| |
Guide to Dakar, Senegal
|
Click to go to Flight Prices for Dakar
|
DakarOn a West African peninsula, jutting out from mainland Senegal into the Atlantic Ocean, is the city of Dakar, a capital that stands primarily as a hub for air travel in the region, and the site of many governmental institutions - and little else. Though its streetscape can fool many into believing calm and complacent aura, rarely will you find a place on the northwest African coastline to be such a jumble of activity. Near the coast/port Dakar is busiest. Following a very abstract grid, the city seems to expand block space as you make your way inland. Compactness being a definite trait the planners of Dakar had in mind, there's little room for natural accoutrements; those of which that can be considered more than a standalone tree or two are found at the base of the peninsula, requiring transport through a few quaint towns along the way. If you planning to stay within the limits of Dakar, there are quite a few ways to occupy yourself, including taking up a dreaded position as a deck hand for a ship in harbor, or more pleasurable tasks such as nighttime jaunts along the water's edge, watching the luminescence of the Atlantic moments before dusk. Despite the overwhelmingly business-like atmosphere coursing through Dakar, locals do seem to know when to go from professional to personal natures - a godsend that appears to have come from the gift of an unintentionally founded tourism industry. Make what you can of it! Book your flight to Dakar today!
When to go:
Though the Atlantic provides some measure of comfort to the residents of Dakar (and coastal West Africa in general), the burden of heat is still an issue to be dealt with here. With summers and winters bringing a motley of climate conditions - be they lengthy rainstorms, strong winds, or possibly a mix of the two, it's difficult to know what to expect. Precipitation averages are typically higher in winter than in summer; spring and autumn offer a bit of respite from the usual, balancing cooler weather with more clouded skies.
Getting there and around:
The capital doubled up with a nearby town to form an airport that is not accessible for many in this region of Senegal, but for international travelers as well. Taxis await arrivals around the clock; buses offer little cost-savings, and are much more scarce. Following a similar mantra for inner-city transit will enable you worry-free access nearly any time of day, and because many of Dakar's taxis are up for sharing with locals as well as foreigners, you may get off with a cross-town commute with incredible savings.
Attractions:
One of the most popular activities in Dakar is shopping, and for good reason. Outdoor markets are overloaded with cheap wares and produce, where after some time it seems quite natural to discover a few form fitting football jerseys of your local teams and live poultry is as common a sighting as pocket radios and cheap (most-likely counterfeit) digital cameras. A great place to obtain some of the best quality traditional African garb, browsing the stalls of hand-knit clothing is as colorful as it is historical. (Note: Pickpockets run rampant in the Marche Sandaga (markets).
|
|
|
