The Senegal Experience

Dakar + Saly

There aren’t very many places in the world where you can sip bubbly on a Game Drive with a fantastic crew, take money shots at a pink lake, and pay homage to our ancestors as you take time to discover one of the final places that their feet touched the soil of the Motherland.

Join us on an 8-day luxury expedition; the first Up in the Air Life trip to Senegal, where you’ll experience, from north to south the country’s rich culture and troubling history gaining a deeper understanding of our people. You can’t call yourself woke until you have experienced the beauty and majesty of Senegal.

Do you hear that? That’s the sound of the bartender pouring your favorite drink after a long day learning about our roots, exploring colonial towns, and sharing experiences with your new travel buddies.

And you didn’t come snatched for nothin’! The pics you will snap of your melanin poppin’ when posing over the Pink Lake and exotic beaches will be enough to shut down the gram. No cap.

Whether you are soaking it in on the safari or walking the picturesque streets of Dakar, the breathtaking scenery will leave you feeling blessed to experience the natural beauty of Senegal.

Priceless moments with your crew, spotting incredible wildlife, and unexpected discoveries you won’t see anywhere in the world await you on this Up in the Air Life journey to one of the world’s best spots. A must for the discerning traveler in Western Africa.

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LET'S REVIEW —

Here's your trip at a glance.

WHERE YOU'LL GO

From soaking up the vibes of Dakar on arrival and exploring the sites with our personal guide to relaxing at a resort right on the beach, this trip offers a wide range of cultural immersion as you visit colonized sites to learn about the lives our enslaved ancestors. From the city, beach, and bush to the delta must-see sites like the Dakar, the Goree island, the African Renaissance monument, the Pink Lake, and Saly beach area. Senegal awaits.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

This trip is your chance to get back to your roots as you dive deep and explore a cultural connection unlike any other. From an emotional visit to a slave trade castle and following the steps of our ancestors to enjoying Senegal's rich and diverse foodie scene, you will experience West Africa's delicious delicacies and unmistakable culture.

WHERE YOU'LL STAY

Our accommodations are modest and comfortable, staying at one of the best hotels in Senegal. Start your day with breakfast and soak in the views of the Atlantic. After a long day connecting with your roots, finding the best deals in the market, or soaking in the sights, end the day at the fantastic beach resort where you'll tantilize your taste buds to the best culinary experience in Senegal. Only the best for Lifers!

Explore the day-by-day itinerary.

THIS TRIP IS FOR YOU, IF:

THIS TRIP IS NOT FOR YOU, IF:

Day 1

Arrive at Dakar’s Airport (DSS), and join the guide and your new crew on your private transfer to your first hotel in Senegal. You will be welcomed with a short cultural and historical orientation session to prepare for days ahead. Are you ready?

After checking in at the hotel and maybe taking a nap after the long flight, you’ll spend the rest of the afternoon visiting the Medina market; an authentic cultural experience in Dakar.

Savor your first evening in Senegal with a hand-picked three-course welcome dinner paired with wine. This is our favorite way to start an adventure as you connect with your new travel buddies and tour leader while the bubbly is poured and tasty local flavors abound.

Day 2

After waking up to a magnificent breakfast, we will explore Dakar; a city with a long and fascinating history. We start the day by boarding a ferry to Goree Island; a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its complicated colonial past and prominent role in the transatlantic slave trade.

While touring the island, we’ll have the chance to stand in the Door of No Return, the last place our captive enslaved ancestors stood before boarding ships bound for the Americas.

This is one of the many places we follow our ancestors’ steps through the Motherland, on an insightful and emotional experience to reconnect with our roots.

Day 3

Today we will visit the Grand Mosque of Dakar, and the recently-opened Museum of Black Civilization. A project of Senegal’s first president, the museum represents contemporary histories and cultures of Black people everywhere.

To finish our tour, we’ll visit the stunning African Renaissance Monument. Keep your cameras at the ready!

