Two coasts, one unforgettable journey. This 10-day Africa itinerary marries the vibrant blue of Egypt’s Red Sea with the Atlantic swells of Senegal. You’ll split your time between Hurghada’s reefs and desert and Dakar’s art, history, and wildlife—an inspired arc from coral gardens to baobab country.

Hurghada rose from a sleepy fishing village into a world-class base for snorkeling, diving, and kiteboarding. Its Red Sea reefs lure divers year-round, while the Eastern Desert beckons with Bedouin hospitality and starry skies. Meanwhile, Dakar—set on Africa’s westernmost tip—thrums with mbalax rhythms, celebrated cuisine, and living history anchored by UNESCO-listed Gorée Island.

Practical notes: Egypt’s currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP); Senegal uses the West African CFA franc (XOF). ATMs are common in both cities. Conservative dress is appreciated away from the beach in Egypt. In Dakar, taxis are plentiful; agree on fares beforehand. For flights to/from Africa, compare Trip.com and Kiwi.com for routes and prices.

Hurghada

Hurghada is your Red Sea playground—glass-clear water, coral gardens bursting with anthias, and easy day boats to sandy lagoons. Along the Sakkala Marina and Village Road (El Mamsha), cafés hum late into the night; inland the Eastern Desert offers quad-biking across honeyed dunes.

Top experiences include Giftun/Orange Bay for snorkeling, intro or certified dives at Carless Reef and Abu Ramada, the Sindbad Submarine for reef viewing without getting wet, and a Bedouin dinner under desert stars. Family-friendly spots like Hurghada Grand Aquarium make great “no-fins” days.

• Stay: Compare beachfront resorts and apartments on VRBO in Hurghada and hotels on Hotels.com in Hurghada. Areas: Sakkala/Marina for nightlife, El Mamsha for strolling and cafés.
• Getting there: Fly into HRG. Search routes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Europe/Middle East, expect 4–6 hours nonstop to Hurghada; from North America, typically 14–20 hours with 1–2 connections.

Day 1 — Arrive Hurghada

Afternoon: Land in Hurghada and check into your hotel along El Mamsha or near the Marina. Stretch your legs on Marina Boulevard—yachts bobbing on one side, cafés on the other.

Evening: Seafood feast: try El Halaka (old town Dahar; pick your fish to grill) or Star Fish Restaurant (Sheraton Rd; classic Red Sea platters). Nightcap along Hurghada Marina; if you want a lounge vibe and sushi, Little Buddha is a local favorite.

Day 2 — Red Sea Snorkel Day (Giftun/Orange Bay)

Morning: After coffee at Costa Coffee on the Marina or a quick Egyptian breakfast (falafel and fūl) at GAD, board a shared boat to Giftun Island/Orange Bay. Expect two snorkel stops with easy entry and thriving hard corals.

Afternoon: Picnic lunch onboard; lounge on the shallow sandbar of Orange Bay with powdery sand and turquoise water. Typical boats return by 3–4 pm; bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rashguard.

Evening: Sunset stroll on El Mamsha. Dinner at Makai Tukai (Pan-Asian at Steigenberger Al Dau; consistent sushi and teppan) or keep it local with grilled shrimp at El Halaka if you loved it.

Day 3 — Eastern Desert Quads and Bedouin Dinner

Morning: Beach time: claim a lounger and dip in the gentle Red Sea. Families might visit Hurghada Grand Aquarium for a walk-through tunnel and Red Sea exhibits.

Afternoon: Gear up for a quad-biking ride into the desert—usually 2–3 hours with sand-surfing breaks. Many tours include a stop at a Bedouin tent for mint tea.

Evening: Under a sky thick with stars, savor a Bedouin dinner (grilled chicken, rice, salads), often with a brief astronomy talk. Back in town, grab fresh juices on Sheraton Road (try mango or guava).

Day 4 — Dive or Submarine + Marina Night

Morning: Certified divers can book two-boat dives (common sites: Abu Ramada, Carless Reef), while beginners opt for an intro dive with shallow skills then a guided reef tour. Prefer to stay dry? The Sindbad Submarine descends to ~20–25m to view corals from comfy seats.

Afternoon: Recover with gelato along the Marina and a light lunch—grilled fish sandwich or koshary (Egypt’s favorite carb symphony).

Evening: Dinner by the water—grilled calamari and tahini, or a mixed seafood tajine. For a mellow drink, many hotel lounges along El Mamsha host live oud or soft jazz.

Day 5 — El Gouna Day Trip

Morning: Taxi 30–40 minutes to El Gouna, a chic lagoon town. Stroll Abu Tig Marina, browse boutiques, and try a cappuccino by the quay.

Afternoon: Choose between kitesurfing lessons on Mangroovy Beach (steady winds, shallow water) or a few laps at Sliders Cable Park (wakeboarders love it). Lunch options range from Neapolitan-style pizza to mezze platters around the marina.

Evening: Return to Hurghada. Final Red Sea dinner—consider a shared seafood platter and a lemon-mint drink. Pack for tomorrow’s flight west.

