Senegal · UNESCO Heritage Sites

10-Day Senegal Tour with Gorée Island, Lompoul Desert and Saloum

10 Days Round trip from Dakar Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Explore Gorée Island and see the famous Door of No Return
  • 02 Discover Saint Louis, the first French city in West Africa, by horse carriage
  • 03 Enjoy a camel ride in the Lompoul Desert at sunset
  • 04 Visit the Senegambian stone circles in Sine Ngayène
  • 05 Cruise the Saloum River to see mangroves, oysters, and birds
  • 06 Explore Shell Island and relax in the seaside resort of Saly

Explore Gorée Island to see the slave house and its famous Door of No Return, then discover Dakar landmarks such as the Monument of the African Renaissance and other hidden wonders. Travel on to Saint Louis, the first French city in West Africa, and continue into the Lompoul Desert for a memorable desert experience. Visit a typical village, stop at the Senegambian stone circles in Sine Ngayène, and enjoy a boat ride on the Saloum to admire the sublime beauty of the mangroves, oysters, and birds. This journey also includes time in the Shell Island area and a relaxing stay in the seaside resort of Saly.

Enjoy a boat ride on the sublime Edenic Saloum River to visit the shell island, and see the birds coming back in big numbers to spend the night on their islet.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 10 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Dakar, Kaolack, Saint Louis, Mbour, Gorée
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival in Dakar

  • Arrive at Dakar airport and transfer to Le Djolof Hotel in Dakar.

Meal included in the cost: Breakfast.

2
Day 02

Gorée Island and Dakar Heritage Tour

  • Explore Gorée Island, where from the early 15th century until 1848, millions of Black people were abused, humiliated, enslaved, and shipped to America. See the slave houses and the famous "Door Of No Return."
  • Visit the shackles and see the 10,300 kg iron ball that the slaves were always carrying with them. Learn what the cost of a slave was.
  • Take a walk to see Gorée's ochre-painted buildings.
  • Head to the 1830 French church, the houses of some mulattoes, owners of slaves, and rich merchants such as Victoria Albis.
  • Go to the 1925 French veterinary school for the colonies, the former French governor's palace, the French government square, the auction block, and the 1919 William Ponty School, whose purpose was to train executives for the French colonies.
  • Stop by and see where the Portuguese built their 1481 chapel and the former French fortification.
  • Discover Dakar's cultural park, an architectural and cultural jewel.
  • See the Monument Of The African Renaissance, the Museum of Black Civilisation, the National Theatre, and the Railroad.
  • Visit the Big Cathedral and the Divinity Mosque.

Meal included in the cost: Breakfast and dinner.

3
Day 03

Saint Louis and Lompoul Desert Experience

  • Take a horse carriage tour to discover Saint Louis, the first French city in West Africa.
  • See the former French governor's residence, the ancient French trading companies' buildings, and the fish folks neighbourhoods.
  • Reach Lompoul Village, from where you will ride a jeep to the desert. Have a bissap juice as a welcome drink.
  • Enjoy an invigorating local experience with a camel ride to behold the fabulous African desert sunset.
  • Appreciate the performance of an African ballet during the appetizer.
  • Have a delicious couscous of the desert.

Dinner and overnight at Ecolodge de Lompoul.

Meal included in the cost: Breakfast and dinner.

4
Day 04

Touba Mosque and Village Culture

  • Visit Touba's Big Mosque. Touba is the capital city of the religious brotherhood called Mouridism. Learn about Sheikh Ahmadou and explore the mosque, which is the biggest one in West Africa.
  • Explore a typical village and immerse yourself in its culture. Take advantage of this exploration to be initiated into some of their daily activities, such as pounding millet.
  • Head to Kaolack central market and enjoy lunch at Relais Kaolack Hotel.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Relais de Kaolack.

Meal included in the cost: Breakfast and dinner.

5
Day 05

Sine Ngayène Stone Circles

  • Go for the discovery of the stone circles in Sine Ngayène.
  • Enjoy the hotel swimming pool in the afternoon.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel Relais de Kaolack.

Meals included in the cost: Breakfast and dinner.

6
Day 06

Saloum River Boat Ride

  • Discover Missirah holy Kapok tree and the Mandigo region.
  • Enjoy a boat ride on the sublime Edenic Saloum River to visit the shell island, and see the birds coming back in big numbers to spend the night on their islet.

Dinner and overnight at Keur Saloum Hotel.

Meals included in the cost: Breakfast and dinner.

7
Day 07

Sipo Island and Village Visit

  • Discover Sipo Island and visit an African queen and her village.
  • Have a picnic lunch on Sipo Island near the Saloum River. Bring a bathing suit to swim in the river.
  • Return to Keur Saloum.

Dinner and overnight.

Meals included in the cost: Breakfast and dinner.

8
Day 08

Fadiouth Shell Island to Mbour

  • Visit the Shell Island, or Fadiouth, an island with a great majority of Catholics and a small minority of Muslims.
  • See the holy baobab tree, the church, the granaries on piles, and the cemetery.
  • Embark on a small boat from the cemetery to join the mainland.
  • Enjoy lunch at Tavern Des Pêcheurs Restaurant, and continue to Mbour.

Dinner and overnight at Royal Saly Hotel in Saly Portugal.

Meals included in the cost: Breakfast and dinner.

9
Day 09

Relaxation in Saly Seaside Resort

  • Relax in the Saly seaside resort.

Dinner and overnight at Saly Hotel or similar.

Meals included in the cost: Breakfast and dinner.

10
Day 10

Hotel Relaxation and Airport Transfer

  • Relax at the hotel and transfer to the airport.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Gorée Island, Monument Of The African Renaissance, Lompoul Desert dunes, Saloum River mangroves

Where this trip takes you

Gorée Island, Monument Of The African Renaissance, Lompoul Desert dunes, Saloum River mangroves

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Dakar 5 cities · 10 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • An English-speaking guide
  • An air-conditioned vehicle
  • Meals mentioned in the tour
  • Accommodation as mentioned in the tour
  • Admission to all the listed sites
  • All the visits
  • All the activities and applicable taxes

What's Not Included

  • Cost of visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned

What to bring

  • Additional information
  • Baseball hat
  • Sun cream
  • Repellent against mosquitoes.
  • A jacket in case it's cold.
  • Good shoes for walking

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Dakar, Sénégal
Tour start
Dakar, Sénégal
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 10 days finish where they began, in Dakar.

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