Spending a week in West Africa is immersing yourself in the colourful sights and rustic vibes of a feared and forgotten West Africa. Our road trip started in the capital city of Dakar and took us to Cap Skirring, the southernmost point of Senegal, passing through the hometown of the professional footballer – Sadio Mane. Colonial past, fascinating contrasts, and vibrant culture are hallmarks of West Africa, well-maintained across cities and remote villages of Senegal, one of the most influential African Kingdoms in history. During the road trip, we also crossed over to The Gambia, the smallest country in mainland Africa.
DAKAR RAILWAY STATION IN THE CITY CENTRE. SENEGALESE TRAINS WITH STAINLESS STEEL ONCE OPERATED THE SUPPOSEDLY PARIS-NICE “MISTRAL” EXPRESS. ACTIVE, ECLECTIC AND HISTORIC SIDE OF SENEGAL. JOGGERS ON THE CORNICHE ARE A COMMON SIGHT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.MUSEUM OF BLACK CIVILISATION IN DOWNTOWN DAKAR SHOWCASES ONE OF AFRICA’S LARGEST ART COLLECTIONS AND OBJECTS ON BLACK CULTURE AND HISTORY FROM ACROSS THE CONTINENT.GRAFFITI ADDS A SPECIAL TOUCH TO THE CHARACTER OF SENEGAL’S VIBRANT CAPITAL CITY – DAKAR.THE LITTLE BAOBAB IS AN ECO-LODGE IN THE VILLAGE OF ABENE. LITTLE ALFIE IS THE SON OF THE OWNER AND RESIDENT DRUMMER AND TROUBLE-MAKER. FATHALA WILDLIFE RESERVE IN TOUBAKOUTA, SENEGAL, IS AMONG THE WORLD’S 5 REPUTED PLACES WHERE IT’S POSSIBLE TO WALK WITH LIONS.
VIBRANT MARKET OF OUSSOUYEHAPPY KIDS PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE. IT’S FUN INTERACTING WITH THEM. THEY LOVE PENS AND PENCILS, WHICH MAKE BETTER HANDOUTS THAN CHOCOLATES AND CANDIES.
STREET VENDORS IN THE GAMBIA.CASHEW PLANTATION WAS INTRODUCED IN THE 1940’S DURING THE COLONIAL PERIOD. WE VISITED A FARM TO SEE THE MANUAL PROCESS BEHIND CASHEW PRODUCTION, ONE OF SENEGAL’S MOST IMPORTANT SOURCES OF INCOME.
RENDEZVOUS WITH KING SIBILOUMBAI DIEDHIOU OF DIOLA
A SADIO MANE FAN AND HOST FOR THE NIGHT IN CAP SKIRRING
VENDOR ON THE SHORES OF CAP-SKIRRING, THE SOUTHERNMOST POINT OF SENEGAL’S COASTLINE.A 40-MINUTE WALK ALONG THE SHORE OF CAP-SKIRRING WILL TAKE YOU OVER INTO GUINEA-BISSAU. NO BORDER CONTROL. NO CHECKPOINT.
