Study Abroad In Dakar, Senegal
An immersive cultural and educational experience connecting Black students to Senegalese history, culture, and community
May 25 - June 3, 2027
Cost: $3,850 | Deposit: $350 | Payment Plans
Deposits due by December 30, 2026
What Makes This Program Different
-
Expert-Led Experience
➯ Partnership with MSU’s Office of Study Abroad
➯ Led by an award-winning travel journalist and Black history writer who studied abroad twice
➯ We’ve been designing and hosting group trips for Black travelers since 2019
-
Cultural Programming
➯ Pre-trip workshops to learn about Senegalese history and culture
➯ Authentic cultural exchanges with the local Senegalese community
➯ Trip reflection sessions to process and examine your experiences
-
Student-Centered Travel
➯ Flexible bi-monthly payment plans
➯ Shared accommodations to keep costs accessible and encourage connection
➯ Support for first-time international travelers
What’s included
All tours and experiences listed on the itinerary
Expert, English-speaking tour guides and a Buoyant host with you throughout the trip
Round-trip group airport transfers on the trip start and end dates
Double occupancy hotel room
All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Pre-trip virtual town hall
Pre-trip workshops
Buoyant Dakar Google Map
WhatsApp group chat
Not included
Airfare in and out of the country
Passport or visa fees (if applicable - US passport holders don’t require a visa to enter Senegal)
Pre/post-trip accommodation or airport transfers
Incidental expenses
Meals not listed on the itinerary
Alcohol
Tips
Itinerary
Flight
Please ensure your flight lands in Dakar (DSS) by 3 PM.
Day 1
Arrival in Dakar | Welcome Dinner
Day 2
Exploration | Dakar City Tour
Day 3
Ancestral History | Gorée Island Tour
Day 4
Relax | Free Day
Day 5
Surfs Up | Surf lessons
Day 6
Experience | Community Connection
Day 7
Experience | Cultural Connection
Day 8
Nature Escape | Animal Reserve Visit
Day 9
Reflection Session | Farewell Dinner
Day 10
Departure Day
Pre-Departure Prep & Workshops
Before arriving in Senegal, you'll have the opportunity to participate in virtual trip preparation sessions and educational workshops.
Senegalese History
Travel Journalism
Visual Storytelling
Finding Flights
ITINERARY
*
ITINERARY *
-
Welcome to Dakar, the beautiful West African city by the sea, and your new home for the next week!
Today, we’ll pick you up from the airport (plan to arrive at DSS airport by 4 PM) and whisk you to our cozy boutique hotel in the heart of Dakar, where a welcome drink awaits you.
-
Now that you’re settled in, it’s time to connect with Dakar. Our journey will begin with a city tour, with stops at some of the city’s most important landmarks, like the African Renaissance Monument, to learn about its history and get a feel for the culture.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch -
No visit to Senegal is complete without honoring the ancestral history that connects our people. We’ll visit the tiny island to honor the ancestral history tied to enslavement and pay homage to those who came before us.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
-
Dakar has a stunning coastline and is one of the best places in the world for surfing. We’ll head to a local, Black-owned surf school and restaurant for lessons with expert surfers and lunch featuring local Senegalese bites.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
-
Spend today. However, you’d like to be on the beach, by the pool, or explore more of this vibrant city. You’ll get a Buoyant travel guide with the best things to do, see, eat, and experience during your free time in Dakar.
Meals: Breakfast
-
It’s time for more thrills! Today, we’ll experience a quad bike ride amongst beautiful baobab trees.
Opt-in activity: After some free time, we’ll spend the evening sipping local wines at an intimate wine tasting.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
-
No Buoyant trip is complete without a beach day! We’ll spend the afternoon relaxing on nearby Ngor Island
Meals: Breakfast
-
-
Item description
-
We’re so glad you joined us in Senegal. Thank you for being here!
ACCOMMODATIONS
*
ACCOMMODATIONS *
Hotel | Centrally located | Restaurant and pool
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Plan to arrive in Dakar (airport code: DSS) by 4 PM on May 23, 2025.
We usually have our welcome dinner around 7 PM, so landing earlier allows time to settle into the hotel before dinner.
If your flight arrives after the welcome dinner, causing you to miss the experience, please plan to eat at the hotel’s restaurant (or elsewhere) at your own expense.
-
US citizens don’t need a visa to visit Senegal.
-
Of course! Payment plans are available from the time of booking through April 1, 2025. If you book after this date, full payment is due at the time of booking.
Pay-in-4: If you’d like to use Affirm, Klarna or Afterpay, please email us and we’ll send you a special link.
-
All travelers will get a private single-occupancy room at a boutique hotel.
-
Yes! All trip attendees must share proof of a round-trip flight, travel insurance, and emergency contact information by April 1, 2025.
-
We design our trips to include a mix of experiences that aren't 100% luxury or budget; we exist for Black travelers, our kinfolk, who enjoy both types of travel. Buoyant kinfolk are like bougie aunties and uncles who still love a good deal.
You probably enjoy splurging on a unique dining experience but love street food. You adore well-designed spaces, like charming boutique hotels, and are excited to have authentic, local experiences that help connect you with Black history and culture.
Most of all, you understand that the places we're visiting are layered and nuanced. We travel knowing we are guests in someone's home, and we respect the land and people as such.Our kinfolk are adventurous, open-minded travelers who deeply value Black history and culture and are independent.
While we always provide quality customer service, we also always allow free time to explore on your own or relax and rejuvenate because we believe rest is our birthright.
-
Check out reviews from our previous clients here: https://bit.ly/48Tdwwv
-
For all trips booked before March 1, 2025, you may receive a full refund up to 48 hours after booking. Trips booked after this date aren’t eligible for 48-hour refunds.
After 48 hours, all deposits and future payments are non-refundable.
Life happens! If you must cancel after 48 hours, we can transfer your trip place and payments to someone else.
If you cancel after 48 hours, we may issue you future trip credits at our discretion.
We recommend purchasing travel insurance as soon as you book your spot on this trip in case of cancellation.
To cancel, email hello@buoyanttravel.com
QUESTIONS?
*
QUESTIONS? *
We’re here to help.
WHAT OUR KINFOLK SAY
Saidah B.
Wonderful experience with a wonderful group ! Briona was such a warm and welcoming host. This was my first travel group, and I was quite nervous, but I am so glad I took the risk. The activities were well thought out, from food tour to Afro Punk to the historical tour of beautiful Salvador, I truly enjoyed myself.
Jalena T.