10 BEST DAY TRIPS FROM DAKAR

Are you in Dakar or planning to visit Dakar and would like to level up you trip by exploring more of Senegal? You have made it to the right place. This is a complete guide on the best day trips from Dakar to make the most of your stay in Dakar Senegal. 

Africa is home to some of the most breathtaking natural destinations. From desert landscapes to blue seas, leafy jungles, and wildlife, the continent has it all. And so does Senegal. Thus, Dakar is an ideal place from which to explore other areas in Senegal. And even its neighbouring countries such as The Gambia and Cape Verde.

Make sure to also read about the 20 best things to do in Dakar and check out my Instagram and Tiktok pages for additional tips and insights on my trip to Senegal.

Best day trips from Dakar to the beach

1. Goree Island

If you were to take only one day trip from Dakar to further explore Senegal, make it a visit to Goree Island. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant places in Senegal for its unique history and beauty. Plus it’s super accessible and photogenic.

Goree Island is best known for its role in the transatlantic slave trade and is home to the remnants of Fort de Goree and the House of Slaves. Now museums, these are great places to understand the horrors of the slave trade.

Here is were the slaves were kept before being auctioned off and sent to the Americas. The museum also has exhibits that detail the lives of the slaves and their experience in the House of Slaves. 

The island is small so you can explore the museum and the House of Slaves in a couple hours. Those visiting in the morning will have time to enjoy lunch in one of the local restaurants and shop at the arts and crafts market.

Alternatively, schedule your visit at sunset to enjoy it from the island, sipping a nice drink, and taking in the beautiful skyline of Dakar. 

The island is easily accessible by ferry, you can check prices and timetables at the port or here. For those willing to visit with a guide, check out these tours of Goree Island in Dakar Senegal.

2. Ngor Island

A one day trip to the Ngor island can be a great way to escape the frenetic streets of Dakar. Visitors can relax on the beaches, surf on the northern coastline, stroll amongst the sandy lanes, and enjoy a meal in any one of the many appealing waterside eateries. 

Ngor island is at the Northern site of Dakar, right in front of Ngor Beach. The island is accessible by the regular public boats (more like wooden fishermen rafts) or by a private lift on a small yet modern boat.

If you dare jumping on the local one, just as I did, make sure not to bring any valuables that can’t end up soaked because they will. Alternatively, there’s guided tours to Ngor Island.

The island is a small yet beautiful place steeped in culture. Make sure to swim in its waters, check out the barbecue stands, chat with locals, and sneak lots of pictures during your visit. Looking at going the extra mile? Head to ‘Place des Amourex’, the lovers spot, a beautiful viewpoint in between restaurants and the sea that will take your breath away. 

3. Saly Portudal

Saly is the ultimate beach destination in Senegal and your must visit spot if looking for the most pristine waters in the country. Here you will find plenty of sand beds and water sports stores perfect to enjoy a senegalese beach getaway.

This seaside resort town is located on the Petit Cote of Senegal, about an hour from Dakar. Known as the Riviera of Senegal, Saly is a combination of fancy and luxurious accommodations along with rustic surroundings that increase the charm of this place.

No wonder Saly is amongst the top tourist destinations in all of West Africa, along with The Gambia.

Saly is home to some of the best hotels, restaurants and nightclubs in the area. Restaurants in Saly offer both local and international cuisine, matching every taste and budget. Saly’s great nightlife options range from pubs and clubs to local beach parties, a decent casino, and plenty of shops and art galleries.

Best day trips from Dakar to the villages

4. M’bour

M’bour is the fishermen village to visit in Senegal if (and let me add, only if) you would like to take a deeper look into the Senegalese culture and learn about the local lifestyle. 

This village is not a touristic destination, despite being located only 10 minutes away from the famous touristic spot Saly Portudal. You can reach M’bour by taxi in less than an hour and a half from Dakar.

