safari dakar senegal

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Senegal Safari Tours & Holidays

Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is a country in West Africa. Senegal is bordered by Mauritania in the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest.

Senegal is one of the most popular tourist destinations in West Africa, which is home to Dakar and Saint Louis, two dynamic cultural hubs. Senegal is also home to several diverse wildlife parks, including the Niokolo-Koba National Park, the Oiseaux du Djoudj National Park, and the Bandia Game Reserve. Senegal is known as the land of “teranga”, which is the Senegalese value of hospitality, respect, and community. Teranga is a Wolof word (one of the national languages) that encompasses the Senegalese spirit of warmth and friendliness to visitors. Visitors to Senegal are sure to experience a warm welcome on their arrival, as well as throughout their visit. The Senegalese beaches are beautiful and sandy, with rich populations of fish. Savory Senegalese food is sure to tempt your taste as well.

How to get to Senegal

Many international flights from the US and Europe flying into Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport (DKR) arrive in the middle of the night between 2:00 am and 4:00 am. Exhausted and jet-lagged, you’ll find it’s not a bad idea to have a driver waiting for you to avoid being accosted by locals offering taxi services and having to haggle over prices in French. Most hotels either have a pick-up included or can arrange one for you at an additional cost.

Passport, Visa, and Entry requirements for Senegal

To enter Senegal, a passport valid for at least six months from entry is required for most nationals ensure you check with your embassy, You may be refused entry if no evidence of return or onward travel or proof of accommodation can be produced, Visitors to Senegal require a visa unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries.

The health sector of Senegal

Senegal’s health system is pyramidal, with three main parts: a central level, a regional level, and a peripheral level. Health centers are at the top, with one to two medical doctors and 15-20 people as part of the health staff. Health posts are below these, with four or five health workers. But for foreign travelers may only have access to private hospitals so ensure you purchase travel insurance for traveling to Senegal in case of any emergencies

Malaria and Yellow fever vaccination for  Senegal

Though a yellow fever vaccine isn’t required to enter Senegal, it’s recommended, as are malaria pills and a typhoid vaccine. Using good mosquito repellent, carrying tissues (as toilet paper can be scarce in public spots), and wearing sunblock are all essential. It can also be extremely dusty during the dry season, so having allergy pills on hand can also be helpful.

Currency of  Senegal

The country uses the West African CFA franc as the legal tender. Senegal depends on economic aid from developed nations. The headquarters for the West African States’ Central Bank is based in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal. But ATM machines can be found in the major towns and foreign currency can be exchanged into west African francs but you should reframe from using your credit card a lot rather than take cash with you and they should be new banknotes.

Official Language of   Senegal

In Senegal, English is taught as a second language. French is the official and colonial language used for administrative and academic purposes. However, there are several ethnic groups; therefore six different local languages are spoken in different parts of the country.

Best time to travel to Senegal

The best time of year to travel to Senegal is between November and May, during the dry season. Throughout this period, the temperature tends to be around 25 degrees Celsius. However, between June and October, precipitation is very frequent and the temperatures sometimes 30 degrees Celsius or above.

What to wear in Senegal

Senegalese women wear long sarongs; as a Western woman, it may be considered disrespectful for you to wear the native dress, so you’re better off in skirts or dresses that go to the ground. A woman may also pack long pants, as this garment is becoming more accepted for women. There is really no dressing code for men except if you’re going to visit government offices you may need to tuck in and dress more official but at the tourist sites there is really much concern

What to bring while traveling to Senegal

Pack long pants or long skirts. Choose pants that are loose-fitting and made from a lightweight fabric like cotton or linen blends, since temperatures in the inland cities can approach or surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Pack two or three pairs of pants or skirts that you can wear multiple times during your trip.

• Walking shoes or sandals
• Medications
• Copies of documents
• Long pants or skirts
• Long-sleeved tops

Car hire and driving in  Senegal

As infrastructure and roads aren’t great and traffic is maddening (since there are few rules), it’s best to hire a driver rather than renting a car or hopping on an over-packed bus. Prices for both guides and drivers are extremely low, and you can always try to strike a bargain.

