Dak'Art Biennial of African Contemporary Art
May 28, 2020 - june 6, 2020
(Postponed)

Dakar is a city of extremes, where horse-cart drivers chug over swish highways and gleaming SUVs squeeze through tiny sand roads; where elegant ladies dig skinny heels into dusty walkways and suit-clad businessmen kneel down for prayer in the middle of the street. Once a tiny settlement in the south of the Cap Vert peninsula, Dakar now spreads almost across its entire triangle, and keeps growing.

For the traveller, there's much to discover, from peaceful islands just off-shore to vertiginous nightlife dancing to mbalax beats. You can spend your days browsing frenetic markets and taking in the sights of bustling downtown, followed by sunset drinks overlooking the crashing waves. At once both intimidating and deeply alluring, Dakar is a fascinating introduction to Senegal. - From LonelyPlanet.com

General INformation

Travel with Hammonds House Museum on a visual art and cultural excursion to Dakar, Senegal for the Dak'Art Biennial of Contemporary Art. We will be on the ground in Dakar May 28 - June 6, 2020. Fees include hotel accommodations (double occupancy), breakfast, round-trip transfers from the airport to the hotel, group meals, tours, entrance fees and unique artist interactions. In addition to enjoying the Biennial we'll tour the city and visit Goree Island, the new Museum of Black Civilizations, the African Renaissance Monument, Pink Lake, bustling markets, artist studios and more. We have also built-in time for you to explore Dakar or other parts of the region on your own. We’ll provide recommendations and contact information for guides and transportation. This excursion is a member benefit and open to members only. Become a member and join us if you’re not already in the family!

Fees and payments

The cost of this excursion is $2,480.00 per person. Pricing includes double occupancy hotel accommodations, breakfast, transportation, airport transfers, tours, entrance fees, select meals, taxes, fees & gratuities. Fees do not include airfare.

Deposit
A deposit of $250 secures your reservation and will be immediately applied to reserve your hotel room. Your deposit is non-refundable.

Payments
Trip fees may be paid at one time or in installments. All payments must be paid by April 15. If you opt to pay through installments please pay the first installment and we will invoice you monthly to remind you to make your payment. The first payment of $278.75 is due September 15. Additional payments of $278.75 will be due on the 15th of each month with the final payment being due April 15. You can pay your payments via the link below, check or money order.

hotel

Pullman Dakar Teranga
Teranga is Wolof word which means hospitality or welcoming generosity. It's one of the many reasons that makes Senegal so special and is at the core of their culture. The Pullman Dakar Teranga also takes hospitality very seriously. The Pullman is one of a few luxury hotels in Dakar. Conveniently located in the heart of Dakar’s downtown district, the property is less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean. Fully renovated in 2017, the hotel offers 247 spacious and modern rooms which offer maximum comfort. Room amenities include a television, private bathroom, private balcony, WIFI and a safe. Breakfast is served each morning in one of the hotel’s two restaurants. After a day out in the city, unwind with a cocktail at one of the hotel's bars, which include two indoor lounges and a poolside bar. The large outdoor heated pool overlooks the Dakar lagoon and provides the perfect backdrop to your Senegal experience. Other services include a 24-hour front desk with currency exchange, fax and photocopying services and a multilingual staff.

preliminary itinerary

This is a preliminary itinerary which provides a rough idea of how we plan to move in the city. The itinerary allows for the Dak’art experience, an opportunity to enjoy the city and free time to chart your own path. We believe this is a comfortable schedule that is not packed to the max with things to do. We’ve made this journey a number of times before. We want you to enjoy the art and the contemporary artists on the continent, enjoy the ancestral connection of being in the motherland, relax and enjoy the beauty of Africa and ultimately have an experience that is meaningful to you. We will flesh the schedule out more as programs, artist experiences and events are finalized in the months leading up to our trip. Plus, it’s Africa! Always expect the unexpected.

