Joal-Fadiouth

A city on the water 114 km south of Dakar, Joal-Fadiouth is the birth place of the first president, renowned poet and academic, Léopold Sédar Senghor. The beautiful coast-line, forests, and salt water estuaries pride the city of Joal. Fadiouth, an island made up of oysters and shells deposed by the residents over the course of centuries, is reached by a long wooden bridge (525m). The small, narrow, shell covered roads and the houses constructed with cement adorned with shells contribute to the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the island.

Rich in history and tradition, the residents of Joal-Fadiouth are proud of the tolerance and the religious cooperation that exists between Muslims and Christians. Fadiouth is home to one of the few cemeteries in the world where Christians and Muslims are buried side by side. A visit to the natal home of Léopold Sédar Senghor transformed into a museum, an excursion to the island with a professional guide and a guided trip in a traditional long canoe made of wood across the forests are just a few of the many activities available to tourists.

A cultural city, Joal-Fadiouth has competitive traditional wrestling, soccer games, and “tam tam” drumming sessions for celebrations during the winter and spring. Small enough to be manageable, but big enough to welcome a variety of events, Joal-Fadiouth has something for every visitor. Contact: Paul Thiere +221 77 354 3903