Day 4

Wake up to a beautiful morning, reflect on the day before and enjoy breakfast in bed. OR maybe take a gentle stroll through the gardens.

This morning we will hit the road leaving Dakar and traveling north to Lac Rose to visit the famous Pink Lake. This spot is excellent for Insta-worthy pictures. Prepare to stunt the ‘gram as you pop against the backdrop of these unmistakable natural pink hues.

We’ll have the opportunity to see how the locals harvest salt, and we’ll continue to learn about life in Senegal before heading to Bandia for some safari time! This park is a small conservation area known for its indigenous and imported wildlife.

We’ll enjoy most of the day out on the drive, playing around and playing “spot that animal” as we learn all we can from our guide. With a range of species on display, including zebra, buffalo, giraffe, rare rhinoceros, roan antelopes, patas monkeys, vervet monkeys, crocodiles, and many more, this is an adventure unlike any other!

Day 5

After a long day exploring the countryside, we’ll wake up to another beautiful morning.

Today is yours to do as you please. There are no rules for this free day. You could enjoy the delicious breakfast or sleep in, catching up on those z’s and getting ready for the final days of your adventure. The choice is yours.

The hotel has multiple options for you if you choose to stay in, including a swimming pool and onsite spa where you can freshen up and pamper yourself.

Suppose you’d rather explore than stay put. Our team will recommend some of the best places in Dakar for you to visit. There will also be a number of optional tours you can book in to, so you can truly customize your experience.

Day 6

Today we will head south to Saly; one of the top tourist destinations in all of West Africa.

We’ll settle in and rest at this extraordinary beachside resort… where we will be resting our head for 2 nights.

Our stay in Saly is all about rest and relaxation, with a little bit of adventure thrown in for good measure.

Day 7

On our last full day in Saly, we will head south to the northern edges of the Sine Saloum Delta where we will have the opportunity to connect with the stunning natural sights of this breathtaking country.

This area is an ideal launching point for birdwatching tours. Here you will visit the shell island of Joal-Fadiouth, a unique man-made village made entirely of shells and connected to land by a long footbridge.

This largely Christian community is known for its mixed-religion cemetery.

After we tour Shell Island, we will return to the resort to enjoy an afternoon of relaxation.

Tonight, we say goodbye to one of the most insightful and educative experiences we’ve had at our farewell dinner. Use this time to reflect with your new friends on what you have experienced over the last week.

Day 8

On our final day in Senegal, we will have time to reflect and relax on the beaches at the Petit Cote!

This strip of Senegal’s coastline is known for its palm-lined beachside resorts and is the ideal place to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean.

Later today we hit the markets one more time for some last minute souvenir shopping.

In the evening, our private transportation will whisk you away to the airport, where we will say goodbye to beautiful Senegal and head home or onward to your next adventure.

One of my best trips to date. Claire and Rasheed are so down to earth and spent time with us as if we were friends vs clients. This interaction along with the accommodations and experience itself made this a trip to remember!

Shauna

Expensive but worth every penny! The quality of the accommodations, food, drink, and experiences was exactly what I was looking for and exactly as advertised. Up in the Air Life curates high-end travel and cultural adventures in comfort and style for people of color who want to be in the company of like-minded citizens of the world.

Monique

YOU CAN ALWAYS EXPECT TO:

Connect with amazing people.

We provide the opportunity to make friendships with people who share your worldview and won't ask why you wear a bonnet to sleep.

Experience attentive
and authentic hospitality.

Not only is the staff of Up in the Air Life dedicated to making sure your trip is flawlessly executed, but we are also intentional about choosing locales and vendors who celebrate Black travelers.

Be pampered with only the best.

There is no need to take a break from your baller lifestyle when you travel with us. Our lodging, excursions, and dining are pure luxury.

Feel safe and secure.

Our experienced American guides and well-maintained local relationships mean that you will have peace of mind when you travel with us.

Say "goodbye" to FOMO.

Our trips are anything but basic. While we make sure you see well-known main attractions, we also develop itineraries that will give you unique stories to share with your friends back home.

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