Must See Senegal - Dakar

Some people say Dakar doesn't represent the 'real' Africa, but they're wrong. This city is the big, crowded, dirty, raw, chaotic, ambitious, in-your-face and utterly exciting face of the 'dark' continent, and if you're after a glimpse of African urban future, this is as real as it gets.

The cosmopolitan atmosphere, temperate climate, rocking range of bars and nightclubs, fascinating mix of African, French colonial and modern architecture and culture, and especially the range and quality of restaurants, make it well worth making Dakar's acquaintance.

The central area is easily explored on foot, and a variety of city buses run frequently to the suburbs. Also within reach are several good beaches, traditional fishing communities and some fascinating islands of historical and ecological interest.