Things to do in Senegal
Cultural tourism
Seaside resort tourism
Senegalese culture is extremely rich and diverse. Senegal’s traditional architecture, cuisine, festivals, folklore ceremonies, craftsmanship and social organization modeled on ancestral values, its taste for traditional sports, music, dance, clothing, is of a huge unique culture. The country is divided into several ethnic groups and large cultural areas and this makes it a crossroads of the peoples of West Africa. These ethnic groups live harmoniously together and some have settled in the country for a long time and others were added later for various reasons. There are four major groups and several other minority groups or subgroups. Cultural tourism made up “one of the levers of sustainable development” of the Senegal tourism sector, in the framework of diversification of the offers.
The tourist destination of Senegal has mainly developed around seaside tourism thanks to its proximity to the major markets of outbound tourism in Europe. With 700 km of coastline, Senegal is a seaside destination of choice. Idleness is ensured on the marvelous beaches of fine white sand, which are sheltered with coconut trees and having a variety of pleasurable nautical activities. The main seaside resorts are the Petite Côte, found a few kilometers south of the capital and Cap Skirring in Casamance. You will find many hotels and holiday villages belonging to internationally renowned groups. If you are a lover of beaches lined with coconut trees, wet by a blue ocean, Senegal offers you a multitude of beautiful seaside destinations with a maritime coast opening on the Atlantic Ocean.
Historic Tourism
Hunting tourism
Senegal abounds with a rich heritage of remarkable natural and historical sites. Colonial buildings, monuments and museums that will delight lovers of history and architecture. Some of these ancient remains are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will discover historical monuments such as the House of Slaves which is a historical building located on the island of Gorée, near Dakar which was built in 1776 by the Dutch and was the last slavery of Senegal, the Podor Fort, historical museum that housed the various commanders of the French army and was built on the banks of the Senegal River in 1744, the René Caillé Pavillon and the Bakel or “Faidherbe” Fort in Eastern Senegal and many other beautiful historic sites.
Senegal has several hunting areas that have been specially developed and well equipped around national parks. The MISSIRA hunting camp, for example, is 35 km south of Tambacounda. That of DIANA 90 km South East. And that of Boundou, 50 km east of the latter. Each territory is 60,000 ha and is located on the edge of the Niakolokoba National Park. You can practice: hunting in front of you, in group for the small game in particular the francolins, hares and guinea fowl. Individual “post” hunting for turtledoves, pigeons and green pigeons. The hunt for the “past” for the gangas, in the morning or in the evening at nightfall at the different water points. You can also practice hunt for the “approach” for warthogs.
Business and Congress Tourism
Sports tourism
As a commercial hub for West Africa, Senegal offers immense business opportunities. Senegal has several infrastructures required for business tourism. Prestigious reception venues, conference rooms and numerous centers equipped to host conferences, seminars, conventions and other trade fairs. With a modern communication network and hotel infrastructure of international standards, Senegal has several advantages that make it one of the best African destinations for business, congresses and seminars.
On foot, by car, canoe, kayak and even on horseback, Senegal has several must-see trails for sports tourism. Hikes in unknown lands in total communion with nature, off the beaten track, to discover sites nestled in the heart of lush landscapes (forests, savannahs and waterfalls, islands etc …). A varied range of circuits awaits you. Hiking on plateaus, ridges and valleys are proposed to meet the warm populations. Several peaks will allow you to escape to altitude.
Agricultural tourism
Sustainable tourism
Agritourism is a form of tourism whose object is the discovery of the agricultural know-how of a territory. It regroups services such as reception and lodging and attracts every year more and more amateurs of nature. It brings together agricultural producers with foreign tourists thus allowing the discovery of the Senegalese rural agricultural heritage. This generates economic development for Senegalese farmers.
The term sustainable tourism generally describes all forms of alternative tourism that respect, preserve and sustainably enhance natural, cultural and social resources so as to minimize the negative impacts they may generate. The promotion of sustainable tourism in Senegal will allow local population’s access to international visitors and thus create employment/business opportunities while preserving the environment.
Religious tourism
Ecotourism
Also known as tourism of faith, religious tourism is the fact of apprehending holy places in the context of tourism for the purpose of pilgrimage, religious gathering or for purposes of leisure. Senegal is a secular state distinguished among others by its religious diversity whose followers live peacefully together. Religions and various beliefs occupy an important place in the culture and day to day life of Senegal. It is a country in which beliefs and traditions mingle with modernity. The Senegalese population is 94% Muslim, Christians, mainly Catholics, represent 5% and traditional beliefs are credited with 1%.
Senegal has several ecotourism sites that will allow you to get away from the stress of the bustling city life, to immerse yourself in an elegant, virgin and pure nature, to smell its odour, to breathe the fresh air of the rainforest, to relax, to make trips by pirogue, to go hiking, to contemplate animals and to forget the worries of everyday life. Senegal is one of the last African wild treasures and has a breath-taking animal concentrate.
