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Senegal🇸🇳 | attractionsMonument de la Renaissance Africaine49-meter bronze, 200-step climb, hair deck, Mamelles hills | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Monument de la Renaissance Africaine
🏆 Top pickattraction ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Wind whips across the hilltop, your calves burn on the long staircase, and the bronze man ahead of you seems to lean into the gale with a baby on his arm and a woman pointing out to sea. The Monument de la Renaissance Africaine stands on one of the Collines des Mamelles, in Senegal’s capital region, west of central Dakar and close to Ouakam. At about 49 meters, it is taller than the Statue of Liberty, and the green-brown bronze has a rough, hammered texture you can see up close. The look divides people. Some find it bold, others find it Soviet-flavored and heavy-handed, and its North Korean construction and the controversy over its cost add edge. Crowds stay thin, mostly school groups and families. Entry costs a few euros, and the lift to the top is extra, but the Atlantic view over Dakar’s rooftops justifies it. Start early, climb the steps slowly, then spend the afternoon on the nearby cliffs and beaches.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 attraction in Senegal
Why Monument de la Renaissance Africaine should be on your travel list

Monument de la Renaissance Africaine is the reason to point your route toward the Ouakam hills west of Dakar. At 49 meters, it stands taller than the Statue of Liberty from base to torch, and bronze figures of a man, a woman and a child leaning into the sky are visible from far across the Almadies peninsula. Up close, the scale is the point. The man’s arm stretches toward the Atlantic, the child perches on his shoulder, and you start to see why people in Dakar argue about this thing with such passion.

That argument is the second reason. The statue was designed by Romanian architect Virgil Constantin and built by a North Korean firm. It opened in 2010 and was criticized for its cost and its style, and it remains one of the few places in West Africa where you can hear Senegalese people debate … read more 👉
Monument de la Renaissance Africaine is the reason to point your route toward the Ouakam hills west of Dakar. At 49 meters, it stands taller than the Statue of Liberty from base to torch, and bronze figures of a man, a woman and a child leaning into the sky are visible from far across the Almadies peninsula. Up close, the scale is the point. The man’s arm stretches toward the Atlantic, the child perches on his shoulder, and you start to see why people in Dakar argue about this thing with such passion.

That argument is the second reason. The statue was designed by Romanian architect Virgil Constantin and built by a North Korean firm. It opened in 2010 and was criticized for its cost and its style, and it remains one of the few places in West Africa where you can hear Senegalese people debate public memory, religion and national pride in real time. Ask a taxi driver, then ask a student.

The third reason is practical. You can ride the elevator to the head-level viewing platform and look across Dakar, the Îles de la Madeleine and the Atlantic in one sweep. It makes a fine opening or closing scene for your Dakar days.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Monument de la Renaissance Africaine

  1. The bronze trio: A man, a woman and a child rise from the volcanic hill, the man’s arm thrust forward and the woman’s scarf streaming behind. The size only sinks in as you walk the approach and tilt your head back.
  2. The summit viewing platform: Reached by lift and stairs, it gives a wide view across Dakar to the sea. Wind is constant here, so a jacket helps even on hot days.
  3. The long entry staircase: Around 200 steps climb the hillside to the base. It is a workout, but the view widens with each landing and street sounds fade behind you.
  4. The woman’s hair deck: A small lookout inside the flowing hair of the female figure. It offers the best angle for photos of the man and child with the coast behind them.
  5. The museum of African civilizations: Beneath the monument, a modest exhibition space covers
… read more 👉
  1. The bronze trio: A man, a woman and a child rise from the volcanic hill, the man’s arm thrust forward and the woman’s scarf streaming behind. The size only sinks in as you walk the approach and tilt your head back.
  2. The summit viewing platform: Reached by lift and stairs, it gives a wide view across Dakar to the sea. Wind is constant here, so a jacket helps even on hot days.
  3. The long entry staircase: Around 200 steps climb the hillside to the base. It is a workout, but the view widens with each landing and street sounds fade behind you.
  4. The woman’s hair deck: A small lookout inside the flowing hair of the female figure. It offers the best angle for photos of the man and child with the coast behind them.
  5. The museum of African civilizations: Beneath the monument, a modest exhibition space covers African history and culture. It is quieter than the summit and gives a short cool break from the sun.
  6. The Collines des Mamelles setting: The twin hills are volcanic and among the highest points in the Dakar area. Walk the surrounding paths for views of the Ouakam neighborhood and the old lighthouse on the neighboring hill.
  7. The Phare des Mamelles: This lighthouse crowns the second hill nearby, built in the early twentieth century. It is a short trip from the monument and adds a more traditional landmark to your photos.
The monument and the Phare des Mamelles combine well in one morning, since they sit on neighboring hills and share the same cooler, breezier air.
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Things to do near Monument de la Renaissance Africaine

