N'gor Island - Senegal

NGor Island

 N'gor Island - Senegal
N'gor Island is the place if you want to relax, you can find several small peaceful beaches. Ngor Island is clean and the vendors will not hassle you.

Ngor island has several beautiful, calm and peaceful   beaches. Best of all it  is not far from the Senegal City of Dakar. Ngor island is perfect the perfect day trip to escape the hustle and bustle of Dakar.

NGor Island

the pirogues leave frequently from the N’Gor beach, the five-minute ride is only (500CFA or $1). Once on the island you can rent a paddle boat. Also for rent an umbrella/mat for 1,000cfa/day. Ngor Island is a lovey place for a walk down narrow alleyways past cute homes behind beautiful gates covered with bougainvillea. The world famous Senegalese singer Akon has a home on the island.

Like to hang ten???...On the island is a surf camp. Ngor Island is the home of N’gor Right, the legendary surfing wave in the first “The Endless Summer” movie.

NGor Island

If you eat at La Maison d’Italie restaurant, they will come pick you up/take you back in their boat.

You can also enjoy good seafood t at Chez Bineta a beach front restaurant ran by local chef MaMa Bineta.

NGor Island

Wherever you go on the island, you will be surrounded by the sunlight, flowers and the soothing sounds of the ocean waves.

Read more about Surfing in Senegal

Other Dakar Day Trips

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Is Senegal Safe for Tourist?

Sineta George - SenegalStyle

Security Concerns for West Africa in General & Senegal in Particular!

(Guest Blogger Sineta George owner of Senegal Style. Original post Thorn Tree Travel Forum)

 Hello again and Greetings from Senegal!

It's as safe now in Senegal (and Casamance) as it ever was as long as you stay away from obvious hot spots, political rallies and/or protests.

I originally did a post this summer on another online travel forum when there were protests about power shortages (which we don't have anymore) and now, here we go again.

We've got another travel advisory flagged for Senegal (because of the elections), in big red letters, a 'Travel Alert' - Safety Concerns and you have raised an important issue to many people that have never been to West Africa and therefore pay a lot of attention to these types of warnings. I wish to put this issue into perspective however.

Having said that, let me state for the record that I am an America woman, single parent of 3 young American adults that spent 12 years of their lives here in Senegal, with me. 2 are back in the US and I have one 18 yr old still in school, here in Dakar.

I moved here in 1999 BECAUSE it is such a peaceful and tranquil country.

Most people have never heard of Senegal because there's not been any wars, famine, epidemics (HIV/AIDS rate is less that 0.7%!), capital punishment, child pornography rings, slavery or anything else that would normally get a country in the news.

The Senegalese people are guilty only of exercising their civil rights - the freedom to protest against their government and every time they do, Senegal gets slapped with a travel advisory by western embassies, namely the US and Canada and then everyone else follows suit.

HOWEVER, and this is really the crux of the matter, in light of all the 'Occupy' wherever protests going on in the US and other places - why aren't there travel warnings to Washington, DC? New York? Greece? The Italian people are always having a protest about something and so is France but there isn't any (serious) travel warnings about those countries.

Did you ever wonder why?

To make another point, the 10 cities with the highest murder rates in America are (and I just googled it and you can do your own research, the results may change but the point is the same):

Jacksonville, FL
Miami, FL
Memphis, TN
Orlando, FL
Birmingham, AL
St Petersburg, FL
Tampa, FL
Dallas, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Atlanta, GA

As I said previously, I'm American and my home state is Florida. If you do a google search for a list of the top ten cities with the highest murder rates like I just did, you will find that Florida has 5 of the top ten per capital , (and to me, that's a 'security concern' ). Has anyone ever seen a 'Travel Advisory' to the state where Disneyland is located? (Number 4!) Atlanta, GA, Dallas, TX and Birmingham, AL are right next door and throw in Tennessee to the mix then it becomes 9 of the top 10 are in the south. That's sad.

