Goree Island Senegal Africa UNECSO World Heritage Site, Home of the African Slave Trade to the Americas

The Door of No Return is what the slaves called this passageway to the ship where they would leave Africa never to return.

Goree Island Africa is a beautiful island only 3 kilometers off the coast of Dakar Senegal. Goree is very easy to get to. There is a ferry boat that goes back and forth about every hour from 7 am to 11 pm (please verify the times in advance in case of change) Goree has been ruled by Portuguese, Dutch, English and French reuniting with Senegal again in 1960. When you get to the island I recommend finding a private tour guide close to where the ferry comes in. Negotiate a tour price and ask if there is a tax you will have to pay so you know your full fee right up front.

Goree Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I think the two most horrifying reminders of how cruel and corrupt some powerful people in the world can be are the Holocaust and the atrocities that took place here on Goree Island from the 15th to the 19th century. Most of the world has never heard of the horror that happened here . Four hundred years of oppression, exploitation and abuse took place on this beautiful Island. The Slave House built by the Dutch in 1776 was a large building seen in the pictures above. The upstairs was lush and comfortable, this was where the owners lived. Downstairs was horrid with dirt floors, low ceilings, no light, overcrowded conditions, no place to go to the bathroom and often times no room to lay down without being stacked worse than poorly treated animals. Men, women and children separated in order of size, health, attitude and worth. Some of the people did not weight enough to be sold so they were kept from moving by being placed in very small quarters as they were fattened like veal. Trouble makers were also kept almost in solitary confinement and very strong men were often separated so they wouldn't cause an up rise. Once the ship came to take them away they walked out through a place the people called "the door of no return". Called this because the slaves realized once they walked through those doors they would never see their loved country of Africa again.

Goree Island has also been a key naval position in many wars. You will see left over equipment and gun and cannon mounts. There are also a variety of old buildings that you will see on your tour such as a 17th century castle built by the Dutch, a Church, botanical gardens, museum, a resort and a restaurant are all located on the island. The Island has a private school that only the highest achieving children from Africa are allowed to attend. The school is not on any tours as it is kept very private. There are about 1000 people who live on the Island of Goree. You will find a few areas on the Island where locals sell their art work and crafts.

This tour was indeed an awakening for me because I would have never imagined what had happened on Goree Island Senegal. All people should see Goree island with their own eyes just as they should also visit Holocaust museums. These types of human injustices should never happen again.

If you want to travel to Africa I can help you arrange travel.

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