8 Days Senegal Trip
The highlights of this trip includes visiting the Goree Island, Pink Lake, Saint Louis, Bandia National Park, Joal Fadiouth, Saly Beach Resort, Touba and Djoudj National Bird Park
Day One: Arrival in Dakar – Senegal
Upon your arrival at the Blaise Diagne International Airport, the guide from Afrikan Wildlife Safaris will welcome you and then transfer you to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight at L’Ndiambour hotel.
Day Two: Goree Island
This morning after breakfast, we will head to Gare Maritime Port where we go on a 20 minutes sail on a ferry to Goree Island.You will visit the ethnographic museum and a lecture by the curator on the history of the Goree, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon return to Dakar and go on a city tour. Visit the colorful markets including Tilen Market, famous for a variety of medicinal herbs and traditional healers. Stop by Dakar’s grand Mosque, the Presidential Palace, and the Artisans market. Then back to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Dinner and overnight at L’Ndiambour
Day Three: Pink Lake and St. Louis
For this day after breakfast, we will drive to Saint Louis located in the north of Senegal. Saint Louis is West Africa’s first French Settlement and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way, visit Pink Lake, a rare natural phenomenon caused by a unique combination of microorganism and high concentration of salts which gives the lake its unique pink color. Interact with the women harvesting salt. Visit the nearby Fulani village where you may be welcomed by the Chief. Then continue to Saint Louis, Senegal’s former colonial capital, located in the middle of Senegal River. Early evening, embark on a cultural and historical tour of Saint Louis and explore the narrow streets flanked by multi-colored houses with carved wooden balconies and verandas and stop by the vibrant fishing village of Guet Ndar. Dinner and overnight at Overnight at Mermoz.
Day Four: DJoudj National Park
Today after breakfast, you will visit the Djoudj National Bird Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site), which is one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the world. Situated on a major palearctic migratory route, this park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts. Some of the world’s greatest concentrations of white pelicans and flamigos can be seen here, up to 10,000 species. Enjoy a pirogue ride to better view the many species of cormorants, pelicans, ducks, flamingos, various songbirds and more. You may also see crocodiles, boars and other wildlife. (Best months to visit this National Park are October to April). Dinner and overnight at Mermoz
Day Five: Touba and Delta Du Saloum
This morning after breakfast, we will drive to Sine Saloum located in a beautiful wild nature reserve. On the way we stop to visit Touba, the holy city of Mouride brotherhood. Then proceed to Ndagane where you will enjoy a picturesque cruise through the mangrove lake. Later transfer to your hotel for the overnight. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Les Cordons Bleus.
Day Six: Joal Fadiouth and Mbour – Saly
Have breakfast and depart to Joal Fadiouth. On the way, visit the central market of Mbour and continue to Joal, famous partly because it is the birth place of Senegal’s first President Leopold Senghor. Visit the market and observe the lively daily activities, then visit Senghor museum before continuing to the traditional Serere village of Fadiouth where you will see the cathedral, the sacred Baobab tree and the famous cemetery where Muslims, Christians and Animists are buried side by side. Proceed to Saly Beach Resort with stops at small villages. Arrive in time to enjoy the beach before dark. Dinne and overnight at Royam Saly
Day Seven: Saly to Bandia
You will drive to Bandia National Park, an ecological jewel not far from Dakar. Bandia Game Reserve is located in a 3500-hectare wide conservation area. Go for the Safari where you will see White Rhinos, buffalos, antelopes, impala gazelles, monkeys, tortoises and crocodile, kudu, elands, cape moose, giraffes, ostriches, zebras. Stop by the crocodile pool where animals come to drink and buffalos wallow in the mud. Look out for the birds like the small hornbills, grey heron, eagles, blackbirds and king fishers.
Bandia wildlife reserve has succeeded in reintroducing much of the marvelous native flora and fauna that are unique to West Africa and had gradually disappeared due to demographic pressure and poaching. A cultural experience you may not want to miss is discovering the tombs for revered Griots created under some of the Baobab trees. Griots were formerly regarded as outcasts, story tellers, drummers, singers and were often buried inside the hollow of these Baobabs. In the evening, return to Saly Beach Resort. Dinner and overnight at Royam Saly.
Day Eight: Saly to Dakar and fly out
After your breakfast, the guide will transfer you to Dakar to connect to the international flight back home.