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🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Cool Dry Season (November to February): Mornings and evenings on the Collines des Mamelles run 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F), with afternoons at 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F). Harmattan haze can dull the Atlantic views, but the 200-step climb stays comfortable. Crowds and hotel prices peak around December.
  • Hot Dry Season (March to June): Temperatures climb to 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F) with little shade on the open hilltop and the esplanade. Go early, because the bronze glares in midday sun. Sea breezes keep the coast easier than inland.
  • Rainy Season (July to October): Expect 27 to 33°C (81 to 91°F), high humidity and short, heavy downpours, mostly in August and September. Skies are green and the crowds thin out. Wet steps get slippery and cloud can hide the view from the viewing platform.
  • Daylight: Days run
… read more 👉
  • Cool Dry Season (November to February): Mornings and evenings on the Collines des Mamelles run 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F), with afternoons at 26 to 29°C (79 to 84°F). Harmattan haze can dull the Atlantic views, but the 200-step climb stays comfortable. Crowds and hotel prices peak around December.
  • Hot Dry Season (March to June): Temperatures climb to 28 to 33°C (82 to 91°F) with little shade on the open hilltop and the esplanade. Go early, because the bronze glares in midday sun. Sea breezes keep the coast easier than inland.
  • Rainy Season (July to October): Expect 27 to 33°C (81 to 91°F), high humidity and short, heavy downpours, mostly in August and September. Skies are green and the crowds thin out. Wet steps get slippery and cloud can hide the view from the viewing platform.
  • Daylight: Days run roughly 11 to 13 hours across the year, so the monument is comfortable to visit any season in the morning.
Arrive when the site opens in the morning, as tour groups and heat both build after noon.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: below average for travelingAUGAugust: below average for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Ouakam and the Almadies peninsula are the best places for backpackers to stay near Monument de la Renaissance Africaine, with Plateau and Médina as cheaper alternatives. Ouakam sits directly below the hill, so you can reach the monument on foot in 15 to 20 minutes, and its local cafés and street grills make eating cheap. It is a residential, mostly Senegalese neighborhood, so the atmosphere is relaxed and you will meet fewer other travelers. Ngor, at the western end of the Almadies, is the social choice. This surf village has a handful of guesthouses, beach bars and a short pirogue ride to Ngor … read more 👉
Ouakam and the Almadies peninsula are the best places for backpackers to stay near Monument de la Renaissance Africaine, with Plateau and Médina as cheaper alternatives. Ouakam sits directly below the hill, so you can reach the monument on foot in 15 to 20 minutes, and its local cafés and street grills make eating cheap. It is a residential, mostly Senegalese neighborhood, so the atmosphere is relaxed and you will meet fewer other travelers. Ngor, at the western end of the Almadies, is the social choice. This surf village has a handful of guesthouses, beach bars and a short pirogue ride to Ngor Island, and it draws solo travelers and long-stayers. A taxi to the monument takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Plateau, the downtown business district, puts you close to the ferry to Gorée and the main bus connections, but it is quiet at night and less sociable. Médina is lively and very cheap, though it is rougher around the edges and less used to visitors. Whichever you choose, take taxis after dark rather than walking between districts, and agree on the fare before you get in. Book ahead in December and January, when beds in Ngor fill quickly.

