Dakar

Because it has strong air links with Western Europe, Dakar is often the first destination for visitors visiting French-speaking West Africa, while Abidjan, the other major French-speaking West African city, doesn’t really.

Major marketplaces, the Dakar Grand Mosque (constructed in 1964), Dakar Cathedral, Gorée Island, the IFAN Museum of West African culture, the recently finished African Renaissance Monument, clifftop hikes and beaches, and Parc de Hann, dubbed the Senegal Zoo, are among Dakar’s attractions.

Dakar is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities and was formerly the final line of the Dakar Rally. The University of Dakar, commonly known as Cheikh Anta Diop University, was founded in 1957.

Dakar boasts a thriving music scene and is a popular destination for young people. Take a look at the wonderfully diverse and interesting styles.

The city has several wonderful (and quite costly) haute-couture, embroidered traditional west African Muslim clothing businesses.

The climate on Dakaria is typically warm. Dakar’s climate is hot and semi-arid, with a brief wet season and a long dry season.

The wet season in Dakar runs from July to October, while the dry season lasts for the remaining eight months. A total of 495 millimetres (19.5 in) of precipitation falls on the city each year.

Dakar is normally warm between December and May, with daily temperatures ranging between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius (75 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit). The nights are pleasant at this time of year, with temperatures ranging from 17 to 20 degrees Celsius (63 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit).

Between May and November, however, the city gets noticeably warmer, with daytime highs of 29–31 °C (84–88 °F) and night lows just above 23–24 °C (73–75 °F).

The city is serviced by Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport, which is situated in the village of Yoff, a short drive north of Dakar. Dakar is a significant West African hub, which means that there are many flights to and from Europe and other African cities. The airport was a vital stop on flights between the United States and South Africa as recently as 2009/2010, but the majority of these flights are now non-stop, with the exception of South African Airways’ Johannesburg-Washington and Johannesburg-New York (JFK) flights, which stop in Dakar to allow passengers to depart or join the flight. Prepare to arrive and depart at any time of day or night – many planes come and depart throughout the night. The airport is rather tiny and may get quite busy when many planes arrive at the same time. When leaving, do not be deceived into believing that due to the limited number of terminals, you may arrive later than usual—emigration can be quite sluggish, and you should allow the same amount of time as you would at any airport.

The airport is in disrepair, overcrowded, and filthy. The airport has a tiny hotel. Taxis from the airport to Dakar’s central business district cost XOF3,000 during the day and XOF4,000–XOF7,000 at night. Prepare yourself to haggle with taxi drivers. The airport to Dakar bus fare is XOF160.

From Europe: Brussels (Brussels Airlines); Lisbon (TAP Air Portugal); Madrid (Air Europa, Iberia); Milan (Air Italy, Meridiana, Neos); Paris-Charles de Gaulle (Air France); Paris-Orly (Corsair International) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines)

From North America: New York City-JFK (Delta Air Lines, South African Airways);Washington-Dulles (South African Airways)

From Asia: Dubai (Emirates, triangle route flying Dubai-Conakry-Dakar-Dubai)

From West Africa (note: some airlines fly multi-city routes and therefore direct flights are only available in one direction to or from Dakar and the listed city): Abidjan (Air Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia Bird, Kenya Airways, Senegal Airlines); Accra (Gambia Bird);Bamako (Air Burkina, Air Mali, ASKY Airlines, Kenya Airways, Senegal Airlines);Banjul (Arik Air, Gambia Bird, Senegal Airlines); Bissau (Senegal Airlines, TACV);Conakry (Emirates-inbound only, Gambia Bird, Mauritania Airlines International, Senegal Airlines); Cotonou (Senegal Airlines); Freetown (Arik Air, Gambia Bird); Lagos (Arik Air); Lome (ASKY Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines); Monrovia (Gambia Bird);Niamey (Senegal Airlines); Nouakchott (Mauritania Airlines International, Senegal Airlines); and Ouagadougou (Air Burkina, Gambia Bird, Senegal Airlines).

From North Africa: Algiers (Air Algerie); Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc); Tunis(Tunisair)

From Eastern Africa: Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines, via Lome); Nairobi (Kenya Airways, via Abidjan and Bamako)

From Southern Africa: Johannesburg (South African Airways)

From Central Africa: Douala (Senegal Airlines); Libreville (Senegal Airlines)

From Cape Verde & Canary Islands: Gran Canaria (Air Nostrum); Praia (Senegal Airlines, TACV)

Senegal Airlines, the national airline, flies from Dakar to Cap Stirring& Ziguinchor in the western region of Casamance, where Senegal meets The Gambia.

