DAYTRIPS

Lac Rose
Approximately 20 miles from Dakar, you will discover one of nature's miracles: a completely pink lake ('Lac Rose' in French, 'Retba' in Wolof). The lake is particularly spectacular at dawn and dusk. The unique vibrant pink color is produced by feldspar deposits reflecting the sunlight through the salty waters. The lake is the remains of a fossil sea that once occupied all of Senegal. For a long time, the local Wolof villagers thought that it was a haunted place at night. However, they never seriously thought about moving, because the salt extracted from the lake is a vital source of income. During the week, men and mostly women are busy crushing the bottom of the lake, which consists of a thick crust of salt that they gather to sell. Women are the salters, men the wholesalers and transporters.

Ile de Goree
Less than 2 miles from Dakar lies the island of Goree, deeply rooted in the history of the slave trade. From the beginning of the sixteenth to the mid-nineteenth century, men, women, and children were gathered on this small piece of land, locked up in cells before being shipped away to the New World. The island was seized by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French, and the English who all participated in the trade. Forts and cannons attest to the island's violent past. Most of the buildings were used as warehouses or slave houses. Some have been turned into museums. The most famous is "La Maison des Esclaves" which used to hold up to two hundred captives. Their cells can be visited, as can be the apartment of the slave dealers upstairs. From the "Door of no Return" countless Senegalese caught a last glimpse of their homeland before boarding the slave ships.

Dakar
The capital of Senegal is a modern city of 1.5 million with beautiful contemporary buildings and some historical colonial houses. It is a vibrant city with active open-air markets, cafe terraces, a wide range of hotels, delicious food and a great night life. You can discover Dakar by taking a walk along the ocean or the busy city streets. Art lovers will find an abundance of galleries, artists' studios, museums, and festivals. Senegal is a shopper's paradise and exquisite crafts can be found in markets, on the streets, and in stores everywhere in Dakar. For the sport enthusiast, this city by the beach offer all water sports and golf, tennis, biking, and more.

Soumbedienne
In the afternoon, hundreds of fishermen come back from the high sea where they have spent the night. They bring tons of fish, shrimp, and lobsters in their brightly-coloured dugout canoes. The beach is alive with buyers, families, and children. It is a colourful spectacle that you should not miss.