You will not find any tourists here, yet you will feel welcome. Make sure to avail of the guides that can safely take you around the place and engage in the spontaneous conversations you were looking for. 

The most interesting thing to do in M’bour is to walk around the local fish market in the late afternoon, when fishermen are coming back from the sea. They sail daily using their colorful wooden boats that have become a landmark of the area.

Men venture in the open seas in search for anything that can be eaten, from the tiniest sardine to the biggest hammerhead shark. And they make sure to get plenty of catch onboard before heading back home. 

Once onshore, young man wearing huge raincoats unload the fish and spread it around the market. Women take the catch to the different market stalls and clean it. M’bour’s catch feed most of the country and is also shipped into neighboring The Gambia and Mauritania.

The market can get packed with carriers, sellers, and customers and can be scary at first. However, the place is safe and well worth a visit if you don’t mind becoming an attraction as well. Just be mindful of you gear, don’t take unsolicited photos, and ensure to tip local guides showing you around.

You can read more of M’bour here and check out my experience at the market on my Instagram and Tiktok pages.

5. Saint-Louis

Saint-Louis, known to locals as Ndar, used to be the capital city of Senegal when ruled by the French. Thus, the old city of Saint-Louis is rich in colonial history. And well worth a visit if you are into colourful houses, walks with old vibes, and crumbling buildings that tell stories of the past. 

Saint-Louis is 320km away from Dakar. The city can be reached within 4 hours either by private taxi, shared taxi or minibus. 

Once in Saint-Louis, one can walk around the old town within an hour. The most exciting sights in the historical city are the Cathedral, the grand mosque, the Governon’s Palace, the colourful old colonial villas, and the Faidherbe Bridge. This is a road bridge that crosses River Senegal and links the island of Saint Louis with Senegal’s main land.

Make sure to also visit the local fish market, which is indeed the economic heart of the city. It makes the perfect place to interact with locals, sneak some photos, and buy fresh fish for dinner. 

As most islands, Saint-Louis also offers nice beaches with soft sand, palm trees, and warm waters. These can certainly make the delights of visitors. You will find beach resorts at the southern city of the city.

Best day trips from Dakar to the adventure

6. Pink Lake

A visit to Lac Rose, also known as the Pink Lake of Senegal, is a must among the best day trips from Dakar. It’s reachable within an hour’s drive from Dakar, by taxi or guided tour. The lake area features lots of hotels, restaurants, shops and fun activities to enjoy. 

The lake is a mesmerizing sight due to the pinkish colours of its waters. Visible all year round, it reaches its best between June and November. The color is due to a high concentration of algae in its underwater, locked in the area during the formation of the lake as a consequence of a shore drying. Therefore, the lake’s waters are extremely salty and there is no fish in it. 

Once at Lake Rose Senegal, you can jump on a local boat and enjoy a sail around its shore. Local man will manually sail the boats for you. It’s also possible to swim in the lake. Just make sure not to put sunk hour head underwater as its saltiness is extremely dangerous for the human eye.

You can read more about the lake and its unique characteristics on my post about the 20 best things to do in Dakar Senegal.

Such is the amount of salt that locals work on the lake daily to extract it. Pink lake’s salt is globally recognised and traded both nationally and internationally. Thus, a packet of the lake’s salt is the ultimate Senegalese souvenir one can take home.

Once done exploring the lake, head to one of the local restaurants to try fresh seafood. Afterwards, you can keep exploring the nearby desert dunes and ocean shores. They are worldwide famous and I am sure you have seen these before, keep reading to find out where.

7. Paris-Dakar Dunnes

Senegal does have a desert and you can visit it in what might be one of the best day trips from Dakar. Need more? This can easily be combined with visiting the unmissable Pink Lake as they are minutes away from each other.

Senegal’s desert might not be as wide and famous as Morocco’s one. Yet, its dunes are famous as they use to be the finish line of world’s best rally: the Paris-Dakar.