Accommodation in Senegal

Dakar is the capital of Senegal, in West Africa. It’s an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Its traditional Médina quarter is home to the Grande Mosquée, marked by a towering minaret. The Musée Théodore Monod displays cultural artifacts including clothing, drums, carvings, and tools. The city’s vibrant nightlife is inspired by the local mbalax music and accommodation is pretty decent also in the beach sides and popular tourist attractions will have hotels in place however if you go Rural there may be no accommodation facilities available.

Local food of  Senegal

The national dish of Senegal, this boldly flavored combination of fish, rice, and vegetables simmered in tomato sauce is a hearty one-pot meal. You can make it with any fish or vegetables you have on hand, including potatoes, cassava, squash or pumpkin, and plantains.

Tipping while Travelling in Senegal

Tipping is not a common practice in Senegal. Unless the service you receive deserves extra recognition, gratuities are not warranted but at the popular tourism destinations tipping is in place, and feel free to Tip the guides or the hotel staff.

Further information for Senegal

Is a country in western Africa that is south of the  Senegal River. The Atlantic Ocean is to the west. Mauritania is to the north, Mali to the east, and Guinea-Bissau and Guinea to the south and it’s one of the most visited countries in West Africa.

Safety of Senegal

One of the most common questions we hear is if Senegal is safe for travelers – yes, Senegal is safe but like any other destinations, petty  crime does happen in large crowds. Keep a lookout for pickpockets and bag snatchers. Once you get to know the locals, tourist destinations are pretty safe only travelers need to use common sense and keep their valuables with extra care.

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14 Days 13 Nights Senegal Safari Tour

• Partially Guided
• Christmas & New Year

• Introduction
• Day 1 Arrival in Dakar, Senegal
• Day 2 City tour Dakar - Goree Island
• Day 3 Pink Lake and Lompoul Desert
• Day 4 Lompoul – Saint Louis
• Day 5 Saint Louis – Touba – Kaolack
• Day 6 Kaolack – Wassadou (Gate of Niokolo Koba Park)
• Day 7 Niokolo Koba Park – Kedougou
• Day 8 Kedougou – Dindefello – Kedougou
• Day 9 Kedougou – Toubacouta
• Day 10 Toubacouta – Fathala
• Day 11 Toubacouta – Joal Fadiouth – Saly
• Day 12 Saly – Bandia Safari Game Reserve
• Day 13 Saly
• Day 14 Saly – Airport

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What's Included

• Accommodation
• Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Your peace of mind options, cancellation policy.

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Reviews About This Operator

• Tour Operator Across Africa Tours & Travel 4.3
• Jennifer · 27th November 2023 Mr Lamp Fall (Mamadou Diagne) & his driver Doudou were both simply amazing guides. I felt very safe with them. The... Show more
• Sabina · 11th November 2023 This was a lovely trip, off the beaten track, seeing some of the highlights of Senegal. A really interesting eye... Show more
• Lorraine · 25th March 2024 We saw more wildlife than we imagined was possible. Our guide Roberto took wonderful care of us, and our driver Telly... Show more

Dates & Availability

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• Upcoming departures
• August 2024
• September 2024
• October 2024
• November 2024
• December 2024
• January 2025
• February 2025
• Wednesday 17 Apr, 2024 Tuesday 30 Apr, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,567 Confirm Dates
• Thursday 18 Apr, 2024 Wednesday 1 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,567 Confirm Dates
• Friday 19 Apr, 2024 Thursday 2 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,567 Confirm Dates
• Saturday 20 Apr, 2024 Friday 3 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,567 Confirm Dates
• Sunday 21 Apr, 2024 Saturday 4 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,567 Confirm Dates
• Monday 22 Apr, 2024 Sunday 5 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,567 Confirm Dates
• Tuesday 23 Apr, 2024 Monday 6 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,567 Confirm Dates
• Wednesday 24 Apr, 2024 Tuesday 7 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,567 Confirm Dates
• Thursday 25 Apr, 2024 Wednesday 8 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,567 Confirm Dates
• Friday 26 Apr, 2024 Thursday 9 May, 2024 English Multiple Room Types €4,567 Confirm Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

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Good to Know

• Currency Fr CFA Franc BCEAO Senegal

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, D, M, K. As a traveller from South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F, K.

