H S I GL N E
TERANGA – WELCOME TO SENEGAL
SENEGAL VERY CLOSE!
SENEGAL VERY CLOSE! OC EAN
MA URITA NIA
ATL A NTIC
BEACH
THE GAMBIA
NATIONAL PARK
Senegal belongs to the countries in West Africa having been made available best for tourists. It offers ideal conditions for eventful yet relaxing holidays. Numerous tourist attractions and the convenient climate are stirring the heart of every traveller.
Languages: Official language is French plus national languages Wolof, Serer, Diola, Malinke, Pular, Soninké.
Religions / Churches: Geographic location: Senegal is located at the utmost western tip of Africa, borders to Mauritania in the north, Mali in the east and Guinea as well as Guinea-Bissau in the south. It surrounds entirely the small republic of The Gambia. The 700 km long beach at the Atlantic Ocean is seamed by sand dunes, but in the south there are swampy sections, too.
Climate: Climatic conditions are excellent in Senegal because the country lies in the transition of the Sahel Zone to the tropics. Hence you will encounter wet savannahs in the south and dry and thorn savannahs in the north. Tropical climate prevails, the daily temperatures raise during the rain periods (May to October) up to 28° C. The best travelling season is the dry period from November to May with a light trade wind breeze and convenient temperatures of around 24° C.
Muslims (about 94%), Christians (about 4%), Animists (about 2%)
Form of Government: Presidential Democracy
Currency: FCFA (1 Euro = 655,957 FCFA)
Senegal combines travelling fun with arts, culture and encounters Spend culture-vacation in the jazz-metropolis of Saint-Louis or on the island Gorée. Both places have been awarded as World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO due to their historical significance during the times of slave trade and colonial periods. Take a wildlife safari or a bird watching tour in the country's six National Parks which are with about 450 protected species a true paradise for nature lovers. Enjoy your beach-vacation at the 700 km long coastline, f.i. in the bungalow resort of the Petite Côte (small Coast) equipped with typical African flair or at the dream-beaches of Casamance in the South.
TERANGA – WELCOME TO SENEGAL
Fine sand beaches are perfect for recreation and water sports White sand beaches invite for relaxing but also for diving, snorkelling, sailing, water skiing and jet skiing. At the beaches of Senegal virtually everything is feasible. Wind and water make surfing and sailing an unforgettable experience.
For sport anglers Senegal is a real El Dorado. The fishing resources of the Senegalese waters are substantial and enjoy international reputation.
Adventure holidays, travels of encounter, ecological tourism Hospitality plays a big role in Senegal. In order to show this to tourists too, the local people are involved in many touristic attractions and visitors get, therefore, a very close insight in the Senegalese society and its culture. At the same time the Senegalese people learn how important sustainable tourism is for their country.
TERANGA – WELCOME TO SENEGAL Music, fashion, cuisine Dakar, already for a long time the busy cultural centre and meeting point of fashion lovers in western Africa, offers amongst African music of any style in numerous live-music-bars many occasions to have a close encounter with the Senegalese cuisine. Tourists can spend a visit in well known gourmet restaurants or get a surprise at the beaches of Ngor or Les Almadies with small restaurants and fresh exotic food. All year around there are various festivals such as the jazz festival at Saint Louis, the Carnival at Dakar or the international fashion fair SIMOD at Dakar.
ENCOUNTERS Discover the ethnic folk groups of Senegal Tradition plays a big role in Senegal. Therefore, you can participate in colourful feasts and ceremonies in the whole country, where various ethnic folk groups perform, thus broadening your insight to the cultures of this part of the world substantially.
The traditional fighting sport – much more exciting than soccer
Population: The about 11 million inhabitants of Senegal include the following ethnic folk groups: Wolof: Pular: Serer: Jola: Manlinke: Soninke: Andere:
43 % 24 % 15 % 4% 3% 1% 10 %
DAKAR – THE CAPITAL OF SENEGAL Dakar is the utmost western city of Africa and lies on the peninsular of Cape Verde at the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The harbour-city is the gate for the transatlantic and European trade. To many of us Dakar is well known for the motor sport rallye Paris-Dakar which had its target in the 2.4 million metropolis.
Between the 16th and 19th century slaves were shipped from Dakar to North- and South America, as well as to Europe.
Dakar is probably your first point of touch with Senegal upon your arrival at the airport of the city. A trip to the city centre and a visit of the highlights such as the historical buildings and the Medina are worth-while in any case.
Several colourful markets such as Sandaga, Soumbédioune, Kermel, Tilen and others are awaiting your visit.
DAKAR: • Metropolis • Peoples • Markets • Medina • and ocean ...
