Discovering the African city of Dakar

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
History of Dakar
4 stops
1
Dakar Railway Station
You start the day with African modernity: You will visit the newly renovated regional train station, which accommodates the facade of the originally colonial structure and has integrated it into a state-of-the-art complex.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
2
The Museum of Black Civilisations
The Musée des Civilisations Noires in Dakar, Senegal, opened on December 6, 2018 and is a major center for African history and culture. It was born out of a vision of Senegal's first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor, and was realized with Chinese support. The museum covers about 14,000 m2 and is architecturally based on traditional round huts. It features over 500 exhibits from Africa and the diaspora, including prehistoric artifacts, ritual masks and contemporary art. The aim is to decolonize African knowledge and make visible the diversity of black civilizations. The museum sees itself as a place of exchange and self-assurance for African identity.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
3
The Grand Théâtre National Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose in Dakar opened on 15 April 2011 and is one of the most important cultural sites in West Africa. With a capacity of 1,800 seats and 206 artist rooms, it offers space for a wide range of performances – from theatre to music and dance. The imposing building, named after the legendary Senegalese drummer Doudou Ndiaye Rose, is a symbol of Africa's cultural renaissance. It was built with Chinese support and is part of a larger cultural park. The theatre promotes local and international artists and serves as a platform for cultural exchange. It contributes significantly to the visibility and appreciation of African art forms and is a place where tradition and modernity meet.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
4
Goree Island
The Ile de Gorée is about 20 minutes by ferry from Dakar and is one of the most important historical sites in West Africa. The small island was a central transhipment point in the transatlantic slave trade from the 15th to the 19th century. Today, the Maison des Esclaves with its “Porte du Non-Retour” (Door of No Return) is a reminder of this dark chapter in history. In addition to its historical importance, the island also offers cultural diversity: Museums such as the Historical Museum or the Musée de la Femme, galleries, artists’ studios and colonial architecture characterize the image, allowing visitors to explore the car-free island on foot, stroll through narrow streets, discover local crafts or enjoy views of the Atlantic from Fort d’Estrées. The Île de Gorée is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of remembrance, but also of encounter and inspiration.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Art and culture of Senegal
4 stops
5
Village des Arts
The Village des Arts in Dakar is a vibrant centre for contemporary art and creative encounters. Founded in 1998, it houses around 50 studios on a four-hectare site, where Senegalese and international artists work. Visitors can explore the open workshops, talk to artists and experience exhibitions at the Léopold Sédar Senghor gallery. Offering a wide range of visual arts – from painting and sculpture to photography and installations – the Village is an inspiring place for anyone looking to immerse themselves in Dakar’s creative scene.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
6
IFAN Museum (African Arts Museum)
The IFAN Museum in Dakar, officially the Musée Théodore Monod d'Art africain, is one of the oldest and most prestigious art museums in West Africa. It was founded in 1938 and is part of the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire (IFAN), which is now part of the University of Cheikh Anta Diop. The museum is centrally located in the Plateau district, close to the National Assembly. It houses an important collection of traditional African art from across West Africa – including masks, sculptures, textiles and everyday objects. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are regular special exhibitions by contemporary artists, especially as part of the Dakar Biennale. The museum sees itself as a place for the preservation, research and teaching of African cultures and is named after the French naturalist Théodore Monod, a former director of IFAN.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
7
Musee des Forces Armees du Senegal
The Musée des Forces Armées in Dakar was founded in 1997 and is dedicated to the history of the Senegalese armed forces. It features exhibitions on traditional African armies, colonial troops – especially the Tirailleurs sénégalais – and the modern Senegalese army. Located in a historic building in the city centre, the museum also offers a documentation centre on military remembrance culture. It is a place of remembrance and knowledge transfer about the role of the military in Senegal's history.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
8
Marche Sandaga
Marché Sandaga in the centre of Dakar is one of Senegal's oldest and most vibrant markets. In the historic building and the surrounding streets, dealers offer a colourful variety: Fabrics, jewelry, spices, electronics and crafts. The market is loud, chaotic and full of energy – a real experience for visitors. Bargaining is part of it, feel free to try it out, or let your guide help you.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Panoramic views and hustle and bustle in Yoff
4 stops
9
Phare des Mamelles is a historic lighthouse on the Cap Vert Peninsula near Dakar, Senegal. Built in 1864 on the westernmost point of the African continent, it sits on a 105 m high hill of volcanic origin. With a firing height of 120 m and a range of 57 km, it is one of the strongest beacons in Africa. The 16 m high, white tower with Fresnel lens is still in operation today and can be visited. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views over Dakar, the Madeleine Islands and the Atlantic Ocean from the observation deck.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
10
Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine
The Monument de la Renaissance Africaine is a 52 m high bronze statue in Dakar, Senegal, and is considered the tallest statue in Africa. It was built in 2010 on a 100 m high hill in the Ouakam district and depicts a family – man, woman and child – rising symbolically from a volcano. The monument stands for the dawn of Africa into a self-determined future. Designed by architect Pierre Goudiaby Atepa and built by a North Korean company, it houses a museum and viewing platform in the head of the statue. Despite criticism of cost and style, it is now an important landmark and cultural symbol for the whole of Africa.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
11
Plage De Yoff
Walking through Dakar Yoff is like immersing yourself in the authentic everyday life of the Senegalese capital. The district is located north of the airport and right on the Atlantic coast – ideal for a relaxing stroll between city and sea. They start at Yoff beach, where colorful pirogues lie in the sand and fishermen mend their nets. Children play football while surfers ride the waves – the atmosphere is lively and warm. Small shops, workshops and market stalls line up in the narrow streets of Yoff. The smell of grilled fish, spices and fresh pastries is in the air. Particularly impressive is the proximity to the Brotherhood of Layènes, whose mosque is located directly on the sea. Here you can feel the spiritual significance of the neighborhood. Yoff is not a tourist hotspot, but a place where you can experience the real Dakar – colorful, loud, warm and full of life.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
12
Walking through the market of Colobane in Dakar is a sensual adventure full of colors, sounds and smells – not necessarily for the faint-hearted, but a real experience on day 3 of your trip! We enter the market through a tangle of stalls where traders loudly advertise their goods: Clothing, shoes, electronics, spare parts – much of it used, some surprisingly well preserved. Between the narrow streets pile up mountains of jeans, T-shirts and bales of fabric. Bargaining, laughing, discussing – the market is a place of exchange and improvisation. Colobane is particularly known for its secondhand market, where you can find real treasures with a little patience – from vintage fashion to rare vinyl records. Colobane is not a glossy bazaar, but a mirror of urban life in Dakar – chaotic, vibrant and full of character. Walking here is like diving into the soul of the city.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Excursion to Lake Retba just outside Dakar
1 stop
13
Lake Retba
For the fourth and penultimate day of your trip, you will drive to the gates of the city to the famous Retba Lake, where you can float like on the Dead Sea due to its high salt content. Visitors can admire the surrounding dunes and the traditional salt extraction techniques of the locals. If you feel like a little adventure, you can explore the area between the lake and the Atlantic Ocean by horse, camel or quad bike - we provide everything.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 5
One last stroll and goodbye
1 stop
14
The fifth and final day is marked by departure: After breakfast and perhaps a last stroll through the Senegalese capital, our drivers will take you to Blaise-Diagne International Airport in Ndiass, just outside Dakar, according to your departure times.
4 hours • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• When entering Senegal, the passport must still have a validity of at least six months.

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