• These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
• Typhoid - Recommended for Senegal. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Hepatitis A - Recommended for Senegal. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Cholera - Recommended for Senegal. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
• Tuberculosis - Recommended for Senegal. Ideally 3 months before travel.
• Hepatitis B - Recommended for Senegal. Ideally 2 months before travel.
• Rabies - Recommended for Senegal. Ideally 1 month before travel.
• Meningococcal meningitis - Recommended for Senegal. Ideally 3 weeks before travel.
• Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Senegal. Ideally 10 days before travel.
• Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
• Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
• For any tour departing before 13th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 13th June 2024, a minimum payment of 30% is required to confirm your booking with Across Africa Tours & Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
• Some departure dates and prices may vary and Across Africa Tours & Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
• The following cards are accepted for "Across Africa Tours & Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
• Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
• TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Across Africa Tours & Travel. Please familiarise yourself with the Across Africa Tours & Travel payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
• Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
• Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Réserve de Bandia

Un safari inoubliable lors de votre séjour au Sénégal dans la réserve de Bandia où vous pourrez rencontrer tous les grands mammifères d’Afrique dans 3.500 ha de nature grandiose : baobabs géants, buissons épineux, lianes capricieuses…

Informations utiles

Il est parfois possible de partager un véhicule sur place à condition que d’autres personnes soient dans le même cas. Pour cela faites-vous connaître à l’avance en téléphonant au 33 958 20 24 ou 77 556 59 27 en mentionnant le jour souhaité. Le départ se fait généralement à 9h30.

Et voila certainement le restaurant le plus charmant du Sénégal : nouvelle cuisine ultramoderne, nouveau chef, nouvelles constructions, et tout cela dans un cadre enchanteur au bord de l’eau avec ses crocodiles sournois, ses singes qui vous épient tandis que viennent boire les grands mammifères d’Afrique

Plusieurs articles africains.

Contactez nous

Fathala Wildlife Reserve

Fathala Wildlife Reserve in Senegal is an area that consists of approximately 6000 hectares of original and protected forest

Book your stay with us at Fathala Wildlife Reserve

Accommodation

Visit Fathala Lodge in Senegal to enjoy a romantic safari getaway in a luxurious tent in the shadows of the majestic African Mahogany trees

Enjoy a light lunch while lounging next to the swimming pool, sipping on ice cold cocktails from the Baobab Bar at Fathala Lodge Senegal.

Discover the top attractions, best places to visit and things to do in Senegal during your stay at Fathala Wildlife Reserve Lodge.

View our gallery

Fathala Guest Reviews

Aminata t. 16. may, 2022. des moments à passer en famille. parfait pour un dépaysement total ángela sevillano 2. may, 2022. alojamiento de lujo en un entorno espectacular, único. servicio muy bueno. tours impresionantes, especialmente el paseo con los leones. muy recomendable muhammed ali (high zebra tours) 25. april, 2022. it’s a place you will definitely enjoy visiting feeling the wild and nature javier garcía mompó 25. april, 2022. la mejor experiencia de mi vida gracias a abdu, a youssouf y a todo el equipo por nuestra magnifica estancia en fathala. volveremos pronto un abrazo a todos fares dayekh 21. april, 2022. very nice experience, the only place to do safari in west africa google rating score: 4.4 of 5, based on 550 reviews, contact fathala wildlife reserve.

For any queries around Fathala Wildlife Reserve’s safari accommodation, rates or activities, simply complete the form below and our team will be in touch. We’d love to hear from you!

Our Contacts

Fathala Wildlife Reserve - Safari Senegal

[email protected]

WhatsApp Reservations

Reservations: +27 74 822 2007

WhatsApp French (Gnima)

Gnima: +221 77 329 4297

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Wildlife to be seen at Fathala Wildlife Reserve.

Take advantage of our season specials .

