Make a self catering villa or holiday rental in Senegal, Africa your home away from home

Senegal is on the west coast of Africa, just north of the Equator. It has various habitats from the sandy beaches and creeks along the coast to the western plains and arid semi desert. It has a variety of flora and the country is home to many African animals. 95% of Senegal’s inhabitants have no formal schooling. The official language is french, although many locals speak their own minority local language. The official currency is the CFA Franc.

Things to Do in Senegal

A holiday rental in Senegal is the ideal base from which to go on safari. Animals such as lions, elephants (very few) , hippos, panthers, crocodiles, buffalo, leopard, antelope and monkeys can all be encountered along with many migratory birds at the Parc National de Niokolo Koba. The beaches of Senegal make this a popular sunshine holiday destination for sunbathing, sport fishing and waters ports. Some of the best beaches can be found around Cap Skiring, where Senegal holiday rentals are popular. Sailing, windsurfing and jet skiing can all be found on Senegal’s main beaches. Visit the local markets and enjoy talking with these friendly people. Experience Senegal’s hip music scene almost everywhere you go, from internationally famous artists such as Youssou N’dour and Baba Maal.

Places to Visit in Senegal

In Dakar, head for the Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire which is the country’s main museum with its collection of masks, statues and musical instruments. The Presidential Palace is also worth visiting, if only to admire its wonderful tropical gardens. The Grande Mosque, with its minaret which is lit at night, is worth stopping to see en route to the Medina, the bustling old city centre. Goree Island, just outside Dakar, was a former slaving station and now has many attractions to tour, including the slave houses. Bird watchers will enjoy the Parc National Oiseaux du Djoudj, at the southern edge of the Sahara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Another interesting city is St Louis, Senegal’s former capital/ It has narrow streets with beautiful colonial architecture, balconies and verandahs.

Weather in Senegal

Senegal has a tropical climate with a wet season from June to September and high humidity along the coast. The dry season can be affected by sand-laden winds blowing from the Sahara. Temperatures in Dakar range reach 26°C (79°F) in January to 32°C (90°F) in September.

Travel to Senegal

The main airport for tourists visiting a Senegal holiday rental is the Dakar (DKR) Leopold Sedar Senghor Airport which is 17km (10 miles) northwest of the city. There are plenty of bus, coach and taxi services to take visitors into the city. The flight from London to Dakar takes 6 hours 20 minutes.