Essential Senegal — 7 days
Dakar · Gorée · Sine Saloum · Joal-Fadiouth · Saint-Louis. The best of Senegal in one week.
The journey
Seven days. Four territories. A country in all its diversity. From Dakar and Gorée to Saint-Louis on the river, by way of UNESCO-listed Sine Saloum and the island of Joal-Fadiouth. This is the circuit designed for those who have a week and want to come back with a complete, honest picture of Senegal.
The Essential Senegal circuit is the most requested in the TripAfro catalogue. Air-conditioned vehicle transport, certified guide, well-chosen accommodation, meals included. From 450,000 FCFA per person. Available year-round.
This isn't a circuit for those who want to see a lot. It's a circuit for those who want to understand.
Highlights
- Île de Gorée
- Nuit en campement Sine Saloum
- Guide francophone
Day-by-day programme
- D1
Dakar — Arrival, Gorée & the Corniche
Welcome at the airport or Dakar meeting point. Hotel check-in. Afternoon: ferry to Gorée (20 min) — guided tour of the House of Slaves, Creole streets, view over the bay. Back to Dakar. Dinner on the Corniche Ouest. Overnight in Dakar.
- D2
Dakar — Médina, Plateau & Monument
Morning: guided tour of the Médina — Sandaga market, artisans, authentic neighborhood life. Thiéboudienne lunch in a local restaurant (the gastronomic highlight of the circuit). Afternoon: Dakar Plateau, National Assembly, African Renaissance Monument (360° panoramic view over the peninsula). Overnight in Dakar.
- D3
Dakar → Sine Saloum — Road & delta arrival
Departure at 8am. Drive to Sine Saloum via Kaolack (2h45). Arrival in Ndangane. Lunch. Afternoon: first pirogue trip through the mangrove bolongs — migratory bird watching, delta discovery. Check in at the waterside eco-lodge. Dinner. Overnight in Sine Saloum.
- D4
Sine Saloum — Mar Lodj island & full immersion
Full day in Sine Saloum. Morning: pirogue to Mar Lodj island — car-free village, ancient baobabs, picnic lunch under the trees. Afternoon: kayaking in the bolongs, horseback riding on the delta banks (by package). Sunset over the water. Dinner. Overnight at the eco-lodge.
- D5
Sine Saloum → Joal-Fadiouth → Saint-Louis
Morning: guided visit of Joal-Fadiouth — the bridge between Joal and Fadiouth island, the mixed Catholic-Muslim cemetery unique in the world, the shell island, the ancient baobab of Fadial. Lunch in Joal. Drive to Saint-Louis (3h15). Check-in. Dinner. Overnight in Saint-Louis.
- D6
Saint-Louis — Colonial island & Djoudj Park
Morning: visit of the UNESCO colonial island — Faidherbe bridge (1897), Creole architecture, historic streets, market. Lunch. Afternoon: excursion to Djoudj National Bird Park (60 km, Ramsar-listed) — 3 million migratory birds (Nov-Mar), pirogue tour through the channels. Back to Saint-Louis. Dinner. Overnight.
- D7
Saint-Louis → Dakar — Return
Breakfast. Free morning: Langue de Barbarie, Guet-Ndar fish market, photos. Drive back to Dakar (3h). Arrival in early afternoon. Transfer to hotel or airport. End of circuit.
What's included
- Round-trip air-conditioned vehicle transport for the whole circuit
- 6 nights of accommodation (hotels and eco-lodges by package)
- Certified TripAfro guide for 7 days
- All transfers and local transport (pirogues, vehicles)
- Round-trip ferry to Gorée (D1)
- Pirogue in the Sine Saloum bolongs (D3) and to Mar Lodj island + kayak (D4)
- Guided visit of Joal-Fadiouth (D5) and Djoudj Park excursion by pirogue (D6)
- Breakfast every day + lunch on D3, D4, D5, D6
- Mineral water throughout · TripAfro gift
Not included
- International flights to/from Dakar
- Dinners (except Prestige package)
- Extra drinks and extras
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Guide and pirogue tips
Three packages, one journey
Same programme, same guide, same level of care. The difference is in accommodation comfort, meals and additional services.
Essential
450 000 FCFA
per person, double · solo 580 000 FCFA
- 2★ hotels & eco-lodges
- Breakfast + lunches D3 to D6
- Shared guide (≤12 people)
- Standard shared Sine Saloum pirogue
- Shared minibus
- Fathala Safari optional (+65,000 FCFA)
- Fixed dates
Comfort
620 000 FCFA
per person, double · solo 780 000 FCFA
- 3★ hotels & comfort eco-lodges
- Half board (breakfast + dinner)
- Dedicated group guide
- Private pirogue
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Fathala Safari optional (+65,000 FCFA)
- Flexible dates
Prestige
850 000 FCFA
per person, double · solo 1 050 000 FCFA
- 4★ hotels & premium lodges
- Full board
- Dedicated senior expert guide
- Private pirogue + sunset drinks
- 4×4 SUV + dedicated driver
- Fathala Safari included (lion walk)
- Flexible & customizable dates
Online booking applies the Essential rate. For Comfort and Prestige, finalize with the TripAfro team: WhatsApp
Frequently asked questions
What is the Essential Senegal 7-day circuit?+
It's TripAfro's most requested circuit: 7 days from Dakar, covering Gorée (UNESCO), Dakar's Médina, UNESCO Sine Saloum, Joal-Fadiouth and Saint-Louis with Djoudj Park. From 450,000 FCFA with transport, accommodation, guide and meals included.
Is this circuit suitable for a first trip to Senegal?+
It is precisely the circuit designed for that. It covers the country's diversity in one week: history (Gorée), nature (Sine Saloum), culture (Joal-Fadiouth) and colonial and birdlife heritage (Saint-Louis, Djoudj).
Can this circuit be done as a family with children?+
Yes, from age 6. The pace is balanced (one major move every two days). Safe pirogues, suitable activities. We recommend the Comfort package for accommodation. Child rate available on request.
Is Djoudj Park accessible in every season?+
Djoudj Park peaks from November to March with 3 million migratory birds. From April to October, resident birds remain present. The park is open year-round but the birdwatching experience is best in the dry season.
Can this 7-day circuit be customized?+
Yes. The Prestige package includes full customization. For any adjustment (adding Fathala, changing the pace, adapting for children), contact us on WhatsApp at +221 76 194 02 37.