Senegal - Africa's Gem

Senegal in West Africa is a mainly Muslim country that allows visa fee travel for Indian citizens if it is for tourism, all you need is your passport and a packed bag and enough money for your vacation. It has tropical weather but is best avoided between May and November, as that is its rainy season. The main language is spoken there is French along with local dialects such as Mandinka and Wolof. The Senegalese have a word for hospitality-“teranga” and learning even a few words of Wolof will go a long with the locals. The main city is Dakar and flights from India will arrive here via Dubai. Petty crime can be quite high here so watch your valuables and take precautions like not having your wallet in your back pocket or being ostentatious with your cash, and be warned, the local shop owners can be extremely persistent, which can be part of the fun as you barter with them. 

Taxis are very cheap here and safe anda the bus system is known as Dakar Demm Dikk (Dakar coming and going) is reliable and also cheap and can be a good way of getting to chat to the natives. Things to go and visit in Senegal are the African Renaissance Monument, which is dedicated to the end of slavery and freedom from being ruled by successive European regimes including the French and the Dutch. Goree Island is an interesting place to visit for its colonial architecture and House of Slaves Museum, and if you wander round the island there are many restaurants and locals selling artwork and it has some pretty beaches. A must see is Lake Retba, also known as Lac Rose due to it pink waters, this colouration is due to cyanobacteria, but it makes for a pretty setting, especially when the sun is shining and the country is a haven for bird spotters due to its varied species of birds. Senegal is a friendly, warm country and well worth putting on your travel agenda.