Dakar, Senegal, Is the Best Destination You Don't Have on Your List Yet

06.12.2024 - 14:41 / cntraveler.com

It's impossible to talk about my solo travel experiences without mentioning Senegal. In 2018, I flew to Senegal alone, knowing no one and nothing about the country. When it was time to board my flight home four weeks later, I didn’t get on the plane. This happened three times. Eventually, I returned home three months later, but the country's effect on me has kept me running back ever since.

Senegal stands out for its trendsetting art, culture, and fashion scene, so I decided to fly back for the fourth time during the Dak’Art Biennale. A month-long exhibition held every two years, this event is one of the most anticipated art festivals in Africa, attracting people from all over the world to celebrate contemporary African art.

The writer flew to Senegal to experience the Dak’Art Biennale, one of the most anticipated art festivals in Africa.

Although the official Biennale was postponed last minute, numerous unofficial events continued to run, highlighting the passion of talented creatives from Africa and its diaspora.

The main reason I keep returning is the people. Their warmth is embodied by the Wolof word “teranga,” which loosely translates to “hospitality” and touches every interaction. I’ve received kindness in ways I couldn’t have imagined elsewhere, from being welcomed into homes to enjoy traditional dishes like thieboudienne and yassa poulet, to attending family gatherings as if I were already a member. While I blend in easily and am sometimes mistaken for a native, Senegal treats everyone with the same level of warmth and hospitality, tourist or not.

Spaces in the Senegalese capital like The Third and Galerie Cécile Fakhoury are creative hubs for photographers, designers, entrepreneurs, and videographers.

Art and creativity are at the heart of Senegal, flowing through generations and embedded in the fabric of the city. Since I first landed in Dakar, I constantly found myself in conversations with photographers, designers, entrepreneurs, and videographers. Visiting unofficial Biennale exhibitions and activations at places like The Third and Galerie Cécile Fakhoury reminded me how the capital nurtures and inspires creativity.

Soumbedienne market is a popular destination for jewelry and other souvenirs in Dakar.

My time in Senegal was spent catching up with friends, making new connections at lively events and nightlife spots, and buying jewelry and souvenirs from artisans at Soumbedienne market. With its vast coastline, I also spent a lot of time by the water through dinners or sunbathing—moving at the country’s slower pace compared to London’s fast tempo.

Visiting during the Biennale reminded me of what makes Senegal truly special: its ability to bring people together. The sense of community in