The hilltop view
Dakar's coast and white districts.
Jeff Attaway from Abuja, Nigeria — CC BY 2.0 · Balou46 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ji-Elle — Public domain · Balou46 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ji-Elle — Public domain
Mamelles Lighthouse is a white lighthouse on the larger of the two volcanic hills known as Les Mamelles in Dakar, on the Cap-Vert peninsula. It lies about 4 km from Pointe des Almadies, the western tip of the African continent, and it is the oldest lighthouse in the capital, considered among the most powerful in Africa. It was completed in 1864, as the inscription on its front records, and modified in 1911. First fuelled by petroleum, it was later electrified and had its power doubled in 1954, though it is still switched on by hand. A system of weights turned the lens before electrification. A keeper stays overnight in the watch room on the second floor, while the ground floor holds a generator and backup batteries. A cylindrical tower joins the front of the keeper's house, all painted white, and it sends out a strong white flash every five seconds. A large Fresnel lens floating on a mercury bath amplifies the light. From the hilltop you see Dakar's coast and surf, the city's white districts and a fine sunset over the ocean, which is why many people climb up. The lighthouse lies about 6.8 km from central Dakar and 3.8 km from Ngor Island in a straight line. The way up from the road is steep, so bring water and comfortable shoes. It is a working installation, so stay out of the equipment rooms without permission, and come shortly before sunset for the best view.
Dakar's coast and white districts.
The sun sinking into the ocean.
A big lens floating on mercury.
Les Mamelles hills, Dakar, Senegal
Yes, though the way is steep, so wear comfortable shoes.
Shortly before sunset, when the light softens over the ocean.