If you look for the top ten LOWEST murder rates, Senegal comes in 2nd from the bottom. Iceland has the lowest murder rate, followed by a bunch of West African countries (6 all together out of 10) that ALWAYS get travel warnings issued against them!

This is where I got the info above from:
chacha.com/question/…comments

And again, using online states going from the bottom, being Iceland to #10, Oman:

Iceland
# SENEGAL
# BURKINO FASO
# CAMEROON
Finland
# GAMBIA
# MALI
Saudi Arabia
# MAURITANIA
Oman

Think about that. All these places (I put in caps for emphasis) are West African and have travel advisories against them. In some cases, yes a few people, adventure travelers in remote places and ngo people not following their security guidelines have died in some type of random violence in a year. Count them all up for 2011 and it's less than the body count over New Years in the US. Where I come from, a few people are murdered every weekend and random violence... let's not even go there! At least once a month someone goes 'postal' and shoots several people at once.

What's the difference but you're worried about safety over here?

Just because you have a visa to travel doesn't mean it's a safety shield from destiny or plain bad luck. Adventure travelers, people who meet a stranger, call him a friend and then go off in to remote locations with no plans, no local contacts, nothing, truly expect that nothing should happen to them BUT WHAT'S SURPRISING, is that nothing usually does.

Try doing this in your home country and see what happens to you. Africans are much more forgiving of western mentalities for 'thrill seeking' and adventure travel and put up with it every day.

This link:
mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/countries-with…

Senegal is number 2 in the world with the fewest murders and Orlando (Disneyland) is the 3rd highest in America. Those crime rates are never reported on CNN or BBC or even Aljazeera are they?

What's wrong with this picture?

Don't change your travel plans folks, stay away from political rallies and exercise the same judgment here that you would if you were at home in a large city and you'll be fine.

The places we come from in the western modern world are way more violent than Senegal or any other '3rd world country' in West Africa will ever be!

Do your homework online and feel free to email me at SenegalStyle@gmail.com.

Doin' it SenegalStyle!
Sineta George - Google me; I'm legit!
Website: http://senegalstyle.wordpress.com/http://senegalstyle.wordpress.com/

Pink Lake - Senegal

Pink Lake - Senegal

One of the most interesting, beautiful attractions and rare natural phenomena in all of Senegal lies just 30 minutes (about 32 kilometers) north of the capital city of Dakar and a few hundred meters off the Atlantic Ocean. Located in the middle of small villages in the midst of a baobab forest, the Pink Lake (also known as Retba in Wolof and Lac Rose in French) is a warm, large but shallow lake with a high salt level that makes it possible for virtually anything to float on it.

As its name implies, the Pink Lake has a stunning, mineral-rich, pink-to-reddish color caused by a unique combination of microorganisms and a high concentration of salt crystals. Time of day and position of the sun further determine periodic changes in its color. Perhaps the water’s most stunning colors are apparent at dusk or dawn, during which the interplay of sunlight with rock-forming mineral deposits (know as feldspar) produces a shimmering effect through the water, emitting a pervasive violet tinge. This staggering brilliance is intensified by the patches of white foam that gather at its borders.

A leading tourist attraction, the Pink Lake appeals greatly to locals and visitors who flock there to float in its calm waters, relax on its sand dunes, or explore its surrounding baobab forest and nearby villages. This way, they are able to have ample insight into local village life, lively vegetable markets, and traditional Fula culture. The lake also served as a standard terminal for the Dakar Rally, where some competitors swim and cool off after taking part in the race at breakneck speeds. (Formerly known as the Paris-Dakar Rally, the Dakar Rally is an annual off-road, automobile race that has traditionally taken place from France to Dakar since its inception in 1978. Due to a number of security concerns, however, other regional locations are now being considered for the race. In, 2009, for instance, the rally took place in South America.)

