Hostels in ZIGUINCHOR, SENEGAL

City of Ziguinchor with Plenty of Fruit Gardens in Senegal

Capital of Ziguinchor Region, City Ziguinchor in Senegal is also the chief town in the Casamance area of the country. Located at the mouth of the Casamance River, it houses more than 235,000 people. While it is the second largest city of Senegal, it is separated from the mainland by Gambia.

Accommodation
Besides a few luxury hotels, the city also has some budget hotels. Some of the rented homes and apartments serve the purpose of guest houses besides the regular guest house at the city. One of the main accommodations for the tourists is available in the form of resorts located in various parts of the city and its outskirts. Choose accommodation options near the city centre to stay within the safest limits of the city.

Brief History
Portuguese people were the first European settler in the area in 1645. Ziguinchor that means slave port is an offshoot of the Portuguese occupation. The city was handed over to France in April, 1888. After that, the city developed into a major trade port. By 1900, most of the people adopted Christianity. After the independence, the city experienced slow economic growth. For three decades, it was also involved in conflict with Dakar. Large Muslim migration in the area in the 1970s and several insurgencies followed one after another. Though Peace was achieved in 2004, sporadic fighting by MFDC split took place again from 2006 onwards.

Getting Around
Hassle free guide on getting around the city of Ziguinchor is available with the tourist department. The best ways to reach the city include by air, road and boat services from Dakar. Economically, the city is a cargo port, transport hub, as well as the ferry terminal. National 4 highway crosses Casamance River to the east of the city linking the city with Bignona located about 25 km north of the city. Ziguinchor is connected to Dakar on waterways. Air flights are available to Dakar and Nouakchott. Single stop taxi services and donkey carts are common mode of transport in the city.

Places of Interest
Places of interest in the city include the markets where local products are available. A cathedral and the airport as well as the Ziguinchor University opened in 2007. Peanut oil factory, beaches of Cap Skirring, and plenty of fruit gardens are other attractions in the city. Tropical fruits and vegetables besides rice are grown in plenty. Fish and prawn are other available food products. Boat manufacturing units are also interesting spots to visit.

Ziguinchor Currency
Ziguinchor has CFA Franc BCEAO (XOF) as its main currency. News on the commercial newsletters, TV, economic magazines, and internet would be the possible sources for learning about the changes that takes place in the currency exchange market of volatile nature.