The Unmissable Highlights from North to South of Sénégal

Lake Rose, or more precisely Lake Retba as it is truly named, is known for its exceptional characteristic of taking on a pink or even mauve coloration depending on the sun and wind. Beyond its color, its incredible salinity (400 gr/liter) places it at the level of the Dead Sea.

Picturesque crossing of the lake in a salt pirogue to meet the salt harvesters who tirelessly extract this natural resource, coated with shea butter. Our local guide gives us some explanations about the origin of the lake and its economic functioning.

Lunch is planned in a bamboo restaurant, installed on a mound of shells that offers a view of the lake.

After lunch, you head towards Kayar, presented as the largest artisanal fishing center.

On site, our village guide accompanies you to observe the arrival of fishermen, the unloading of buckets, the launching of pirogues from the water, negotiations on the sand, the loading of carts, as well as the stages of salting, smoking, drying of unsaleable species and the sale of the finest catches under the hall.

You then continue on the road to Saint-Louis, where you settle in at the hotel. Dinner and night by the ocean.

This day begins with a visit to the Djoudj National Bird Park, or with a free morning in low season, from mid-May to mid-October.

You then return to Saint-Louis to share a traditional lunch in a typical restaurant in the old town.

The discovery continues with a tour of the island by horse-drawn carriage accompanied by our local guide.

The oldest city founded by the French in West Africa, Saint Louis was also a stopover on Mermoz's Aéropostale route.

Throughout the visit, you discover the emblematic places of its past, including the Gouvernance, Faidherbe Square, the Cathedral, presented as the first church in West Africa, the hospital, the north mosque and Faidherbe Bridge. You also observe the many houses from the colonial era that still mark the urban landscape.

The visit also includes the Guet Ndar district, a stroll through the streets for some souvenirs, then the discovery of Sor market, in a colorful and warm African atmosphere, as well as the old New Orleans-style railway station.

At the end of the day, return to the hotel for dinner and the night.

This day takes you first to the Gandiolais, a market gardening region, then to the Langue de Barbarie National Park. You board a pirogue to sail down the river along the bird island, where many species come to nest such as terns, gulls and pelicans.

You then set foot on the sand spit, between river and ocean, a territory frequented by sea turtles that come to lay their eggs. Navigation continues to the historic mouth of the Sénégal river, with perhaps the opportunity to observe pink flamingos.

Lunch is scheduled at a lodge on the riverbank, followed by a time of relaxation and swimming, at the pool, in the river or in the ocean.

In the afternoon, you take to the road to reach the Lompoul Desert. A 4x4 is necessary to cross the dunes and reach this Saharan scenery.

Upon arrival, you settle into a charming bivouac, located in the heart of an oasis in the middle of the dunes.

You then enjoy your first camel ride, in a landscape open to the desert and the coast. At the bivouac, a welcome cocktail awaits you before a traditional meal composed of goat couscous with vegetables accompanied by Moroccan wine, to the sound of djembes and local dances, followed by Senegalese tea.

The night takes place under khaïmas, traditional Moorish tents equipped with complete bedding and an individual bathroom.

After breakfast, you leave Lompoul by 4x4 truck to reach the village. You take cart tracks, skirting the dunes in the heart of a Sahelian landscape dotted with acacia trees.

Along the way, your guide presents the agricultural techniques used to grow vegetables in the hollows of the dunes, as well as how traditional goat and sheep herding works.

You then continue on the road towards Saloum Delta National Park, crossing the kingdom of Baol until Touba, a Senegalese city that is home to the headquarters of the Mouride Muslim brotherhood. The visit takes you into the heart of this holy city, where stands the Grand Mosque, considered one of the largest in Africa.

Lunch is planned en route or in Kaolack.

The afternoon is dedicated to discovering the great market of Kaolack.

You will depart very early heading to Casamance, passing through Gambia. Lunch is planned along the way.

You will arrive in Ziguinchor in mid-afternoon and check in at the Flamboyant Hotel, in the heart of the city. This colonial-style residence, surrounded by a tropical garden, offers comfortable rooms with access to a panoramic balcony.

Exploration continues with a tour of Ziguinchor, the great Saint Maure market, marked by its colonial buildings. At the end of the day, enjoy a relaxing moment at the pool, before dinner and the night at the hotel.

