To start my Must Visit Cities in Africa is Dakar, Senegal. Dakar is the capital and largest city in Senegal.

Culture

The capital city, Dakar , is home to many different ethnicities, cultural centers, art galleries, museums, and other traditional and cultural institutions.

The largest group of people in Dakar is the Wolof. They make up about 35 percent of the population. Almost three quarters of the population of Senegal speaks Wolof language.

The second largest group of people who live in Dakar are the Peul. They make up about 20 percent of the population. The Sereer population makes up about 17 percent of the population, and the Diola makes up about 10 percent of the population. Other groups make up the final percentages.

Tourist Attractions

• Beaches

There are alot of amazing beaches in Dakar.

• Lake Retba

Lake Retba is known as the “The Pink Lake of Senegal”. It is said to be separated from the Atlantic Ocean by very few dunes and its salt content is very high (it compares to that of the Dead Sea). It’s pink color is caused by the Dunaliella salina algae. The algae produces a red pigment to help in absorbing the sunlight, thus giving the lake its unique colour. Its colour is especially visible during the dry season (which lasts from November to June) and less during the rainy season (July-October). Interesting Fact: There is another pink lake in Australia – Lake Hillier and it lies just next to the Pacific Ocean.

Lake Retba (image source)

• La Maison des Esclaves

It contains the famous Door of No Return, and provides a moving idea of the terrible conditions and situation facing slaves waiting to be shipped to the new world. It’s a place of so much history and it shows the horrors of the slave trade throughout the Atlantic world.. If you are interested in the history of slaves between Europe and Africa, then this place is a must see.

•  Accrobaobab Adventure

If you are travellling with family or interested in an adventure. Then this is a place to be.

image source via

image source via

• Oceanium Dakar

If you are interested in diving. Oceanium offers diving trips to hundreds of sites in the Dakar region for: beginners, intermediates and professionals. Diving trips include explorations of underwater cliffs, ship wrecks, sea fans and other underwater biology. It not only provides a scenic view over the Atlantic and a hub for divers, but also accommodation for travellers.

http://www.oceaniumdakar.com/spip.php?lang=en

• Le Monument de la Renaissance Africaine

It is the tallest statue in Africa overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is a 49 meter tall bronze statue located on top of one of the twin hills known as Collines des Mamelles, outside of Dakar, Senegal. Interesting Fact: It is taller than the 151-foot Statue of Liberty in New York.

image source

• Reserve De Bandia

  Bandia Reserve is a small game reserve located not too far from Dakar. Unlike other game reserves in Senegal who are devoted to birds, this game reserve contains about 120 species of birds, various mammals. Among the animal species in the park, it is has rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, dama gazelles, Derby elk, buffaloes, monkeys, patas, vervets, warthogs, jackals or mongooses. The park offers the opportunity to observe these animals in their natural environments.

Food

Senegalese cuisine stands out for its distinct cultural influences—most notably from various ethnic groups (especially the dominant, native Wolof), Europe (particularly France; this  was a French colony until 1960), and North Africa—and its mastery of local ingredients, seafood, millet, and groundnuts (peanuts) chief among them. Dakarois take pride in their food, be it baguettes on a sandy side street, grilled sheep in a smoky dibiterie, or a beautiful plate of ginger shrimp from a restaurant on the beach.

Flights

So far, I have found the following airlines which leaves from Lagos

• Asky Airline which flies to Dakar but has stopovers at Lome, Bissau
• Royal Air Maroc

Visa

Senegal tourist visa is not required for citizens of Nigeria for a stay up to 90 days.