Nature
What to do?
Discover the treasures of nature in Senegal
Senegal offers a nature full of both diversity and beauty. From savannas and mangrove forests to river deltas, sandy beaches, and dense forests – the landscapes shift and surprise. Here, you encounter a rich wildlife, with everything from hippos and antelopes to flamingos and monkeys.
National parks and nature reserves protect this unique diversity and offer great opportunities for safari tours, hiking, and birdwatching. Each place holds its own magic – waiting to be discovered.
River Gambia national park
Deep in the lush heart of Gambia lies River Gambia National Park, one of the country's most fascinating nature experiences. This lush national park, which includes the Baboon Islands in the middle of the Gambia River, is a sanctuary for a variety of wildlife.
The park is most famous for the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project (CRP), where rehabilitated chimpanzees live freely in the wild on the islands. Although landing is not allowed, you can get close to these intelligent primates on a guided boat tour – a magical experience you will not forget.
In addition to chimpanzees, there are hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, baboons, and a rich birdlife with over 200 species. The surroundings are a dense green jungle, and the mirror-like river waters create a unique atmosphere. River Gambia National Park is the perfect destination for those seeking peace, closeness to nature, and authentic encounters with wildlife.
Practical information
Best time to visit: November to April, during the dry season.
Location: The park is located in central Gambia, about 270 km east of the capital Banjul.
Accessibility: Reach the park by car and continue with a guided boat tour on the river.
Niokolo-koba national park
Welcome to Niokolo-Koba National Park, one of West Africa’s most impressive natural areas and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located in the southeastern part of Senegal, the park covers over 9,000 square kilometers and offers a unique blend of savannah, forest, river landscapes, and mountains. An unforgettable adventure awaits nature lovers, adventurers, and eco-tourists.
Niokolo-Koba is home to a great biological diversity. Here, you can catch a glimpse of lions, leopards, African elephants, hippos, antelopes, baboons, and crocodiles, as well as over 300 bird species – all in their natural environment. The park is crossed by the Gambia River, which creates a rich ecosystem and fantastic opportunities for boat tours and nature photography.
Experience the wilderness for real
Guided safari tours give you the chance to discover the park’s hidden treasures, either by jeep, on foot, or by boat. Visitors can also explore the area's cultural significance, with nearby villages offering a glimpse into traditional Senegalese life.
Practical information
Best time to visit: November to Maj, under the dry season.
Where to stay: There are lodges and camping in and around the park.
Accessibility: The park is reached by road from Tambacounda.
Reserve de Bandia
Looking for an accessible and family-friendly safari experience near Senegal's sunny coast? Then the private nature reserve Réserve de Bandia is an excellent option. Just a two-hour drive from Dakar, nestled between the sea and the savannah, this beautiful nature reserve offers a chance to see Africa's iconic animals up close – without having to travel deep into the wilderness.
Bandia is a 3,500-hectare reserve where animals roam freely in a protected environment. With the help of knowledgeable guides, you can experience giraffes, rhinos, buffalo, antelope, zebras, ostriches, and many more species in their natural habitat. Safari tours take place in open 4x4 jeeps and are suitable for all ages – from families with children to adventure seekers.
The landscape in Bandia consists of acacia forests, baobab trees, and small watering holes where animals gather. You can also see remnants of ancient animistic traditions with old graves inside some of the baobab trees.
Practical information
Location: About 65 km from Dakar and close to the popular resorts of Saly and Mbour.
Open: Open all year, with guided tours available daily.
Reserve de Fathala
Located near the border with Gambia, in the Fatick region, this private nature reserve offers a unique blend of luxurious safari, untouched nature, and unforgettable encounters with wildlife.
Réserve de Fathala covers over 6,000 hectares of protected savannah and is home to both native and introduced species from other parts of Africa. Here, you can get up close to white rhinos, lions, buffalo, giraffes, antelope, zebras, and eland antelopes – the largest antelope species in the world.
You can explore the reserve in open 4x4 jeeps with experienced guides, who will share their knowledge of the animals, plants, and the local ecosystem. For the brave, there’s also the option to walk with lions under controlled conditions – a unique activity that is offered in only a few places in the world. The owners of the reserve claim that the lions are treated ethically.
Fathala combines adventure with comfort. Inside the reserve, there is an eco-lodge with elegant safari tents, complete with private bathrooms, comfortable beds, and a restaurant. Here, you can fall asleep to the sounds of the savannah and wake up in the heart of nature – without compromising on comfort.
Practical information
Location: Near Karang, about 1.5 hours from Banjul (Gambia) and 4 hours from Dakar.
Accessibility: Perfect for a day trip from Gambia or Saly.
Open: Year-round, with the best wildlife viewing during the dry season (November–May).
Activities: Jeep safari, walking with lions, birdwatching, forest walks, and overnight stays in luxury tents.