THE 10 BEST Dakar Safaris

Safaris in dakar.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
• Hiking & Camping Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• Reserve De Bandia
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• Senegal Global Tours
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Half-Day Somone Lagoon and Bandia Park Safari from Dakar

2. Private Bandia Wildlife Safari Day Trip. 2 for the reservation

3. FULL-DAY SAFARI AND PINK LAKE TOUR (minimum 2 pax)

4. 8 Days 7 Nights Senegal Highlights

5. Bandia with lagoon of somone. Minimum 2 people for reservation

6. bandia reserve Minimum 2 for the reservation

7. Senegal Highlights 7 Days - 6 Nights ( Minimum 2 Participants)

8. 14 Days 13 Nights Senegal Safari Tour

9. 5 Hours of Private Safari at the Bandia Reserve

10. Senegal highlights 8 Days 7 Nights ( comfort plus)

11. 3Days 2Nights Dakar, Pink Lake, St louis, Lompoul Desert Experience

12. 6-Days Private Tour Dakar, Wassadou, Niokolo Koba Park, Dindefello Falls Safari

13. 6 Days 5Nights Dakar, Pink Lake, Touba,Niokolo Koba, dindefello Falls Adventure

14. Senegal highlights 8 Days 7 Nights (comfort)

15. 2 Day-Tour of Dakar, Goree Island, Pink Lake and Bandia Park Safari on halfboard

16. 10-Hour Private Tour to Fathala Game Reserve

What travellers are saying.

• Half-Day Somone Lagoon and Bandia Park Safari from Dakar
• Private Bandia Wildlife Safari Day Trip. 2 for the reservation
• 5 Hours of Private Safari at the Bandia Reserve
• FULL-DAY SAFARI AND PINK LAKE TOUR (minimum 2 pax)
• bandia reserve Minimum 2 for the reservation
• Agsil Senegal Travel Tours
• Amazing Teranga
• Senegal Expeditions in Senegal, West Africa
• Triptoursenegal
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Safaris à Dakar

• Visites sur le thème de la nature et des espaces sauvages
• Circuits en 4x4, VTT et tout terrain
• Camping et randonnée
• 1 heure maximum
• 1 à 4 heures
• 4 heures à 1 jour
• 5,0 sur 5 bulles
• 4,0 sur 5 bulles et plus
• 3,0 sur 5 bulles et plus
• 2,0 sur 5 bulles et plus
• Reserve De Bandia
• Across Africa Tours LLC
• Parc national des oiseaux du Djoudj
• Senegal Global Tours
• Le classement des visites, activités et expériences disponibles sur Tripadvisor est déterminé par plusieurs facteurs, notamment les revenus générés par Tripadvisor à partir de ces réservations, la fréquence des clics des utilisateurs, ainsi que le volume et la qualité des avis des clients. Occasionnellement, des produits qui viennent d'être répertoriés peuvent être prioritaires et apparaître plus haut dans la liste. Leur position spécifique peut varier.

1. Safari d'une demi-journée à la lagune de la Somone et au parc Bandia au départ de Dakar

2. Excursion privée d'une journée au safari animalier de Bandia. 2 pour la réservation

3. SAFARI EN PLEIN JOUR ET VISITE DES LACS ROSES (minimum 2 personnes)

4. 8 jours 7 nuits au Sénégal

5. Bandia avec lagon de Somone. Minimum 2 personnes pour réservation

6. bandia reserve Minimum 2 pour la réservation

7. Faits saillants du Sénégal 7 jours - 6 nuits (minimum 2 participants)

8. Circuit privé de 10 Heures à la Réserve Animalière de Fathala

9. 14 jours 13 nuits safari au Sénégal

10. Le Sénégal à l'honneur 8 Jours 7 Nuits (confort plus)

11. 3Days 2Nights Dakar, Pink Lake, St louis, Lompoul Desert Experience

12. Visite privée de 6 jours à Dakar, Wassadou, Niokolo Koba Park, Dindefello Falls Safari

13. 6 jours 5 nuits Dakar, lac rose, Touba, Niokolo Koba, aventure des chutes de Dindefello

14. Le Sénégal à l'honneur 8 Jours 7 Nuits (confort)

15. 5 Heures de Safari privé à la Réserve de Bandia

16. 2 Day-Tour de Dakar, Goree Island, Pink Lake et Bandia Park Safari en demi-pension

