Tourist Attractions & Monuments Senegal

That of Podor is Remarkable, Sudanese style. Another kilometres is another mosque, that of Guédé, built in a row. The kingdom of Tékrour in the th century was the cradle of black African Islam. A result of important trade with the Saharan countries, she would have inherited the Islam of Mecca. Along the island in Morfil, until Saldé, there are several small mosques in a row, as to confirm that the region is of the utmost importance in the history of the religion of Mohammed. Alwar is particularly important, since El-Hadj Oumar Tall, a native of the village, made his prayers.

Do not hesitate to consult the very complete site of the Ministry of tourism and leisure.

Nice story of tenacity that these young people from Segou. Three of them discovered, by chance, two waterfalls after a long peregrination in the forest in 1998: Abdoulaye, Boubacar and Samalé. They told the village elders, who didn't believe them for a second. They brought a photographer to the site, who encouraged the elders to go and see for themselves. Since then, they have formed an economic interest group to help tourists discover "these wonders". And they are committed to preserving the site and the forest from poaching.

Created in 1986 and supported by the Nicolas Hulot Foundation, this nature reserve is home to small antelopes, civets and numerous birds on nearly 1,000 hectares. Some species that had disappeared from the region have been returning for several years (jackals, hyenas, porcupines). Less important than the large parks of the country, this protected area - partly maritime and partly terrestrial - has its own charm. It is still spared from the hordes of tourists.

Situated at about 13 m above sea level, this protected forest, between Samba Dia and Fimela, is mainly a rôneraie, but is home to about 20 other species, such as the acacia and the African birch. For the curious, you may notice an almost unique phenomenon: a genetic degeneration of the rôneraie, whose trunk splits into three or four parts. These are called finger-knifed rôniers. Some scientists have looked into the matter (by... raising their heads), but it seems that the exact origin of the phenomenon remains a mystery for the moment.

To get to the gold panners from Mako, turn right after the bridge over the Gambia coming from Tambacounda. Continue on the track for about 7 km until you reach a village a little higher up where the track ends. A contact with a person from the village, and you can be accompanied to the placers. You can also inquire at the Keur Annick camp for someone to accompany you there (except Monday and Friday, gold diggers' days off). There, children descend into the bowels of the earth in very narrow holes, which are extended by horizontal galleries more than five or six meters long. The earth is then carried in gourds by the women of the village to the river. There, it is filtered and sometimes reveals traces of gold around the perimeter. In general, nothing exceptional, but you never know, one nugget is sometimes enough to make you rich for years. Tourists sometimes have to pay a visit fee in the village: it's a matter of customer's head and contact. The same goes for photos. This touristic aspect is not on the side of Hérémakono, where the landscape and the context are certainly wilder, but travelling through the Falémée region is an adventure (everything will depend on your contact on the spot) and requires to accept to spend a lot of time on the road. On the other hand, the landscapes are beautiful, and there are often surprises!

Mboro is located on this very fertile strip of land called the Niayes, which stretches from Dakar to Saint-Louis. Just behind the sand dunes and before the savannah and then the Sahel, Senegal has a geographical curiosity characterized by depressions that turn here and there into a lake, a marigot or a palm grove, real islands of greenery inhabited by birds, and which contrast with the surrounding landscapes. In Mboro, the women have transformed them into market gardens and sell fruit and vegetables every day at the market.

A point that became an island, cut in two by the ocean. A fish factory and the first camp in the region have disappeared under the water. In 1987, the Sangomar point was linked to the continent, today the breach is more than 5 km long. Some people think that the disruption of the balance between the currents on each side may have been the cause of the phenomenon, others that the sandbanks are constantly shifting. From a purely geographical point of view, this particularity is doomed to disappear, if only by erosion. All that remains is to add a time factor.

Impossible to miss, it's located on the island of Ndar, just after the Faidherbe bridge. A large "i" marks the spot. It's one of the only tourist offices worthy of the name, along with the one in Ziguinchor, and it's also the oldest in the country. Here, the individual tourist is less lost than elsewhere. A visit is recommended, and you'll get some good tips. Some brochures are free, others charge. Don't hesitate for a second to go there, where you'll find all the information you need: practical info, history, accommodation, etc.

You must be accompanied by an official guide to enter the park. If you went with a guide from Saint-Louis, he will take care of all the formalities, whether it is for the entrance fee or for the rental of the canoe. Otherwise, you will have to contact a guide on the spot. Generally, the visit is done by pirogue where you will discover the impressive nesting boxes of pelicans, especially between December and March. The other possibility is to drive through the park with a guide specialized in birds, to observe them from the watchtowers.

A beautiful pirogue ride on the Casamance River, but don't try to land on the island, it is impenetrable! It is said that the island was once a small Eden, teeming with trees and fruit. However, they had to be eaten on the spot and it was not advisable to take them home. Some inhabitants even wanted to clear the site to settle there, but one day on the way back, the pirogues capsized and about twenty of them lost their lives. Since then, nature would have taken back its rights so that Man could no longer dock there ...

75,000 photovoltaic panels cover 40 hectares of arid land. In a region where the sun shines for over 2,000 hours a year, this solar power plant is a godsend for the inhabitants, 60% of whom have no access to electricity. With a capacity of 20 megawatts, it now supplies electricity to around 160,000 people! This large-scale photovoltaic field has since been dethroned as the largest power plant in West Africa by the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed plant in Togo, with 127,344 panels and a capacity of 50 megawatts.

Located on the Quai de Roume, on the banks of the Senegal River, the gallery of the French Institute hosts quality temporary exhibitions presenting artists of all nationalities. Some of them are the result of artist residencies organized by the Institute. Each new exhibition at the beginning of the month is accompanied by a vernissage, usually in the presence of the artist. There are also various activities, creative workshops and meetings with the artists. Find out more on the spot so that you don't miss any of the events.