For a significant number of the indigenous men and women, the Pink Lake provides a means of livelihood as they extract, gather, and sell its abundant buildup of salts. Approximately five kilometers along its shoreline—known as Niaga-Peul—there is a booming, salt mining cottage industry. Women are typically the salters (or producers) while men are the wholesalers and transporters. Besides containing vast quantities of commercial salt, the lake is also a principal trading spot for seafood. In the afternoon, hundreds of fishermen return from the high sea where they usually spend the night, bringing in tons of fish, shrimp, and lobsters in their dugout canoes.

Experts say that the Pink Lake was formed after the seas retreated many thousands of years ago, thus leaving the body of saltwater behind. It is truly a natural oddity and compares with the likes of the Dead Sea, which is also known to contain extraordinarily huge amounts of salt. The Pink Lake thus forms part of the Senegalese national heritage. For biologists, this body of water is in the category of ecological extremes because of its strong salt concentration, which is one of the highest worldwide—(approximately 380 grams per liter).

Dakar Day Trips

African American Woman Moves Family to Senegal

Sineta George  I’m ‘Doin’ it SenegalStyle

Go West Young Woman (with your children!) to West Africa!

(Guest Blogger Sineta George  owner of Senegal Style)

Greetings from the ‘Dark Continent,’ ‘The Motherland,’ my own personal paradise!
I’m a single woman, Southern Belle by birth, born and reared in the Gulf Coast of America and have lived in my adopted home town of Dakar Senegal for about 12 years now. I moved over in 1999 with my 3 children (13, 9 & 5 at the time) to educate my kids in the excellent international baccalaureate program that is standard, throughout the entire country!

Two are now grown and back in the US and the youngest is 17 and still in school here. When your children graduate from any Senegalese High School, they start college in the US and Europe as a junior (check out IB for yourself)! We didn’t even have IB when I was growing up, within 500 miles of our home (and even if we did, because of the school district laws in the US, I wouldn't have been able to attend anyway).

Throw in the safety and security of living in a Muslim country, (2nd from the bottom of the world for murders), drug, alcohol & gang-free environment, and beautiful weather every single day (nice beaches, cosmopolitan population of every nationality...Dakar reminds me of Atlanta actually).

I came originally as a tourist and just loved it! Watching thousands of men & women go to Friday Prayer with their children, both girls and boys, was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I wanted my children to grow up around strong, black, religiously motivated (but free to cover or not cover, and be Christian, Muslim, or agnostic!) so moving here was a no brainer and a lot easier than you think!

Many people are hesitant about visiting Francophone West Africa, even though this part of Africa is where Black Americans come from. Not South Africa! We have absolutely zero cultural connection to South Africa, but we go there by the thousands every year! It's like an Irish man going to Italy to find his roots - same continent, wrong area. West Africa, particularly Senegal & Gambia, Mali, Nigeria, Guinea & Ivory Coast (remember hearing your grandparents using the words 'geetchie' talk or black people from South Carolina being called 'geetchies'? They came from Guinea!). These places are our roots and we need to come here with our children and show them a different, better life. In my opinion, South Africa is more violent than South Central, and the people of South Africa are not even 'us.'

So young women (and men), don’t be 'skeered.' If you are thinking of adventure travel, Senegal is your place. Volunteer tourism  to get your feet wet? They are always looking for English teachers here!
If you want to learn French, Senegal is cheaper than France and 

Sineta @African Renaissance Statue

friendlier, too! Want to perfect your African drumming? Learn with the best of the best, Senegalese Drummaker and Master Percussionist, Ibou Sene (google him!)

There are many places to go and things to do: tours, by motorscooter and car, both inside and outside of Dakar, as well. Animal wildlife reserves, the tallest statue in the world is located here in the city (The African Renaissance Statue shown in the picture), a Pink Lake, village life, zip-lining and bungee jumping at Accrobaobab park, the beautiful beaches, African markets & Goree Island, Senegales wrestling, cheap hair weave & braiding(smile), upscale restaurants, clubs and nightlife and so much more!

