›You are here

Home›Destinations›Africa›Senegal Highlights and Events

Senegal Highlights and Events

Travel in Senegal with Intrepid

Flag
Sitting at the continent’s western-most tip, Senegal also marks the fusion point of Africa’s Arabic north with the diverse and colourful cultures of the region’s southern gulf. Hemmed in by the ever-encroaching sands of the Sahel, the waves of the Atlantic and the dense jungle of the Casamance, Senegal often seems to work a beat and rhythm all its own. Emphatically Muslim, yet exuding French undertones, and evoking both the best in colonial-era architecture and the worst vestiges of the slave trade, it’s a nation of novelty where the melodies of home-grown international music maestros are played alongside the latest local hip-hop sensations, and first-rate baguettes are hawked from the back of horse-drawn carts.
» View all trips to Senegal

Experience Senegal's highlights on these trips

Dakar to Ghana

Palm trees under blue skies, Benin
Add to Shortlist
56 days
Basix
  • USD $5,360*
    CAD $5,347*
    AUD $5,193*
    EUR €4,069*
    GBP £3,254*
    NZD $6,622*
    ZAR R40,596*
    CHF FR4,691*
    *     Total price tool tip

Nomadic West Africa Eastbound

Handmade pottery of Accra, Ghana
Add to Shortlist
36 days
Basix
  • USD $3,775*
    CAD $3,763*
    AUD $3,655*
    EUR €2,867*
    GBP £2,291*
    NZD $4,664*
    ZAR R28,583*
    CHF FR3,302*
    *     Total price tool tip

Freetown to Dakar

Boat in Dakar, Senegal
Add to Shortlist
23 days
Basix
  • USD $1,880
    CAD $1,895
    AUD $1,830
    EUR €1,465
    GBP £1,140
    NZD $2,345
    ZAR R14,620
    CHF FR1,695
    Trip Price tool tip
  • USD $545
    Kitty tool tip
  • USD $2,425*
    CAD $2,424*
    AUD $2,351*
    EUR €1,845*
    GBP £1,472*
    NZD $2,999*
    ZAR R18,410*
    CHF FR2,126*
    *     Total price tool tip

West Africa Overland

Palm trees under blue skies, Benin
Add to Shortlist
70 days
Basix
  • USD $5,140
    CAD $5,170
    AUD $4,995
    EUR €4,005
    GBP £3,115
    NZD $6,405
    ZAR R39,945
    CHF FR4,635
    Trip Price tool tip
  • USD $1,590
    Kitty tool tip
  • USD $6,730*
    CAD $6,713*
    AUD $6,516*
    EUR €5,114*
    GBP £4,084*
    NZD $8,313*
    ZAR R51,003*
    CHF FR5,892*
    *     Total price tool tip
* Refer to booking conditions

Highlights


Senegal's Top Picks

 
Senegal's coastal cities were France's first colonial outposts
 

Top 5 Senegal Festivals

  1. St. Louis Jazz Festival: Every May, internationally renowned jazz legends and emerging artists arrive on mass for a weekend of thumping good times in what's arguably Senegal’s most charming town. Started in 1993, the festival is the biggest jazz celebration on the continent and has played host to the likes of Herbie Hancock, Randy Weston and Joe Zainul.
  2. Gorée Diaspora Festival: Created with the ambition of promoting links between Senegal and the descendants of slaves exported from Gorée Island, this eclectic festival features traditional and modern musical concerts, conferences and debates, art and craft exhibitions, dance performances and the odd traditional wrestling bout thrown in for good measure.
  3. Kaay Fecc: This lively Dakar dance festival, held between late May and early June every two years, is a vivacious celebration of African choreographic expression, entertainment, and education. Aiming at the sustainable propagation of dance throughout the continent, the event attracts dance enthusiasts from around the globe keen to partake in the smorgasbord of workshops, performances and dance classes on offer.
  4. Abéné Festivalo: Held annually over the New Year period in the Casamance community of Abéné, this 10-day drumming festival celebrates Casamance culture primarily through djembe and percussion performances, but also features nightly dance recitals and traditional Senegalese wrestling displays.
  5. Dak’Art Biennale: The cleverly named Dak’Art Biennale has served as a platform for promoting contemporary art with African cultural roots since 1992. Held every even-numbered year in May, the festival showcases works by established and emerging African artists in galleries and venues across the capital.

Shortlist

No trips.

Senegal at a glance

  • 6
  • Dakar (population 2.7 million)
  • 13.3 million
  • French, Wolof
  • XOF
  • (GMT) Casablanca
  • Type C (European 2-pin), Type D (Old British 3-pin)
  • +221

Subscribe to Newsletters


Inspiration straight to your inbox with travel tips, specials, travellers' experiences and a trip to win in every edition!
  • brochure request