Description Îles de la Madeleine
Local legend says these tiny volcanic islands, off the south-west coast of Dakar, are home to the spirit that protects the capital – certainly the sight of the huge Spanish trawler that beached on its rocks some three years ago is ample reminder of the perils of ignoring such powers.

Make your visit on a Tuesday or Thursday and you even can join the local Dakari who visit to make sacrifices at the baobab tree that lies at the centre of the main island (Sarpan). But, for most visitors, the chief attractions here are more natural than spiritual.