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.


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.