Senegal – The African Land Famous for Beaches

The territory of Senegal is the nation of sights and savors surrounded with the dry desert in the north and green tropical forests in the south. Right from the lively markets, architectural sites, lovely beaches, cultural sites of villages, and natural explorations; Senegal’s all these draws are sufficient for a true admirer and holiday maker.

I am revealing this fact as this was my experience during my first time visit via a package tour.

Senegal Tourist Attractions

Ziguinchor

This is the largest town in south occupied with its royal houses and tree-dotted avenues. Here, we visited the Cathedral with magnificent architecture, Alliance Franco-Senegalaise Building offering mosaic floors and Ndebele patterns across the walls and ceilings, and the markets of the Marche Artisanal and the Marche Saint-Maur on Av Lycée Guignabo offering alluring woodcarvings, fabrics, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Then, we headed towards Ferme de Djibelor located 5 km west to view a tropical fruit and flower garden for eating and purchasing the fresh ones.

Casamance

Adorned with tropical landscapes, countless watercourses, and the largest ethnic culture of the Diola group; this is among the most beautiful destinations in Africa. We headed to the western coast to explore one of the nation’s finest beaches sprawling from Cap Skiring in north until the villages of Kafountine and Abene where a mangrove delta takes the Casamance River into the Atlantic.

Dakar

This is the most interesting capital town of the nation that offers ideal musical drumbeats, shouting markets, live sites, and art festivals in Africa. Here, we visited the following places.

• Cathedral: Built in 1920s, this is the main one with a beautiful adjacent garden for children.
• Chambre de Commerce and Gouvernance: These are noteworthy on Place de l’Independance to visit due to its vastness dotted by big buildings in symmetry.
• Palais Presidentiel: Located south of Place de l’Indépendance, this royal building made in 1907 A.D. offers lavish gardens.
• Galerie Arte: Unlike a gallery, there are good items for sale here.
• Galerie Le Manege: This is a marvelous rebuilt 19th century edifice belonging to the French cultural complex.
• Galerie Nationale: This exhibits often varying collections of attractive photography or paintings.
• Grande Mosquee: This is another imposing monument made in 1964 in the core of small Medina full of tailor shops making space as against the coped up market stalls and innovations coming from street cafes and football lands.
• Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noir (IFAN) Museum: This is one of the ideal museums in West Africa that shows vibrant collections of show masks and traditional dresses including those of Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Benin, and Nigeria along with a best outline of styles.
• Yoff: This hamlet offers a beautiful long beach along with the brilliant Layen mausoleum. However, upon the visit, be dressed up properly – long skirts for females and trousers for males. Do not smoke or drink here, as it is prohibited.
• Les Mamelles Lighthouse: Situated off Rte de la Corniche-Ouest, we reached here after a 1 km drive from the quest (25-minute walk) on a small volcanic hill. We were delightful to have a spectacular view across Dakar from this 1864 tower without any fees. Then, we went at the beach of Rte de la Corniche-Ouest that is famous for jogging, picnic parties, and Sai-Sais, but not for swimming due to strong currents.
• Mosquee de la Divinite: We headed towards the north on the coastal road from the lighthouse to see this amazing mosque.

• Beaches: From the city centre, we could easily reach the beach – private Plage Lagon II near Hotel Lagon II and Plage de l’Anse Bernard near Hotel Le Savana.

Saint Louis

This is the historic French settlement alluring visitors with its colonial architecture, horse-drawn carts, and peaceful vibes.

• Cathedral: Located in south besides the governor’s palace, this was built in 1828 A.D. exhibiting a neoclassical facade.
• Galerie Mame Thiouth: This gallery offers quite appealing modern exhibitions kept under the arched ceilings.
• Governance: Located off the Pont Faidherbe, this building will captivate your mind. It was made on the relics of the colonial fort of the 18th century. The ruined ancient walls are still visible from around the backrooms of the Syndicat d’Initiative.
• Musee de l’Aeropostale: Situated at the back of the Governance building, this museum exhibits about the colonial airmail service that aid in the growth of the town and some of the readings on the life of the popular pilot Jean Mermoz.
• Pont Faidherbe: This is the main bridge that links the settlement and the island on the river Danube. A striking feature is its middle part that was said to be rotating in the past to steam up the ships.

• Grand Mosque: This monument exhibits the Maghreb-style building situated in the north. Built in 1847, there is also a clock tower here.
• Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie: This park encompasses the southern end of the Langue de Barbarie peninsula, two little islands of the Senegal River, and a part of the mainland. Here, you can spot myriad water birds in November to April.

Best Time to Visit

The peak season in Senegal is from November to February, its cool and festival time. During the rainy season from July to late September, some parks are closed, but many hotels bring their prices down by 50 percent.

Accommodations

• Hotel du Phare Les Mamelles (Hotel) in Les Mamelles – budget one
• Hotel Lagon II (Hotel) in Dakar – luxurious
• Hotel Faidherbe (Hotel) in Dakar – mid range