Senegal, in Western Africa, is one of the most important places for birdwatching in the world; there are more of 600 species. It’s geographic situation and its different habitats allow it. Placed between the Sahara desert and the rainy forest of Guinea´s Gulf, it becomes the migration destination for many species, who, avoiding to the Northern winter, find here the first wetlands after their long migration to the South through the desert. Between Novembre to April, we can watch many birds that have come here looking for water and hot climate.

We cannot forget the resident species, which are many due to the variety of habitats we can find: to the North we find semi-desertic areas, in the middle savannah, to the South the rainy forest and to the West the Atlantic coast with mangrove areas. Also, there are four large rivers that bring life to this Sahel’s country: the Senegal, the Sine-Saloum, the Gambia and the Casamance.

The climate of Senegal is divided in two seasons: Dry season (November-May) and Rainy season (June-October). The temperatures are high all the year round, except in December thru January.

We find birds throughout the country, but more than likely in the National Park of Djoujd and Langue de Barbarie (North), in the National Park Delta of Saloum (West), in the estuary of river Casamance (South) and National Park Niokolo-Koba (Est).

Some Nationals Parks close during the rainy season because the tracks are impracticable or inundated.

After all this, as a birdwatcher that I’m and after six years living and working as a tourism adviser in Western Africa, I’ve decided to open new trips exclusively to the Nature’s lovers and the birdwatchers in Senegal.

Ours trips are developed exclusively for birdwatchers looking forward to visiting the most important sites. The itinerary can change depending on the season. We don’t offer touristic travelling for this trip for it is thought exclusively for true ornithologist and the nature lovers. I hope you enjoy it.


INFORMATION

Documentation: Check your embassy. You  need visa to visit Senegal,  please check the immigration service.

Vaccines: Vaccine against the yellow fever (compulsory). We advise you to contact your doctor, who will inform you about the best treatment for prophylaxis against malaria (treatment with tablet) is strongly recommended and also other vaccinations.

Climate: Senegal is semi-tropical country with a dry season (November-May) and rainy season (June-October). During the months of March and April, temperatures are over 40ºC.

Money: The Senegal currency is CFA (1€ = 650 CFA, 1$ = 455 CFA approx). Recommend to bring Euros in bills of 100€, 200€, 500€. Credit cards are not useful for paying but they can help to you to withdraw cash money in cashier-bank.

Transport: Vehicle 4x4 or coach with a capacity 5 up to 15 seats. It includes driver and guide.

Lodging: The lodges, hotels etc… that we have chosen are suitable for tourism. Some have toilette in the room and others offer an exterior shared toilette.

CONTACT:

Senegal: Telf. +00 221 775606325 (Jordi Palou)
Telf. +00 221 775505033 (Aristide Sambou)
Spain: Telf. +00 34 606363824 (Josep Palou)


Email: jordipalouprats@hotmail.com
info@joseppalou.com
aristide.sambou@gmail.com

TRIP OF 16 DAYS

Day 1: Origin – Dakar: Depart to destination Dakar (Senegal). Arrival to the Dakar airport. Transfer to hotel. Night in hotel.

Day 2: Dakar – St.Louis: We will take the ferryboat to Goree Island. It is a little island facing the Dakar coast, and was pronounced by UNESCO as Humanity Heritage, also it was one of the more important sites concerning slave trade to America and Europe. After lunch, departure to St.Louis, near Mauritanie border. In the French colonial period, Saint Louis was the capital of Senegal and also all French colonies in Western Africa. Due to this, the French colonist built nice houses with happy colours and flowers. Night in a hotel.

Day 3: National Park Langue de Barbarie: Journey dedicated to birdwatching. We will go into the Park by canoe. The Langue de Barbarie is a sand fringe between the river Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean, formed by the action of the winds over the river sediments. Maximum bird concentration between November to April. Night in a hotel

Day 4 and 5: National Park of Djoudj: Situated at 60 km. of Saint Louis among the Senegal river meanders, it’s the third world-wide reserve of birds. Pronounced by UNESCO as Humanity Heritage. We will watch thousands of pelicans, cormorants, flamingos, herons, ducks, fish eagles etc... And as many as 350 species. We will explore the Park during two days by canoe. Nights in a camp.

Day 6 : Saint-Louis – Tambacounda: Transfer journey to the Est, where we will find the National Park of Niokolo-Koba, the largest Park in Senegal who is formed by plains dominated by grasses, tree groups, bush and scrub. It is crossed by the Gambie river, it contains 1500 plants species and 300 bird species. Also we can find some mammals. Night in a hotel.

Day 7 and 8: National Park of Niokolo-Koba : Early in the morning we will take the road to Park entrance in Dar Salam (80 km). Pending two days we will watch birds and others animals across the Park inside our vehicle. It’s forbid to get off the vehicle except in the authorized areas. Nights in a hotel.

Day 9: Niokolo-Koba – Kolda –Oussouye(Casamance): Transfer journey to Casamance region. Lunch in Kolda. Casamance is the home of Diolas, a region with a luxuriant vegetation of ceibas, palm-trees, mangroves, swamp woodlands, desolate beaches, estuaries and floodplains. Night in a Camp.