THE FORMER SLAVE ISLAND GORÉE The former slave island Gorée
Gorée is a tiny island accessible by a half hour ferry ride from Dakar. It extends over 9 acres, about 1 km long and 300 metres wide. There is a small beach.
At Gorée slightly more than 1200 people are living. The island belongs in terms of administration to the capital Dakar. The well kept and cared buildings distinct even today to the colonial styles of Portuguese and French times. On this island of no return up to 20 million people were kept over the times and thereafter deported to other continents. Gorée was declared as World Heritage Site in 1978 by the UNESCO.
Lively museum:
»Island of no return«
LAC ROSE – THE PINK LAKE Lac Rose – The pink lake
Lac Rose is a salt water lake located about 40 km north-west from Dakar. Bacteria excreting ferrum oxides are responsible for the colour of the water, which is almost as salty as the Dead Sea. Hence it is used for winning salt. Only a few dunes are separating the lake from the Atlantic Ocean.
The UNESCO has declared the salty and pink coloured lake as World Heritage Site of Nature. At the banks of the lake salt mountains are piling up in tapered cones. The ethnic folk group of Pular is winning salt here.
LA PETITE CÔTE – THE SMALL COAST La Petite Côte – The small coast M'bour is the capital of the region and stronghold of commercial fishing and decorative arts. A visit to the colourful market is a must for every tourist. Saly Portudal is a small touristic paradise on about 1500 acres only 80 km away from Dakar and can be easily reached by motorcar in about 1,5 hours time. Saly is the largest recreation spot for water sports aficionados in West Africa and impresses with finest sandy beaches. Many excursions and expeditions to the inner part of the country are commencing here. Tourist accommodation in Saly is manifold. Five star hotels are available as well as primal holiday resorts. Saly disposes of a private airport and a golf course of international reputation.
Largest recreation spot for water sports in West Africa
Joal and Fadiouth Joal and Fadiouth
Joal, home of the former Senegalese president and poet Léopold Sédar Senghor, features a special charm with its old multi-storey buildings and palm-tree bosks and particularly with its oyster plants.
Joal is intersected by an old wooden bridge with the island Fadiouth. You see garners erected on wooden pole amidst the waters and all over the region oysters are growing. A special place of interest at Fadiouth is the graveyard. It is erected on a hill of seashells and both, Muslims and Christians, are buried here. The scenic lanes and the friendly inhabitants of the village excite every traveller.
Christians and muslims together in peace – beyond lifetime
Oysters fresh from the tree
The islands of Saloum The islands of Saloum
Fine sandy beaches and fishermen are waiting for you. Latter will take you in their motorised pirogues on expeditions over the numerous creeks amidst the untouched outdoors. Fauna and flora of this region are overwhelmingly rich. En-route you can enjoy grilled oysters.
Paradise of nature with marshes, dunes and small islands
Fascinating richness of fauna and flora Tenthousands of migratory birds are hibernating here
Saint Louis Saint Louis
The former capital of French-West Africa is located in the north-west of Senegal at the border to Mauritania at the river of Senegal. Saint Louis is considered as Senegal's cultural centre and is hosting the well known jazz-festival every year in May. The town is characterised by ancient colonial buildings and the people make their living primarily from catching fish and agriculture. Many Senegalese tour operators offer town tours with horse-drawn carriages and excursions in the neighbourhood. Season permitting, tours to the bird protection areas of Langue de Barbarie and Djoudj are possible.
Casamance Casamance This region in the south of the Casamance is well known for its pretty landscape, the inventive architecture, and the encounters of the various ethnic folk groups and their folklore.
Here finest sandy beaches and many tourist choices are waiting for you.
The Casamance: fertile tropical south
Mangrove marshes, magnificent beaches, rice fields, oil palms and great variety of birds
National Parks National Parks Senegal pays a lot attention to the protection of its natural environment and has six protected National Parks with about 450 species. 1.) Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj: World Heritage Nature Site by UNESCO; one of the largest bird reserves with about 330 bird species; from November to April home of European migrant birds 2.) Parc National de la Langue de Barbarie: about 20km2, located at the mouth of the Senegal river; water birds and European migrant birds 3.) Parc National du Delta du Saloum: with swamps and mangrove woods; birds and mammalians
4.) Parc National du Niokolo-Koba: World Heritage Nature Site by UNESCO; 9500 km2; 80 species of mammalians including the last remaining elephants of Senegal – plus 300 bird species 5.) Parc National de Basse Casamance (PNBC): The PNBC is located 60 km south of Ziguinchor. A biotope comprising trees, mangroves and savannah, with over 50 mammal species and 200 bird species. 6). Iles de la Madeleine: In fact, these are two islands ‌. here you will find 100 different species of trees, numerous birds incl. cormoranes, and turtles put their eggs in the white sandy beach.
