Dakar City Tour and Goree Island
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Dakar, Senegal
- 7 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
The capital of Senegal, Dakar, has a long history and rich cultural heritage. On this tour, take in the highlights of the city, then cruise out to explore the UNESCO-listed Goree Island. See landmarks such as the Presidential Palace and the Monument of African renaissance; browse the markets for traditional handicrafts; then learn about Dakar’s dark past on a tour of Goree Island, including the House of Slaves.
- Comprehensive Dakar tour for first-time visitors
- Delicious lunch at a local restaurant
- Ferry cruise and guided tour of Goree Island
- Hassle-free pickup and drop-off from your Dakar hotel
What's Included
- Local taxes
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Professional guide
- Hotel drop-off
- Hotel pickup
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Drinks
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Gratuities
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to your preferred meeting point, or request pickup.
Start time.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
African Renaissance Monument
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infant seats available
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Infant meals not included
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
- Dress code is formal
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 54 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Would rate this 10 out of five. The kindness and patience of the guide while I asked so many questions throughout the day was so greatly appreciated. Goree Island was very moving and I learned a lot about my own roots. I don't really like tourist focused restaurants so the guide quickly and kindly helped us pivot to a more local restaurant which ended up being so delicious and only a short distance away. Even though we miss the boat because I was slow and trying to buy some local instrument the guide patiently and kindly waited with me for the next boat. Even though by now is evening we still did the Dakar city tour. Not only that, I felt like I was coming down with some kind of cold from the day prior. The guide and kind driver went out of their way to take me to a pharmacy so I could stock up on some lmedications (great Pharmacy too). This tour left Lee was such a positive impression of Senegal.
We really enjoyed the tour of Dakar and Gorée Island, especially because there were only two of us in the group. This allowed us to ask a lot of questions about Senegal to the guide Papé, who had the right answers to all of them and was very informed also about the situation in Europe. The pickup at the hotel took place even before the scheduled departure time, and we were informed the day before the excursion that we needed to have our passports with us for the ferry crossing from Dakar to Gorée. We toured Gorée Island and learned about its history, and we had a very good lunch at a restaurant on the island. In Dakar, we stopped at various places and we particularly enjoyed the stop at the African Renaissance Monument, the largest statue in Africa. By 5 PM, we were already back at the hotel in Saly. This tour is highly recommended.
The guide was great! He was very informative and friendly. Unfortunately, after the trip to Goree island, the driver did not return to pick us up. The guide called many times but the driver did not return. The guide was able to secure a taxi to take me around for the rest of the tour but I believe it was shortened and rushed due to being in a taxi instead of the tour vehicle. I’m glad the guide stuck around because I was the only person on the tour and it could have turned in to a really bad situation being stranded as a solo female in Dakar.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you for your feedback.Sorry for the driver who did not return on time to continue the city tour.
We appreciate our tour guide who found a solution to complete the tour.We will take some steps to avoid such a misconvenience with the driver.
We are glad you liked your guide service.
So glad I did this tour, I learned so much about the history of Senegal and my history. My guide was attentive, responsive, and supportive. My favorite part was Goree Island where I was humbled by the atrocities that occurred and got to celebrate local artists and eat good food!
The tour was very nice, Goree Island is impressive, as is the African Renaissance monument (truly massive). Abdoulaye was a very good guide, informative, spoke good English and was pleasant to be around. I would have liked to see a bit more of Dakar - there are only 2 stops at the Catholic Cathedral and the Renaissance monument. Would have liked to walk around the city a bit more. But for what the tour did show, it was certainly worth it!
Response from Host, May 2023
Thank you for your feedback.It was a pleasure to show you Dakar city and Goree island.
Starting from Somone time is short for more walking tour in Dakar as the transfer back to your hotel is a long way and the traffic jump in Dakar is usually difficult. So we didn't want you to arrive very late at your hotel.That is why we didn't make many stops.