Langue de Barbarie nationalpark
Located just south of the historic city of Saint-Louis, this narrow peninsula offers a spectacular landscape of sand dunes, mangrove swamps, beaches, and bird-rich islands – a must for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and anyone seeking peace and beauty by the coast. Langue de Barbarie is particularly known for its rich birdlife. Here, pelicans, flamingos, terns, herons, and many migratory birds use the area as a resting place during their long journeys. During certain periods, you can see thousands of birds gathering in the water or resting on sandbanks – a magical sight for both amateur photographers and biologists.
The park's landscape is constantly changing. The calm freshwater of the river meets the salty waves of the sea, creating an environment where mangroves, sand, and savannah converge. You can explore the area by boat, walk along the beaches, or take guided tours that explain the delicate balance of the ecosystems and the local efforts to preserve them.
Langue de Barbarie is not a traditional safari, but rather a place for reflection, nature experiences, and relaxation. For those seeking a break from the pace of the city, this is an ideal place for silence, bird songs, and breathtaking sunsets over the sea.
Practical information
Location: About 20 km south of Saint-Louis, easily accessible by car or arranged tour.
Best time to visit: November to April, especially during the migratory bird season.
Activities: Birdwatching, boat tours, beach walks, nature photography.
Accommodation: Eco-lodges and small hotels near the park.
Casamance Ecoparc
This nature reserve is a peaceful retreat for nature lovers, set in a landscape where ancient forests, mangrove swamps, palm groves meet rice terraces and the open horizon towards the sea.
At the top of a lush hill stands an eco-lodge inspired by traditional Diola architecture. It features eight unique rooms, all with stunning views of both the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding forest.
Whether you explore the area on foot or by bike, rich experiences of local flora and fauna await – a place where nature’s rhythm sets the pace and every step becomes an adventure of discovery.
Réserve naturelle de Popenguine
With a spectacular view of Senegal's coastline, Popenguine Nature Reserve offers a scenic experience in a protected area full of life. The reserve, which was once a classified forest, spans 1,009 hectares and is now a sanctuary for many different species.
Here, you'll find a rich birdlife, as well as animals such as guinea fowl, jackals, porcupines, and several other species living freely in the diverse landscape. Popenguine is a perfect place for hiking, birdwatching, and peaceful nature experiences, just a short trip from Dakar.
Îles de la Madeleine national park
Îles de la Madeleine is a small but exciting archipelago located just off the coast of Dakar. The archipelago consists of two islands – the larger Île au Sarpan and the smaller Île Lougne – and is one of the world’s smallest marine national parks.
The islands are an important protected area for thousands of seabirds, which use them as nesting and resting sites. Among the birds found here are cormorants, ospreys, peregrine falcons, and black-and-white ravens. The nature is wild and dramatic, with steep cliffs, greenery, and the endless sea as the backdrop.
Île au Sarpan is the only island open to visitors. It can be reached by boat from Dakar to the beautiful Hubert Bay, a calm and sheltered place where you can swim in crystal-clear waters. The island is ideal for hiking, nature experiences, and snorkeling in pristine surroundings – perfect for those seeking tranquility and a connection with nature.
Delta du Saloum nationalpark
Parc National du Delta du Saloum is one of Senegal's most versatile and magical places. Located along the country's central Atlantic coast, where the Saloum and Sine rivers flow into the sea, the park offers an outstanding landscape of mangrove forests, islands, sandbanks, lagoons, and saltwater rivers. This is a paradise for adventurers, nature lovers, and those seeking a deeper connection with local culture.
Delta du Saloum is designated as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biosphere reserve due to its ecological richness. Over 400 bird species can be found here, including flamingos, herons, cormorants, and ospreys. Additionally, dolphins, manatees (sea cows), crabs, and abundant marine life make the area ideal for boat tours, kayaking, and fishing. On land, there's also exciting wildlife, including antelope, warthogs, and hyenas.
In Delta du Saloum, nature and human culture coexist. Local Serer and Diola communities have lived in harmony with the delta for centuries. Through guided tours to traditional fishing villages, you’ll gain insight into how people live, fish, salt, and farm in rhythm with the tides – and how they preserve both the environment and traditions.
You can explore the delta by pirouges (traditional canoes), stay in charming eco-lodges on the islands, or hike through the mangrove forest along quiet trails. Delta du Saloum offers relaxation with depth, where every sound – from bird calls to the lapping of waves – reminds you that you are immersed in the living nature.
Practical information
Location: In the Fatick region, between Joal-Fadiouth and the border with Gambia.
Best time to visit: November to April (dry season and the best birdwatching season).
Activities: Boat tours, birdwatching, cultural visits, fishing, kayaking, and nature walks.
Accommodation: Several eco-lodges and small hotels in places like Palmarin, Ndangane, and Djiffer.
