Haven’t considered West Africa for your next adventure? It’s time to shake up your travel plans.
The beats of the balafon, djembe and kora resonate across West Africa, but especially in Senegal. In the UNESCO-listed city of Saint-Louis, jazz melodies and powerful griot storytelling fill the pastel-painted streets, while the capital of Dakar pulses with mbalax, a fusion of African drumming and contemporary influences. Dakar is also known for its thriving art and fashion scene, galleries, textile markets and murals.
While in Dakar, take a short ferry ride to Goree Island. Once a major slave trading post, it’s now a memorial for the millions of lives impacted by the transatlantic slave trade from the 15th to the 19th century.
Nature lovers are also in for a treat. Hang out with flamingos and crocodiles in Djoudj National Park, float in the bubblegum-pink waters of Lake Retba or unwind on the powdery sands of Cap Skirring—home to some of West Africa’s most idyllic beaches.
