Excursion Goree island & museum of black civilization (tour & airport transfer) tour at Dakar

Guests with international flights departing after 4 p.m. can discover Goree Island and Dakar during this full-day city and island excursion with lunch and airport transfer.

Dakar, Ferry Terminal, Goree Island, House of Slaves, Downtown Dakar, Casino du Port Restaurant

Depart the pier for the short drive to the Goree Island Ferry Terminal. Upon arrival, embark your privately-chartered ferry for the scenic, approximately 20-minute ride to Goree Island, an UNESCO World Heritage Site and major departure-point in the African Slave Trade. A tiny island with a violent past, Goree served as a base for slaves between the 15th century-18th century and was the last place African slaves saw before being deported to the Americas, never to return.

Goree Island, House of Slaves, Door-of-No-Return, Catholic Church, Museum, Castle, Lunch

After learning a bit of its history, take a guided walking tour of Goree Island. Along the way, a visit is made to the Door-of-No-Return in the Maison des Esclaves (House of Slaves), now a museum, for an informative talk on slavery from an African perspective. Next, visit the French-style Catholic Church and Historical Museum. Goree Castle, which served as a World War II outpost, offers spectacular views of the island and downtown Dakar. Following your tour, return to the ferry terminal on-foot for the short ride back to Dakar. Upon arrival, disembark the ferry and proceed for a set-menu lunch at the Casino du Port restaurant.

Museum of Black Civilisations

After lunch, re-board your coach and head to the Museum of Black Civilisations, a repository for African art, culture, and history. Opened in 2018, it is world's largest museum dedicated to African civilisations and considered one of the major African museums. This expansive museum has space for some 18,000 works of art. Built in a circular shape, the Museum of Black Civilisations has changed the landscape of downtown Dakar. The architecture was inspired by traditional homes typical of southern Senegal. Following your guided visit, re-board your coach and drive to the Millennium Door, the new Monument of the African Renaissance and tallest statue in Africa.

Millennium Door, Monument of the African Renaissance, Mamelles Hill, Airport

At approximately 160 feet (about 49 metres) in height, the beautiful bronze Monument of the African Renaissance is taller than the Statue of Liberty, and perched atop the second, approximately 328-foot-high (about 100-metre-high) Mamelles Hill. Inaugurated in 2010, the statue features a very impressive figure of man, woman, and child pointing out towards the Atlantic Ocean, and is accessible by a large staircase of 198 steps. At the conclusion of your visit, re-board your coach and commence the approximately one-hour transfer to Blaise Diagne International Airport for check-in and your international flight home.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Dakar, Ferry-Ride, Goree Island, House of Slaves, Casino du Port Restaurant, Museum of Black Civilisations, Millennium Door, Monument of the African Renaissance

Note

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of walking for approximately 1.24 miles-1.55 miles (about two-2.5 kilometres), at times over uneven and cobblestone surfaces and inclines, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach, one flight of steps to embark/disembark the ferry, two flights of steps in the Ferry Terminal, a few steps at the museums on Goree Island, two flights of stairs at the Museum of Black Civilisation, and up to 198 steps at the African Monument. This tour is not suitable for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Guests are advised to wear lightweight, comfortable clothing with flat, closed-toe walking shoes, and bring sun protection, bottled water, and local currency or credit cards for purchases from the ship. This tour is available during mornings only. Guests are not permitted to take photos/videos of locals, nor military or government buildings. Photography/videography is only permitted in certain areas of the Museum of Black Civilisations; your guide advises which artwork and areas are prohibited. The tour sequence may vary.