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Country Guide > Africa > Senegal


Sport & Activities

Wildlife
The only place to see large mammals in Senegal is the Parc National de Niokolo Koba, although some species, such as elephants, are now extremely rare. Birdwatchers have more to be excited about – the parks and nature reserves in the coastal regions are renowned bird sanctuaries. Coastal parks often involve boat trips. For further details, see also National Parks in the Resorts & Excursions section or contact the Ministère de la Culture, du Tourisme et des Loisirs (see Contact Addresses section).

Watersports
There are plenty of good beaches, but swimming can be hazardous in some places; visitors are advised to enquire with their travel agent before booking a beach holiday. Good areas for swimming include Casamance, Hann Bay, N’Gor Beach and Petite Côte. Many hotels in the main tourist resorts have swimming pools. Underwater enthusiasts will find good diving waters all around the Cap Vert Peninsula, with February to April being the best months. Water-skiing facilities are available at Dakar alongside the Children’s Beach on the lagoon between N’Gor and its island and at the Hanns Bay marinas. Windsurfing is possible, and both coastal and river kayak trips can be arranged.

Music
West Africa has a strong musical tradition and Dakar is the best place to sample Senegal’s vibrant music scene. The capital has numerous established clubs and venues with frequent live performances. Details can be found in the local papers (written in French) or from the Ministère de la Culture, du Tourisme et des Loisirs (see Contact Addresses section). Villages also frequently put on musical performances for tourists.

Other
From May through November, Senegal offers excellent sports fishing. Organised trips are available from fishing centres and hotels along the coast.
The Senegalese are keen followers of traditional Senegalese wrestling. There are matches every Sunday at the Fass arena and in the suburbs or at the Iba Mar Diop Stadium near the Great Mosque. There is a nine-hole golf course at Camberene and miniature golf at Dakar-Yoff. Football is also very popular, and it is cool enough to jog.



   
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