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Trip Report
Rhythms of Senegal with a Program
I spent three months in Senegal through the gap year program “Where There Be Dragons”, staying with families and learning Pulaar and Wolof (two of the main languages there).
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AfricaSenegal43 days / September - October - November - December 2021
Highs & Lows
Definitely stay with a local family if you’re able, such an authentic experience
The food gets quite repetitive
Itinerary Overview
I did this entire trip through a program geared towards other gap year students called “Where There Be Dragons”. It’s an incredible program that focuses on traveling authentically and not just as a tourist and truly experiencing the culture in a non-damaging way. The company does both gap programs during the year and summer, as well as programs for adults. I highly recommend the company if you are able.
We started our program in a village near the coast called Djakhanor and stayed there for one week. Then we headed to the capital, Dakar, which I didn’t love as much, but I also don’t tend to love the cities while traveling . We stayed there for two weeks. Next, we headed Southeast to Kedagou and did some trekking there. Lastly, we headed to San-Louis up North and ended our trip around there.
Q & A
What would you have changed?
I would not have changed much honestly but I think maybe I would have liked to end the trip somewhere other than Saint Louis just because it was so touristy
What tips would you give a friend?
Try to stay with local families and definitely check out a concert or dance performance if you’re able
Packing tips?
Pack conservative clothing, especially woman, they do not typically show their knees in public and sometimes not even their ankles. Definitely no mid drift snd try to avoid tank tops, shoulders are seen as provocative
Lodging
Real name is Djakhanor, since it’s a village it wouldn’t show up, however it’s quite close to Mbour. Stayed here with homestay
homestay
Some cheap hotel our instructors found (however it felt super bougie)
hotel provided by instructors (all i remember is that the students stayed in a dorm)