From the Bush to the Beach

Airport welcome in Dakar, then immediate departure towards the Lake Rose (Lac Retba), known for its purple waters and high salt content.

Settlement at Gîte du Lac (or similar depending on availability), in the heart of the dunes and by the poolside.

The morning is devoted to visiting the House of Slaves, commented with passion by the curator.

Discovery continues with a stroll through the flowery streets up to the promontory, which offers a panorama over Dakar Bay.

Visit also to the church.

Early afternoon, return by boat to Dakar, then visit the city through several emblematic places: Place of Independence, former colonial buildings, train station, cathedral, presidential palace and Kermel market. The corniche allows you to enjoy a beautiful panorama over the Madeleines Islands at sunset.

The program continues with a stop at the Ouakam Mosque then the African Renaissance Monument.

The road finally leads to Lake Retba for this first stop at the gates of Dakar.

Lunch is planned at a bamboo restaurant, located on a shell mound offering views of the lake.

After lunch, you head towards Kayar, presented as the largest artisanal fishing center.

On site, our village guide accompanies you to observe the arrival of fishermen, the unloading of buckets, the launching of pirogues from the water, negotiations on the sand, the loading of carts, as well as the salting, smoking, and drying stages of non-sellable species and the sale of the finest catches under the market hall.

You then continue on the road to Saint-Louis, where you settle in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay by the ocean.

This day takes you first to the Gandiolais, a market gardening region, then to the Langue de Barbarie National Park. You board a pirogue to sail down the river along the Bird Island, where many species such as terns, gulls and pelicans come to nest.

You then set foot on the sandy tongue, between river and ocean, a territory frequented by sea turtles which come to lay their eggs. Navigation continues to the historic mouth of the Sénégal river, with perhaps the possibility of observing pink flamingos.

Lunch is scheduled at a lodge on the banks of the river, followed by a moment of relaxation and swimming, at the pool, in the river or in the ocean.

In the afternoon, you head back on the road to reach the Lompoul Desert. A 4x4 truck is necessary to cross the dunes and reach this Saharan setting.

Upon your arrival, you settle into a charming bivouac, located in the heart of an oasis in the middle of the dunes.

You then enjoy your first camel ride, in a landscape open to the desert and coastline. At the bivouac, a welcome cocktail awaits you before a traditional meal consisting of kid goat couscous with vegetables accompanied by Moroccan wine, to the sound of djembes and local dances, followed by Senegalese tea.

The night is spent under khaïmas, traditional Moorish tents equipped with full bedding and an individual bathroom.

After breakfast, you depart by 4x4 vehicle towards the village by taking cart tracks that wind around the dunes, in a Sahelian landscape dotted with acacias. Along the way, your guide presents the agricultural techniques used to produce vegetables in the hollows of the dunes, as well as the workings of traditional goat and sheep herding.

You then pass through Mékhé, known as the shoe capital, with a stop to visit a few shops.

You will make a short stop at the basket weaving market, a specialty of the Thiès region, then you will cross Tivaouane, the holy city of the Tijani brotherhood, the most represented in Sénégal. You will continue on a road offering an exceptional panorama over the baobab forest of Sindia.

You will have lunch in Somone and continue on the road towards Saly, where you will check in at the hotel for a free afternoon of relaxation, beach or pool. Many excursions are offered on site as options.

You leave your hotel in the morning to head to Dakar.

Upon your arrival at the port, you board the Gorée shuttle boat.

The approach to the Gorée Island reveals beautiful views of the cliffs, colonial houses and flower-lined streets. Upon arrival, you will be dazzled by this island with colonial charm.

The visit begins on Gorée island with a visit to the House of Slaves, commented by the curator. A well-documented exhibition there recalls the history of slavery. You then continue with a stroll through the flowered streets of the historic city, before discovering the church.

Lunch is planned on Gorée island.

Early in the afternoon, you travel to Dakar by boat to discover several places in the city: Independence Square, old colonial buildings, the railway station, the cathedral, the presidential palace and Kermel market. From the corniche, you enjoy a panoramic view of the Madeleine islands at sunset. The tour also passes through the Ouakam mosque and the African Renaissance monument.

The day ends with a final dinner according to your flight schedule at a restaurant in Dakar.