Senegal is truly the country in Africa that has it all: from a rich history to beautiful beaches, exceptional weather, abundant wildlife and a vibrant culture with unparalleled shopping experiences.
The country has come in the news extensively during the past few months thanks to President Obama’s visit to Goree Island, a visit he referred to as a “very powerful moment.”
The island of Goree lies off the coast of Senegal, opposite Dakar. From the 15th to the 19th century, the island was the largest slave-trading center on the African coast. Men, women and children were gathered on this small piece of land, locked up in cells before being shipped away to the New World.
Tourists can visit the numerous buildings that were used as slaves’ houses. The most famous is La Maison des Esclaves (the house of slaves), which used to hold up to 200 captives at a time. The cells where slaves were held can be visited, as can the apartments of the slave dealers upstairs. From the “Door of No Return,” countless Senegalese caught a last glimpse of their homeland before boarding the slave ships.
After a trip into the dark past of Africa on the historically rich island of Goree, travelers can explore the vibrant Senegalese culture in Dakar. With its thrumming streets and musical diversity, the capital has one of the world’s most exciting music scenes: from reggae and hip-hop to traditional tribal drum and high-energy mbalax music. Dakar is a nonstop concert, with music to be heard at every corner of every street from the local market and the picturesque old medina to the cool clubs, cafes, and dance boites (nightclubs).
The markets of Dakar are also a definite must-see. The Marche HLM is one of the most popular markets in Dakar for tourists as it displays extravagantly colored fabrics, which are used for creating local fashions. Fabric ranges from finest Malian waxed and beaten cloth imported from Bamako to Mauritanian Arabic-style patterns. The Dakar Medina also makes for a great shopping experience. It is the city's African quarter with interlacing streets, little shops, the Tilene Market, tailors at work and incessant activity. The Medina is a lively neighborhood, which is dominated by the minaret of the Great Mosque.
A trip to Senegal would not be complete without a visit to the beach. Senegal’s beaches are among the most photographed in the world and are not to be missed. Many of these beaches are close to Dakar: Plage Bel-Air, N'Gor Island and Yenn. To the city’s south is a nearly 100-mile stretch of sandy beach known as the Petite Cote, dotted with assorted small fishing villages. The fine sandy white beaches of Petite Cote are amongst Africa’s most picturesque beaches.