| The Republic of Senegal is located in the westernmost part of Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinee-Bissau and Mauritania. Senegal has over 700 km of beautiful beaches, as well as high palms and rainforests, dry deserts and over 100 varieties of tropical plants and flowers. Senegal has all it needs to ensure the successful development of its tourist sector. It has a sun that shines almost all year round; its great and historic museums, its natural sites of great beauty, its natural parks and reserves; its large rich fauna and flora, the warm welcome of its population resulting in the constant increase in the number of tourists each year interested with the discovery of the internal richness of the country, the encounter with the inhabitants, customs and habits of the local population and a real contact with its diverse cultures. Although occupied and influenced by the French, Senegal has its own brand of exotic music, food and customs that give it the right dash of spice. Its weather is tropical, hot and humid: – the rainy season (May to November) has some strong southeast winds; – the dry season (Decmber to April) is dominated by hot, dry, humid and harmattan winds. Senegal is home to some of the most photographed beaches in the world. The reefs and cays of the coastal are heaven for divers, holding out the promise of such extraordinary sightings of the underworld.Dakar, the melting pot capital city, is one of the busiest cruise ships port in Africa and boasts an exciting restaurant and club scene, as well as duty-free shoppings. |
DAKAR
the capital of Senegal is a modern city of more than 1.7 million people with beautiful contemporary buildings and some historical colonial houses.
It is a vibrant city with active open-air markets, cafe terraces, delicious food and a great night life.
You can discover Dakar by taking a walk along the ocean or the busy city streets.
Art lovers will find an abundance of galleries, artists’ studios, museums, and festivals.
Dakar is a shopper’s paradise and exquisite crafts can be found in markets, on the streets, and in stores everywhere.
For the sport enthusiast, this city by the beach offers all water sports and golf, tennis, biking, and more.
GOREE ISLAND
Less than 2 miles from Dakar lies the island of Goree, deeply rooted in the history of the slave trade. From the beginning of the sixteenth to the mid-nineteenth century, men, women, and children were gathered on this small piece of land, locked up in cells before being shipped away to the New World.
The island was seized by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, and the English who all participated in the trade. Forts and cannons attest of the island’s violent past.
Most of the buildings were used as warehouses or slaves’houses. Some have been turned into museums. The most famous is ”La Maison des Esclaves” which used to hold up to two hundred captives. Their cells can be visited, as can be the apartment 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.
Health
Right now it is required that prospective visitors to Senegal be vaccinated against Meningitis and Yellow fever two weeks prior to their arrival.
It is also recommended to take along some anti-malaria pills, especially for those visiting the country during the rainy season (June to September).
See your doctor for more information.
Time & Weather
TIME ZONE
CLIMATE
Dry from September to June. Light rain in July and August, mostly at night.
Temperatures
25-30 degrees Celsius all around the year
Money & Currency
CFA (African Financial Community) Franc.
The official rate of exchange fluctuates daily.
1 SEK = approximately 70 FCFA (check with your bank prior to traveling for accurate rates).
Business Hours
Most offices are open :
Monday to Friday.
from 8am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm
Stores open :
Monday to Saturday
from 8:30am to 12:30pm
and from 3:30pm to 7:30pm.
Markets are opened :
every day
from 7am to 7pm.
Banks open :
from 8am to 11am and from 2:30pm to 4pm
Holidays
Businesses are closed on all Muslim and Catholic Holidays, on Independence Day (April 4) and Labor Day (May 1).
Religious Services
Islam is practiced by 94% of the population and mosques are numerous.
Great Mosque – the largest, built in 1964 in Moroccan style. At 2:00PM on Fridays, hundreds of worshippers fill the mosque, the grounds and the adjoining streets.
You can witness this remarkable display of devotion (no shorts, correct attire required) – Allee Pape Gueye Fall – 821 53 61.
There are Catholic and Protestant Churches.
Cathedrale du Souvenir Africain – Note the African angels on the facade – Bd. de la Republique – 821 43 64.
Protestant Church – Services in French, English and Korean – rue Carnot.
National Symbols
Teranga
A place in Africa where foreigners are accepted everywhere with respect, Senegal has, despite the difficult economic situation and important social changes, retained its values of hospitality: the legendary Senegalese Teranga– where the rights and the religions (Islam and Catholicism and other religions) live in a spirit of tolerance.
The Flag :
The colours of the flag of the Republic of Senegal were chosen in 1960.
They are the actual Panafrican colours set like the three-coloured French pattern.
The five pointed star of liberty and progress is printed in the centre of the flag.
National anthem :
« Pluck your koras, all of you ! Beat your balafons,
The red lion has roared,
The tamer of the bush has leapt suddenly upward and dispelled darkness.
Sunshine on our terrors, sunshine on our hopes.
Let us all rise Brothers and hail the United Africa !