Senegal tours & travel

Senegal has a history that dates back millennia, with Palaeolithic and Neolithic wall paintings, tools, and pottery being been found across the Senegal River valley. Today, Senegal's population is divided among about a dozen ethnic groups, each with its own customs and dialects. The largest group, the Wolof, counts for over a third of the population. Many groups are closely associated, meaning they share common customs and cultural traits. Not least of all, music and dance play an integral role across all Senegalese cultures. Distinctive musical instruments like the kora and hoddu are still played during celebrations across the country. Senegal is also famous for the quality of its jewellery, with local jewellery-makers selling beautifully crafted gold and silver. Large amber necklaces, traditionally worn by Fulani women, are a common sight.

In comparison to some other African countries, Senegal is relatively Westernized, especially in urban centres like the capital of Dakar and coastal Saint-Louis. This is largely due to the influence of Portuguese travellers in the 13th century, and French colonisers who established their first settlements in 1638. The island of Saint-Louis was quickly declared the French capital of West Africa, and today coastal towns are still home to some of the best-preserved colonial buildings on the continent.

Although French is the official language of Senegal, it’s spoken mostly by an educated minority. For most people, over 70% of the population, Wolof is the language of schools, towns and markets. This is especially true in urban areas, where more and more of the country’s population continues to settle.

Senegal occupies the historically unfortunate position of being the western-most point on the African mainland. This meant it was commonly used as a launching point for the slave trade in the US. For many slaves, Goree Island was the last piece of their homeland they ever saw. Although the trans-Atlantic slave trade is now a thing of the past, Senegal still bears the scars in its history.

Senegal is located on the Western border of the African continent, just north of the equator. The country is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean to the west, where the country’s biggest cities lie. South of the capital Dakar are a host of coastline estuaries, while north of the city is a section of shifting sand dunes, before coming to the Senegal Basin. Senegal’s longest border is with Mauritania to the north, following the Senegal River. Much of the north of the country is hot and dry, forming the Fouta Ferlo plains, where little grows. To the east is the border with Mali, where temperatures are known to reach over 50C (122F) near the Bambouk Mountains.

Nearly half of Senegal is classified as semi-arid, and much of the land is threatened with desertification. The other half of Senegal is forested, with about 20% of the country considered to be pristine primary rainforest. Conditions in the south of the country are humid and tropical at an average of 30C (86F), with a 3-5 month long rainy season and a 7-9 month long dry season. The south of Senegal shares borders with Guinea and Gunea-Bissau. Senegal is one of the few countries in the world to be a near-enclave, harbouring The Gambia across the smaller country’s entire inland border as it snakes along the Gambia River east to west. 

Over 10% of Senegal is under some form of environmental protection. The country is exceptionally biodiverse for its size, being home to more than 2,100 plant species and over 1,000 animal species, including 612 distinct species of bird.

At the centre of every village and town, usually next to the mosque, you’ll find an open-air market where most of the goods needed for daily use are sold. But if its souvenirs you’re looking for, Saint-Louis and Dakar are the places to be. Show off your bartering skills while perusing a range of locally made wooden carvings, traditional fabrics and embroideries, pottery and jewellery. Marche Kermel offers a mixture of local foodstuffs and souvenirs, but it’s worth visiting just to see the beautiful architecture of the building itself. 

If you’re hunting for African fabrics, you should head to Marche des HLM for locally produced cloths, silks and laces in every colour imaginable. From there, take them to a nearby tailor to have them made into whatever garment you please. Les Atellers Tesss in Saint-Louis is another shopping location you won’t want to skip, where you can see the weavers at work with traditional techniques, using natural dyes and organic cotton. But if you’d rather something a little less hectic, then explore the Village Artisanal Soumbedioune for a range of souvenirs, including wooden masks, African-style paintings, jewellery, batik prints and more. 

Senegal is known across the continent for its numerous cultural events showcasing both traditional and modern art forms. Here are some of the more popular events held across the country that you might want to catch while you’re there.

Le Fanal: The Lantern, or Le Fanal, is the Carnival of Africa. The event has been held since the 18th century and involves elaborate costumes and giant lanterns parading down the streets of Saint-Louis. 

Dak’Art Biennale: Held in Dakar every second May, this festival hosts a wide-spectrum of contemporary artists from Senegal, Africa and the world. The event takes place over the whole month, with over 200 exhibitions showcasing drawings, paintings, sculptors and ceramics, as well as digital artworks.

Saint Louis International Jazz Festival: Held in May, this is the most popular music festival in the country. The event attracts jazz, blues and soul artists from around the world for a week of performances, talks and workshops.

Goree Diaspora Festival: November in Dakar brings the Goree Diaspora Festival, an event that focuses on the history and descendants of the African slave trade, with conferences, arts, music, folklore and prominent speakers.

Kaay Fecc: This event takes place in Dakar in the late spring and celebrates both traditional and contemporary dancing, focusing on African choreographic expression.

Senegal Independence Day: A large military parade marches down the streets of the capital for one of the biggest celebrations in the country, held to commemorate Senegal’s independence from France on April 4 1959.

Abene Festival: This festival in the Casmance region often starts at the end of December and runs through the New Year, with djembe drums and percussion players, traditional dance and local folklore.

Senegalese cuisine is considered some of the best on the continent. Influences come from the country’s West African roots, Moroccan travellers passing through, and Portuguese and French colonisers. With the Atlantic Ocean on Senegal’s doorstep, fish and seafood play a large role in local cooking, but the distinguishing taste is the country’s primary crop – peanuts. A large number of traditional dishes include this essential ingredient. 

There’s been a distinct lack of pork on the menu since Islam first swept the nation in the 11th century, but chicken is a mainstay, with lamb and beef also found almost universally. These meats are typically stewed or marinated with herbs and spices, then served with rice, couscous or bread. Sweet-potatoes, lentils, black-eyed peas and other locally grown vegetables are often incorporated into many recipes. 

As for drinks, be sure to look out for juices made from the fruit of hibiscus plants, bissap, and the fruit of baobab trees, bouye (also known as ‘monkey bread fruit’). Palm wine is a popular alcoholic drink in the region, made from the fermented sap of palm trees. 

Must-try foods in Senegal

Yassa: A dish that’s spread throughout Africa, Yassa is usually fried or barbequed pieces of chicken, served in an onion and lemon sauce.

Maafe: A stew of seasoned meat cooked with vegetables in a tomato and peanut sauce. 

Thieboudienne or (ceebu jen): The national dish of Senegal, literally translates to ‘The Rice of Fish’. This is a mixed dish of herb-marinated fish cooked in tomato paste served a bed of vegetables and rice. 

Dem a la Saint Louisienne: Fresh mullet stuffed with onions, peppers, tomatoes and bread crumbs.

Avocat au crevettes: Avocado stuffed with shrimp.

Sombi: A sweet milk-rice soup.

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• Ambiguous Adventure by Cheikh Hamidou Kane
• Three Strong Women by Marie NDiaye 
• The Beggars' Strike by Aminata Sow Fall
• Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord
• The Abandoned Baobab by Ken Bugul