Africa

Senegal

At a glance

First impression

Senegal feels energetic and open. In my experience, Senegalese people are extremely nice, and strangers helped me in ways I have not often seen elsewhere.

Getting around

Moving around Dakar is quite easy. You can use the numerous yellow taxis or Yango, which works well here and in several other African countries.

Money

Mobile money is king, especially Orange Money and Wave. Cash is less practical than you might expect, and many traders do not carry much change, so smaller notes help.

SIM on Arrival

Getting a SIM card at the airport is quick and easy. I got mine with YAS, though Orange is also available.

A visual journey through Dakar, Senegal

Dakar

Colourful fishing boat on the coast in Senegal — **Colour is never far away.** Along the beaches you often find beautifully painted fishing boats, adding another layer of energy to the Senegalese coastline.

African Renaissance Monument in Dakar — **The African Renaissance Monument is impossible to ignore.** At 52 metres, it is the tallest statue in Africa. It is visually impressive, and the 198 steps up are also a good workout. There is a museum on site too.

Plate of thiéboudiène in Senegal — **Thiéboudiène is at the heart of the country’s food story.** Often described as Senegalese jollof rice, it is the national dish and one of the clearest expressions of Senegalese cuisine. This was in Chez Ndioufa.

Breakfast by a private pool at Les Manguiers de Guéréo — **Les Manguiers de Guéréo is more retreat than resort.** It is expensive, but it is an incredible place to relax and switch off. You do not go there for parties or big activities, but for calm, walks, and a private-pool kind of escape. It is just outside Dakar in Guéréo, south of Dakar.

Peaceful view of the altantic ocean from dakar — Dakar has a lot of places like this where you can relx and ponder.

Another Plate of Thiéboudiène in Senegal — Here is another version of Thiéboudiène found in Chez Loutcha.

Gorée Island

Door of No Return at the House of Slaves on Gorée Island — **The Door of No Return is one of the island’s most powerful spaces.** The House of Slaves is both a museum and a memorial to the victims of the Atlantic slave trade.

Memorial plaque on Gorée Island — **Memory is built into the island.** For some visitors, Gorée is a tourist stop; for others, it is a deeply emotional confrontation with what human beings did to one another.

Historic house on Gorée Island with curved staircases — **Architecture is part of the island’s identity.** The built environment of Gorée is one reason it remains so visually compelling, even as its history resists any easy reading.

Waterfront buildings on Gorée Island — Gorée mixes warm colour, Atlantic light, and historical gravity.

Pink Lake (Lac Rose)

Boat on Lac Rose in Senegal — **Lac Rose still has its colour, just more subtle.** The lake is known for its pink hue due to the Dunaliella salina algae, although it is not always as vibrant as what you may see online.

Senegal flags at Lac Rose — **The setting is calm and open.** Around the lake you will find salt extraction sites, wooden boats, and wide open views that feel very different from Dakar city.

Salt piles at Lac Rose — **Salt extraction defines the landscape.** Large white salt mounds line the shore, and you can see how the lake supports local livelihoods.

Close view of Lac Rose water — **Up close, the colour becomes more visible.** Depending on the time of day, the pink tones can appear stronger, especially under direct midday light.

Sand path leading to Plage de Niaga — **Plage de Niaga feels remote and untouched.** The sandy tracks leading to the beach already give a sense of how open and quiet this stretch of coastline is.

4x4 vehicle on Plage de Niaga beach — **The beach stretches endlessly.** Wide, open sand and very few crowds make it a great place to disconnect, with vehicles sometimes driving directly along the shore.

Travel notes

Language

Wolof is the language you will hear most on the streets, while French is the main official language and very useful in daily interactions. English is not widely spoken, so it helps to learn a few basic words in French or Wolof.

Traffic

Be very mindful of traffic, especially when travelling into Dakar from the airport. Journeys can take much longer than expected, so it is worth building in extra time for transfers and appointments.

Pink Lake timing

Lac Rose is still pink, but often less intense than what you may see online. It is best to visit around midday when the sun is strongest to see it more clearly.

Exercise culture

Senegalese people really do seem to love exercise. You see open-air gyms, people training on the beach, and a wider culture of movement that is hard to miss.