If you want to import/export African textiles, gold or silver jewelry, art, drums and baskets, herbal products like Shea Butter & African black soap, or other items, Senegal has a professionally run flat rate port system so importing or exporting by container or air is not problematic.

Do additional homework online and feel free to email me at SenegalStyle@gmail.com.

Doin' it SenegalStyle!
Sineta George - Google me; I'm legit!
Website: http://senegalstyle.wordpress.com/

Visit page for other Senegal Destinations

Senegals New culture and tourism minister Youssou Ndour. What can he do to promote tourism?

Senegal Grand National Theater

Senegal Grand National Theater

Senegal Blog

Senegal Grand Nation Theater

The 1800-seat Senegal National Grand Theater, is a  21 million Euro gift to the people of Senegal from China. It opened in April of 2011, replacing the current national theatre in Dakar, with a capacity of 1,100, that was built in 1965.

The Senegal National Grand Theater will mainly be used for singing and dancing performances, and can also work as cinema or conference hall as well. It will play an important role in satisfying the cultural needs of the Senegalese.

Built on an area of ​​about three acres, the Senegal National Grand Theater has a capacity of 1,800 seats and six floors.

Location: Carrefour Cyrnos x Boulevard de l'Arsenal

Please visit our page for Dakar Day Trips 
See the top  Seven things to do in  Dakar

Visit page for other Senegal Destinations

 

Senegals New culture and tourism minister Youssou Ndour. What can he do to promote tourism?

Senegal Blog

The Woman's Museum- Goree Island Senegal - Musee de la Femme - Henriette Bathily

The Woman's Museum

The Woman's Museum- Goree Island Senegal - Musee de la Femme 
The Senegal Blog
Looks at the role of Senegalese women in traditional,rituals, community, folk arts and modern West African culture. Through field research, interviews, collections in families, photographic reproductions, recordings and films, consultations archive the results will be published in the journals of the museum - which will set up a structure to attract the interest of nationals and foreigners on an important aspect of community life and organization of our society that revolve 

around the woman.

The Woman's Museum

The Museum of Senegalese women is being able to allows non Senegalese to enter "privacy" of Senegalese society or for research, study, work or university, simply need to learn about the other. They can then compare  the characteristics of other ethnic groups, other communities, other regions: the customs, traditions vary between groups.

Contact Information
Museum Henriette Bathily
Goree, Senegal
Tel: 00 221 33
Tuesday to Sunday : 10 to 16H H3 closed Monday

Please visit our page for Day Trips in Senegal. 

Visit  page on Goree Island Senegal

The Senegal Blog

Senegal Souls Top Seven Things to do in Dakar

Top "7" Seven Things to do in Dakar

(In no particular order)

African Renaissance Monument

Things to do in Dakar

African Renaissance Monument  
The 49-metre bronze statue is a representation of a man, woman and child emerging from a volcano is taller than the Statue of Liberty, stands on a hill overlooking the capital, Dakar. It marks Senegal's 50 years of Independence.

Things to do in Dakar

Senegal Soccer Football

Soccer... Senegal Football
How about a game of soccer or football as the rest of the world calls it.Even if you are not a fan you will be before you leave you will be.  It is organized chaos with blowing of horns, live bands ,and of course its Africa.. the drums. If that's not enough excitement for you wait until you see the cheerleaders. The football season begins in February, and Dakar's biggest team, plays at the 60,000-capacity all-seater Léopold Sédar Senghor national stadium  

Market HLM -Shopping

Things to do Dakar

HLM  Market

Marche' HLM, " HLM is pronounced " ash-el-em and stands for Habitations a Loyer Modere, Meaning  affordable Rent Housing." Opened in 1976, this African fabric market has become one of the largest  African markets in West Africa. In recent years, it has became a favorite destination for Senegales . They can find cloth at the best possible prices.You have your choice from hundreds of rolls of wax-dyed bazin (dyed fabrics beaten to a shine with wooden clubs), vibrant prints, embroidered cloth, lace and silk. You can get matching shoes, bags and jewelry at the same place. 