In the hamlet of Ndiass, 40 kilometers southeast of Dakar, a new airport, Blaise Diagne International Airport, is being developed. The most current opening date was announced in November 2014, although it has been postponed multiple times (it was first scheduled to open in late 2011). It will cost €566 million and should provide a vastly different experience than the present airport. The majority of airlines will most likely relocate to the new airport, however Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport will likely continue to operate—most likely for regional flights operated by local carriers.

The most common mode of transportation across the nation is via sept places (French for “seven seats”), dubious station wagons in which seven passengers are crammed onto one other’s laps for the duration of the ride. You may also bring a party and hire out the whole sept, although this would be costly. They will attempt to rip you off if you are clearly a tourist, so be careful to negotiate a price before agreeing to a driver. To frequently visited destinations, there are defined rates. Gare Routieres de Pompiers is Dakar’s principal sept place station. Keep an eye out for pickpockets!

Between Dakar and Ziguinchor in Senegal’s Casamance area, a state-owned boat operates (below The Gambia). One of the old ferries on this route, the Joola, capsized in a storm in 2002 when overloaded, making it the second worst maritime tragedy in modern history. The exact number of passengers on board is unclear, but it is estimated that 1800-1900 people perished, with just 64 people surviving (the ship was designed to transport 580 people!) and the accident is still fresh in the memories of many Senegalese. The current ferry is the Aline Sitoé Diatta, which was completed in 2008. Changes have been done to guarantee that a catastrophe like the Joola does not occur again, therefore passengers need not be concerned about boarding the boat.

The boat takes around 16 hours in each direction and operates overnight. The cost of a seat is XOF15,000. Cabins with 2-8 beds are available, however they are more costly (about €100) and fill up quickly, particularly during tourist season. Tuesdays and Fridays are departure days from Dakar. Thursdays and Sundays are the days for departures from Ziguinchor (arriving in Dakar on Fridays & Mondays, respectively).

The Dakar bus system, dubbed Dakar Demm Dikk (Dakar arriving and departing), is generally reliable. The fares are XOF150, and each ticket does not include any free transfers. Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the way of a bus system map for beginners, so you’ll have to figure it out on your own. The number 10 bus follows the Corniche de l’Ouest until it reaches Rue Aime Cesaire, when it turns towards the suburbs. The VDN is served by the number 1 bus.

Rapid Cars is a French word that means “rapid cars.” These are the blue, yellow, or white minibuses that ply the streets of Dakar and other towns in Senegal. For some distances, there are certain set tariffs, but you should verify with a Senegalese beforehand. Most locations would be covered by the XOF150 as of 2011. To find out where one is heading, flag it down and tell the apprenti, the lad in charge of collecting fares who hangs out the back, your destination. If she responds with the location you desire, tell her to come to a halt and board. To come to a halt, pound loudly on the bus’s side, roof, or alert the apprenti that you want out. Apprenti’s don’t always speak French, therefore if you don’t know Wolof, be prepared to converse in another language. When you ask for your destination, be cautious since the apprenti will frequently claim you it’s going there merely to get you on the bus, regardless of where it’s heading. Ask where it’s going rather than whether it’s heading to your destination if at all feasible.

Cheap, safe, and accessible. Just ignore the cracked windshields. All cab prices are pre-negotiated and will need haggling. If you’re not from Senegal, you’ll almost certainly be charged an exorbitant fee, so check with locals beforehand to get an idea of what they pay so you know what you’ll be able to receive. Even if you have negotiated a fee, your taxi driver will act as though he has no change on him when you arrive, even if he earlier informed you that he had.

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT

PERSONAL CARE

CLOTHES / SHOES

TRANSPORTATION

There are numerous nice beaches within driving distance of the city, several of which provide snorkeling possibilities. Undertows are a possibility, so keep that in mind. Find out which beaches are safe by asking around. The Yoff region has some of the most stunning beaches, but you must select wisely. N’Gor Island features the best tiny beaches near the capital, yet getting there might be difficult. The beaches are just a short canoe ride from N’Gor (not far from Les Almadies), but be careful that crews vying for passengers may get hostile, and you may find yourself rushed to one boat while another crew attempts to shoo you away to another.

African Renaissance Monument

This massive monument, which inaugurated in 2010, commemorates Africa’s liberation from the repressive European powers that previously governed the continent, as well as the abolition of slavery. It is also intended to be a demonstration of African pride in order to combat foreign preconceptions of Africans as inferior people. The monument is divisive, with some Africans appreciating the sense of pride it is designed to elicit and others dismissing it as a foreign (North Korean-made) and wholly un-African Stalinist statue. It is taller than the Statue of Liberty from the ground to the summit.

