I Spent 4 Days in Dakar, Senegal- What's It Like?

I spent four days in Dakar, Senegal in February 2024 and this video is an overview of the city. I discuss the neighborhoods, walkability, transit, crime, new projects, and more, plus a few tips for visitors. I cover Dakar the same way that I cover North American cities and want to provide a thorough city profile on this great west African city.

Album displayed:
Rush: "Exit Stage Left" (1981)

0:00 Intro
3:44 Plateau / Sandaga Market
5:31 Other Neighborhoods
9:12 Poverty & Crime
11:20 Goree Island
12:16 Walkability & Public Transit
16:23 Future Plans
17:40 Tips for Visitors
18:31 Outro

[phpn]

I'm white. Been living in and out of Dakar for 30 years. As any city it has its down sides but overall it's been a wonderful place to live in. The people are very engaging ; the weather's great ; crime's low and you pretty much find everything you need, within limits. The major problem in Senegal is the demographic expansion — people are born faster than the economy can accommodate, so major urban centres are getting crowded and the job market is very bad. Nevertheless, the Senegalese keep a positive mindset and things rarely turn ugly. As a tourist spot, do not expect Paris or Orlando, and the beaches in Senegal aren't those of the Caribbean... but for open-minded adults willing to step out of their comfort zone, they'll discover a wonderful people and a rich culture that will broaden one's existential outlook.

[zachperkins]

From an urbanism perspective, I think Dakar is one of, if not the best, in subsaharan Africa. It's pretty underrated and I'd love to visit

[JoelRoss-fnti]

I'm an american and my sister has lived in Dakar for the past 7 years or so and I had the privilege of visiting her in Dakar and Casamance in 2018. I agreed that it feels like a very modern city and whereas the stereotype of most developing cities is you have the very wealthy and the very poor, I felt there was a solid middle class and upper middle class that is continuing to grow. Overall it seems like a very livable city (as long as you speak French). The beaches are the high point of the city and they definitely have a thriving beach culture and surfing community, not unlike the coastal areas near Los Angeles.

[papasierra]

Senegalese here, pretty spot on actually! Nice humor at the end probably flew over most people here since they are toubabs 😅

[TheRealDrJoey]

Kyle,
As an armchair traveler who can't afford to go anywhere, I really appreciate this one. This was beautifully and concisely done. That marketplace looked like the setting for a vintage Bond foot chase.
Dakar was just a place in Africa to me, and now I almost feel like I've been there.
If this did morph into a travelogue channel, I think it might be the King of Travelogue Channels. Great piece of work here.

[lynnettest.george]

I have traveled to Sénégal and Dakar for 2-week stays a handful of times to work with colleagues there. I am bilingual in French and English. It does help! I love many things about Sénégal and Dakar. The people and the hospitality are number one. The food is also wonderful. I love the beaches. My work brings me east of Dakar, nearer to Mbour, Kaolack, Fatick, and as remote as Gossas. I love the art, especially the painting, and have acquired several pieces over the years. Thank you for this portrait of Dakar and Sénégal. The Sénégalese are very enterprising, warm, and peaceful. I smile and laugh so much when I am there. Visit Sénégal if you want to experience authentic beaches and a warm culture.

[jonlangford]

The picture of the dust from the plane gave me a whole new perspective on dust clouds.

[bruceu]

The King never misses, good video. Thanks for going to Dakar so I can see it without having to travel there

[Swampzoid]

Dakar looks clean with lots of interesting architecture I would visit there. I vote for the airport land to be turned into green space with parks, trials, a zoo, amphitheater, lakes, etc with mix income housing on the periphery

[aynrandfan]

i was in dakar last month, oddly during the presidential inauguration. infrastructure was mainly very decent and goree island was very scenic. I felt pretty safe for the most part and the weather was quite pleasant in april. Would go back to senegal to visit some of the other areas of the country.

[holdenackerman]

A few quick tips with the airport:

There is a shuttle bus that goes from the airport to downtown Dakar near the Palais de Justice. Cheap, easy, and comfy.

If you go with a taxi, remember prices are negotiated in advance and drivers will try and price gouge. They will offer to take the expressway “Corniche” and ask for the toll from you, and then not take the exit. You can say you’ll pay the toll when you get there, but be ready to wait in traffic.

Lastly, don’t exchange all your money at the airport - their rates are awful. It’s hard finding anyone who exchanges CFA outside Africa, but just get enough to get you into the city. Dakar is peppered with currency exchanges that offer much better rates.

Glad you had fun Kyle! Never thought I’d see a City Profile Vid on Dakar. Goal is to go back next year - fingers crossed

[docjaramillo]

New Mexico born NYC based… spent time in Kampala Uganda… east Africa is stunningly beautiful. Teddy Roosevelt was inspired at a place there called Murchison Falls, to return stateside and found Yellowstone and the national parks system. Great video. 🌍

[GISWIZ]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Kyle! Personally, I think it's funny that Dakar has more rail infrastructure than a lot of US cities. I think that's really cool!!!

[hallnall]

Kyle, this is awesome. Thanks for the coverage.

[runwithjon]

I'm a Texan heading there in 2 weeks. Video couldn't have come at a better time. I noticed the same sandy skies landing in Tunisia and Morocco as well. Didn't expect to see such a high quality train line!

[mn]

French with Senegalese origin here: Good job for your review, pretty good. Grew up in Plateau near the Predisential Palace, loved the city.

[Merle]

Looove this video. I love to see it when people in Africa are maintaining. That new train looks top of the line, and I imagine there will be more to follow. It'll attract more industry and business types, for sure.

[robertjerme]

Wow. Our daughter was in the Peace Corps in Senegal in 2007, and we spent 2 days in Dakar before visiting Thies, Koalack, and 2 eco-tourism resorts. The development you show is simply amazing!

[mor]

Hello sir!
I really enjoyed watching your video and it makes me want to buy a ticket and go to Senegal right now. I missed it. By the way, you did a fantastic job describing Senegal (the country of Teranga). Thank you for visiting!

[travelingwithrick]

Itchy boots is traveling by motorcycle in Africa. She started in Morocco went down the Gold Coast across to DRC and is now in Madagascar. Truly epic no hyperbole.