Day 10: Oussouye - Carabane Island: Oussouye is a interesant village to explored this area, but it’s the major cross-roads. After the breakfast, we will go to M’Lomp for visited the little traditional Diola museum. Lunch in M’Lomp. We will continued by track to Elinkine town, where we will take the canoe direction Carabane Island in the middle of the river Casamance estuary. Night in a hotel.

Day 11: Carabane Island – Birds Island – Carabane Island: Journey in the Birds Island for to explore and watch a lot of birds. Round trip by canoe from Carabane Island. Night in a hotel.

Day 12: Carabane Island – Gambia – Toubacouta (Saloum’s Delta): In the morning we will turn over Elinkine by canoe. Here, we will take our vehicle direction North for cross the Gambia border and again enter in Senegal up to Saloum’s Delta. Toubacouta is near the access to National Park Saloum’s Delta. It’s formed by rivers Sine and Saloum with a splendid vegetation, mangroves, lakes and wetlands. Night in a hotel.

Day 13 and 14: Saloum’s Delta: Pending two days will exploring the delta by canoe watching numerous birds who live in there. Nights in a hotel.

Day 15: Saloum’s Delta – Dakar: After breakfast, we will leave the Delta to Dakar. Free journey to enjoy the local markets and the ambience of Dakar. At night, transfer to airport and end of our services.

Day 16: Dakar – Origin: Departure by flight to your destination. Good travelling and have a safe trip.


PRICE


Group minimum 5 people.

1.990 € pax in double room.

Supplement single room: 200 €.


INCLUDED: Lodging in hotels and tourist camps in double room. Full board all trip. Transport in vehicle 4x4 or coach pending all the trip. Ferry-boat to Goree Island. Right entry to museum and Nationals Parks. Trasfer airport – hotel – airport. Guide french/english language.



NOT INCLUDE: Airplane ticket. Beverages. Travel insurance. Tips and services no specified previously.

TRIP OF 11 DAYS

Day 1: Origin – Dakar: Depart to destination Dakar (Senegal). Arrival to the Dakar airport. Transfer to hotel. Night in hotel.

Day 2: Dakar - Goree - M'Bour: We will take the ferryboat to Goree Island. It is a little island facing the Dakar coast, and was pronounced by UNESCO as Humanity Heritage, also it was one of the more important sites concerning slave trade to America and Europe. Lunch on Goree. In the afternoon, back to Dakar, and we will go to Mbour  to approach the Sine and Saloum. Arrival in Mbour and  visit to he port looking for the arrival of the canoe fishermen in the harbor. Dinner and overnight at the hotel Bougainvillees. (H.B).

Day 3 : M'Bour – Saloum Delta:  Early in the morning  pick up the direction of the village of Ndangane, the Sine and Saloum, located facing the river. We stop on the way in the villages, for a first contact with various species of birds in the region. Free lunch en route and arrival at Hotel Le Pelican afternoon. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Pelican (H.B) Night in a hotel.

Day 4 and 5: Saloum Delta : During these two days we will go with canoes and on foot inside the delta to observe the abundant bird life. Take the opportunity to stroll along the Sea Island Lodge to observe species present on the island. Possibility picnic lunch.Night and dinner at the hotel Pelican (F.B)

Day 6 : Saloum Delta – Langue de Barbarie : Morning departure towards the colonial city of Saint Louis. In French colonial times, Saint Louis was the capital of Senegal and throughout West Africa under French rule. As a result, many houses were built and were adorned with colorful bougainvilles. Lunch on the way, before arriving in Saint Louis, we turn to the village of Gandiol to take a canoe to leave us at Camp The lighthouse in la langue de Barbarie. Dinner and overnight at the Lighthouse. (H.B)

Day 7: Langue de Barbarie - Djoujd N.P. We will spend the day to birding in la langue de Barbarie. We will go with canoe inside the park. The Langue de Barbarie is a sandy strip situated between the river Senegal and the Atlantic Ocean, formed by the action of wind on the sediments carried by the river. The maximum concentration of birds occurs between the months of November to April. After the tour and lunch, we will go to the National Park of the Birds of Djoudj. Dinner and night at the Hostellerie Park (F.B.)

Day 8 and 9: Djoud N.P: Located 60 km. to Saint Louis, between the meanders of the river Senegal, is the world's third largest reserve of birds. Listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. View thousands of pelicans, cormorants, flamingos, herons, ducks, shorebirds, eagles, ospreys, kingfishers, etc ... up to 350 species. Will travel for two days inside the park by canoe. Night at "Hostellerie de Djoudj". (F.B.)

Day 10: National Park of Djoudj - Saint Louis : After enjoying the morning for the last time in the park, we will approach the city of Saint Louis. Food at the hotel and horse carriage ride in the evening for Saint Louis. Free dinner. Overnight at hotel Siki
(H.B.)

Day 11: Saint Louis - Dakar: Early departure from Saint Louis to the capital Dakar. On arrival visit the city, its beaches and its markets for last-minute shopping before transfer to airport for your return flight. Free Lunch. (B&B).



PRICE


Group of 5 people minimum.

1.350 € pax in double room.

Supplement single room: 200 €.


INCLUDED: Lodging in hotels and tourist camps in double room. Transport in vehicle 4x4 or coach pending all the trip. Ferry-boat to Goree Island. Right entry to museum and Nationals Parks. Trasfer airport – hotel – airport. Guide french/english language.



NOT INCLUDE: Airplane ticket. Beverages. Travel insurance. Tips and services no specified previously.
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