Skip to content
4.8/5 Excellent Call us
scdhero
Senegal7 daysMax 12Solo-friendly

Senegal – Coast and Delta Explorer

From Dakar's slave history at Goree Island to pirogue bird-watching in the Djoudj wetlands and a shell-paved island in the Saloum Delta.

View dates & prices

As Featured In

The TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational GeographicThe TelegraphCulture TripThe TimesLonely PlanetThe GuardianIndependentNational Geographic
About this journey

The story behind the route

An intriguing journey touching the edge of the Western Sahara. Start in Dakar and explore this bustling city before immersing yourself in the slave history at Goree Island. Travel north through Senegal, reaching the border with Mauritania and the Djoudj National Park, a natural oasis composed of hundreds of miles of partially flooded land. We then head south to the holy city of Touba and visit its Grand Mosque before visiting small, ethnic villages and ending the tour back in Dakar.

scd1
scd2
The journey

Senegal – Coast and Delta Explorer

Key moments

The moments that define this trip

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route
scdmap
  1. Goree Island & House of Slaves

    A short ferry from Dakar delivers you to Goree Island, where well-preserved colonial buildings surround the House of Slaves and its famous door of no return. The island's town square, Catholic Church, and historical museum bring its role in the Atlantic slave trade into sharp relief. The peaceful streetscape forms a stark contrast to the weight of that history.

  2. Dakar Landmarks & Museum of Black Civilizations

    A morning city tour takes in the Presidential Palace, Republic Square, Soweto Square, and the Cathedral du Souvenir Africain before a visit to the Museum of Black Civilizations, dedicated to African cultures and intercontinental dialogue. The afternoon extends to the Great Mosque Massalikoul Djinaan, the University Cheikh Anta Diop, the African Renaissance Monument, and the Village des Arts with its fifty-two artist studios

  3. Retba Pink Lake & Salt Harvesting

    Nestled between white sand dunes and the Atlantic Ocean, Retba Lake earns its nickname from the striking pink hue of its waters. Women wade into the lake's depths to harvest salt by hand, a centuries-old practice visible from the shore. Lunch at a local restaurant overlooks this vivid natural scene.

  4. Saint Louis & Guet N'Dar Fishing Community

    Senegal's first capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saint Louis is explored by horse-drawn carriage past the neoclassical Governor's Palace and the 1828 Cathedral, one of Senegal's oldest churches. The Guet N'Dar quarter in Langue de Barbarie is home to a sprawling fishing community whose dozens of traditional pirogues line the shore.

  5. Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

    The world's third-largest bird reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Djoudj covers 16,000 hectares of wetland in the Senegal River Delta and hosts 1.5 million migratory birds. A pirogue glides through its lakes, streams, and valleys for close-up sightings of white pelicans, cormorants, Gambian geese, ospreys, and crocodiles. The lush setting of sandy areas and flooded plains makes it one of West Africa's most dramatic wildlife encounters.

  6. Touba Grand Mosque & Peuhls Herders

    The route south passes through Touba, Senegal's holy city, to visit its famous grand mosque, an important centre of the Mouride brotherhood. En route through the Saloum Delta, the journey pauses for an encounter with Peuhls breeders during the zebu herd regrouping and animal milking.

Key moments for Senegal – Coast and Delta Explorer

Full itinerary · 7 days

Prefer a PDF? Get the printable dossier
Dates & prices

Pick your departure

Reserve your place with a 10% deposit. Final balance due 70 days before departure. Single-room supplements optional — most travellers happily share.

  • Departure
    16 Nov 202622 Nov 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,995 pp
    Single supp. +£295
    Book now
  • Departure
    21 Dec 202627 Dec 2026
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,295 pp
    Single supp. +£385
    Book now
  • Departure
    1 Mar 20277 Mar 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,995 pp
    Single supp. +£275
    Book now
  • Departure
    3 May 20279 May 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,995 pp
    Single supp. +£275
    Book now
  • Departure
    15 Nov 202721 Nov 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,995 pp
    Single supp. +£275
    Book now
  • Departure
    20 Dec 202726 Dec 2027
    Guaranteed
    From
    £2,295 pp
    Single supp. +£385
    Book now
  • Departure
    8 May 202814 May 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,995 pp
    Single supp. +£275
    Book now
  • Departure
    13 Nov 202819 Nov 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,995 pp
    Single supp. +£285
    Book now
  • Departure
    20 Dec 202826 Dec 2028
    Guaranteed
    From
    £1,995 pp
    Single supp. +£275
    Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Senegal journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
What's included

Everything covered — and what's not

Included in the price

  • Arrival and departure transfers
  • Overland transport throughout with professional driver
  • All accommodation
  • Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
  • Meals as listed
  • Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

  • International flights (contact us for expert advice and a quote)
  • Any airport taxes Travel Insurance
  • Visa – when required
  • Drinks
  • Items of personal nature
  • Tips (Discretionary)
Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

Before booking your Senegal holiday, familiarise yourself with the latest country-specific guidance on the FCDO Senegal travel advice page. This includes up-to-date immigration requirements and any travel advisories. We monitor FCDO guidance closely and will always inform clients of any relevant changes. At present there are no warnings against travel to the areas of Senegal we visit. Other nationals should check the current position with their respective government travel authority.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Independently verified reviews from travellers who joined Senegal – Coast and Delta Explorer. Rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ reviewers.

A small group visited fishing villages, witnessed tribal dances and explored local markets. Efficient logistics and a great local guide who was friendly, knowledgeable and well organized.

Dominic T.

Senegal

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.

Alexis

A small group visited fishing villages, witnessed tribal dances and explored local markets. Efficient logistics and a great local guide who was friendly, knowledgeable and well organized.

Dominic T.

Senegal

An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!

Anna

This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!

Grete

My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.

Frank

Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.

Cathy

Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.

Lynn

We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.

Andy

We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.

Jennie

Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.

Debbie

Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.

Alexis

Want to customise this tour?

Make Senegal – Coast and Delta Explorer your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

Customise this tour
Ready when you are

Start planning your Senegal adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Senegal specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Common questions

Things travellers usually ask

  • How many travellers will be in my group?

    Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

  • Can I travel solo?

    Yes — there's no compulsory single supplement on our small-group tours. You get your own room at no extra cost. About 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you'll be in good company.

  • How fit do I need to be?

    Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

  • When are the next departures?

    The next available departures are 16 November 2026; 21 December 2026; 1 March 2027. See the "Pick your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

  • What's included in the tour price?

    Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

  • Where exactly does this trip go?

    This tour visits Senegal. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Trusted partners & accreditations