• Safari d'une demi-journée à la lagune de la Somone et au parc Bandia au départ de Dakar
• Excursion privée d'une journée au safari animalier de Bandia. 2 pour la réservation
• 5 Heures de Safari privé à la Réserve de Bandia
• SAFARI EN PLEIN JOUR ET VISITE DES LACS ROSES (minimum 2 personnes)
• bandia reserve Minimum 2 pour la réservation
• Agsil Senegal Travel Tours
• Amazing Teranga
• Senegal Expeditions in Senegal, West Africa
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Bandia National Park safari experience in Senegal.

Bandia National Park safari experience in Senegal. read more

• Other sports,
• Road trips,

Senegal (Republic of Senegal)

Languages: French

Currencies: XOF · West African CFA franc (Fr)

Capitol: Dakar

Continents: Africa

Borders: Mali, Gambia, Guinea, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau

More useful information

Area: 196,722km 2

Population: 16,743,930

Traffic/driving side: right

Landlocked country: No

Independent country: Yes

United Nations member: Yes

IDD Prefix: +221

Timezones: UTC

Traveling to Senegal? Get everything you need with the best deals:

Bandia National Park is a great and easily accessible destination from Dakar for a day trip. It’s a 3500 hectares of fenced but natural habitat for number of african animals. It’s an amazing experience which gives you a chance to get close to most of the African mammals and reptiles (excluding predators) and watch beautiful bird spieces. 

Can you believe that all birds spieces have moved to Bandia National Park naturally. Bandia is privately-owned conservation park, which takes a good care of the animals and their reproduction. The reserve helps to protect some African wildlife like rhinos, some rare species of antelopes, giraffes and impalas – medium-sized antelope. Most of the animals from Bandia National Park come from Senegal, but some were brought from South Africa.

How to get to Bandia National Park?

The easiest way to get to Bandia National Park is to hire a taxi from Dakar (around 40 Euro round trip), which will take and wait for 1-3 hours until you finish your safari. You don’t have to pay the taxi driver in advance. The Park is located 75 km from Dakar. The best time to visit Bandia National Park is early in the morning or late afternoon when the animals become more active and don’t hide from an extreme heat in savanna forest. So it is highly advisable to start your trip early in the morning, having in mind terrible traffic in Dakar. 

Entry fee to Bandia National Park:

• Adults: 12 000 F/€20
• Children until 12 years old: 7 000 F
• Safari 4WD jeep rental with up to 11 seats: 40 000 F/you can wait for more tourists to share the jeep, although we visited the park in low season and enjoyed exploring the area only the two of us.
• Tour Guide: 6 500 F/you have to hire a guide along with a jeep. All tourists entering the park are always accompanied by one of the local professional tour guides. They are highly experienced and have a great knowledge of the reserve’s history and tracking the animals. 

Bandia National Park Safari.

Red soil and sand spreading across the park is a very typical picture of African savanna. Serere people – it’s a local tribe who used to inhabit Bandia Park area. Nowdays Serere people live mostly in western Senegal and Gambia and speak Serer language. You will hear the whole story while in a park and visit one of the baobabs that was used as a ceremonial and cemetery site by Serere people (bones are still remaining under the tree). Serer believe the baobab to become a tomb it cannot be inhabitet by any spirits.

Where to eat in Bandia National Park?

There are few nice restaurants near the entrance of the park, with plenty of crocodiles in surrounding waters. There are also few shops with local souvenirs. Please remember that only us can support the wildlife and help speices to survive. We can easily contribute to avoid treating animals or humans in a wrong way, so would be great to remember:

• Never buy souvenirs made of animal parts
• We all live in Instagram times but please avoid photos with wild animals (especialy lions, crocodiles), as they are being heavily drugged and abused not to be ggresive toward tourists
• Avoid places and activities if the ethics is doubtful
• Avoid zoos, circuses, paid photos
• Don’t ever feed the animals – it is also a danger for yourself!

Hey - I'm Eva!

