Dakar and Gorée Island full-day tour with licensed guide
A guide who knows Dakar's traffic takes you through markets, mosques and the House of Slaves
A full-day guided tour of Dakar and Gorée Island with a licensed English or French-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, and lunch with one soda included. The tour covers Dakar's old city, residential districts and key landmarks in the morning, then crosses to Gorée Island in the afternoon to visit the House of Slaves and UNESCO site. Hotel or cruise ship drop-off is arranged, and the guide handles the city's notorious traffic so you don't have to navigate it yourself.
8h 30m
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Dakar and Gorée Island
- Start early trip to Gorée Island
- Visit former captives house UNESCO site
- Learn about transatlantic slavery trade
- Visit House of Slaves museum
- Return to Dakar in the afternoon
- Visit local market for ingredients
- See the state house architecture
- Visit Cathedral exterior and take pictures
- Pass by local textile market
- See seaside mosque at fish market
- Visit biggest bronze statue in Africa
- Shop for souvenirs at craft market
- End with drop off at hotel or cruise ship
The Experience
Dakar's traffic is a real challenge if you're driving yourself, which is why this tour pairs a licensed guide who knows the city with an air-conditioned vehicle. The morning moves through the old city and residential neighborhoods, stopping at the local markets where people actually shop for textiles and ingredients, the Cathedral (viewable from outside), the state house in the administrative district, and the Mosque by the seaside at the fish market. You'll see the 190-ton bronze statue symbolizing family union—the largest in Africa—and spend time at the craft market, the biggest in Dakar, where ten lines of artisans sell souvenirs and artwork.
The afternoon crosses to Gorée Island by ferry, where the House of Slaves and the UNESCO site reveal the island's history as a trade center and departure point for enslaved Africans from 1536 to 1848. The guide provides historical context on the transatlantic slavery trade, and you have time to walk the former captives' house. Gorée gets crowded, especially during the domestic tourism season from July to October, so arrive prepared and bring your passport for police control at the ferry terminal.
The full day runs about 8.5 hours with lunch and one soda included. Hotel or cruise ship drop-off happens on time, so if you're catching a ship or have an evening commitment, the schedule is built around it. Pickup is included, and the guide speaks English or French.
What’s included
- Air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
- licensed guide in English or French.
- lunch and one soda.
- all fees and taxes.
- hotel or cruise ship pickup and drop-off.
- entry to the House of Slaves and Gorée Island UNESCO site.
Operated by VISIT SENEGAL
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're arriving by cruise ship or staying in a hotel and want to see both Dakar's landmarks and Gorée Island's colonial history without navigating the city's traffic or arranging ferries and entry tickets yourself. The guide's knowledge of local traffic and history, combined with fixed timing and included transport, makes it the straightforward choice for a full-day introduction to the city and island.
Traveler reviews
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Top questions
What exactly is the House of Slaves on Gorée Island?
The House of Slaves is a museum and UNESCO site on Gorée Island that was a trade center and departure point for enslaved Africans from 1536 to 1848. The guide explains the history of the transatlantic slavery trade, and you visit the former captives' house to learn about this period.
Do I need to bring my passport to visit Gorée Island?
Yes, you need your passport for police control at the ferry terminal when you cross to Gorée Island. Have it ready when you board.
What happens if I'm on a cruise ship—will the tour get me back on time?
The tour is designed to drop you off on time at your cruise ship or hotel, so the schedule accounts for your departure. Let the operator know your ship's departure time when you book.
Is the Cathedral open to go inside?
The Cathedral is viewable from outside only due to COVID restrictions. The guide provides historical narrative about the Roman Catholic history in Senegal and the architecture, and you can take pictures from outside.
How crowded is Gorée Island?
Gorée Island gets crowded, especially during the domestic tourism season from July to October. Be prepared for crowds when you visit the House of Slaves and UNESCO site in the afternoon.
What's included in the lunch?
Lunch and one soda are included in the tour price. The specific menu is not detailed, but the meal is part of the full-day itinerary.
Dakar and Gorée Island full-day tour with licensed guide
8h 30m · EN · FR · at your hotel
from US$ 155 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.96274 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider
