Dakar's urban gardens and island retreats: A green tour of Senegal's capital
Dakar, the capital of Senegal, showcases a blend of bustling traffic and serene green spaces. To revitalize neglected areas and assist vulnerable populations in gardening, the FAO has launched micro-jardins. Iconic landmarks such as the Presidential Palace and the Institut Français, home to a massive baobab tree, are encircled by public gardens. Along the Corniche, newly established gardens provide picturesque sunset views and lead to the historic lighthouse on Mamelles Hill. The agency Trames promotes art and culture through rooftop gardens that host concerts and exhibitions. Just a five-minute boat ride away, Ngor Island is car-free and boasts artist studios and tropical gardens, while Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is celebrated for its colonial architecture and verdant gardens.
Key facts
- Dakar's micro-jardins are urban vegetable gardens introduced by FAO to reclaim abandoned spaces and support horticulture.
- The Presidential Palace in Dakar is an early 20th-century colonial-style building with public gardens.
- The Institut Français garden contains a giant baobab tree that can store up to 120,000 liters of water.
- New public gardens along the Corniche opened recently, offering sunset views and access to the historic lighthouse on Mamelles Hill.
- Trames agency, main venue for the Dakar Biennale, has rooftop gardens hosting weekly concerts, presentations, and exhibitions.
- Ngor Island has no electricity or cars, with artist studios and tropical gardens including Abdoulaye Diallo's workshop.
- Maison du Bonheur on Ngor Island is an art school and shelter for street children.
- Gorée Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site with colonial houses and gardens featuring mango trees, desert roses, and aloe.
Entities
Artists
- Abdoulaye Diallo
- Claudia Zanfi
Institutions
- FAO
- Institut Français
- Trames
- Dakar Biennale
- Maison du Bonheur
- UNESCO
- Artribune
Locations
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Africa
- Corniche
- Mamelles Hill
- Ngor Island
- Gorée Island