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West Africa's wonders: a safari along Senegal's wildlife-rich coast

​ Africa’s vibrant west coast offers unique wildlife wonders, from sea turtles and coral reefs to encounters with Senegal’s brilliant birds.

I’ve seen plenty of vultures on safari, but I’ve never seen a pair of hooded vultures squabbling over a find on a beach. The prize at stake is a puffer fish, delivered by the tide. Bloated and covered with spines, it’s gruesome, even by vultures’ bloody tastes. But the twosome are so engrossed, they barely register me as I approach. I settle down to watch, while gulls and terns swoop and dive over the surf in the background. “Pretty impressive, don’t you think?” says a passing boat-builder, heading for the spot where fishing pirogues are crafted and painted, further down the sands. “They’re our clean-up squad. We often see them here. Turtles and dolphins get washed up from time to time. Sometimes even whales, too.” Had I been scouring an East African savannah in a four-wheel-drive, I probably wouldn’t have stopped for such a sight. I’d have urged my guide on in search of wise-eyed elephants, or stiff-tailed warthogs, or a leopard kill draped over a branch in a tree. But I’m in West Africa — and because gulls, terns and these pink-faced, chestnut-backed scavengers are as emblematic of Senegal’s wild and beautiful Atlantic coastline as   The Jungle Book’s   lugubrious vultures are of their skeleton trees, this little scene has me hooked. It was only in 2021 that the first scientific paper describing beach-feeding Senegalese vultures was published. Finding these ones all by myself has made my day. I’m on a do-it-yourself nature walk in Casamance, wandering along the beach before heading into the swathe of wetlands and gardens slightly inland. Ethnically and geologically a single region, Casamance and southern Gambia are rightly famous among birdwatchers in the know. They’re bounded by the mighty West African Gambia and the Casamance rivers that create a rich web of tidal and freshwater habitats, supporting hundreds of local species and reviving migrants after their long, perilous journey across North Africa and the Sahel. But while in   The Gambia it’s easy to hire a bird guide, here in Casamance, they’re thin on the ground, and the official bird sanctuary, Kalissaye Avifaunal Reserve, is barely visited at all. With the separatist troubles that have been simmering in the background since the 1980s never quite resolved, the Casamance safari industry, once promising, never really stood a chance. But with hope in the air that the troubles may soon be over, southern Senegal’s prospects as an ecotourism destination are finally looking bright. In the meantime, an independent trip is the way to go. Invaluable though specialist guides and lodges can be, it’s perfectly possible to make do without: I’ve simply booked a room at a quiet, rustic guesthouse on the blissfully sunny coast, and set   out with eyes and ears peeled. I’d hesitate to call myself a bird nerd; much less, a twitcher. At home in England, I have less patience with the whole thing — our birds are too familiar, perhaps, or too elusive, or too drab, and we don’t always have the best weather. But in Africa, birdwatching has delivered some   of my happiest moments. And in Senegal, so many birds are large, colourful, musical or just cute, the rewards seem that much greater; and with the country home to 691 species of bird there’s a great chance of spotting plenty, too. When you’re exploring a habitat that’s ultra-biodiverse, it’s easy to get hung up on identification. But instead of obsessing over whether one fabulous creature is called a beautiful or splendid sunbird, and whether the call I’m hearing is a yellow-throated leaflove or a yellow-billed shrike, I try to enjoy each sight and sound as it comes. I’ve learned enough about birdwatching to know that it’s when you put the ticklist away that the fun stuff really starts.

How to do it

The Gambia Experience offers seven-night stays at Esperanto Lodge in Casamance in Senegal, from £899, including B & B, flights from Gatwick to Banjul in The Gambia and onward road transfers. Visit in Senegal’s rainy season, June to September, and between thunderstorms, you’ll see hear birds singing their loudest, resplendent in their breeding plumage.

Published in the Jul/Aug 2022 issue of   National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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Africa , All Destinations

Safaris in senegal: are they worth it.

I did a few safaris in Senegal on my recent trip to the country. Here’s what I made out of them and what to expect if you go on one!

“We have one rhino, I named him Kevin”, Mamadou, our safari guide, informed us. “Hopefully we’ll see him today!”

