Saint-Louis Jazz Festival – Senegal May/June 2026

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Tour Details

Join us for a 9-day, 8-night immersive adventure during one of West Africa’s most iconic cultural events—the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival in Senegal. This unique trip offers a rich blend of live music, historical exploration, and meaningful cultural connection in two of Senegal’s most captivating cities: Dakar and Saint-Louis.

✅ Experience the energy of the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival in Senegal—with exclusive access to concerts, artist showcases, and community celebrations
✅ Explore Senegal’s diverse cultural landscape through its languages, religions, cuisine, and daily life
✅ Engage with local musicians, artists, and historians in intimate group settings for deeper understanding and exchange
✅ Visit Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and reflect on its historical significance
✅ Enjoy boutique accommodations and curated dining that reflect the warmth and richness of Senegalese hospitality
✅ Travel comfortably in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with expert local guides and support staff

From jazz under the stars in Saint-Louis to the bustling markets and vibrant coastline of Dakar, this weeklong journey offers an unforgettable window into the rhythm and soul of Senegal. Whether you’re a music lover, cultural explorer, or curious traveler, you’ll return home inspired, energized, and more connected to the world.

Start and End Location

Pickup/Drop-off at DSS, Dakar’s Blaise Diagne International Airport (Google Map)

Start Time

9 am

Price Includes

  • 9 Nights Hotel Accommodation
  • 4-day tickets for Exclusive VIP access to Saint-Louis Jazz Fest (all 8 headline shows)
  • Exclusive visits and excursions
  • All Ground Transportation in Senegal
  • All Entrance Fees
  • All Meals
  • All Tips

Price Excludes

  • International Airfare to/from Senegal
  • Required Travel and Medical Evacuation Insurance
  • Passport/Visa Fees
  • Required Yellow Fever Vaccination and Any Other Health-Related Costs
  • Any Private Expenses (gifts, souvenirs, snacks, laundry, etc.)
What to Expect
  • Live Jazz, Up Close: Enjoy world-class performances at the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival in intimate, open-air settings. From riverside stages to colonial courtyards, the music is as atmospheric as it is unforgettable. Headline shows begin at 9:00pm and 11:00pm.
  • Pre-Departure Support: We’ll host 2–3 optional Zoom sessions to introduce you to Senegalese history, music, culture, and practical travel tips—so you arrive informed, confident, and ready to connect.
  • Seamless Travel: Private transportation between Dakar, Saint-Louis, and Gorée Island ensures you travel safely and comfortably while taking in Senegal’s coastal beauty and local life along the way.
  • Historical Sites: Spend a day on Gorée Island, where you'll explore its powerful history and UNESCO-recognized architecture and nature. In Saint-Louis, discover the legacy of French West Africa through guided walking tours.
  • Senegalese Hospitality: Dine at locally-owned restaurants serving traditional food and drink like thieboudienne, yassa, and bissap. Dietary needs can typically be accommodated.
  • Historical & Heritage Sites: Tour Gorée Island, explore colonial architecture, and reflect on Senegal’s complex past and present
  • Meaningful Dialogue: Whether you’re learning a few Wolof phrases or exchanging stories with locals, expect to engage in real conversations that bring cultural understanding to life.
  • A waitlist is available when our trips are fully booked. Join the waitlist and we will let you know if we can offer another tour or include you on this one.
  • The Jazz Fest dates for 2026 have not yet been released. Tabaski, or Eid Al Adha, is likely to be May 26-27. We anticipate trip dates of May 17-25, or more likely May 31 - June 8, to be confirmed.
Sample Itinerary

Day 1Arrival + Dakar

Sunday – Arrival, Orientation & Local Arts

  • Morning: Land at Dakar’s Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) and meet your Vive team and local guide who will pick you up around 9am to head to our hotel.
  • Settle in for lunch and a little rest by the pool or ocean at our Dakar Hotel.
  • Head out to visit some iconic sites as you climb the stairs at the African Renaissance Monument for panoramic city views and powerful stories of modern Africa.
  • Pause at the beautiful seaside Mosque of the Divinity to learn about its origins and Islam.
  • Explore a local artisanal market for a little shopping and to see the artisans at work.
  • End your first day at our Dakar hotel for the sunset over the ocean and dinner.

Day 2History & Heritage in Dakar

Monday – Gorée Island, Mosques & Markets

  • Morning:  Take an early ferry to Gorée Island, where you’ll explore the House of Slaves and reflect on the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade.
  • Enjoy a simple Senegalese lunch on Gorée Island before returning to the mainland via ferry.
  • Visit the beautiful Massalikoul Djinane Mosque of Dakar on a private tour.

Day 3 Journey to Saint-Louis

Tuesday – Road to Jazz & Colonial Charm

  • Scenic road trip north to Saint-Louis, with cultural stops along the way: artisanal baskets in the region of Thiès and traditional Senegalese leather shoes in Louga.

  • Arrive for a late lunch at our hotel with the rest of the day for relaxing on the beach or at the pool.

Day 4UNESCO Island & St. Louis Jazz Fest (Day 1)

Wednesday – Island Tour & Festival Immersion

  • Begin the day on a horse-drawn carriage to explore the historic downtown and the fishing communities of the Guet Ndar island and enjoy your first taste of the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival.
  • Return the hotel for lunch and some rest in the afternoon.
  • Evening: Return downtown for the start of the St. Louis Jazz Fest with outdoor jazz performances and lively local ambiance.

Day 5St. Louis Jazz Fest (Day 2) and UNESCO Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

Thursday – Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary 

  • Embark on a half-day excursion to Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj, a UNESCO biosphere and one of the world’s most important bird sanctuaries.
  • Return to Saint-Louis to rest before another night of world-class jazz performances featuring local and international artists.

Day 6St. Louis Jazz Fest (Day 3) En ville

Friday – Exploring the boutiques and iconic sites

  • Stroll the colonial streets of UNESCO-listed Saint-Louis Island on a guided walking tour.
  • Visit the iconic Hôtel de la Poste, once a stop on the legendary Antoine de Saint-Exupéry aéropostale route.
  • Enjoy the local Museum of Photography and other local fair trade and souvenir boutiques.
  • Get ready for another night of jazz along the Senegal river overlooking the Faidherbe Bridge connecting the island to mainland Africa.

Day 7Saint-Louis Jazz Fest (Day 4) Griots, Drumming and Cultural Exchange

Saturday– Storytelling & Rhythm

  • Enjoy an exclusive opportunity to meet with a local griot, a traditional storyteller, musician, amd master drummer, for an immersive session in oral history and rhythm.
  • Close the day with your final Jazz Fest night—soak in the music and final celebrations.

Day 8Transfer to Saly

Sunday – Transfer to Saly

  • Morning departure from Saint-Louis to Saly, a relaxed coastal resort town ideal for reflection and recharging.
  • Arrive in the afternoon and enjoy free time at the beach or pool at our all-inclusive hotel. 
  • Stroll through the downtown to finish up any last-minute souvenir shopping.

Day 9 Monday - Departure

Monday – Flight Home

  • If flying to the US on a direct United or Delta flight early in the morning, you will arrive in the US on the same day. We will provide multiple transfers to the airport to accommodate your departure schedules.
Photos
Former governor of French West Africa's home
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