Routes · Africa

San Francisco to Senegal: Dakar, Saint-Louis and the Sine-Saloum delta

San Francisco → Dakar → Saint-Louis → Sine-Saloum

West African coast Best season (general guide): Nov–May

Senegal's coast runs from a lively capital to a historic island town in the north and a delta of mangroves in the south. This route spends eight nights in the country. From San Francisco you'll connect through Europe or New York.

Dakar sits on the Cap-Vert peninsula. A ferry goes to Gorée Island, a former slave-trading post with colourful houses. The markets and the African Renaissance Monument show the modern city. Try thiéboudienne, the national fish and rice dish, listed by UNESCO as intangible heritage. In the evening, clubs play mbalax, Senegal's popular dance music.

Head north by road to Saint-Louis, an island town on the Senegal River that was once the capital of French West Africa. Its colonial houses, the Faidherbe bridge and the fishing quarter on the coast make a good walk. The Djoudj bird sanctuary is a day trip.

Then drive south to the Sine-Saloum delta, where pirogues travel through mangroves and channels. Villages and shell islands can be visited by boat.

November to May is the dry season. The rains fall from June to October.

Pacing: roads between Dakar, Saint-Louis and the delta are long and busy, so a driver arranged through your hotel is easiest. Start early to avoid the heat.

On Gorée, guides explain the island's history, and the House of Slaves is a moving place. In the delta, choose a lodge that offers pirogue trips and birdwatching.

Senegal is mainly Muslim, so dress modestly outside the beach areas, and ask before taking photographs of people.

Senegalese hospitality, known as teranga, is a point of national pride, and you'll often be invited to share tea or a meal. Accept if you can; it is one of the best ways to meet people.

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