Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 33 869 0606; Tour de l'Œuf, Point E)
The 50m pool of the Piscine Olympique is for serious
swimmers.
Océanium
WATERSPORTS
( 33 822 2441;
www.oceaniumdakar.org
;
Rte de la Corniche-Est; Mon-Sat)
The environmental agency
Océanium runs recommended kayak, diving and snorkeling excursions .
LES MAMELLES - DAKAR'S BREASTS
Mamelles
means 'breasts', and you don't need a great amount of imagination to guess why the pair of sloping
mounds that form Dakar's only two hills have been given that name. The pretty white 1864
Mamelles lighthouse
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
graces the top of the first hill - a leisurely 25-minute walk up is rewarded
with a sweeping view across the town and water.
The second hill is topped by the massive, North Korean-built
African Renaissance
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( admission CFA6500; 10am-6pm) monument. Allegedly Africa's highest statue, at 49m
high it's taller than New York City's Statue of Liberty and Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer and was unveiled
in 2010 to commemorate Senegal's 50 years of independence from France. The Soviet-style bronze of a man, wo-
man and child looking out to sea has been heavily criticised for its cost (over US$30 million), the un-African
shapes of its figures and the scantily dressed female, which offers a partial view of her breast and thighs. You can
walk around the base for free; the entry fee is for the interior of the monument. A small display explains its con-
struction and an elevator whisks you up to the head of the male figure, boasting expansive views of Dakar.
Sleeping
Dakar has a range of accommodation, from filthy doss houses to palatial hotels - although
everything is expensive and the steadily increasing prices are only justified in a few
places.
