Spent 11 days travelling solo in Senegal, the land of Teranga. These are the places from my trip, from the Musée des Civilisations Noires and Gorée Island to quiet days in Saly. Here's what I loved, where I overpaid, and what I'd do differently. For anyone planning a first trip to Senegal, especially solo Black women travellers.
Much bigger than she expected. Take your time reading: the exhibits cover kings and queens, scholars, artists, resistance and spirituality, and leave you with a real sense of pride and roots. Her view: any Black traveller passing through Dakar should visit, and the world needs more museums like it. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsA colonial-era covered market in the Plateau. Come hungry: the mamas cooking inside served her first Senegalese yassa with a bissap for 1,200 CFA, and she called it pure happiness. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsLoud, packed and full of energy, and it gets very hot and humid (around 35°C when she went). Good for boubous and clothes, but she paid far too much for her first boubou and only did better after practising her bargaining. Agree a price before you commit. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsA lovely place for a sunset walk by the ocean, full of locals out exercising. The sky looked dull at first, so stay a few extra minutes: the colours came out after the sun dipped. Easy to do alone. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsAn essential visit, a short ferry ride from Dakar. A crowd of guides meets you at the dock; she politely declined and explored the colourful streets on her own. Advice she was given: the only thing you need to pay for is entry to the Maison des Esclaves, so don't let anyone pressure you into more. She also got a free sand-art demonstration and shared attaya (local tea) with locals. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsHeavy, important history. The building was closed when she arrived, so check opening times and walk the island while you wait. The guide's talk explains how the house was used during the slave trade. Bring water, it gets very hot. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsMagnificent up close, and a dream come true for her: years earlier she had edited herself into a photo of her mother standing here. The walk up in the heat is tiring, so take a car to the base. Her tip: don't use the toilets there. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsA boutique hotel near the Corniche with striking arches and warm orange walls. The staff were the highlight: two employees stepped in to protect her when a man became aggressive outside after she photographed his horse cart, and another took her to a local spot for a cheap rice dinner. Lesson she shares: always ask before photographing people, animals or their carts. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsWhere she went to treat herself on a quiet Sunday. Great music, great staff, decent food and excellent cocktails (she had two). Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsShe found it a little disappointing after hearing it described as super relaxing. The pirogue over was overloaded and the life jackets didn't feel inflated enough, so travel light and don't bring all your tech. The sunset from a bar on the island was beautiful. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsThe TER from Dakar station to Diamniadio is a cheap, clean and modern way to leave Dakar for the Petite Côte. She called it a source of pride for the whole continent. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsA beautiful hotel with a striking red building, lovely architecture and rooms. She was the only guest and got upgraded. A good place to rest: she spent her days by the pool reading and listening to music. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
Picked by Chloé AgnèsA great dinner with family: good food, fun music and very polite staff. It was dark so she couldn't see the sea, so come before sunset for the view. Based on Chloé Agnès's Senegal travel vlog on YouTube (Nov 2025).
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