Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Embark on a meaningful journey through Senegal, where students engage with culture, community, and conservation. From eco-projects in Saint-Louis and mangrove restoration in the Saloum Delta to exploring Dakar’s vibrant history and the powerful legacy of Gorée Island, students take part in hands-on learning while gaining a deeper understanding of West African culture, environment, and resilience.
Itinerary
Day 1
Overnight flight to Senegal (Dakar)
Day 2
Arrive in Dakar
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Travel to Lac Rose
Health & safety program orientation
Participate in an orientation session covering health, safety, and program expectations.
Day 3
Lac Rose sand dunes visit
Lac Rose gets its name from the distinct rose-tinted hue created by Dunaliella salina bacteria, which thrive in the lake’s high salt content. In some areas, salt levels reach up to 40 percent, second only to the Dead Sea. Along the shoreline, pink samphire bushes grow among the sandbanks and terracotta-colored dunes.
Lac Rose salt collecting eco-project
Assist local salt collectors by bagging salt or transporting it from the lake to shore by boat. Learn how seasonal conditions affect the lake’s vivid color, which is most striking during the dry season when sunlight reflects directly off the water.
Travel to Saint-Louis
Known locally as Ndar, Saint-Louis served as the capital of the French Colony of Senegal from 1673 to 1902 and also functioned as the capital of neighboring Mauritania.
Saint-Louis school eco-project
Take part in a community-led sustainability project alongside local students. Work together on tree planting and care, join hands-on ecological workshops, and participate in cooking classes that highlight local traditions and environmental stewardship.
Day 4
Bird sanctuary visit and boat tour
Senegal is home to around 160 bird species, making it a prime destination for bird study. Visit either Langue de Barbarie National Park or Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, depending on the season. A guided boat tour offers close observation of migratory and native birds, including pelicans, flamingos, herons, terns, cormorants, and ibis.
Eco-project visit: Transforming waste, empowering women
Visit a women-led eco initiative that transforms discarded plastic into practical items like furniture and building materials. Learn how recycled waste supports environmental sustainability and economic empowerment, help collect plastic, and observe how community-driven innovation turns everyday trash into opportunity.
Continue Saint-Louis school eco-project
Day 5
Continue Saint-Louis school eco-project
Travel to Saly
Day 6
Saloum Delta excursion
Explore the Saloum Delta, a vast network of islands, mangrove forests, and coastal ecosystems shaped by centuries of human settlement. Discover shellfish mounds and burial sites that offer insight into West Africa’s cultural history. In the afternoon, take part in a mangrove replanting project, helping restore vital habitats that support fisheries, birdlife, eco-tourism, and local livelihoods.
Day 7
Travel to Dakar
Dakar city walk
Explore Dakar on a guided city walk through the historic Médina quarter, home to the iconic Grande Mosquée de Dakar. Visit the Musée Théodore Monod to examine cultural artifacts such as clothing, instruments, carvings, and tools, and gain insight into Senegal’s history, traditions, and vibrant urban culture.
Goree Island excursion
Visit Gorée Island to study its powerful history as a center of the transatlantic slave trade. Explore preserved forts and former slave houses, including a visit to La Maison des Esclaves, where cells and the Door of No Return offer critical historical context. The experience also includes hands-on lessons in djembe drumming and local dance, connecting history with living culture.
Day 8
Dakar Tour Director-led sightseeing tour
Explore Dakar with Tour Director–led sightseeing focused on the city’s history, culture, and modern identity. Visit the African Renaissance Monument to discuss its symbolism, scale, and the debates surrounding its construction. Walk through Marché Kermel to experience local street markets filled with traditional textiles, baskets, and jewelry, and view the Deux Mamelles, the twin hills overlooking the city that frame Dakar’s coastal landscape.
Sand panting cultural activity
Participate in sand painting, an artistic practice that uses colored sand and natural pigments to create intricate designs. Learn about the global cultural traditions of sand painting, including its role in ceremonial, religious, and healing practices, and why many works are intentionally temporary.
Day 9
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Community-based projects
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Scenes from Senegal
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.