Despite the rally was moved to South America over a decade ago, the sight is still fresh in everyone’s memories. And well worth a visit. Where else can you stand on a dune overlooking the ocean and still smelling the salt of a pink lake?

These dunes are the perfect spot for some adventure. Here you will find camels, quads, and 4×4 cars available to hire for a ride. Drivers are included in the latter. Recreating the finish line of the Paris Dakar, playing on the dunes, taking photos and cheering the local kids in the meantime is pure fun.

I was hesitant to do it as rentals are not cheap under Senegalese standards. Yet, I loved it to the point I would do it again and again. Check out my Instagram and Tiktok for a video of our 4×4 ride.

8. Senegambia Stones Circles

The Senegambian Stones Circle are a group of four megalithic stone circles located in Senegal and The Gambia. They expand along the border between both countries. The circles are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth a visit if in the area. 

Containing over 1000 stone circles, the Senegambian stone circles are the world’s largest concentration of stone circles. These stone circles of laterite pillars were most likely used as burial mounds. This indicates the society who built them must have been prosperous, highly organised and lasting. 

The stone circles remain in well condition. However, finding them can be difficult if not assisted by the guidance of a local citizen. Set on your GPS and ask around as much as needed. These ancient monuments are worth the search. 

Best day trips from Dakar for animal lovers

9. Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

If you’re a wildlife lover, a trip to the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary is a must. This is the largest coastal wetland in Senegal. It’s home to more than 350,000 birds of more than 100 different species. A visit to this sanctuary is one of the best ways to explore the beautiful and diverse Atlantic Coast of Senegal. 

The best time to visit the sanctuary is between May and October, when thousands of migrating birds arrive from Europe and Northern Africa. The trip from Dakar to Djoudj takes about four hours. In fact, the place is actually close to the city of St. Louis and many visit from there.

During your visit, you can observe the birds from the observation tower. One can also walk through the trails, or even go for a boat ride. Make sure to bring your camera. You will be treated to some spectacular birdwatching. If you are lucky, you might even spot flamingos, pelicans, and storks. Additionally, you can visit the Interpretation Center and Museum to learn more about the history of the place. 

The best part is that it is completely free to visit the sanctuary. Also, the entrance to the Interpretation Center is open all day. If you are visiting in the summer, make sure to take plenty of water and wear sunscreen to avoid getting sunburn.

10. Walk with lions at Fathala Wildlife Reserve

Fathala is a wildlife reserve about 250km south of Dakar, by the border with The Gambia. The easiest way to get there is by taxi or with a guided tour to Fathala Wildlife Reserve. This area of 2,000 hectares is home to rings, zebra, giraffes and lions, among many other wonderful mammals. Despite not being like the national parks in Kenya, Fathala makes one of the best places to visit in Senegal for animal lovers.

What makes Fathala a famous day trip from Dakar is that her one can walk alongside the lions. Consequently, this is not the type of tour I would usually promote and certainly not one I’ve taken.

Nevertheless, as many agree that walking by these captivity-raised lions is one of the best things to do in Senegal I’d rather offer you the opportunity to reflect and book it, if you like. Here are the rules for walking with the lions at Fathala Wildlife Reserve. Stick to them if you make it.

Recap on the best day trips from Dakar Senegal

Besides the amazing things to do in Dakar, Senegal’s capital city is a great hub to further explore the country. There’s lots of great day trips from Dakar to the beach, the villages, and nearby natural wonder to delight every traveler.

Among them, Goree Island, the Pink Lake and the city of St. Louis are the most famous. Yet, natural reserves, secluded beaches, and bustling markets also make great places to visit in Senegal. Make sure to explore them all, independently or with a guided tour.

I hope the above list of the 10 best day trips from Dakar Senegal will be of help when preparing your own trip to this wonderful West African Country. If you have any suggestions about additional day trips to add to this post, or updated details on the current ones, I would love to read about these in the comments or on my Instagram and/or Tiktok pages.