Une semaine au Sénégal.

A story in seven parts.

I’d wanted to visit Senegal since I first heard Youssou N’Dour’s voice emanating from my speakers at the end of “In Your Eyes.” There was something about that sound that made me want to visit the land from whence it came.

In 2023, I had my chance. I flew to Senegal from Mexico City on Christmas Day to spend a month in Dakar. I hadn’t originally planned anything for the week between Christmas and New Years (I had the week off) and then decided last minute to book a tour.

I had thought to do things piecemeal—a weekend here and a weekend there—but decided it would be best to see as much as I could while I had the time. It proved to be the right decision as it ended up leaving me time to visit The Ghana later in the month.

December 24, 2023 - January 1, 2024.

Une semaine au Sénégal.

A story in seven parts.

Contents

1.
A day in Dakar and a trip to Gorée Island.

2.
Dakar, the “Pink” Lake Retba, and the Senegalese coast.

3.
Djoudj Bird Sanctuary, Saint Louis, and the Lompoul desert.

4.
Touba and the Saloum delta.

5.
Mar Lodj and the Saloum delta.

6.
The Saloum delta, Shell Island, and New Year’s Eve in Saly.

7.
A visit to the Bandia Reserve and the road back to Dakar.

Coda.
A saturday afternoon on L'île de Ngor.

Coda 2.
The western-most edge of Afro Eurasia.