Senegal Tours
Saint Louis Jazz Festival Tour
Discover the Saint Louis Jazz Festival and more of Senegal on this eight day tour.
Senegal: A Cultural Tapestry of Jazz, Art, and Heritage
Few destinations in West Africa offer the cultural vibrancy and artistic depth found in Senegal. For example, the rhythmic pulse of jazz echoes through colonial streets. Meanwhile, contemporary African art finds avant-garde expression. In short, Senegal stands as a beacon of creativity and heritage.
At the heart of this cultural renaissance is the Saint-Louis International Jazz Festival. It is widely regarded as one of Africa's premier musical gatherings. Since its inception in 1992, the festival has drawn thousands of enthusiasts annually. As a result, it transforms the historic city of Saint-Louis into a global stage for jazz. Over the decades, more than 250 acclaimed artists have graced its venues. For example, these include Archie Shepp, Youssou N'Dour, Gilberto Gil, Ali Farka Touré and Femi Kuti.
Equally compelling is Dakar, Senegal's bustling capital and long-standing cultural epicentre of West Africa. It is also home to the Dak'Art Biennale of Contemporary African Art. Beyond the arts, Senegal's landscapes and historical sites beckon. Travellers will journey through the country's rich tapestry, beginning with the storied museums of Dakar. Later come the tranquil mangrove forests and winding estuaries of the Sine-Saloum Delta.
Day By Day
Your Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival in Dakar
Arrive in Dakar, Senegal's dynamic capital, and transfer to your hotel. The city, on the tip of the Cape Verde Peninsula, is the westernmost point of mainland Africa.
Overnight in Hotel Djoloff or similar, Dakar · Meals included: None
DAY 2
Kermel Market and Gorée Island
Start at Kermel Market, founded in 1860 and housed in a striking colonial building. It is a riot of colours, sounds and smells, and a lively window onto everyday Dakar life. Then take the ferry to Gorée Island, where enslaved Africans were held before being shipped to the Americas. Moreover, the Portuguese built a small stone chapel here as early as 1450. Spend the morning exploring the island's historic buildings before returning to Dakar. Finally, in the evening, enjoy dinner and a live concert at one of Dakar's music clubs.
Overnight in Hotel Djoloff or similar, Dakar · Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3
Dakar: A Capital of Art and Culture
First, visit the IFAN Museum of African Arts, one of West Africa's oldest art museums. It holds nearly 10,000 pieces from more than twenty African countries. Then continue to the Musée des Civilisations Noires, which celebrates the cultures of the African diaspora. It opened in 2018 to realise the vision of Senegal's first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor. After that, see the Neo-Sudanese Cathédrale Notre Dame des Victoires. Later, explore the Village des Arts, a compound of 72 artist studios. These span painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography and video installation. You also discover Dakar's celebrated graffiti scene. Finally, end the day at the Loman Art Galerie, which has hosted contemporary art exhibitions since 2011. Dinner is included.
Overnight in Hotel Djoloff or similar, Dakar · Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4
Saint-Louis: Colonial Charm and Jazz
Drive north to Saint-Louis (approx. 4-5 hours), once the capital of French West Africa. It was also a key Aéropostale airmail stop frequented by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. First, tour the city by horse-drawn carriage. Then attend the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival, one of Africa's most prestigious musical events.
Overnight in Hôtel de la Poste or similar, Saint-Louis · Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5
Langue de Barbarie, the Museum Archipelago & Jazz Encore
In the morning, visit Langue de Barbarie National Park, home to abundant birdlife and three species of turtle. This thin sandy peninsula separates the Atlantic Ocean from the final stretch of the Senegal River. Then explore the Museum Archipelago, eight colonial-era houses. Each is dedicated to a different facet of Senegalese and West African history. You also cross the iconic Faidherbe Bridge and watch fishing canoes return at dusk. As night falls, the Jazz Festival continues, spilling into restaurants, bars and courtyards. For example, Ndar Music & Caffè is a recommended optional stop.
Overnight in Hôtel de la Poste or similar, Saint-Louis · Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6
Fulani Herders, Touba and Kaolack
Travel around 285km (approx. 5 hours) south across the Ferlo. In this arid region, nomadic Fulani (Peul) herders graze large herds of zebu. Then, in the afternoon, visit Touba, a spiritual stronghold of the Mouride brotherhood founded in 1887. It is home to the Grand Mosque (completed 1963) and the final resting place of its founder. A Baye Fall guide leads the group through this unique spiritual enclave. Here modest dress is essential, while smoking, alcohol and music are strictly prohibited. Finally, by late afternoon, arrive in Kaolack.