Cultural tourism
Senegalese culture is extremely rich and diverse. Senegal’s traditional architecture, cuisine, festivals, folklore ceremonies, craftsmanship and social organization modeled on ancestral values, its taste for traditional sports, music, dance, clothing, is of a huge unique culture. The country is divided into several ethnic groups and large cultural areas and this makes it a crossroads of the peoples of West Africa. These ethnic groups live harmoniously together and some have settled in the country for a long time and others were added later for various reasons. There are four major groups and several other minority groups or subgroups. Cultural tourism made up “one of the levers of sustainable development” of the Senegal tourism sector, in the framework of diversification of the offers.
Seaside resort tourism
The tourist destination of Senegal has mainly developed around seaside tourism thanks to its proximity to the major markets of outbound tourism in Europe. With 700 km of coastline, Senegal is a seaside destination of choice. Idleness is ensured on the marvelous beaches of fine white sand, which are sheltered with coconut trees and having a variety of pleasurable nautical activities. The main seaside resorts are the Petite Côte, found a few kilometers south of the capital and Cap Skirring in Casamance. You will find many hotels and holiday villages belonging to internationally renowned groups. If you are a lover of beaches lined with coconut trees, wet by a blue ocean, Senegal offers you a multitude of beautiful seaside destinations with a maritime coast opening on the Atlantic Ocean.
Historic Tourism
Senegal abounds with a rich heritage of remarkable natural and historical sites. Colonial buildings, monuments and museums that will delight lovers of history and architecture. Some of these ancient remains are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You will discover historical monuments such as the House of Slaves which is a historical building located on the island of Gorée, near Dakar which was built in 1776 by the Dutch and was the last slavery of Senegal, the Podor Fort, historical museum that housed the various commanders of the French army and was built on the banks of the Senegal River in 1744, the René Caillé Pavillon and the Bakel or “Faidherbe” Fort in Eastern Senegal and many other beautiful historic sites.
Sports tourism
On foot, by car, canoe, kayak and even on horseback, Senegal has several must-see trails for sports tourism. Hikes in unknown lands in total communion with nature, off the beaten track, to discover sites nestled in the heart of lush landscapes (forests, savannahs and waterfalls, islands etc …). A varied range of circuits awaits you. Hiking on plateaus, ridges and valleys are proposed to meet the warm populations. Several peaks will allow you to escape to altitude.
Sustainable tourism
The term sustainable tourism generally describes all forms of alternative tourism that respect, preserve and sustainably enhance natural, cultural and social resources so as to minimize the negative impacts they may generate. The promotion of sustainable tourism in Senegal will allow local population’s access to international visitors and thus create employment/business opportunities while preserving the environment.
Religious tourism
Also known as tourism of faith, religious tourism is the fact of apprehending holy places in the context of tourism for the purpose of pilgrimage, religious gathering or for purposes of leisure. Senegal is a secular state distinguished among others by its religious diversity whose followers live peacefully together. Religions and various beliefs occupy an important place in the culture and day to day life of Senegal. It is a country in which beliefs and traditions mingle with modernity. The Senegalese population is 94% Muslim, Christians, mainly Catholics, represent 5% and traditional beliefs are credited with 1%.
Agricultural tourism
Agritourism is a form of tourism whose object is the discovery of the agricultural know-how of a territory. It regroups services such as reception and lodging and attracts every year more and more amateurs of nature. It brings together agricultural producers with foreign tourists thus allowing the discovery of the Senegalese rural agricultural heritage. This generates economic development for Senegalese farmers.
Hunting tourism
Senegal has several hunting areas that have been specially developed and well equipped around national parks. The MISSIRA hunting camp, for example, is 35 km south of Tambacounda. That of DIANA 90 km South East. And that of Boundou, 50 km east of the latter. Each territory is 60,000 ha and is located on the edge of the Niakolokoba National Park. You can practice: hunting in front of you, in group for the small game in particular the francolins, hares and guinea fowl. Individual “post” hunting for turtledoves, pigeons and green pigeons. The hunt for the “past” for the gangas, in the morning or in the evening at nightfall at the different water points. You can also practice hunt for the “approach” for warthogs.
Business and Congress Tourism
Also known as tourism of faith, religious tourism is the fact of apprehending holy places in the context of tourism for the purpose of pilgrimage, religious gathering or for purposes of leisure. Senegal is a secular state distinguished among others by its religious diversity whose followers live peacefully together. Religions and various beliefs occupy an important place in the culture and day to day life of Senegal. It is a country in which beliefs and traditions mingle with modernity. The Senegalese population is 94% Muslim, Christians, mainly Catholics, represent 5% and traditional beliefs are credited with 1%.
Ecotourism
Senegal has several ecotourism sites that will allow you to get away from the stress of the bustling city life, to immerse yourself in an elegant, virgin and pure nature, to smell its odour, to breathe the fresh air of the rainforest, to relax, to make trips by pirogue, to go hiking, to contemplate animals and to forget the worries of everyday life. Senegal is one of the last African wild treasures and has a breath-taking animal concentrate.