Ile de Goree

Goree Island in English, After taking over the island from the Portuguese in the late 1600s, the Dutch called it. It is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Goree was a modest port of call for slaves traveling to the Americas, but its importance is frequently exaggerated. The island includes significant colonial architecture, much of which is in ruins, including the iconic “House of Slaves” museum. Ferries cost XOF5000 and depart from the dock north of Place de l’Independence. The journey takes between 10 and 20 minutes. There are many modest eateries and a few places to stay. This is a terrific venue with a great atmosphere since it gives you a pirate-island vibe (with friendly folks all-over kind of feeling). Simply go around and look around. Because it is a tiny island, you can easily walk around it in an hour. When you’re done, you may get some inexpensive beer and relax on the beach, or you can go for another walk and buy some art from the locals.

Les Almadies

(Les pointes des Almadies). 

The westernmost point of the African continent, with a plethora of seafood eateries.

Dakar Grand Mosque

Av. Pape Gueye Fall. 

Designed by French and Moroccan architects, it was completed in 1964. The Grand Mosque in Casablanca has striking resemblance as a result of Moroccan influence.

Hann Park and Zoo

+221 33 832 38 75. Tues-Sun 10:00-12:30 and 15:00-18:30. 

The public gardens were established in 1903, and the arboretum was established in 1947. The gardens have a diverse range of Senegalese plant life, and the zoo houses around 130 species.

Léopold Sédar Senghor national stadium

 Route de Yoff. 

Football is as essential as music! When ASC Jeanne D’Arc plays, the stadium is crowded with more than 60,000 supporters. Expect a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of noise, and some of the finest African football you’ve ever seen for €5-15.

• Dakar has a thriving music culture and is quite popular among young people. Examine the wonderfully varied and interesting styles. Club Thiossane and Just 4 U are must-visit destinations for World Music aficionados.
• Lake Retba (Lac Rose). The high abundance of cyanobacteria in the lake, often known as “Pink Lake,” gives it a pink hue. The hue is reported to be most intense during the dry season and when the sun is at its fullest. Because the lake has a significant concentration of salt, you may witness salt harvesters who still collect salt in the traditional fashion while admiring the beauty of the lake.
• Birdwatching. Dakar, like the rest of Senegal, is an excellent place to go birding. The Iles de la Madeleine are the sole African breeding location of the red-billed tropicbird, and Les Almadies is a fantastic area to watch seabirds.

• Peanuts: The roasted peanuts available for purchase on the street or with your drink order in any pub are wonderful. These nuts are not oily at all, have exactly the appropriate amount of salt, and are occasionally still slightly warm from roasting.
• Ali Baba: Greasy Spoon serves inexpensive Lebanese cuisine. Excellent falafel sandwiches with French fries and plenty of tahina sauce, as well as shwarma, kebab, and a variety of other delectable (also Western) munchies. It’s about halfway up Avenue Pompidou.
• Centre Culturel Française. During the week, ask for the local meal they offer for lunch (not on the menu). On weekends, you must be polite in order to persuade them to allow you taste what they make for the workers.
• Café de Rome (City centre). Authentic French cuisine, from oysters to steak tartar and the legendary Sole Meuniere. It is expensive by Dakar standards, but the cuisine is excellent.
• Chez Ndeye / Ker Ndeye (On a roadway that runs parallel to Ponty) Expensive (XOF4,000 per meal, XOF2,000 for a bissap drink). Senegalese cuisine is mediocre. Aside from the exquisite Thiebou Dien, the restaurant also serves home-made Tamarind juice. Attempt to capture the outstanding Kora player. There are far better possibilities in Dakar for that price.
• Hotel de l’Indépendance Eat here for the breathtaking views from the restaurant on the 16th level.
• Hotel Farid/ Lebanese Restaurant As an aperitif, order a massive Arrak (made from anis) and then the 20 Mezze.
• La Fourchette Stylish restaurant offers foreign food (Mexican, Japanese, Moroccan, and so on) at reasonable pricing. Right next to Marche Kermel.
• Lalibela A small Ethiopian restaurant with an excellent rooftop eating space. The ambience alone is reason enough to visit, but the cuisine is also excellent. It’s a bit tough to find—at it’s the crossroads of the VDN and Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop, between the Mobil-On-The-Run and la Poste Fann.
• Le Jardin Thailandais (Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop),  +221 33 825 58 33.Great atmosphere and a large selection of superb Thai cuisine. It’s a bit costly, but it’s worth it. Located on Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop/Rue de Ouakam, across the street from UCAD (Université Cheikh Anta Diop). Across the street is a jazz club.
• L’Ozio Italian cuisine. 33 823 87 87
• Patisserie Laetitia Located two blocks up on the right hand side of Cafe du Rome towards La Corniche (the sea) – away from the center. Fresh, warm croissants, pain au chocolat, and pain ain au raisins are available. The coffee is excellent, and the fruit juices are freshly squeezed. You will be surrounded by people dressed in gorgeous Muslim attire who will be reading the newspaper and discussing the current news.
• Chez Loutcha, 101 rue Moussé Diop,  +221 33 8210302.Chez Lutcha is a Cape Verdian restaurant serving generous servings of delicious meals. Cape Verdian (Portuguese-inspired) foods, Senegalese cuisine, and international cuisine are available. A cozy garden or an air-conditioned dining area. Excellent customer service.
• Zaika The restaurant is conveniently situated on Cornish Road and serves delicious Indian cuisine. Reasonable cost. The view of the sea from the terrace is spectacular.
• Indiana Located near Place de Independence, this restaurant serves Indian cuisine. Monday through Friday, they offer a buffet lunch for just XOF4,500. Food isn’t really tasty, but it’s a welcome change.
• Le N’Gor. A beautifully painted open-air restaurant with a view of the sea. It has a pleasant atmosphere thanks to the many terraced patios. Although the portions are tiny, the meal is great. A full lunch with drinks and dessert will set you back XOF10,000. It is tucked back from the road behind a frequently vacant parking lot in Les Almadies, behind the Hotel de Almadies and the new US embassy. Look for “Ile de Le N’Gor” painted signs in limited lighting.