Overnight in Relais de Kaolack or similar, Kaolack · Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7
Sine Saloum
Visit MAHICAO, the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire des Cultures d'Afrique de l'Ouest. French gallerist and African art expert Réginald Groux founded it. Then, in the afternoon, continue to Palmarin (approx. 117km, 3 hours in total). This rural community is a landscape of savannah, mangroves and winding bolongs. Here you take a private boat excursion through the Sine Saloum Delta's mangrove forests. You also observe birdlife and learn about local reforestation efforts.
Overnight in Pelican Hotel or similar, Palmarin · Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8
Joal-Fadiouth and Departure
Travel north to Joal-Fadiouth, two villages linked by a bridge. The island of Fadiouth is built on seashells, which are also used in its buildings and decorations. Moreover, Muslim and Christian graves lie side by side in its shared cemetery. Finally, continue to Dakar's international airport (approx. 110km, 3 hours) for your departure.
Meals included: Breakfast
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Know Before You Go
Included & Excluded
What’s Included
Assistance at Dakar airport upon arrival and departure
Transfers and tour on roads and tracks by minibus
English-speaking tour leader
Tours and visits as per the programme
Pass for the whole Saint-Louis Jazz Festival
Dinner and ticket for a live club concert in Dakar
Accommodation in standard rooms/bungalows/permanent tents, as per itinerary
All meals as described, from breakfast on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 8
One bottle of mineral water in the bus/car every day for each person
Entrance fees to parks, concessions, protected areas and cultural sites, festivals and events as in the programme
First aid box
All service charges and taxes
What’s Not Included
International flights
Any airport taxes
Travel insurance
Any visa requirements/fees
Mineral water and drinks at meals
Any photography and video fees
Items of a personal nature
Tips for drivers, guides and hotel staff
Portage
Book With Confidence
Dates & Prices
Tuesday 4 May – Tuesday 11 May 2027, timed to the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival. The 2027 festival line-up will be announced in spring. The tour also operates with a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 16 people in the group.
From £2,295 per person, based on two people sharing
Single supplement £245
Good to Know
Travel Information
Safety, Passport, Visa and Health Information
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination. For example, it covers safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice for Senegal.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your date of return. We also strongly advise that it contains a minimum of two blank pages, ideally opposite each other. This is because local immigration authorities may require this. UK passport holders don't need a visa to travel to Senegal. However, if staying longer than 3 months, register with local authorities for a 'Carte d'étranger' after arrival. You may be refused entry without evidence of return or onward travel. Finally, check via TravelHealthPro whether a yellow fever certificate is required.
Senegal is a predominantly Muslim country. Therefore, respect local traditions, customs and religions, especially during Ramadan or when visiting religious areas. Also, dress and behave modestly outside main tourist areas. Alcohol is available in bars and restaurants, but drunkenness is considered offensive. Moreover, drink-driving penalties are severe. Kissing as a greeting is acceptable, but romantic public displays are not. Drug offences carry severe penalties, including lengthy jail sentences. Homosexual activity is illegal and not tolerated in Senegal's conservative society. Therefore, avoid open displays of homosexuality while in the country.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice. The National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) publishes this on the TravelHealthPro website. Health facilities in Dakar are reasonable but limited elsewhere in Senegal. Therefore, make sure you have adequate travel health insurance. You also need accessible funds for medical treatment and repatriation. Malaria, dengue fever and other tropical diseases are common, especially during the rainy season (June-September). In addition, Senegal carries a risk of Zika virus transmission.
What to Bring
Senegal is very warm generally, so light cotton clothes are a good idea. Also bring a hat for the strong sun, even in winter. Shorts are generally acceptable. However, long trousers are appropriate on some occasions and offer better protection on nature walks. In addition, bring a swimsuit for hotel pools. Walking shoes or boots plus a pair of sandals are ideal footwear.
Please allow yourself one main piece of luggage and a day-sack. You're expected to carry your own baggage, so don't overload yourself. For example, a soft wheely bag may be easier to manage than a suitcase. We also recommend a high-factor sun cream and insect repellent (including bite spray). Finally, bring a torch or flashlight for poorly-lit areas or unexpected power outages.
While You're There
The CFA franc (XOF) is the local currency. Avoid exchanging large amounts anywhere other than reputable bureaus. ATMs are widespread and reliable in Dakar. However, banking facilities are infrequent elsewhere, with low withdrawal limits. Larger tourist establishments also accept credit cards, often with a commission added.
Senegal is warm year-round, averaging 35°C. However, the best time to visit is during the dry season (November-May), when conditions are mild with less rain. The country code is +221, and local prepaid SIM cards are available for unlocked phones. Wifi is available in most Dakar hotels and restaurants, although it is harder to find rurally. Finally, Senegal uses type C, D, E and K plugs, on a 230V/50Hz supply.
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