This day takes you first by road then by track to Enampore and Kamobeul, for a first approach to the animist Diola world and the discovery of impluvium houses. The route crosses lush vegetation, marked by the presence of majestic silk cotton trees. In Éloubaline, a local guide can accompany the discovery of the village and impluvium houses. These traditional homes are organized around a central space that allows for rainwater collection. Some are still inhabited.

You continue by pirogue to Oussouye.

Lunch is planned at the bolongs inn, installed overlooking a bolong with an open view of the mangrove.

You then head to Oussouye to stay at Aljowe camp, designed in the form of an impluvium house. The early afternoon is a time for relaxation.

It is then possible to take a walking tour following the dikes of the rice paddies to the village of Oukout. The route continues among Diola houses, between silk cotton trees and caïcédrats, to Kabounkout, with possible encounters with local populations.

The return to Oussouye takes place before dinner and the night at the camp.

In this Lower Casamance village, pottery is part of traditions passed down from generation to generation. You meet Maman Éveline, a welcoming woman already at work with clay. In the courtyard, you discover a potter and a small workshop, where this practice continues to be transmitted from mother to daughters.

In Edioungou, pottery is made in a traditional manner, using local materials, to shape everyday utensils.

You then continue by road to M'Lomp, in the midst of several family compounds nestled in a forest of giant kapok trees. This typical Diola village is known for its multi-story houses. You visit the Traditional Diola Animist Museum, built according to the architecture of a house with an impluvium.

The day continues to Elinkine, presented as the most beautiful fishing village in Casamance, before embarking for Karabane Island, in the Casamance estuary. The place offers a particular atmosphere, where time seems suspended.

The day can begin with an early morning swim on a white sand beach lined with coconut trees, before a tour of the island on foot.

You then board a pirogue to reach the village of Cachouane, with the possibility of being accompanied by dolphins along the way. Lunch is planned on the banks of a small bolong.

Navigation continues towards the bird island, marked by the presence of migratory birds, particularly from June to October, before reaching Ehidjé, the former island of fetish priests, linked to ancestral animist beliefs. You visit the village and discover its traditions.

You then round the island of Ourong to reach the island of Egueye, where your camp is located, set on a site on the edge of a bolong. The day continues with a 2-hour kayak ride through the mangrove ecosystem. You explore the winding small bolongs, pass through the roots of mangrove trees, observe seabirds and may, depending on the time, spot a monkey or a dwarf crocodile. You also meet villagers in their rowing pirogues, busy harvesting mangrove oysters or transporting wood intended for building huts.

Late afternoon, return to camp for an aperitif with mangrove oyster tasting, before dinner and an overnight stay.

At the Campement de l'île d'Egueye, you enjoy a moment of rest in a calm environment, in the heart of the mangrove. The morning can begin with a swim on the beach or a tour of the island on foot.

You then board a pirogue to reach Djakene Oulof, before taking the road to Cap Skirring.

Discovering the villages of Diembering and Bouyouye. You cross rice fields and palm groves until you reach Diembering, one of the largest Diola villages in Lower Casamance. The visit takes you through its streets and neighborhoods, in contact with the local population.

You discover a Diola village that is both animist and Catholic, then visit the open-air museum presented by Joseph. He reveals various objects related to Diola traditions: musical instruments, fishing tools, kitchen utensils, African fetishes, wrestler outfits with their loincloths colored according to age class, as well as the equipment used to collect palm wine. These objects are installed in the hollows of the fromagers, at the origin of the museum's name, Kadioute, which means hole in Diola.

Upon arrival, you settle in at Hotel Maya, located 7 kilometers north of Cap Skirring, near the village of Boucotte. The establishment offers panoramic views of the ocean. The afternoon gives way to a moment of relaxation at the pool or on the vast beach. It is also possible to take a walk along the beach or in the bush, conducive to sea bathing, hiking on foot or by bike, jogging or doing nothing.

The night unfolds to the rhythm of the ocean.

This day is free, with lunch at the hotel not included, to enjoy at your own pace the pool, the ocean, free activities or optional excursions.

As an option, we offer you a safari at the Bandia wildlife reserve (option €80 – based on 2 people). Aboard a 4x4 with an animal guide, you set off to discover many species, including white rhinoceros, greater kudus, oryx, Cape elands, giraffes, ostriches, zebras, buffalo, kobus, impalas, warthogs and monkeys. A stop is also planned at the crocodile pond.

This last day remains free, with lunch at the hotel, to enjoy the pool or ocean one last time.

Your trip to Sénégal then ends with the transfer to the airport, scheduled 2 to 3 hours before departure.