Excellent tour. Interesting, informative and enjoyable. Right amount of time and well planned. Assane was a terrific guide. Highly recommended tour and guide.
Mr.Alpha Dia was our guide, he was excellent in everything! He was knowledgeable about the city and hit all the highlights and gave historical narration! He was kind and patient. His partner at Goree Island was a local and gave a great tour! The driver with Mr. Dia was a good driver and we felt safe. I give this tour a 10/10! I will recommend to my family and friends.
Goree Island. The Door of No Return. Fascinating, captivating, intriguing and interesting Historical events the enslaved people encountered. Very important part of History not taught in USA. (African perspective). City tour also interesting. Renasonce monument, Islamic center, catholic church, president house, etc.. Trip was scheduled for 7 hours. Tour Guide Alfa gave more time. I cannot thank Alfa enough. Merci, Danke, Gracia.
Our guide arrived at hotel on time and we got on the tour right away. The African Renaissance tour was cool. The drama began when we got to the ferry. It was a Sunday and so the port was teaming with people. We waited in line for almost 3 hours to board the ferry. Lots of jostling and pushing and shoving to get to the ferry. This was not the fault of the guide so Viator needs to figure out a better way to run this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
Thank you for your feedbacks.Sorry for the miscovenience with the ferry ride.As you mentionned it this was not the fault of the guide as this is a public service ferry ride.Unfortunately on that Sunday the second ferry boat broke down and the only ferry in service couldn't transport all the passengers at one time and has to do a shuttle.This made it slow to ride to Goree island.We reported it to the public management service and we hope the Government will take some steps to avoid such a situation.
The experience was amazing, the Tour Guide spoke English and was very friendly. The tour really gives an overview of the city and the its a nice experience. Everything was professionally handled and the island is filled with so much History i really enjoyed it.
Response from Host, Jul 2022
We are glad you liked your tour with us.It was a pleasure for our team to show you Dakar city and Goree island.
Thank you for choosing our tour company.
The lunch was very delicious for myself as a non meat eater. I was pleasantly surpirsed. The was excellent as well
Response from Host, May 2022
Thank you for your feedbacks.We are glad to hear you enjoyed the tour along with the lunch we served you.
It is always a pleasure for our team to provide the best services available to our clients.
Great tour to Centre Ville of Dakar, the fishing men of Yoff and Gorré Island. Very competent expertise of the guide. Absolutely recommendable.
City tour was very nice, we visited various places and then we went to the island of Gore. The guide was very nice and helpful too. Recommended!
Abdoulaye was informative and knew so much about the history of Dakar and Goree. His English is fantastic and showed me a lot in just 7 hours.
Diallo and his driver gave us a great tour of the various neighborhoods of Dakar while sharing a bit of Senegal history. He was friendly and allowed us to make short stops as requested. The only downside was time waiting for the ferry boat to Goree Island which was out of his control due to size of the crowd and only one working boat. If you book this tour, it's to your benefit to ask how many boats are currently in operation so you can plan ahead and maybe see less of the city on the front end so you can make it Goree on the midday boat. Otherwise, this was a great way to spend a Sunday!
Response from Host, Mar 2022
Hi Sawida
We are glad you enjoyed your tour with us.It was a pleasure for our team to show you Dakar city and Goree island.
Thank you
Abdoulaye
Wonderful experience. The guide was great. The tour company worked with my special requests and were very accommodating and Friendly. The tour guide was also professional and capable. The tour provided highlights of both Dakar and goree island.
We had an excellent day in Dakar and Goree island, our host Peter was very knowledgeable and happy to take any questions.
We started with a comprehensive tour of the sites of Dakar city including the hugely impressive African Renaissance Monument and the nearby mosque and beach area, the fisherman's market, local artist huts and a number of major buildings.
The later part of the tour was to Goree Island - a very nice island with a very sad past. The island has many locals trying to sell you something, and a good selection to buy. We had a good lunch on the island, and Peter our host was very good. A minor downside was the long wait for the ferry in both directions - the ferry itself was busy, boisterous and full of friendly locals directing you to their shops.
