Kaolack
Understand
Get in
By plane
By train
By car
Kaolack is the transport hub of the country. You can get to any point in Senegal in a day's travel. There are two transport stations serving the city. Garage Dakar services areas to the West and North such as Dakar, Thies and St. Louis. Garage Nioro services the South and East with locations including Tamba, Kolda and the Casamance.
By bus
Most people get around Senegal by sept-places but there are buses that pass through here heading from Bamako to Dakar and vice versa. There are also minicars which tend to leave only when full but are a cheaper option.
Get around
Taxis (between 700 and 800 FCFA) are the main way to get around Kaolack or you can take a moto if you are brave enough.
See
Most of Kaolack's glory is in its past as it is rumored to have had some of the best mangroves in Africa but any evidence of these has long since disappeared. Kaolack has one of the biggest covered markets in West Africa. The market has a good selection of wax fabrics as this is where smaller buyers come from around the region to purchase fabric. You can easily get 2 meters for 1500 CFA or 6 meters for 3500. Another site to be seen in the market is the "gris-gris" market where vendors sell everything from skins to shells for the local charm makers.
The stone circles at Wanar is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Do
Work
There are plenty of NGOs (or ONGs as they say in French) with offices in Kaolack. If you are looking to volunteer, there are plenty of options. Being able to speak French is a plus.
Buy
You can visit the Village Artisianal to find a selection of arts and crafts. As mentioned earlier, Kaolack has a great selection of Wax fabric available in the covered market. Most of the fabric sellers are located in the outer ring of shops.
Eat
- 🌍 Le Brasero, Av Valdiodio Ndiaye, ☎ +221 9411608. 7am-11pm. If you are staying or passing through Kaolack, Le Brasero is a good option for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Clean, cheerful staff and decent food. Daily special and à la carte. Prices are very reasonable. On the main road out of Kaolack to Tambacounda.
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Drink
Sleep
Budget
- Etoile Du Sine, ave Valdiodio Ndiaye, ☎ +221 9414458. CFA9500.
- Auberge De Carrefour, Ave Valdiodio Ndiaye. single/double rooms. CFA8500/12600.
- Mission Catholique, Rue Merlaud-Ponty. Dorm beds CFA 3000.