We were on a bush drive in Fathala Wildlife Reserve, one of the most renowned safari parks in West Africa. 

But, before visiting Senegal, I didn’t know that such a place existed. Aren’t safaris more of an East or Southern Africa thing? 

Well, yes, they are – but a few nature reserves across Senegal (and in other places in West Africa) are opening up, some focusing on their own native nature, others introducing or re-introducing animals. 

Does Senegal have safaris? 

Yes, Senegal has safaris.

To clear up any confusion, let’s look at the definition of a safari. 

The Cambridge dictionary says it’s : an organized journey to look at, or sometimes hunt, wild animals, especially in Africa. 

Note: especially in Africa, not exclusively !

Technically, we have “sea safaris” near where we live on the North Cornwall coast (to look out for seals and birds, rather than giraffes and rhinos!). 

What are safaris in Senegal like? 

While Senegal does have safaris, they aren’t as “wild” as those in East Africa. 

You don’t have a vast savannah where giraffes and lions wander over – don’t expect the Great Migration! 

But what it does have are reserves of various sizes where they have re-introduced animals (rhinos, giraffe, zebra and antelope all used to live in Senegal, but they became extinct).

This is a similar set-up to national parks in South Africa, although admittedly, the South African equivalents are a lot bigger (Kruger is over 19000 km² compared to Fathala in Senegal which is 60km² – although the lesser-visited Senegalese Nikolo-Koba National Park is 9000 km²). 

I haven’t done an East African safari, so I cannot compare the two. 

But I will say that Bandia reserve, with limited tracks, felt a little more claustrophobic and “zoo-like”, whereas Fathala didn’t – it seemed like there was much more space and it felt like we were going deep into the bush on gnarly roads before we spotted some animals. 

Where to go on safari in Senegal 

The three main places to go on safari in Senegal are: Bandia Wildlife Reserve, Fathala Wildlife Reserve and Nikolo-Koba National Park.

Bandia Wildlife Reserve

Sitting equidistant from Dakar and the beaches of Senegal’s Petite Cote , Bandia Wildlife Reserve is certainly convenient. 

If you drive to the park independently, you can hop in a safari jeep for just 18, or drive your own vehicle (if it’s appropriate for the terrain) with a guide for even cheaper.

The park is famous for its guaranteed sightings of zebra, giraffe, antelope and monkeys – and almost guaranteed rhino sightings. 

But of course, this is because the safari reserve is really quite small – the smaller the area, the more likelihood you have of finding animals on safari. 

They also keep the hyenas in enclosures, as they are a natural predator. This felt quite unnatural, although as it means that the other animals in the nature reserve don’t have any natural predators, they must have quite a relaxed life!

All that said, I did very much enjoy my safari here. It was my first experience of this type of safari, I adored seeing the elegant giraffes and graceful antelope. 

If you regularly do safaris in the Kenyan savannah, you might be disappointed, but if not, I do think it’s well worth visiting the Bandia Wildlife Reserve. 

Fathala Wildlife Reserve

That said, if you only want to visit one wildlife reserve on your trip to Senegal , I’d make it Fathala . 

Fathala has everything Bandia has, but better. The tracks are more rugged, nature more raw, the animals (when you find them) more at home. 

Like in Bandia, wild animals were re-introduced to Fathala after being made extinct centuries ago. 

The land is Senegalese-owned, but the lodge is run by a South African company, who transported animals from their native country to repopulate the park.

Things to do at Fathala

Nowadays, day visitors usually embark on a two-hour game drive, trundling deep into the park to see as many animals as possible. It’s usual to see most of the large animals – although Kevin the rhino can be a little elusive (we didn’t see him on our game drive, but he was waiting for us when we got back to the lodge!). 

Lodge guests can also enjoy bush walks and mangrove boat tours.

Then there’s also the opportunity to walk with lions. We didn’t do this for a couple of reasons.  

I don’t agree with keeping lions like this; apparently, they were looked after by humans from a young age which is why they are docile. But in my opinion, they’re still wild animals, and I’d a) be too concerned about walking with them myself and b) don’t wish to support having them in captivity.

