Tour Overview
| Duration | 7 Days / 6 Nights |
|---|---|
| Destination | Senegal — Dakar, Goree, Pink Lake, Saint-Louis, Lompoul |
| Price From | $2,450 per person (twin share) |
| Tour Style | Cultural & Natural Discovery |
| Best Season | November — May |
| Data Source | 2026 Senegal operator verified pricing |
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Dakar
Land at Blaise Diagne International Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Evening: orientation drive through Dakar — the African Renaissance Monument, the Corniche (coastal road), and the Place de l’Independance. Dinner featuring thieboudienne, Senegal’s national dish. Overnight in Dakar.
Day 2: Goree Island — The Door of No Return
Ferry to Goree Island (UNESCO). The Maison des Esclaves and the “Door of No Return” — standing in this doorway facing the Atlantic is one of travel’s most profound experiences. Walk the peaceful, car-free island with its colorful colonial architecture and bougainvillea — the contrast with its terrible history makes the visit all the more powerful. Afternoon: return to Dakar and visit the IFAN Museum of African Arts with its outstanding West African collection. Overnight in Dakar.
Day 3: Pink Lake (Lac Rose) & Cayar
Morning: Lac Rose — Senegal’s famous pink lake. Its rosy color (from salt-loving algae) creates surreal photographs, especially at midday. Watch salt harvesters at work and ride a pirogue on the pink water. Afternoon: Cayar fishing village to witness the daily haul arriving on the beach — dozens of colorful pirogues, each a work of art, racing through the surf with the day’s catch. Overnight in Dakar.
Day 4: Saint-Louis — The Colonial Capital
Drive north to Saint-Louis (3.5 hours), Senegal’s former capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Saint-Louis (founded 1659) was the first French settlement in West Africa and retains its colonial character — narrow streets, wrought-iron balconies, and pastel-colored buildings on an island in the Senegal River. Afternoon: guided walk through the island, visiting the Faidherbe Bridge (a 507m metal bridge built by Gustave Eiffel, 1897), the Governor’s Palace, and the fishing district of Guet Ndar, one of the most densely populated places on Earth — thousands of pirogues packed into the Senegal River mouth. Evening: Saint-Louis is famous for its jazz scene — catch live music at a local venue. Overnight in Saint-Louis.
Day 5: Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
Morning: Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (UNESCO), one of the world’s most important bird reserves. Located on the Senegal River delta, Djoudj hosts over 3 million birds — pelicans, flamingos, herons, cormorants, and the rare Arabian bustard. The best time is November-April when European migratory birds winter here alongside resident African species. Explore by pirogue through the channels, getting incredibly close to thousands of pelicans and flamingos. Overnight in Saint-Louis.
Day 6: Lompoul Desert
Continue south to the Lompoul Desert — a pocket of Saharan-style sand dunes (18 sq km of orange sand) that feels like it belongs in Mauritania rather than Senegal. Afternoon: 4×4 ride over the dunes, camel ride at sunset (the desert meets the Atlantic just beyond), and dinner at a Mauritanian-style tent camp. The night sky here, with zero light pollution, reveals more stars than most people will see in a lifetime. Overnight at Lompoul desert camp.
Day 7: Return to Dakar & Departure
Morning camel ride and desert sunrise. Drive back to Dakar (3 hours) with a stop at the Bandia Wildlife Reserve (giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and antelopes in a restored savanna landscape). Transfer to the airport for departure.
Included
- 6 nights accommodation (hotels + desert camp)
- Daily breakfast + 4 dinners
- Expert guide
- Private vehicle + 4×4 desert transfer
- Goree Island ferry
- Djoudj National Park entrance & boat tour
- Desert camel ride
- Airport transfers
