Bush villages, wild animals, lush nature: Senegal is an ideal entry point to discover the African continent. You can also go seaside tourism and enjoy the pretty beaches like Saly's, or practice ecotourism.

Its cultural wealth is evident and covers centuries of history: some of its monuments date back to the prehistoric era (the Wassu megaliths) while others, like the Rose house in Saint-Louis, date from the colonial period. Finally, the multiplicity of its mosques and its Catholic places of pilgrimage make Senegal a very coveted country for its religious tourism.

Holidays in Senegal are particularly appreciated during our European winters. It should however be known that the north and the south of the country obey two distinct types of climates: in the north, it is desert while the south is tropical type. This region is also marked by a rainy season from June to October with a peak in August. On the coasts, the temperature difference goes from 16 to 30 degrees. Perfect for a holiday in this country! On the other hand, the center of the country can very well know temperatures being able to flirt with the 46 degrees...

An indelible trace of colonialism, the 2001 Constitution makes French the official language of Senegal while six other languages, like Wolof, have acquired the status of national language. The oldest French colony, Senegal is also the country that has had time to integrate our language into its culture. Drunk with poetry and charm, certain expressions are very rooted in the country: to ask you to stop joking, a Senegalese will ask you to stop stuffing. He may also ask you to right, a well-picked expression meaning squeeze to the right. So do not be surprised and appreciate these expressions formed by analogy from the first days spent in your hotel in Senegal

Water sports in Cape Verde, diving around Dakar, canoeing in the Saloum delta, sport fishing... We will have understood: Senegal presents an unequalled offer of water sports, the consequence of a strongly anchored seaside tourism. But attention, the candidates for idleness are also welcome: they will thus be able to benefit from the climate and the blond sand of the Petite Côte. At the western tip of the African continent, Senegal ranks 85th in the world and is therefore a small country.

It shares borders with Mauritania, Gambia, Mali, Guinea-Bissau but also Guinea. Its 531 kilometres of coastline make it a natural choice destination for seaside tourism. But what is most striking in this small country is the diversity of its ecosystems. One finds there the mountain, essentially at the border of Guinea, a dense forest but also a desert universe as the region of Saint-Louis shows it. The Senegalese landscape is also dotted with lakes, mangroves, the famous tropical ecosystems, the bush and rivers.

For its part, Senegalese society, 90% of the inhabitants are Muslim, remains deeply rooted in beliefs and traditions: animism, very present in Casamance, thus recognizes the existence of a life in natural beings, whether men, plants or animals. Marabouts, witches or spellcasters, are also very present in society. Like the griots, these itinerant musicians travel and tell the praises of a lineage or of powerful families.

Art and culture in Senegal
Léopold Sédar-Senghor, who was president of Senegal from 1960 to 1980 and composer of the national anthem, had the merit of giving a considerable boost to the arts and culture of Senegal. If this country conceals a number of art galleries and museums, notably those of Dakar and Saint-Louis, Senegal is also the country of dance and music, with dances such as the Mbalakh or musical instruments such as the Djembé, a percussion instrument made of a wooden barrel covered with a goat or antelope skin.

What to visit in Senegal
Before finishing your trip in Senegal, don't miss the Mamelles, these two volcanic hills located on the Cape Verde peninsula, which would not be as spectacular if the region where they are located were not so flat! From this perspective, they are worth the detour. Also essential is the visit of the main cities of Senegal, the capital Dakar in the lead. Lose yourself in their alleys and in their markets, it is undoubtedly the best way to dive into the atmosphere of the country and to meet the local population there. And to travel freely, a rental car in Senegal is essential.