Your thoughts on Senegal from Canada

Hello from Quebec, I’m a French-Canadian from Montreal. I’d love to go to Senegal during the Quebec winter to shorten this long season. Two people told me it’s not worth spending a lot of money to get there from Canada because there’s not much to discover. But I’m still skeptical. I’d love to read real testimonials from travelers who’ve been there, with as much info as possible. Thanks

Good evening I’d say it really depends on what you’re looking for. I loved it 😊 https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=11077727;#11077727

Good evening! The Gambia is also nice, isn't it?😉

Totally agree with you, Jean Michel—I had a good laugh about it 😁. Let’s see what Ginette thinks after reading it 😏

Hi there,

Two people told me it’s not worth spending a large sum to go there from Canada because there’s little to discover.

What do they mean by “discover”? Modern art museums? Senegal is all about the change of scenery, the people, nature, national parks, villages, a vibrant culture, markets, beaches… and the lively atmosphere from morning till night. If you’re even a little curious, you won’t get bored—but if you’re not looking for any interaction, your stay at the hotel might feel long! Don’t hesitate to read various travel journals and blogs to soak up others’ experiences.

but if you’re not looking for any interaction, your hotel stay can feel really long!

Uh… Without really looking for them, I think it’s hard to avoid these "interactions" unless you never leave your hotel or you’re on an all-inclusive package like Club Med😉

There are more than you think...

I didn’t quite get it... I meant that in West Africa, and especially in Senegal, it’s hard to avoid contact with the locals who approach you for different reasons—sometimes just to chat..

Just wanted to say that there are a lot of tourists who go to Senegal but never leave their hotel in Saly or their Club Med in Dakar 😉

Ah, okay, but Mamanchat’s profile doesn’t suggest that’s her situation... Plus, she says it’s nice to have interesting company...😉

Hello

Two people told me it’s not worth spending a large sum to go there from Canada because there’s little to "discover."

What do they mean by "discover"? Modern art museums? Senegal is all about the change of scenery, the people, nature, national parks, villages, a vibrant culture, markets, beaches… and the lively atmosphere from morning till night. If you’re even a little curious, you won’t get bored—but if you’re not looking for any interaction, your stay at the hotel might feel long! Don’t hesitate to read various travel journals and blogs to soak up others’ experiences.

Hi Kate, I read your message and thank you for it. I believe Senegal is worth visiting. Is two weeks too long, or would 8–10 days be enough? In your opinion, is it worth traveling from north to south, or should I focus on just one region? Or which area has fewer attractions? From where I am, you’ll understand it’s a very long and fairly expensive trip, so I want to plan it well. Could you recommend a quality agency, since I’ll be traveling alone? Also, is it better to stay in 4-star hotels for comfort, cleanliness, and safety (no need for luxury)? Sincerely, thanks! 🌺 Mamanchat, Montreal, Canada

Hi there,

I don’t know Senegal well enough to give you the best advice. Plus, I went there about twenty years ago… And I don’t know any agencies either. For hotels, you’ll need to check out customer reviews. I think it’s not really worth traveling that far for just 8 days, but that’s just my personal opinion.

I haven’t been to Casamance, but if I were to go back to Senegal, I’d take a flight to Dakar and then the ferry to Ziguinchor. I’d also draw inspiration from Solène40’s travel journal.

Hello,

Two people told me it’s not worth spending a large sum to go there from Canada because there’s little to discover.

It all depends on what you're looking for... Little to discover in Senegal? I don’t know how the people who told you that travel, but saying such things about a country so different from Canada, with such a rich history, culture, and landscapes... it’s completely absurd. However, I’ll admit that if you stay in your hotel with a pool and only venture out once or twice a day, you won’t have seen or discovered much—if anything at all.

Is two weeks too much, or would 8 or 10 days be enough?

Two weeks isn’t even enough to explore a single region. That said, 8 days in the same hotel with a pool without trying to get to know the country *can* feel very long.

