Senegal
Senegal - a unique winter sun retreat away from the masses, ideal for a cultural break off the beaten track or just lazing under a tropical sun on pristine beaches free from the mass-market throng.
Senegal sits on the Atlantic Ocean at Africa’s most westerly point, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania, with The Gambia almost entirely enclosed within it. Due to its position, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator, it enjoys a superb year-round climate making it an excellent choice for a lazy beach holiday – especially in the Saly region, just south of the capital, Dakar.
As a French speaking country, Senegal remains undiscovered by the majority of UK holidaymakers. Specialist tour operator, Serenity Holidays, has launched a dedicated brochure, The Senegal Experience, opening up this magical destination to travellers from Birmingham Airport, flying twice weekly to Dakar with Brussels Airlines.
Saly, the closest comparison to a conventional beach resort, is located on the ‘Petite Côte’, approximately 50 miles south of Dakar and 40 miles north of the Sine Saloum Delta. The palm-fringed sandy beaches and clear waters are an obvious lure for holidaymakers, but also for fishing enthusiasts and those seeking a more active holiday, Saly has several excellent water sports centres bustling with a range of activities, such as jet-skiing, water-skiing and windsurfing, as well as providing catamarans and kayaks. There are also several well-established fishing clubs in Saly offering world-class, deep-sea fishing.
The nearby Bandia Nature Reserve wildlife park will also delight, offering the chance to see indegenous animals roaming freely through a natural setting. The wildlife includes many of the biggest names in African game, such as giraffes, rhino, zebra, ostrich, antelopes, buffalo, bush pigs and impala, as well as the many colourful species of birds, which flock to make the warmer climes of Senegal home.
Thanks go to The Senegal Experience for their help in preparing this article – Cloud Nine.