What can you do once in Senegal?
Beaches and water sports
From North to South, there are 700 km of coastline that border Senegal and a few hundred kilometers of bolongs in Sine Saloum and Casamance, enough to laze around, walk along the water or practice a multitude of activities. The fine sand beach of Cap Skirring is one of the most beautiful in Africa and the Petite Côte offers many possibilities for water sports. Surfing is practiced around Dakar all year round and schools and surf camps are now numerous. During the trade winds from December to May, kite surfing and windsurfing are practiced all along the coast
Hunting and fishing
Hunting is practiced from December to the end of April. Eastern Senegal, eastern Casamance but also Sine Saloum and the Saint-Louis region are home to several structures specialized in this activity. The fauna is rich and very varied with around 169 species of mammals, 23 of which can be hunted, and 625 species of birds, 45 of which can be hunted or captured. Francolins, pigeons and sandgrouse are the most hunted birds, the warthog the most popular mammal among hunters. Tourist hunters must have hunting permits, as well as temporary permits to possess weapons. It is imperative to contact a structure for the formalities.
Senegal is one of the most fish-rich countries in the world and fishing is possible all year round along the coast, in the bolongs and in the rivers. The techniques vary depending on the season. From July to November, big game and surface fishing are practiced: marlin, swordfish, dolphin fish, barracuda and tuna are the most popular. The rest of the year, longline fishing, surf casting or small trolling are practiced.
Nature and ecotourism
Senegal offers many different areas where travelers in search of nature can discover very different landscapes: from the dune desert to the tropical forest, including the steppe, the mangrove and the long sandy beaches.
Off the beaten track, ecotourists will easily find reception facilities and associations sharing the same passion. The marine protected areas, reserves and national parks are home to a significant amount of flora and fauna throughout the country. Senegal is one of the destinations appreciated by ornithologists from all over the world (more than 680 species) and original hiking and discovery trips are organized by many tour operators.
History and heritage
History and anthropology enthusiasts, ethnology and sociology enthusiasts will find Senegal a country rich in discoveries: the remains of ancient civilizations, colonial architecture and memories of the slave trade, but also traces of the great figures of Islam and traditional rites, some of which are still very present. Some places like Saint-Louis and the river valley, Eastern Senegal, Saloum and Casamance are full of important built and intangible heritage. The Ministry of Culture and Heritage regularly organizes events intended to raise awareness of the cultural heritage of each region.
Meetings and culture
Senegal is the country of meetings and the discovery of a rich and diverse culture, of multiple inspirations, which mixes ancestral know-how and contemporary creation. Observing everyday life, visiting markets and villages immerses you in an original and sometimes disconcerting atmosphere. Here everyone is creative, invents or copies, paints and decorates. Everything is color: the fabrics that dress men and women, the fast buses and piroques, the market stalls and the walls of the cities. Music plays an important role and many neighborhoods and villages have their own rhythms and dance troupes. You will have to make your choice from a large artisanal and artistic creation: paintings, sculptures and pottery, jewelry and trinkets, objects made of wood, sheet metal or recycled materials.
Are you an eco-tourist?
Did you know?
Despite protective measures, the diversity of Senegal’s ecosystems is now under threat. In this country, social and economic development is intrinsically linked to the wealth of natural resources. To cope with a galloping population growth, Senegal has drawn excessively on its marine and forest resources. Fishing and agriculture are the two dominant economic activities that allow communities to work, generate income and feed themselves. Necessary for the survival of future generations, natural resources are currently overexploited.
During their stay, tourists must adopt responsible behaviors that will help to safeguard the natural wealth on which local populations depend so much.
What do you buy as souvenirs?
Buying souvenirs is often an integral part of the trip. Local crafts are relatively well developed and mainly consist of wooden art objects. However, this sector contributes to the deforestation of the country. For example, a tree is needed to make a djembe. Due to increasing demand from tourists, the dimb (Cordyla pinnata), the tree used to make this very popular percussion instrument, is in danger of extinction in the region. The same is true for ebony wood, which is increasingly rare but increasingly in demand by tourists.
It is therefore important when traveling to think about buying responsibly, to limit this scourge that is eating away at Senegal.
What fish do you eat?
Remember to ask the restaurant owner…
Senegalese fishermen used to enjoy some of the most fish-rich waters in West Africa. However, unsustainable fishing techniques (overexploitation, destructive gear, failure to respect breeding periods and sexual maturity sizes) threaten the sustainability of fish resources.
Income from the fishing sector and average fish consumption by communities have decreased, increasing the social and economic precariousness of local populations and food insecurity. Fish, especially thiofs, are caught too small, before they have had time to reproduce. Restaurant owners continue to serve portioned fish, which is more suited to tourist demand but contributes to the extinction of the species. By avoiding consuming thiof that is too young, tourists contribute to the survival of this fish and the ecosystem that surrounds it.
Refuse plastic bags whenever possible
Pollution and the lack of waste management contribute to the destruction of the natural habitats of marine and forest species, which are consequently tending to disappear. In particular, plastic bags, which take more than 300 years to decompose, have invaded the territory and have serious consequences: reduced soil fertility, flooding, livestock poisoning, health hazards. Plastic bags are piled up in illegal dumps that release many toxic gases for the population living nearby. Systematically refusing plastic bags is a responsible behavior that tourists can adopt to limit these risks.
Consume local!
Finally, the tourist’s stay can be an opportunity to promote the local economy by choosing typical and ecological accommodation run by locals (rather than large multinational chains), by consuming local products (prefer bouye or bissap juice rather than sodas), by saving water and electricity. If the tourist wishes to participate in the life of the community by making a financial and/or material contribution, it is important to inquire with the village chief rather than distributing. Indeed, this behavior, which comes from a good intention, encourages begging and disrupts the balance of community life.
Refuse plastic bags whenever possible
Pollution and the lack of waste management contribute to the destruction of the natural habitats of marine and forest species, which are consequently tending to disappear. In particular, plastic bags, which take more than 300 years to decompose, have invaded the territory and have serious consequences: reduced soil fertility, flooding, livestock poisoning, health hazards. Plastic bags are piled up in illegal dumps that release many toxic gases for the population living nearby. Systematically refusing plastic bags is a responsible behavior that tourists can adopt to limit these risks.
Consume local!
Finally, the tourist’s stay can be an opportunity to promote the local economy by choosing typical and ecological accommodation run by locals (rather than large multinational chains), by consuming local products (prefer bouye or bissap juice rather than sodas), by saving water and electricity. If the tourist wishes to participate in the life of the community by making a financial and/or material contribution, it is important to inquire with the village chief rather than distributing. Indeed, this behavior, which comes from a good intention, encourages begging and disrupts the balance of community life.
Welcome and have a good stay in Senegal