Decent room accommodation in Dakar, Senegal is EXPENSIVE! If you've looked around, you know that. SenegalStyle is a budget priced B&B guesthouse that serves BOTH breakfast and dinner, included in the price - €40 a night. The cost is reasonable and worth it especially if you're a solo woman traveler, here for a layover between flights or just passing thru the city for a few days before going on to other places.
SenegalStyle Airport Pickup Service is €23 24/7, day or night to make your arrival as 'hassle free' as possible.
NOTE: WE ALSO OFFER THIS SERVICE FOR OTHER HOTELS/HOMESTAYS IN THE DAKAR AREA FOR €25.
Dakar Airport can be absolute BEDLAM in the late night hours! There are no police at the arrivals gates and the tourist touts will confront you as soon as you come out to change money, buy phone cards, etc. I've been living here for 15+ years and I still can't get used to it! After going thru that mob and trying to find your way here or to other hotels (not inside the downtown area) can be a problem because of the dirt roads in residential areas where most homestays and hostels are located.
Email me with the flight details (airline, flight number & estimated time of arrival – eta) for the DAKAR LEG ONLY of your trip, along with a photo of yourself so our English/French/Spanish speaking SenegalStyle airport guide will can pick you out of the crowd. He will be there with a sign, get you out of the crowd, take you to an ATM machine to get local money or help you change money in a secure environment (euro are better than US dollars but a simple ATM card is the best), and take you where you need to be.
We also host a small 'Study Abroad' program for French & Arabic language students and West African Drum & Dance as well. The monthly cost for our language and African drumming/dance is €1067 and ALL INCLUSIVE which means a certified English speaking French teacher (not a college student 'tutor' off the streets), and books, student room accommodation and two meals, breakfast and dinner. Our INTENSIVE ONE ON ONE PRIVATE IMMERSION classes are 5 days a week, 2 hours a day with 3 hours of homework. In addition, SenegalStyle offers various touring services and we are conveniently located by BCEAO beach so you can relax in the evenings and explore the city on the weekends with our group tours or individually, on your own. One on one African Drumming or Dance classes are led by our English speaking Master Percussionist and Master Drummaker, Ibrahima Sene (google him!) and are taught at a local community center. The same price and amenities apply to this program as well (room accommodation and meals) for €1067
For potential ARABIC LANGUAGE STUDENTS (journalism, international law/foreign service or recent converts to Islam), I am an American woman based in Senegal. As you probably know, Senegal is an Islamic country with the same traditions and Muslim culture you would expect from any other Muslim country, BUT without the 'radical Islam' reputation. Although Senegal is a Francophone country, it's also an Arabic country in traditions and Koranic teaching but it's not dogmatic - meaning that the surah phrase 'there is no compulsion in Islam' is taken literally here. People can be as orthodox as they want, or not - no one takes offense or judges you based on your style of dress or whether you pray five times a day or if you are Catholic, Christian or Jew, American, Asian or European so this makes Senegal the PERFECT PLACE for new converts, teens and young adults to further their studies and language/reading skills. The same price and amenities apply to this program as well (room accommodation and meals) for €1067 a month.
Our INTERNSHIP & SMALL BUSINESS INCUBATION PROGRAM for recent graduates and gap year students who can use their experience here in Senegal to make their CV more competitive on a global job market, add value to their future applications and hone their professional skills. However, internships are paid, and you must have a business plan and online banking service (paypal w/ATM card) set up ahead of time for the small business incubation program to work. The same price and amenities apply to this program as well (room accommodation and meals) for €1067
IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN: Dakar is very kid friendly and since I've reared 3 American children here myself, I know a lot of places you can take your little one so feel free to contact me and we'll work out an itinerary that everyone can enjoy while here! SenegalStyle is HIGHLY RATED & RECOMMENDED by Lonely Planet and Trip Advisor. We have a very long online record of service so rest assured, you're in good hands when you stay with us! SenegalStyle TOURS! won the TripAdvisor 'Certificate of Excellence' for 2013, (and also in 2011 and we'll probably win again for 2014 as well and our #1 rated (out of 16 activities) SenegalStyle AFRICAN DRUMMING LESSONS are always a family favorite!€31.5 per person for 2 hour lessons. Afterwards watch (and take pictures) our Africa DjembeFola drummers and dance practice (3 days a week, M, T & Th) from 5:30 to 7:00pm for a FREE CONCERT!
SenegalStyle isn't just a cheap place to crash, it's an EXPERIENCE to SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!