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

A day at Monument de la Renaissance Africaine costs roughly €30 to 55 for a backpacker including a bed, food and local transport. Entry is the main expense, and the lift to the top is an extra charge. Prices are in CFA francs, which you pay in cash, and the euro figures below are approximate.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance to the grounds€3 to 5Foreign adults pay more than residents; the esplanade and base are included.
Lift to the viewing platform€3 to 6Separate ticket; the alternative is the stairs, which are free of extra cost but steep.
Museum and exhibits€2 to 5A small museum sits inside the base; opening hours can vary.
Accommodation (low season)€8 to 15Dorm or basic room in Ouakam, Ngor or Médina.
Accommodation (high season)€12 to 20December to February prices rise, especially
… read more 👉
A day at Monument de la Renaissance Africaine costs roughly €30 to 55 for a backpacker including a bed, food and local transport. Entry is the main expense, and the lift to the top is an extra charge. Prices are in CFA francs, which you pay in cash, and the euro figures below are approximate.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance to the grounds€3 to 5Foreign adults pay more than residents; the esplanade and base are included.
Lift to the viewing platform€3 to 6Separate ticket; the alternative is the stairs, which are free of extra cost but steep.
Museum and exhibits€2 to 5A small museum sits inside the base; opening hours can vary.
Accommodation (low season)€8 to 15Dorm or basic room in Ouakam, Ngor or Médina.
Accommodation (high season)€12 to 20December to February prices rise, especially in Ngor.
Food€4 to 9Thieboudienne and grilled fish at local canteens cost a fraction of Almadies restaurants.
Local transport€3 to 8Shared minibuses cost under €1; a taxi from central Dakar is €4 to 8, negotiated first.
Guide or photo extras€0 to 5Guides at the site expect a tip; agree on the price first.
Total Daily Budget€30 to 55Based on high-season accommodation and one lift ticket.


source: monumentrenaissanceafricaine.com
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours at Monument de la Renaissance Africaine, which covers the 200-step climb to the viewing platform, the small museum and photos on the esplanade. Add 30 minutes if you wait for the lift in the late morning. A half day with a stop at the nearby Ouakam markets or the Almadies beaches fits easily.
Monument de la Renaissance Africaine is worth the fee of roughly €3 to 5 mostly for the view and the sheer scale, as the bronze statue is about 49 meters tall, taller than the Statue of Liberty. The extra lift ticket (around €3 to 6) is optional, since the stairs reach the same platform. The exhibits are modest, so the value comes from the panorama over Dakar and the Atlantic.
A taxi from central Dakar to Monument de la Renaissance Africaine takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic and costs about €4 to 8 if you negotiate before getting in. Shared minibuses and Dakar Dem Dikk buses toward Ouakam cost under €1, then you walk 10 to 20 minutes uphill. From Ngor or the Almadies it is a 10 to 15 minute ride.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Senegalese attractions near Monument de la Renaissance Africaine

Explore more nearby:

  • Galerie Arte—Contemporary canvases, Senegalese sculpture, Fann gallery, paint and varnish| 3 km away
  • Musée Boribana—Private art museum, African canvases, sculpture rooms, Rufisque road| 3 km away
  • Musée de la Femme Henriette Bathily—Women’s history, gold jewelry, ceremonial dress, rites of passage| 4 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

The Monument de la Renaissance Africaine works best as a morning anchor on a Dakar route, followed by lunch in Ouakam and an afternoon at the Almadies beaches or a surf lesson at Ngor. I would skip the midday heat and bring water for the staircase. Then catch the Gorée ferry the next day for the heavier history.

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The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Senegal. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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