Goree Island -House of Slaves

Thing to do in Dakar

Gorée is a small island 30 minutes from the city of Dakar, it was a minor port and site of European settlement along the coast. Gorée is known as the location of the House of Slaves. 

House of Slaves

The House of Slaves and its Door of No Return is a museum and memorial to the Atlantic Slave Trade on tiny Goree Island, 3 km off the coast of the city of Dakar, Senegal.It is said to memorialize the final exit point of slaves from Africa. Historians differ on how many, if any African slaves were actually held in this building, as well as the relative importance of Goree Island as a point on the Atlantic Slave Trade,but visitors from Africa, Europe and the Americas, along with world leaders, continue to make it an important place to remember the human toll of African slavery.Don't forget to visit the Woman's Museum on the island.

Youssou N'Dour

Things to do in Dakar

 Club Thiossane

Just north of Marché Sandaga it is the hottest club in West Africa. Owned by the legendary Youssou N'Dour, and when he's not touring the man himself performs here most Friday and Saturday nights. It is located at  Sicap Street 10, just say the name( it's pronounced Cho-sahn ) every cab driver knows the way.

L'Institut Français 

L'Institut Français  Dakar

Things to do in Dakar

The French Institute Dakar, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009, combines the functions and activities of the former French Cultural Centre and the former Alliance Franco-Senegalese Dakar (and St. Louis)   It is the place to study French, history, and culture of the peoples ruled by French colonialism in Africa ,You can relax in the gardens, stroll the art gallery,watch a French movie then dine at its famous restaurant.

Mosqué de la Divinité 

Mosque de la Divinite

Things to do in Dakar

Mosque of the Divinity was built by Mohamed Gueye Gorgui Seyni.Driving north on the coastal road, you'll see the beautiful seaside Mosqué de la Divinité perched on the coast near Les Mamelles quartier. You may visit during the day and it is free.

Accrobaobab Adventure Park - Senegal

Accrobaobab Adventure Park - Great Day Trip from Dakar or Saly

Accrobaobab Adventure Senegal

Accrobaobab Adventure Park  is the only park in the world built exclusively on baobabs.Located in the bush in the Senegalese sole baobab forest of our planet, this park welcomes you 5 to 77 years for unforgettable adventures safely.

Accorbaobab Adventure Park Map

A 65 km south of Dakar and 15 km from the resort of Saly, the park is easily accessible for all types of vehicles. To get there, take National 1: track to right across the reserve Bandia, 5 km from Sindia.

IFAN Museum of African Arts - Dakar Senegal

IFAN Museum of African Arts 

The Musée de l'Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire or IFAN Museum of African Arts in Dakar, Senegal is one of the oldest art museums in West Africa. It was promoted by Léopold Senghor, the country's first President.

 In December 2007, its official title was changed to The Théodore Monod African Art Museum ("Musée Théodore Monod d'Art africain"), after the French naturalist Théodore André Monod, former director of IFAN.[1] Previously its official name had been "Le Musée d'Art africain de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire Cheikh Anta Diop IFAN/CAD".

IFAN Museum of African Arts 

The museum is part of the Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire (IFAN) institute, founded 1936 under the Popular Front government in France. When IFAN was transferred to Cheikh Anta Diop University in 1960, the building at Place Soweto near the National Assembly of Senegal was converted into a museum. 

It is today one of the most prestigious centers for the study of African culture and part of the Cheikh Anta Diop University. As the main cultural research center of the colonies of French West Africa, it contains important collections from across Francophone Africa.

The museum is one of the regular locations used in the Dakar Biennale exhibition, showing art by contemporary African and diaspora artists.

