Dakar, Senegal

Senegal has a strong French influence which began in 1658 when the first of France's west African colonies was settled on the island of St Louis.

Dakar, the capital, was originally a fishing village which fell under French control in 1857 and became the administrative centre for all of France's west African colonies for a time.

Join an included sightseeing tour of Goree, just off the coast. Also known as 'Slave Island', this was the centre of the slave trade between the 15th and 19th centuries and is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.

Attractions in Dakar include markets, Dakar Cathedral, Goree Island, the IFAN Muesem of West African culture, clifftop walks and beaches, and Hann Park, home to Senegal Zoo. The Grand Mosque of Dakar is one of the most important religious buildings in Dakar. Designed by French and Moroccan architects, this mosque has inspired many followers of Islam. It was originally opened in 1964 and its square minaret rises to 67 meters.

The town serves as a port and is home to the terminus of the Dakar-Niger railroad line.