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Saint-Louis and the Bassari Country
Description
Set out to discover authentic Senegal: from the colonial splendor of Saint-Louis to the perched villages of the Bassari and Bédik ethnic groups. Hikes to the spectacular Dindefelo waterfalls, encounters with Senegal's last animist peoples, colorful markets of Kédougou. A unique adventure at the heart of thousand-year-old traditions preserved in the southeastern mountains.
Detailed Program
Day 1 : Arrival – Pink Lake
Arrival at Blaise Diagne de Diass Airport, then transfer to the hotel. Check-in.
Day 2 : Pink Lake – Nomad Camp
Breakfast, visit to the salt flats to see traditional salt harvesting techniques. The Pink Lake, whose waters change colour in direct sunlight, was the final stage of the famous Paris–Dakar Rally. Lunch in Thiès, visit to a basket market, and arrival at our camp in the savanna near Lompoul.
Day 3 : Nomad Camp – Saint-Louis
Optional activities at the lodge such as dromedary riding. Breakfast, departure for the first administrative capital of Senegal. Lunch, then carriage tour to admire the colonial heritage of the historic city. Continuation to our hotel outside the city.
Day 4 : Le Gandiole – Touba – Kaolack
After breakfast, departure for the holy city of Touba. Along the way, we visit Fula tribe villages, then arrive and visit the second-largest mosque in West Africa. A local guide provides explanations and takes you inside. Continuation to the capital of the ancient Saloum kingdom. Visit to its central market.
Day 5 : Kaolack – Tambacounda
Road to the south-east of the country, crossing several villages and localities; stops and visits, and with luck, a weekly market. As we move forward the landscape becomes greener. Arrival in Tamba.
Day 6 : Tambacounda – Kédougou
After a brief visit to the Tamba market we continue toward the vast Niokolo-Koba Reserve, crossing Mandinka ethnic villages. With luck we may spot monkeys or antelopes. Visit to a village whose inhabitants extract gold nuggets from the river or the ground. Arrival in Kédougou (Land of Men).
Day 7 : Kédougou – Bédik Villages – Dindefelo Waterfall
From Kédougou, the regional capital, we enter the Bédik villages, refuged in the mountains to escape Islamisation led by the Fula king Alpha Yaya. A short trek leads us to one of these villages. Visit to the public square and meeting with the inhabitants. Descent and continuation to Dindefelo to see its unique waterfall. A rocky path leads us to the foot of the hill. Swim in its cool waters, then return to our hotel in Kédougou.
Day 8 : Kédougou – Megalithic Sites – Kaolack
Early departure toward Kaolack. Visit to funerary monuments known as megalithic sites. Arrival and check-in.
Day 9 : Kaolack – Fadiouth – Saly
Breakfast, then departure for the shell island of Fadiouth. Visit on foot to this magnificent island, whose religious syncretism surprises many. Visit to its church, the sacred baobab and its mixed cemetery. After lunch (not included), visit to the fishing port of Joal, before heading to Saly.
Day 10 : Saly – Free Day
Free day with the option of an additional optional activity.
Day 11 : Saly – Dakar – Gorée – Departure
Morning departure to Dakar, visit to the famous slave house of Gorée from which millions of Africans were transported to America. Walk through its bougainvillea-lined alleyways. Return to Dakar, visit to the colonial quarter, the African Renaissance Monument and the iconic Médina neighbourhood. End of services.
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