Contact information:

Place Soweto, Plateau

Dakar, Senegal

Senegal Passport ,Visa, Malaria and Shots (inoculations)

Passports are required

Citizens of countries member of the European Union (EU) do not need visa to travel to Senegal for up to three months stay.

Visa also not required for the following European and American countries for up to three months stay.

•  Canada
• Israel
• Japan
• Taiwan
• United States

 Visa's must be valid for at least 3 months after your date of arrival back in the UK.

For more information please visit the Senegal Embassy Website

 Recommended inoculations: Yellow Fever  

Malaria is a risk to travelers in Senegal. Travelers should consult their physician to discuss the benefits and risks of taking anti-malarial medication. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area, and up to one year after returning home, should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarial medications they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarial drugs, visit the CDC Travelers' Health online.

Senegal Currency with currency converter

The local currency is the West African CFA Franc (Senegal) although Euros are also accepted in the hotels 

Credit cards are generally accepted in hotels and restaurants though you may be charged a surcharge. Travellers’ cheques are not always readily accepted.

You will find ATM machines in the major hotels. You will be allowed to use these machines even if you don't stay on property. I try to be a good tourist and at least purchase a coke or something in the bar.

HERE IS A LINK FOR A CURRENCY CONVERTER

Driving in Senegal -Renting a car

Here are a few of the company's that offer rentals in the airport. Alamo, National, Avis, Europcar,  and Hertz
 

DRIVING IN SENEGAL

Driving in Senegal can be difficult since many drivers do not follow the regulations.  Senegal uses right-hand drive.  Vehicles should give priority to traffic coming from the right, except at traffic circles, where vehicles already in the circle have the right of way.

Senegalese law prohibits the use of cell phones while driving, unless the driver is using “hands-free” equipment.  Protective helmets are mandatory for all bicycle, moped, scooter and motorcycle drivers/riders and passengers.
When police officers stop a vehicle for a traffic violation, the police officer will generally confiscate the driver’s license or i.d. card until the fine is paid.

Required Documents

All drivers in Senegal are required to have the following documents in the vehicle: 

• Carte Grise: This is the vehicle registration and is a trifold paper about 3 ½ x 8 inches.  In the upper left corner it states No. Immat Vehicle and lists the license plate number.
• Declaration en Douane: This is the customs declaration if you imported your vehicle into Senegal. 
• Attestation D’Assurance: This is a yellow insurance card that is placed in a small plastic shield on the inside front windshield of the car.  This card must be renewed annually. 
• Vignette: Tax disc for the current year.
• Valid driver’s license: Drivers must either obtain a Senegalese drivers license or present their U.S. driver’s license.
• Copy of your passport: Make a copy of the front of the passport, the biographic page, and the page with your Senegalese visa.

Police officers have the authority to detain individuals who do not have these required documents.

Accidents

Drivers are required to purchase third-party insurance, which will cover damages resulting in injuries where the driver is not at fault.  If a driver is found to have caused an accident, the penalty ranges from five months to two years in prison, with a possible fine.  If a driver causes an accident that results in a death, the penalty can be as high as five years in prison. 

You are encouraged to take the following actions if involved in an automobile accident:

• Do not move the vehicle unless it is causing a traffic hazard.
• If a crowd forms and you feel you are in jeopardy, move immediately to a safe area.
• In the case of a minor accident with minimal damage and no injuries, you may wish to attempt to settle the incident.  Involving the authorities will likely take a minimum of four hours.  If you need to contact the authorities, the Central Police Station in downtown Dakar has a mobile accident investigation unit.  If you call the Police Station at 823-2529 or 823-2333, they will give you the cell phone number of the officer on duty with the mobile unit.  Most police officers in Senegal do not speak English.
• Remain calm. Avoid aggravating or inciting the other driver, the victim, or observers.
• Do not challenge a police officer or withhold documents or information.