Since 2018, Ziguinchor has had a small museum, which has the merit of existing, and which should soon develop into a second site, on the side of the Assane Seck University. It presents two aspects of Senegalese culture: heritage and contemporary art. On the one hand, you will see traditional and cult objects from various ethnic groups such as masks and musical instruments. On the other hand, works of Senegalese artists reflecting among others the colours of Casamance.

For thrill seekers! Jacques imported lions from South Africa who now breed in a 5 hectare fenced area. You will leave with a guide-driver, in a secure car, to meet these impressive carnivores who lead a peaceful life here. Some of them even lie down on the roof of the vehicle for a shivering moment! Sometimes it is possible to meet the lion cubs. In addition to these activities, you can also enjoy a safari to observe monkeys, giraffes, antelopes and zebras.

Loman is a talented South African artist-designer who moved to Dakar in 2007, a city that inspires her. In perpetual renewal, her house offers a cultural escape in the neighbourhood, where inside, among Loman's astonishing wrought-iron creations, the works of local artists are enthroned. The pleasant interior patio is home to a cafeteria where many events are organised: open mic, games evenings, conferences... The gallery is also a guest house with beautiful rooms decorated with the artist's creations.

The Faidherbe Bridge is a marvel in itself! Built in 1897 to Eiffel's plans (you can also see the elegance of the metal tower by the same architect), the bridge has a mobile span (the second) that pivots on its axis so that boats can pass from the ocean to the river. It was exceptionally put back into action on 15 October 2005 to allow the Bou el-Mogdad to navigate again on the Senegal River. This mythical ship now offers a cruise on the river from Saint-Louis to Podor. During an official visit in February 2005, the French President at the time, Jacques Chirac, promised to release funds to rehabilitate this monumental 506 m long structure, attacked by time and wind and weakening under the weight of the years, humans and vehicles that use it every day. A promise made, a promise done. Rehabilitation work was launched in January 2007, mainly with French funding, and was completed in July 2011 (inauguration with great pomp and ceremony on 19 November 2011). You can now once again admire this masterpiece and cross it on foot, by car or motorbike. It is very rare to see it open to the passage of boats, but perhaps you will be so lucky. However, this metal structure continues to deteriorate over time, and maintenance work is carried out once a year. But what a feeling when you cross it to reach the island of Saint-Louis and its intoxicating atmosphere!

Here's an information point in Palmarin with a warm and friendly welcome that aims to be a tourist hub for travelers and those involved in tourism. Here you can get all the information you need to explore the Sine-Saloum and discover Senegal, as well as organize your tours, trips and transfers around the country, or book your hotels. It's also a meeting place where you can chat with locals and visitors over a drink or a good meal, concocted with passion by Djibril.

Coming from a family of griots, Ablaye Cissoko is one of the most famous kora players in the world. With his tales and stories set to the melodious notes of this traditional African stringed instrument, he has conquered a large audience since his debut at the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival. To perpetuate this cultural and artistic transmission, he created this school dedicated to the kora, the first in Senegal. Young and old, beginners and experienced players come here to learn and perfect their skills with this great kora master and experienced teachers.

Created on the initiative of the Cerads association, whose premises are located in Saint-Louis, this craft center is a nice and instructive stopover on the road to the Djoudj National Park. Here, you can appreciate the work of the women of the village who transform typha, this invasive plant of the river, into papyrus then who elaborate soaps and soaps, based on soda at low concentration recovered from the manufacture of papyrus. You will also be able to share a convivial moment around a local dish, with these brave and smiling women.

Long damaged by time and erosion, the oldest church in West Africa has been restored to its former glory after more than a year of renovation. For a long time without a place of worship, the Christians of Saint-Louis gathered in the 18th century in various places in the city to pray to God. After the departure of the English in 1817, who had forbidden all religious ceremonies, the arrival of Anne-Marie Javouhey, founder of the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny in 1822, changed the situation. Indeed, the nun demanded the construction of a real church for the faithful and was supported by the colonial authorities. Thus, the foundation stone was laid on February 11, 1827 by Baron Roger and the church was consecrated on November 4, 1828. At the beginning, the church was built in the classical style, but over time it underwent important architectural transformations, such as the addition of a neoclassical door on the outside. The church did not become a cathedral until 1966 with the arrival of the first bishop on the island, Prosper Dobbs, who now rests in the building. Financed by the French Development Agency, the work was carried out by the company Eiffage, which had to follow very precise specifications in order to take into account all the specificities related to the renovation of the cathedral. The stained glass windows have been restored to their former colors and illustrate the theological virtues through scenes of life. As for the organ, which arrived from France in 1890, it is the only one that can be repaired in Senegal.

It is possible to request an audience with the king, if you wish to speak to him about a subject that is close to your heart and that concerns the village, at the royal house. He will meet you in front of the sacred wood around 5 pm. Be very respectful, do not monopolize his time, and do not ask any questions that disturb. Everything that revolves around beliefs, his enthronement and rites is very mystical, "nye nye" in diola, taboo what!

Obinomag is a typical Senegalese pirogue based in Ndangane. Ndane Diouf and his crew organize day or bivouac excursions over several days to discover the Sine Saloum delta. You can visit villages and markets, wander through the forest and bush, go fishing, discover the mangroves and much more. The experienced crew of the Obinomag pirogue ensures an extraordinary discovery of the Sine Saloum at the rhythm of nature and the water. Programs and rates are tailored to your needs and schedule. Obinomag is located south of Fimela, in Ndangane, and welcomes you to its beach bungalow, around 200m from the pier.