The jet-lag free holiday destination with 30C winters, quiet beaches and direct UK flights
SHORT flights, winter sun and no jet lag make the perfect holiday when wanting to escape the sun.
And there is one destination that ticks all the boxes – here’s everything you need to know about the African country Senegal.
Why Senegal?
Senegal is an overlooked holiday destination for Brits, with no direct flights until recently.
However TUI launched direct flights and new package holidays back in 2022.
Not only is there no jet lag – there is currently just on hour time difference – but it is an affordable winter sun destination.
All-inclusive holidays can be found for under £1,000pp, and the temperature remains around 30C even in the winter months.
What are the best Senegal holiday deals?
TUI is currently the only UK tour operator offering packages to the African country.
The cheapest package on the market is a seven-night, all-inclusive break staying at the Riu Babob resort along the Pointe Sarene beach, which costs £989pp.
This includes return flights from London Gatwick when travelling on January 22.
Another bargain is seven nights B&B to Palm Beach resort in Saly, costing £999pp when travelling in March.
Other resorts include Royam and Lamantin Beach Resort & Spa, both also in Saly.
What is Senegal like?
The two main destinations for tourists in Senegal are Saly and Point Sarene.
Point Sarene is the up-and-coming beach resort, with a huge stretch of golden sand popular with swimmers and other water sports.
Most of the new resorts are being built along the beach, although it is yet to become overcrowded with hotels and shops.
This means there are much fewer crowds, so don’t expect to see many tourists on it.
Saly is also a beach resort, which was once a Portuguese trading post.
Many of the restaurants and bars are found along Saly, with it being the busiest tourist area.
Popular activities when on holiday in Senegal include safari tours to the Bandia reserve, home to giraffes, zebras and rhinos.
And a day trip to the capital Dakar is a must, with boat trips to Goree Island, a former slave island, departing from there.
What else do I need to know about Senegal?
Most hotel staff will speak English, with the official language French and the most widely spoken being Wolof.
Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive, but you don’t need a visa to enter Senegal if staying for less than three months.
The local currency is CFA francs (XOF), with £10 around 7,600 XOF.
Another destinations to add to your 2024 bucket list is Kenya, with TUI relaunching package holidays to the African destination.
Other affordable winter sun destinations include Marsa Alam in Egypt – with new packages launched last year – and Cape Verde.