Dakar safaris

Jutting into the Atlantic on the Cap-Vert peninsula, Dakar has long been considered the cultural hub of Francophone West Africa. Senegal's capital attracts travelers with its vibrant cultural life, its diverse cuisine and its infectious musical grooves. Embrace the rhythm of Senegalese life on a private Dakar tour with a local guide. Start at Independence Square for a run-down on the legacy of French colonial rule. Then head seaside, where your guide can introduce you to fishermen unloading the day's catch and street vendors selling tasty meat skewers. A visit to the Maison des Esclaves on the island of Goree lays bare the brutality of the slave trade. Your guide can show you the "door of no return" where it is believed chained captives were loaded on boats heading to the New World. When evening falls, dine on Thieboudienne, fish marinated in parsley, lemon, garlic and onions, then hit Thiossane, a hopping nightclub owned by legendary Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour.