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Museum of Black Civilisations

Museum

National museum in Dakar presenting African and diaspora histories, contemporary art and ethnographic collections; visited for large temporary exhibitions and public programmes.

Museum of Black Civilisations DakarSaint-LouisGoréeMuseum of Black Civilisations
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Museum of Black Civilisations essentials

Address: Dakar, Senegal
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About Museum of Black Civilisations

The Museum of Black Civilisations (Musée des Civilisations Noires) is a national museum in Dakar, Senegal, dedicated to African histories, cultures and the African diaspora. It presents contemporary and historical perspectives on Black civilizations.

Exhibitions cover African cultural heritage, historical artifacts, contemporary art and research on diasporic links between Africa and its global communities. The museum aims to combine scholarly displays with contemporary artistic programming to examine African identities and histories.

The museum was established by national initiative and opened in 2018 to provide a dedicated national institution for African and diasporic cultural heritage. Its founding was part of broader cultural policy efforts to promote African history and arts.

It is located in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, on the Cap-Vert peninsula along the Atlantic coast.

  • Opening year: Opened to the public in 2018 as a national museum focused on African histories, cultures and diasporic connections.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Museum of Black Civilisations

The Museum of Black Civilisations is best visited during Dakar's dry season (Nov-May), ideally in the morning to avoid heat and peak crowds.

Dry season (best)
Nov-May · 24-30°C
Drier, sunnier days make walking between sites easier; mornings are cooler and more comfortable for museum visits, but popular months draw more visitors.
Wet season (off‑peak)
Jun-Oct · 24-28°C
Regular heavy showers (peaking in late summer) make outdoor transit less pleasant-indoor attractions are less crowded outside major holidays.

Weather & Climate near Museum of Black Civilisations

Climate

Museum of Black Civilisations's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in September) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 16°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 110 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryMarchApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
16°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 17° - 26° 21° 2 mm some cloud 70% 4.2 m/s 1.6 very high 11.3h
February Ideal 16° - 26° 21° 1 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.5 m/s 1.9 very high 11.6h
March Ideal 17° - 27° 22° 0 mm some cloud 83% 4.8 m/s 2.3 extreme 11.9h
April Ideal 17° - 27° 22° 0 mm some cloud 88% 4.7 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.3h
May Ideal 19° - 27° 23° 0 mm partly cloudy 88% 4.2 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.7h
June Excellent 22° - 29° 25° 11 mm partly cloudy 86% 3.7 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.8h
July Very Good 23° - 29° 26° 60 mm overcast 84% 3.7 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.8h
August Good 24° - 30° 27° 159 mm overcast 84% 3.2 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.5h
September Very Good 24° - 31° 31° 139 mm partly cloudy 83% 3.0 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.1h
October Excellent 23° - 31° 30° 29 mm some cloud 79% 2.8 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.7h
November Ideal 21° - 30° 26° 2 mm some cloud 73% 3.3 m/s 1.7 very high 11.3h
December Ideal 18° - 27° 23° 1 mm some cloud 69% 3.7 m/s 1.6 very high 11.2h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Museum of Black Civilisations

The Museum of Black Civilisations (Musée des Civilisations Noires) is located in Dakar. From Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) it is approximately 50 km by road and typically a 45-60 minute drive via the main N1/A1 approach into Dakar; the easiest option is a taxi or airport transfer. Within Dakar the museum is reachable by local buses or a short taxi ride from the city centre/Plateau area.