100% Wildlife
Travelling information Air connexions:
Medical Hints:
Senegal is just a 5 to 6 hours flight away from Europe. Europeans can
The health care service of the Foreign Office recommends as sensible
enter without visa with a passport which must be valid for 6
vaccination: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio and Hepatitis A, in case of long
months. With changes at Paris, Brussels or Casablanca the capital
term stay more than three months also Hepatitis B. At particular
Dakar can be reached by all individual travellers.
risks such as stay at the country side, hunting holidays, jogging, vac-
The airport Léopold Sédar Seghor is situated 15km away from the
cination against Typhus and an anti-rabies inoculation is very sensi-
city centre and offers air connexions to Europe, Africa and America.
ble.
Many large European airlines have a service to Dakar. Domestic flights are offered by Air Sénégal and other airlines.
A valid vaccination against Yellow Fever is essential when entering from countries where Yellow Fever prevails.
Roads and vehicles:
HIV/Aids is a big problem and a big danger for those who run infec-
Senegal has one of the best road systems in West Africa with good
tion risks. Sexual contacts, dirty injection needles and blood transfu-
tarred roads and tracks which can be used during the dry season.
sions mean a substantial perilous risk.
Taxis:
Cholera is in wide parts of Africa endemic and can prevail from time
Taxis are a common means of transportation in the cities. For a
to time. Endangered is the poor population. In Senegal there was a
ground fee of 100 FCFA plus 200 FCFS per 200 m distance (night
Cholera epidemic in the year 2005. Travellers in general are not en-
fare double as much) you can travel inexpensive. Transportation to
dangered. Protection against Cholera and other diarrhoea diseases is
the airport is 3500 FCFA during daylight and 4000 FCFA during night
possible by hygiene of the hands and hygiene of food and beverage
time.
(boiled stuff only, not lukewarm food). A vaccination is presently not necessary.
If you want to travel outside the cities by taxi, your can hire a cab at service points available in every town.
All over the year there is a high risk of Malaria. The most important step to prevent Malaria is to protect yourself from the mosquito bi-
A special highlight for explorers of country and those who want to
tes by wearing suitable clothing, the use of mosquito repellent skin
mingle are trips with the typical colourful shared taxis.
agents and perhaps mosquito nets. For the medical prophylactic there are various medicines on prescriptions available. For necessity, se-
In addition numerous rent-a-car companies are available, offering daily or weekly rents of vehicles.
Train connexions: The “Express” interconnects Dakar and Bamako (Mali) twice a week there and back. There is also a connexion from Dakar to Thiès.
lection, individual dosage, adverse effects and possible incompatibility please consult your physician prior to departure. Medical care in Senegal can not compare to Europe. In terms of technical equipment, apparatuses and/or hygienic standard there are problems, especially at the countryside. Often there is a lack of skills to European standard and a lack of physicians with a command of
Ferry: The ferry departs from the harbour in Dakar and takes you in less than half an hour to the island of Gorée.
the English/French language. A private health insurance is recommended. Local hospitals and physicians require increasingly payment in advance.
Entry regulations: Please contact the Senegalese embassy in your country.
SENEGAL VERY CLOSE!
SENEGAL VERY CLOSE!
Contact addresses in Germany:
Contact addresses in Senegal:
AFRICA live Consulting Erlanger Str. 13 D-12053 Berlin Tel: +49 (0)30-279 085 30 Fax: +49 (0)30-279 085 31 E-Mail: consulting@africa-live.de
Agence Nationale de Promotion du Tourisme (ANPT) Route des Almadies – Immeuble G BP 29 843 - Dakar / Sénégal Tel : +221 33869 59 80 - Fax : + 221 33869 59 84 E-Mail: amthiam@anpt.sn Website: www.anpt.sn
Botschaft der Republik Senegal Dessauer Straße 28/29 D-10963 Berlin Tel.: +49 (0)30-8 56 21 90 Fax: +49 (0)30-85 62 19 21 Website : www.botschaft-senegal.de
Ministère du Tourisme B.P 4049 23, rue Calmette – Dakar/ Sénégal Tel : +221 33821 11 26, Fax : +221 33822 94 13 E-Mail : ministeretourisme@tpsnet.sn Website: www.ministeretourisme.sn
Credits: Realisation AFRICA live Consulting, Berlin • Tel.: + 49 30 279 085 30 Concept, Layout & Art Direction: schaffenskraft Design Agency • Karl-Yosef Aouane, Designer AGD Tel.: + 49 171 127 11 33 • www.schaffenskraft.de Fotos: Ingrid Aouane, Mor Diouf, Laurent Gerrer, Hotel Lamantin, Susanne Lassal