Travel Guide Lac Rose

Just 35 km northeast of Dakar lies Lac Rose, or Lake Retba, a must-see on Senegalese tourist circuits. In reality, the lake isn't a deep pink color all the time, but only on sunny days with little wind. Unfortunately, at the time of our report, it had lost its pretty color after a rise in the water level caused by heavy winter rains. This hue was in fact due to the presence of microalgae, which produce a red pigment to protect themselves from the sun and the high concentration of salt. Today, they have been diluted by rainwater, but everyone involved is working hard to find a solution to save the site. The salt density is 380 g per liter of water, 100 times greater than the Dead Sea! Those who wish to bathe will float without leaving the shore. To avoid being attacked by the salt, all those who enter the waters of the lake coat their bodies with shea butter. Naturally devoid of iodine, the salt from Lac Rose is not fit for human consumption. Once occupying 32 km², the lake has now shrunk to 3 km², due to overexploitation of the salt and pumping of groundwater. The salt-harvesting village is well worth a visit, but has come to a standstill since the waters began to rise. You can, however, enjoy other activities such as quad-biking in the dunes or riding a camel or horse on the beach.