Another perspective? Stay in a campement with an air-conditioned deluxe hut and a small pool in a coastal town in Casamance or the Sine Saloum, take a pirogue tour through the mangroves, enjoy fresh fish, seafood, and other delicious dishes, experience village life with a horse-drawn cart ride, take the time to explore Dakar and Gorée Island, and soak in the warmth of Senegalese hospitality and traditions... Two weeks will barely be enough for all that. And even then, you’ll have only seen one or two facets of Senegal—there are dozens more you won’t have discovered yet.

Hi Pagal, Thanks for taking the time to reply so thoroughly. Really appreciated. You seem to know Senegal well. Would you happen to have a quality agency to recommend starting from Dakar? Thanks again, Best, Mamanchat, Montreal, Canada

Hello,

Two people told me it’s not worth spending a large sum to go from Canada because there’s little to discover.

It all depends on what you're looking for... Little to discover in Senegal? I don’t know how those people travel, but saying something like that about a country so different from Canada, with such a rich history, culture, and landscapes... it’s completely absurd. Still, I’ll admit that if you stay in your hotel with a pool and only venture out once or twice a day, you won’t have seen or discovered much—if anything at all.

Is two weeks too much, or would 8–10 days be enough?

Two weeks isn’t even enough to explore a single region. That said, 8 days in the same hotel with a pool without trying to get to know the country could actually feel very long.

Another perspective? Stay in a campement with an air-conditioned deluxe hut and a small pool in a coastal town in Casamance or the Sine Saloum, take a pirogue tour through the mangroves, enjoy fresh fish, seafood, and other delicious dishes, experience village life with a horse-drawn cart ride, take the time to explore Dakar and Gorée Island, and soak in the warmth of Senegalese hospitality and their customs... Two weeks will barely be enough for all that. And even then, you’ll have only seen one or two facets of Senegal—there are dozens more you won’t have discovered yet.

Hi Ginette,

No, I don’t know Senegal *that* well—I’ve only been there once for a 10-day trip. I’m lucky enough to have in-laws there, in Dakar and a few villages in the Sine-Saloum region. I didn’t travel with an agency (I actually never do), but explored the country by staying with family, which made discovering and immersing myself in this incredible culture so much easier. It was worth weeks of travel!

I can’t give you the name of an agency in Dakar unless I ask around. That said, some of my wife’s cousins are pirogue operators and also work at a lodge with comfortable huts in N’dangane, a small town near the coast on the delta where you can take pirogue trips through the mangroves and visit traditional villages. They might be able to organize a tour in the area, but I’m not sure if they cover all of Senegal. I also know a family-friend driver who works in that region. I can always ask around if you’d like.

Hi there, I know Senegal a bit from having spent vacations there and also from crossing it several times on my way to other countries. Always solo but with a vehicle.

Many recommend the south, but I have a soft spot for Saint-Louis and its region. You could spend a week there between the city, the ever-present ocean, and the surrounding lands (including the Djoudj). A great place to stay is the Hôtel de la Poste—full of history and right in the center.

On another note, we have good friends—though not very adventurous—who often go on vacation with Terres d'Aventure, which offers several tours in Senegal (I’m not sure if they operate from Canada).

This is just factual info, but be aware you might get a bit more attention as a woman traveling alone.

Hello Voyagou, Thanks so much for your message. Really appreciated. I’ve noted your details. Mamanchat

Hello, I know Senegal a little from having spent vacations there and also for crossing it several times on my way to other countries. Always solo but with a vehicle.

Many recommend the south, but I have a soft spot for Saint-Louis and its region. You could spend a week there between the city, the ever-present ocean, and the inland areas (including the Djoudj). A great place to stay is the Hôtel de la Poste, full of history and right in the center.

On another note, we have good friends—though not very adventurous—who often go on vacation with Terres d'Aventure, which offers several tours in Senegal (I’m not sure if they operate from Canada).

This is just factual info, but you might face some extra attention as a woman traveling alone.