétentes.
Les autorités peuvent également demander :
un billet de sortie du territoire (vol retour ou continuation),
une preuve de ressources financières suffisantes pour la durée du séjour,
une adresse d'hébergement sur le territoire sénégalais.
Carnet de vaccination – Fièvre jaune
La présentation d'un carnet de vaccination international valide est obligatoire à l'entrée au Sénégal. La vaccination contre la fièvre jaune est exigée pour tous les voyageurs âgés de plus de 9 mois, quelle que soit leur provenance.
Ce document officiel de l'OMS doit être présenté aux services d'immigration à l'arrivée. À défaut, les autorités peuvent refuser l'entrée sur le territoire ou imposer une vaccination sur place.
Par ailleurs, il est fortement recommandé de consulter un médecin ou un centre de vaccination international avant le départ afin d'évaluer l'opportunité d'autres vaccinations (hépatites A et B, typhoïde, méningite, rage) et d'une prophylaxie antipaludéenne, le paludisme étant présent sur l'ensemble du territoire sénégalais.
Voyage avec des enfants
Les mineurs doivent être titulaires de leur propre passeport valide couvrant la durée du séjour.
Dans certains pays européens, lorsqu'un mineur voyage sans l'un de ses parents, une autorisation de sortie du territoire peut être exigée selon la réglementation du pays de résidence. Il est conseillé de se munir de cet document ainsi que de l'acte de naissance de l'enfant.
Autres nationalités
Les conditions d'entrée peuvent varier selon la nationalité. Les voyageurs concernés doivent se renseigner auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat du Sénégal de leur pays de résidence.
Pour participer à nos voyages, il est fortement conseillé d'être assuré en assistance-rapatriement et frais médicaux à l’étranger.
Votre agence locale vous encourage à prendre connaissance du contrat spécifique élaboré avec notre partenaire CHAPKA ASSURANCES et AXA ASSISTANCE.
Pour souscrire à une assurance, connaître les garanties et les tarifs, suivez le lien ci-dessous.
CAP EXPLORER : La solution d’assurance complète conçue pour vivre sereinement votre voyage !
Choisissez la formule qui vous correspond le mieux:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire
Spécifiques à nos voyages, nous suggérons fortement d’y souscrire.
Si vous choisissez de souscrire à l’une de ces formules, la convention détaillant l’ensemble des garanties et les modalités de déclaration du sinistre sont disponibles sur le site Internet de l'assureur.
Votre agence locale en aura connaissance, mais seul le participant est responsable du respect des procédures de déclaration de tout sinistre. Le participant doit donc conserver cette convention avec lui pendant toute la durée de son voyage.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
You can stay in Senegal without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your entry into the country. Entry requirements may change. Check with the Senegal consulate in your country of nationality before booking your trip.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a quality tailor-made trip, expect between €130 and €230 per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (€450–800 return) are additional. Senegal combines culture, beaches, desert (Lompoul) and safari (Bandia, Niokolo-Koba).
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt each itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, engaging and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) coverage which protects 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your adventure — Cape Verde Peninsula
Creator of Senegalese Encounters, based in Mbour
Senegal is a country you experience as much as you discover. It's often the encounters, conversations, and shared moments that leave the deepest impression on travelers.
— Didier