Fathala Wildlife Reserve Lodge

We stayed at the Fathala Wildlife Reserve Lodge for two nights, and it was easily one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in. 

Accommodation is in a traditional safari tent, with a ridiculous amount of mod-cons (air conditioning, free-standing bath, fridge and an uber-comfy bed to name but a few!). 

As soon as I unzipped my tent, I was right in the heart of nature, with monkeys outside on the terrace and the sound of birdsong in the air. 

The tents are centered around an airy reception area, with a swimming pool, bar and restaurant. The food was top-notch; everything was prepared to perfection, with decent vegetarian options. 

Service was top-tier as well. 

Nikolo-Koba National Park

I didn’t get a chance to visit Nikolo-Koba National Park , which is right in the southeastern corner of Senegal, but it’s supposed to be the “wildest” safari experience you can get in the region. There are even lions here!

However, it’s difficult to visit without a tour. If you do want to go, I’d recommend contacting my friend Omar from OmiTours ; he’s based in The Gambia offers tours all over West Africa and would definitely be able to help you out.

Animals you might see on a Senegalese safari

So, what can you expect to see on a safari in Senegal? Look out for the following: 

We saw a few of these towering in both Bandia and Fathala. They’re incredibly graceful! 

Zebra usually move in packs, and we saw a collection of them on our game drives in both reserves. They were a little skittish of the cars, but I got some good photos.

A few different types of antelope live on the safari parks in Senegal. 

Western Giant Lord Derby Eland

This animal’s only found in Senegal and Mali! Fathala is one of only three places where they exist in the wild. 

Warthog 

We saw plenty of warthogs (aka Pumba from The Lion King) in Fathala. They’re much smaller in real life! 

West African Crocodile 

There are lots of West African crocodiles in the river in Bandia Wildlife Reserve – the viewpoint is far above – and we also saw one on our mangroves tour of Fathala. 

Unless you do the walking with lions experience, you won’t see these creatures in Bandia or Fathala. However, you might locate them in Nikolo-Koba, if you’re lucky! 

Hyenas 

Hyenas are enclosed in Bandia Wildlife Reserve and there aren’t any in Fathala. 

How to book your Senegal safari experience

Most tourists do Senegal safaris as part of a guided tour. 

There are some tours available on Viator and Get Your Guide, but they’re pricey. 

The cheapest option by far is to join a group tour from the major hotels on the Petite Cote. For example, if you stay at a TUI hotel like the Hotel RIU Baobab, you can book this tour .

If you aren’t staying at a TUI hotel, you can book with Nouvelles Frontieres who offer pick-up from other parts of the coast . 

To see Fathala, most tourists actually do day trips from The Gambia. However, I’d highly recommend spending a couple of days at the lodge ( bookable on their website ) and enjoying activities from there. 

To reach the lodge, you can take taxis, or catch various buses and sept-places to Kaolack and then connect to Toubakouta, then take a taxi to Fathala – this is what we did and it wasn’t too challenging! 

Are you ready for a Senegalese safari? 

It’s not quite the same as an East African safari, but provided you manage expectations, it’s entirely possible to see wild animals in Senegal! 

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Reserve De Bandia

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Reserve De Bandia - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Half-Day Somone Lagoon and Bandia Park Safari from Dakar (From $243.85)
• Your private driver & tour guide in Senegal-Reserve of Bandia (From $310.39)
• FULL-DAY SAFARI AND PINK LAKE TOUR (minimum 2 pax) (From $400.00)
• Senegal Highlights 7 Days - 6 Nights ( Minimum 2 Participants) (From $1,804.55)
• Bandia Animals Reserve combined With The Pink Lake (From $650.00)
• (0.76 mi) Ranch De Bandia Lodge
• (8.02 mi) The Rhino Resort Hotel & Spa
• (7.00 mi) Royal Horizon Baobab
• (7.86 mi) Mövenpick Resort Lamantin Saly
• (8.38 mi) Hotel Neptune
• (6.86 mi) New Panoramic Chez Malick
• (8.44 mi) La Guinguette
• (8.02 mi) Safari Beach
• (6.72 mi) L'echo Cotier
• (7.07 mi) Couleurs Senegal