• Islam Couture/ Embroidery Dakar has several beautiful (and exorbitantly priced) businesses specializing in haute-couture, embroidered traditional West African Muslim clothing.
• Marche Sandaga, cnr Rue Sandinieri and Ave du President Lamine Gueye(City Center). A dilapidated concrete edifice with three levels of activity: meat and vegetable booths on the main floor, fish in the subterranean dungeon, and, surprise, restaurant stalls on the roof. To make it up, you’ll have to brave the crumpled steps and walk over folks washing dead chicken. A wide network of kiosks around the market sell anything from pirated music CDs, Manchester United jerseys, technological gadgets, and Islamic texts – but be careful that the hawkers may be highly pushy. The area is also known for pickpockets, so take just what you need and put it in a secure location.
• Marche HLM Marche HLM is a smaller market targeted largely towards fabric sellers, and it’s a little less hectic than Sandaga. Hundreds of fabric selections that you may purchase and then have fashioned into precisely fitting traditional Senegalese apparel (if you plan on staying in Dakar for a time, ask a Senegalese person who his or her tailor is and go there. It’s a bit less handy for those who are just there for a week). The majority of suppliers will not sell less than 3 to 6 metres of cloth. A acceptable price per metre is XOF1,000.
• Marche Kermel, near the city centre.
• Soumbedioune, a well-known nighttime fish market. There is also a “Village Artisanal” nearby where visitors, in particular, may purchase hand-made African jewelry, wooden décor components, and other items. Be prepared to haggle.

• Le Hanoi You can’t go wrong with a pub with palm trees painted on one wall and a French military man behind the bar who claims the black waitress is his “little sister” (opinions dispute on whether he was secret service or just a normal drunk).
• Zaika Nicely placed on Cornish Road, this restaurant serves delicious Indian cuisine. Reasonable pricing. The view of the sea from the terrace is breathtaking.
• Le Seoul II (Le Seoul), Rue Amadou Assane Ndoye (between Rue J.Gomis and Ave du President Lamine) (City Center),  +221 33 822 90 00. Outdoor sports bar. Food cooked over a wood fire. Packed during major international events (football!) yet reasonably calm in the midst of inner-city chaos
• Le Viking (Ave G. Pompidou). It’s a favorite hangout for expats and visitors on the Ponty, right in the middle of Sandaga craziness. Drinks are expensive, but the atmosphere is fantastic. On weekends, there is live music!

Petty crime is quite widespread in Dakar; crime against visitors is common, especially near Place de l’Indépendance. Use common sense: ladies should not be out on their alone after dark. In busy areas, such as Sandaga, keep a watch on your pockets and your things. Be careful of several frauds designed to extort money from visitors. Don’t be deceived by the African favorites “I work at your hotel and have ran out of petrol, please may I borrow €10,” etc.

The crime rate in the airport area is exceptionally high. At the airport, do not exchange money. Con artists are stationed at the luggage carousel inside the arrival airport. They notify you that they work for the airport and do not need any payment from you. They take your baggage from your hands and escort you to a restaurant where the kitchen is closed. They will all gather around you and demand money before releasing you or your belongings.

Avoid going to the beach at night. Avoid wearing any visibly costly clothes or jewelry. Senegalese people are not typically violent. Some individuals resort to stealing in order to drink and eat. Overall, the Senegalese are a very kind and welcoming people, and you will encounter many individuals who are eager to chat to you.