Travel to Senegal with travel insurance from Essential Travel

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Information on Senegal with single trip travel insurance from Essential Travel

Located on Africa’s western bulge, Senegal is a country of great natural beauty and diversity. Combined with a stable political status, an awe-inspiring musical heritage and welcoming people, this makes it one of Africa’s most appealing destinations, but the country nevertheless remains little-known.

The capital city of Dakar is a huge, cosmopolitan metropolis with a pulsating atmosphere that represents Africa’s urban future. The most popular tourist attraction here is the IFAN Museum, with fantastic exhibits of masks, carvings, musical instruments and agricultural tools from regions throughout West Africa. Also of interest is the stately Palais Présidentiel, dating back to 1906 and encompassing strikingly lovely gardens.

Goree Island, which can be reached within 20 minutes via ferry from the Port of Dakar, was originally a key transit point for the Atlantic slave trade. The place is rich with historical architecture, including structures designed expressly for the purpose of detaining slaves before they were transferred, and luxurious manor houses built for the traders themselves.

East of Dakar, the Pink Lake is saturated with minerals which, in certain angles of sunlight, transform the body of water to a literal shade of pink. Although not all visitors are privy to this bizarre phenomenon, the lake is nevertheless a bird-watcher’s paradise, acting as a haven for innumerable species such as flamingoes, egrets and spoonbills.

The beaches of Cap Skiring are among Africa’s most idyllic, but due to a high concentration of tourists in the area, tend to be rather crowded. A more secluded alternative is the coastline at Diembéring, nine kilometres north of Cap Skiring.

The Siné-Saloum Delta, where these two rivers merge with the Atlantic Ocean, is a scenic delight of mangrove swamps, forests, estuaries and sandy expanses. Slightly off the beaten track, this area is rich in monkeys, birdlife, oysters and crabs, and visitors would do well to include it in their itinerary. Another region of superb natural beauty is Casamance, though activity by rebel groups makes it one of the riskier areas to visit. Parc National du Niokolo-Koba is Senegal’s most notable reserve, with diverse flora and beautiful terrain that provides a natural habitat for over 80 species of mammal, including elephant, lion, leopard and eland. However, poaching has taken its toll on Senegal’s supply of wildlife, and many animals remain elusive to tourists.

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