Senegal North: Saint-Louis to Podor

Discover Senegal like never before on this 9-day, 8-night educational travel program designed specifically for French language educators seeking authentic cultural immersion and meaningful connections. In conjunction with an exchange known as the Virginia International Teachers Exchange (V.I.T.E.) we will head north for some community service activities in conjunction with the Senegalese Ministry of Education.

From the moment you arrive at Dakar’s airport to your final farewell breakfast, you’ll experience Senegalese teranga (hospitality) through carefully curated encounters that go far beyond typical tourism. This journey takes you from the artistic coastal village of Toubab Dialaw to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Saint-Louis, into the heart of rural life in Donaye, and through Dakar’s vibrant cultural landmarks including historic Gorée Island.

In Saint-Louis—the former capital of French West Africa—you’ll cross the iconic Pont Faidherbe, a 500-meter metallic bridge designed by a colleague of Gustave Eiffel and sometimes called “the horizontal Eiffel Tower.” Walk in the footsteps of legendary Aéropostale pilots Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Jean Mermoz, who stayed at the historic Hôtel de la Poste before their daring mail flights across the Atlantic to South America. Looking north toward the Sahara, learn about la Grande Muraille Verte—Africa’s ambitious 8,000-kilometer initiative to combat desertification—where Senegal has emerged as a leader in restoring land and creating green jobs for local communities.

Highlights

• Immerse yourself in Senegal’s diverse cultural landscape—languages, religions, ethnicities, cuisine, and daily life
• Prioritize authentic 1-on-1 and small group interactions with students, educators, and local celebrities including environmental and social activists
• Engage in hands-on workshops like djembé drumming while learning about Senegalese artistic and oral traditions
• Visit local schools, cultural centers, bookstores, and markets to gain deeper insights into Senegalese communities
• Practice your French in real-world settings—everyone is encouraged to speak French 100% of the time, with a little Wolof and Pulaar
• Return home with lived experiences and authentic resources that will transform your teaching for years to come

Day by day

1. Day 1 – Arrive in Senegal · DSS – Toubab DialawParticipants arrive at DSS/Dakar typically around 7am, where our local bus driver and guide will greet the group at the airport. We’ll transfer in our private coach to our art center hotel, a magical location overlooking the ocean, with a mid-morning check-in.
   
   After settling in, we’ll practice a little Wolof for greetings and enjoy your first Senegalese meal together at lunch. The afternoon brings an interactive orientation to learn about Senegalese products, perspectives, and practices through a specially-designed cultural orientation as you explore the local village and people. You’ll have time to share your experiences together with the group before trying your hand at djembé drumming with a local workshop. As the day winds down, view the sunset from our dining area and then gather for dinner together to wrap up our first day. Settle into your rooms for an good night’s sleep in Toubab Dialaw.
2. Day 2 · Toubab Dialaw – Saint-LouisAfter breakfast, we’ll depart for Saint-Louis, traveling north through Senegal’s diverse landscapes. Along the way, we’ll stop to visit local artisans practicing their traditional craft and demonstrating their techniques. These authentic encounters offer wonderful opportunities to engage with rural communities and discover their daily lives and work.
   
   We’ll arrive in Saint-Louis in time for a late lunch followed by an introductory horse and cart tour through the colonial architecture and vibrant streets of this UNESCO World Heritage city and fishing village. As evening approaches, we’ll meet with artists and researchers and share dinner together at a local restaurant, exchanging stories and insights before returning to your Saint-Louis hotel for the evening.
3. Day 3 · Saint-Louis – PodorAfter breakfast, we will have a chance to explore more of the Saint-Louis streets and surrounding region. Following lunch, we’ll travel through northern Senegal’s rural landscapes following the Senegal River east with Mauritania and the Sahara Desert just to our north. Pause in the town of Richard Toll where you’ll learn more about the colonial agricultural history, and continue on to Podor for arrival by sunset. Check into the hotel, dine together and get a good night’s sleep.
4. Day 4 · DonayeBegin the day just a short 20-minute ride away in the village of Donaye. Spend the full day immersed at the local school in Donaye. We’ll observe classes, engage in small-group and 1-1 conversations with students and teachers, and experience authentic education in rural Senegal. This deep cultural exchange offers unique insight into Senegalese perspectives, practices, and daily life, creating meaningful connections across cultures.
5. Day 5 · DonayeContinue your time at the local school in Donaye, building on yesterday’s connections and deepening our understanding of the community. We will have an opportunity to learn more about the women’s cooperatives, community gardening, and more. In the evening, the experience culminates in a Soirée Culturelle in Donaye, where we’ll celebrate local music, dance, and traditions with the community. This special cultural evening brings together everything we’ve learned and experienced during our immersive stay in this welcoming village.
6. Day 6 · Podor to DakarAfter an early breakfast, pack up and begin the journey towards the coast. We’ll pause in Saint-Louis for lunch and a chance to stretch before continuing on to Senegal’s capital, Dakar. Check into our hotel in the late afternoon with time to refresh, then head to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Rest up for the exciting days ahead exploring Senegal’s vibrant capital and its rich history.
7. Day 7 · Dakar – Gorée – DakarRise early to beat the downtown traffic to the port for the 30-minute ferry to Gorée Island, a beautiful pedestrian island just off the coast. We’ll visit the Slave House and other monuments on this powerful UNESCO World Heritage site, learning about this crucial chapter in history. Pause for lunch on the island along the water before taking the afternoon ferry back to the mainland.
   
   Once back in Dakar, we’ll embark on a guided bus tour of downtown, exploring local food and souvenir markets as well as important political and historical sites. As the sun begins to set, arrive at the Marché Artisanal and stroll along the coast at the urban fishing village of Soumbédioune. Savor an open air dinner near the ocean before returning to our Dakar hotel for a good night’s sleep.
8. Day 8 · DakarStart the day with a view of the Mosquée de la Divinité, then climb up to the Monument de la Renaissance for spectacular panoramic views of the city stretching out below. Enter inside the Mosquée Massailkoul Djinane for a tour of its breathtaking and luxurious interior. Afterwards, we’ll explore a local bookstore, where we can discover African literature and cultural resources to bring home.
   
   Enjoy lunch at a salon de thé in Ngor, where we’ll learn about their fair trade shop, the first of its kind in Dakar dating back to the late 1990s, and their sustainable development work supporting village artisans across Senegal. Return to the hotel with time to pack up and relax after these busy days before heading out for a final group dinner. Spend the night in Dakar, reflecting on our transformational journey.
9. Day 9 – Depart Senegal · Dakar to DSSSome may have early departures and will leave befor esunrise to head to the airport. The rest of the group will enjoy a leisurely morning with a final Senegalese breakfast and some other activities before heading to the airport. The second drop-off will take place around 6pm to accommodate your evening flights.
   
   Ba beneen yoon! Au revoir !

What’s included