Discovering Senegal

First and foremost: Senegal is a warm country that offers Africa a happy and relaxed overview - especially in terms of time! -. And of course, it is dazzling in its cultural and natural diversity: in one trip, you will have the impression of living 100. National parks, mangroves, ornithological reserves, beaches and seaside resorts with clear waters, pink lake, lush savannah , long almost deserted stretch, small traditional villages, holy city ... Senegal is a singular destination where "teranga", hospitality, is omnipresent.

Dakar

© derejeb
Crossroads between Africa and the West, Dakar is a dynamic and cosmopolitan capital that lives to the rhythm of an astonishing cultural mix. Constantly boiling, it has preserved a bit of authenticity in the historic district of the Plateau and the popular neighborhoods of Medina, Yoff or Patte d'Oie. We will not miss visiting the Grand Mosque, Dakar Cathedral, the port, the Independence Square, the Presidential Palace and its many traditional markets. A stone's throw away are the famous Soumbédioune handicraft market, the imposing African Renaissance Monument and the Pointe des Almadies, three sites of great interest.

Saint Louis

© Laurent Bonardi
On the borders of the ocean, the desert and the Sahel, Saint-Louis was founded in the 17th century by sailors from Dieppe in honor of the King of France, Saint-Louis. Its inscription in UNESCO testifies to the richness of the historical inheritance of the most beautiful city of Senegal. Carriage tours reveal its neighborhoods - most of which date back to the colonial era - and continue to famous landmarks such as the Faidherbe Bridge, the Governor's Palace, the Cathedral and numerous mosques. We also salute the Plage de Hydrobase, historical site of departure for the fabulous transatlantic epics of Jean Mermoz's Aéropostale.

Casamance

© S.Nicolas
Casamance is certainly one of the most beautiful regions of West Africa, between The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau. Its name is also that of the River that crosses it for 300km, forming many bolongs: these small islands traveled by thousands of birds. In the heart of the land, the vegetation is lush, rewarded by an exceptional flora: baobabs, cheese, palm, eucalyptus, mango, papaya, mangrove ... Forests, rice fields, mangroves, beaches and orchards, varied landscapes are home to small traditional villages where lives mainly the ethnic Diola.

Touba

© Author's Image
Touba comes from Arabic "tûbâ" which means "bliss, bliss", it is to say the sacred imprint that halo the city, seat of the Muslim brotherhood of the Mourides. The Great Mosque of Touba is the building most visited by the faithful and tourists as well as the library which houses the writings of the founding father of the city. Every year the Grand Magal of Touba takes place, an immense pilgrimage distinguished from any other by its joyous and festive character: it commemorates the departure in exile of the founder of the brotherhood, Sheikh Amadou Bamba, arrested because of his religious convictions.

The pink lake

© Siempreverde22
About forty kilometers from Dakar, the pink lake is a huge lagoon whose hues vary from pink to mauve depending on the sun's reflections. These variations are due to a high concentration of minerals and its high salt content allows to float effortlessly as in the Dead Sea! Activities abound on the site: ride in a dugout, buggy, quad, camel, horse riding, 4X4, visit villages Fulani ... but the most impressive is the spectacle of scrapers that extract the famous pink salt.

Djoudj National Park

© Author's Image
The Djoudj Park is the third bird park in the world, with 3 million birds passing through each year, including 400 different species. Encompassing part of the river and areas of wooded savannah, the park covers 16,000 ha: a paradise for pelicans, flamingos, purple herons, egrets, cormorants and other marabouts. The show of migrations takes place between November and May, the birds then become roommates of jackals, hyenas, monkeys and gazelles.

Mbour

© Mpc92
In the west of the country, MBour is the second port of Senegal, it attracts fishing enthusiasts wholesale since its waters are full of swordfish, barracudas and blue marlin. Moreover, one of the most beautiful shows MBour is to witness the return of the fishermen around 17h: hundreds of colorful canoes flock and unload in a constant hubbub. Among other attractions, do not miss the fish market on the beach and visit the M'bour Experimental Ecological Reserve, a protected site since 1987.

Niokolo Koba Park

© evenfh
Covering an area of ​​more than 900,000 hectares, the Niokolo-Koba Park offers a rich and varied landscape where are concentrated the most typical plant and animal species of the savannas of West Africa. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an international biosphere reserve, it is home to 350 species of birds and 80 species of mammals, including iconic lions, leopards, elephants, antelopes, hippopotamuses and crocodiles. Many safaris are organized, especially between March and May, during which time the animals are the least shy.

Sine Saloum

© Travel_Nerd
Ornithological paradise, the Delta Sine-Saloum surprises by the beauty of its languid landscapes along a gigantic mangrove, at the confluence of the rivers Sine and Saloum. Classified as a "World Biosphere Reserve", his CV is impressive: 9 classified forests, 2 marine protected areas, 2 community nature reserves and 1 natural park. This beautiful region is home to an exceptional flora and fauna that is discovered aboard a local dugout. It is also an opportunity to greet the inhabitants of the region, including the Sérère and Mandingue ethnic groups, who live to the rhythm of ancestral traditions.

The beaches

© Author's Image
With its 700 km of coastline, Senegal has many beaches for some primed in coquettish seaside resorts. The largest is the famous Saly-Portudal which has long beaches cradled by the Atlantic and animated by many water activities. The beaches of Gorée and Almadies are the most family because their bays and dikes protect them from the waves; that of Ngor-Village is very lively because very popular with young people in summer! The village Lebou Ouakam offers two natural bays on the cliff side that enjoy beautiful scenery ... make your choice!