A great tour and good value for money!
Response from Host, Mar 2020
Thank you for your comments.We are glad you enjoyed this tour with us.
Multilingual guide with good knowledge of Senegalese history and gave us adding on information as well as guidance to good sellers at markets.
Response from Host, Feb 2020
Thank you for your feedbacks.It was a pleasure for us to help you discover Dakar city and Goree island.
Your are welcome.
Peter, our guide was excellent, knowledgeable and informative and friendly. We felt informed and safe. We explored the city and never felt rushed. The visit to Goree island was the highlight of the tour and very informative. I recommend this tour for anyone who wants to get a short overview of the history of the city.
Response from Host, Feb 2020
Thank you for your comments.We are glad you enjoyed your day tour with our tour guide.
We always try to provide high quality service to our valued clients.
You are welcome
The Dakar city tour and trip to Goree Island was amazing. Pierre, the guide, met me at my hotel exactly at the appropriate time. He was actually there earlier and waited for me. The view of Dakar was excellent and the guide provided very good history and lessons about the people, the culture, and the religion. We visited the largest Mosque and also the largest statue in Dakar - the African Renaissance - which was breathtaking. The other major landmarks of the city were also impressive. He answered all of my questions and was easy to be with. Next was the trip to Goree Island. Pierre helped me enter the boat first and get the best seat facing the island when we approached. He gave me tips for how to handle the panhandlers and was able to secure a quiet and private viewing of the House of Slaves for me. Pierre was amazing. This was by far the best tour I’ve been on in a long time.
Response from Host, Jan 2020
We are very glad you enjoyed your tour with us.Our team of experienced staff and tour guides always try to offer the best services to our clients.
It was a really fantastic ! It was shown all Dakar interest plases with humor and details ,
Good dinner and friendship , open atmosphere!
I had a good tour of Dakar City and Goree island. My guide Hussaini was very knowledgeable about history and geography of the area. We were able to visit the important places in the city and could have a flavor of Dakar. The visit to Goree island was memorable, it gives us the message that we may forgive, but let us not forget ! The traditional Senegalese lunch on Goree was a bonus !
Response from Host, Nov 2019
Thank you for your feedbacks.We are glad you enjoyed the tour with us.
You are welceome.
Collected and dropped off as scheduled. Three stops 1. African Renaissance Monument 2. Fisherman Market 3. Goree Island. Time spent at each stop was well paced. The stop at Goree Island included a filling lunch (drinks are not included). Drove by the Presidential Palace, Independence Square, Old French Cathedral and the train station and the drive through Sandeka Market. The tour was packed with many other sights to see along the way.
Loved the trip with Mr. Diallo and would recommend him highly for English--the trip was not just beautiful but also very educational. Goree was a highlight for me.
Response from Host, Jun 2019
Thank you for your feedback.It was a pleasure to show dakar city and Goree island.
You are welcome.
Es war eine sehr schöne und interessante Tour. Wir sind um 8 Uhr am Hotel abgeholt worden und hatten zwei nette Begleiter. Sami unser Guide U der Fahrer Birap. Haben dann eine Stadtrundfahrt gemacht u einiges geseh'n und erfahren. Monument de la Renessance war ein Highlight für uns. Die vielen Stufen haben uns nicht abgeschreckt diese wundervolle Statue von oben anzusehen! Haben alles Wichtige (Presidentenpalast / Moscheen / Innenministerium / katholische Kathedrale) uvm. gesehen. Die Insel Goree war ebenfalls ein Highlight und hat uns sehr berührt u nachträglich beschäftigt. Insgesamt ein gelungener, schöner Tag!! Das einzige Manko war die Zeit. Wir sind auf Grund von Staus und verpasster Fähre, erst seeehr spät zurück gewesen. Dafür kann allerdings keine Agentur oder ein Fahrer etwas, das ist höhere Gewalt :))
Diese Tour ist empfehlenswert!!
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