Dakar

Dakar sits on the windswept Cap-Vert Peninsula, where surf breaks wrap rocky points and the city’s art and music spill into streets and clubs. It’s the launchpad to Gorée Island, whose pastel lanes and the House of Slaves guard searing memories of the Atlantic slave trade.

In the city, you’ll browse Marché Kermel and Soumbédioune crafts, climb the lighthouse at Les Mamelles, and day trip for wildlife at Bandia Reserve or salty-pink waters of Lac Rose. Evenings are for thieboudienne (Senegal’s national dish), yassa chicken, and live mbalax.

• Stay: Search stays on VRBO in Dakar or hotels on Hotels.com in Dakar. Favorites include the beachfront Terrou-Bi Resort (pool, private sand) and Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar Sea Plaza (infinity pool, Sea Plaza mall next door).
• Getting there & between cities: From Hurghada (HRG) to Dakar (DSS), plan 12–18 hours with 1–2 connections (e.g., via Cairo + Casablanca or via Istanbul). Compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Typical fares range roughly $550–900 depending on season.

Day 6 — Fly Hurghada to Dakar

Morning: Depart Hurghada for Dakar via your chosen connection. Pack snacks and a scarf or light jacket—aircraft and airports can be cool.

Afternoon: Arrive at DSS (Blaise Diagne International). Transfer into the city (45–70 minutes depending on traffic). Check in at Terrou-Bi Resort or Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar Sea Plaza.

Evening: Easy dinner: Chez Loutcha (homestyle thieboudienne, Cape Verdean cachupa) or Lagon 1 (iconic overwater seafood—try the langoustines with garlic butter). Stroll the sea wall for a night breeze.

Day 7 — Full-Day Dakar City + Gorée Island (guided)

Join a comprehensive guided day that pairs Dakar’s landmarks with Gorée’s UNESCO-listed heritage. You’ll navigate traffic efficiently with a licensed guide and gain context you’d miss solo.

Full-Day DAKAR city / GOREE Island Tour — Explore the presidential quarter, Independence Square, coastal Corniche, and ferry to Gorée to see the House of Slaves and the bougainvillea-lined lanes.

Post-tour, dine at La Calebasse (restaurant-art gallery; yassa chicken, grilled thiof, often live kora). Nightcap at Le Phare des Mamelles for skyline views and live music.

Day 8 — Bandia Reserve Safari + Pink Lake

Trade city streets for acacias and dunes on a wildlife-and-nature day. Bandia is a reintroduction reserve where you can spot giraffe, eland, zebra, and more; Lac Rose shimmers a surreal pink under the sun, thanks to algae and salt concentration.

Pink lake with Bandia reserve. Minimum 2 people for reservation. — A practical combo that maximizes your day from Dakar with a guide who handles permits and timing.

Lunch tip: try a beachside thiof (white grouper) near Lac Rose; keep time for a quick float in the salty water. Back in Dakar, go casual at Chez Fatou on Ngor Beach—sand-between-your-toes dining.

Day 9 — Markets, Designers, and Cooking Senegalese

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Eric Kayser (Almadies). Browse Marché Kermel (photogenic dome, produce and spices) and Soumbédioune Craft Market (wood carvings, masks). Haggle gently; cash helps.

Afternoon: Dive into local style and bites on Dakar Shopping Gem & Food — meet designers, find hand-painted scarves, and taste street snacks like pastels and bissap.

Evening: Learn to cook like a local in this hands-on Authentic Jollof Cooking Class — master jollof rice and connect over conversation with your host.

Day 10 — Ngor Island Ease and Departure

Morning: Ferry by pirogue (2–3 minutes) to Île de Ngor for a swim and a last plate of grilled fish. If time allows, stop at the Monument de la Renaissance Africaine for views across the peninsula.

Afternoon: Pick up final crafts at Village Artisanal de Soumbédioune. Head to DSS for your onward flight—arrive 3 hours early for international departures.

Evening: In transit. If you’re overnighting, celebrate with a farewell dinner back at Lagon 1 or a coastal sunset in Almadies.

Booking and Logistics Tips

• Flights: Use Trip.com or Kiwi.com to compare routes to HRG and DSS and for the HRG–DSS leg.
• In-city transport: In Hurghada, hotel taxis and ride apps serve the resort zones; ask hotels for going rates. In Dakar, taxis are abundant—confirm fare before riding; carry small bills.
• Money & SIM: ATMs are reliable. Consider local SIMs: Egypt (Vodafone/Orange), Senegal (Orange/Free). WhatsApp is widely used for confirmations.

Why this route works

You front-load water and desert time in Hurghada when jet lag is light, then pivot to Dakar for culture-forward days with well-paced day trips. The mid-trip flight splits the experience cleanly: reefs first, then rhythm and history.

Additional Viator options in Dakar (swap-in if desired)

If you prefer a shorter island visit, consider: Explore Gorée Island History, Memory and Heritage (UNESCO).

Ten days from the Red Sea to the Atlantic gives you two vivid Africas: coral gardens and desert constellations, then memory, markets, and megafauna. You’ll go home with sand in your shoes, bissap on your palate, and a head full of sea-light and drumbeat.