Day 1 (Thursday, May 28) Evening arrivals from the US to Dakar on various airlines - transfers to hotel. 
Day 2  (Friday, May 29) Breakfast, Welcome to Dakar Meet and Greet, Dak’Art activities per the agenda, Dinner.
Day 3  (Saturday, May 30) Breakfast, City Tour. Lunch in the city. Dak’Art activities per the agenda. Dinner on your own. 
Day 4  (Sunday, May 31) Breakfast, Dak’Art activities per the agenda. Lunch in the city. Dinner on your own.
Day 5  (Monday, June 1) Breakfast, Goree Island Tour and lunch on the island. Dinner in the city.  
Day 6  (Tuesday, June 2)  Breakfast, artist studio visits. Lunch in the city. Dinner on your own.   
Day 7  (Wednesday, June 3) Breakfast, Dakar On Your Own. 
Day 8  (Thursday, June 4) Breakfast; Dakar On Your Own. 
Day 9 (Friday, June 5) Breakfast, Pink Lake Tour. Lunch at Bonaba Cafe. Farewell Dinner.
Day 10 (Saturday, June 6) Breakfast, Dakar On Your Own for last minute running around or unwinding. Late evening transfer to the airport for return flights  

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Passport?
Yes, you will need your passport for this trip.

Do I need a Visa?
No. Senegal does not requires visas for U.S. citizens for stays of fewer than 90 days. For longer stays, U.S. travelers should obtain visas directly at either the Senegalese Embassy in Washington, D.C., or the Senegalese Consulate in New York City prior to travel.

What vaccines do I need?
Though a yellow fever vaccine isn’t required to enter Senegal, it’s recommended, as are malaria pills and a typhoid vaccine. Using a good mosquito repellent, carrying tissues (as toilet paper can be scarce in public spots) and wearing sunblock are all essential. It can also be extremely dusty during the dry season, so having allergy pills on hand can also be helpful. Don’t be alarmed to see horse carts, roaming goats and cows as well as buses packed with locals all sharing the same dirt roads with cars and pedestrians — this is normal. Click HERE to see what vaccines the CDC recommends for Senegal.

What language do they speak in Dakar?
The official language is French but other languages are spoken as well. Many people in Dakar do speak some English. Local languages include Wolof, Pular and Serer. Most of the residents of Senegal and Dakar are Muslim, so it's important for tourists to keep this in mind.

What is the currency in Senegal?
The West African CFA franc is the currency. The value of the dollar fluctuates but one US Dollar is 591 CFA as of this posting.

What is the dominant religion in Senegal?
Religion and beliefs occupy an important place in the daily life of the nation of Senegal. A large majority (94%) of the Senegalese population is Muslim, mainly Sunni of Maliki school of jurisprudence with Sufi influences. Christians (principally Catholics) represent 4%.

Do I have to cover up as a woman?
While Senegal is a majority-Muslim country, you don’t have to cover your knees, head or shoulders in most areas. In larger villages and cities, most local women don’t wear a hijab, and you won’t be showing disrespect by not covering up like you might in parts of India, Malaysia or the Middle East. In fact, many local women prefer traditional Senegalese dresses — exposing their neck and arms — or modern clothing like shorts and skirts. When ladies do cover their heads, it’s typically not for religious purposes, but to shield them from the intense African sun. Bottom line: dressing as you normally would in a hot, humid climate, like wearing shorts and a tank top, won’t elicit stares or make you feel uncomfortable here. Just keep it classy and respectful. You are representing Hammonds House Museum and African American people in a foreign land.

Is Dakar safe?
Senegal is known for being a safe country, and while visitors. The locals are friendly, and robberies and violent crime against tourists are pretty uncommon.

Is there a U.S. Embassy in Senegal?
Yes, there is a U.S. Embassy in Senegal. It is in Dakar and not too far from our hotel. The Embassy urges all American citizens, even those visiting Senegal or Guinea-Bissau for a short time, to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). In the event of an emergency, the Embassy will provide information and other critical assistance to American citizens. Enrolling in STEP allows Embassies abroad to send you time-sensitive travel warnings and public announcements specific to the areas in which you will be traveling or living. The information you provide also makes it easier for Embassies to contact you in case of emergency, or to contact your family or friends in the United States in the event of an emergency abroad.

Travel Tip
Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative. Find more useful information visit the U.S. State Department’s website.