100% customisable travel idea
From the Sine Saloum to the Atlantic coast Family time in Senegal
Senegal - Palmarin - Saly
A gentle Senegal
Your trip
A seamless Senegal. That’s the idea. The keys belong first to your driver-guide (and to all the drivers who handle your transfers). No transport headaches: comfortable journeys, short distances, easily manageable for younger travellers, even if they spend most of the time gazing out the window. Accommodation has been carefully chosen: one with a slightly adventurous feel in the Saloum Delta, the other focused on Atlantic-coast beach life. Both share a contemporary African feel and a genuine attention to family needs, with space for everyone. Half board means you never have to worry about where or how to eat - peace of mind guaranteed. We considered a wide range of activities and chose the following: a fishing day in the Saloum, a bush-cart outing, a visit to a private museum dedicated to West African cultures, and a safari in the Bandia Reserve. It's a varied programme, catering to children and adults alike. If you wish to add a village visit or test your nerve at baobab tree climbing, just let us know. Senegal is a welcoming, easy-to-navigate country - ideal for a first African experience. And should an impromptu idea take hold or a minor setback occur, you will have access to our on-site concierge service to assist you.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Welcome and assistance with formalities. You’ll meet your driver-guide and take a private transfer to Palmarin. Stay for three nights by the lagoon. The atmosphere is generally calm, sometimes stirred by pelicans with their loud flapping and grunting. Your accommodation is set against a beautiful tree, elevated, with two sections and a distinctive terrace. There’s wood everywhere and it has a chalet atmosphere. And of course a view. There’s also the pleasure of returning to the cabin - but this time, it’s comfortable. There is also a focus on leaving the smallest possible footprint. No air conditioning, for example - but there are fans. Nevertheless, your comfort is not diminished in any way. It is simple, yet authentic. The décor features African touches arranged harmoniously. At the restaurant, you can enjoy homemade Senegalese and French cuisine. A massage service is available to guests. And a lovely swimming pool is open to them for relaxation.
Scheduled - Fishing day. Ready to fish? The upside is that you’ll never return empty-handed. The mangroves play a part here, serving as a nursery for many species. In the bolongs and in the channels that run through them, people catch barracuda, thiof grouper, carp, captain fish and jacks. These are the big ones. Small fish, like the cobo and the yellow sardinella, also have their merits. You’ll be accompanied by Serer specialists. When you get back, the catch will be grilled over hot coals and everyone will be able to enjoy it. Next up, an outing by bush cart. The family climbs into the horse-drawn vehicle and, clip-clop, clip-clop, sets off to explore the surroundings. In the golden hues of late afternoon, the walk draws you in. It’s time for the hyenas to come out. They emerge from their shelters to fulfil their role as cleaners: dead animals and abandoned fish make up their meal. If nature is relatively clean, we owe it in part to them. That should help restore their poor reputation. Well hidden, we’ll watch them leave for work. As the environment is favourable, you might also spot a Nile monitor - the largest African lizard - which can grow up to two metres (6.5 feet) long!
Already planned - Visit to the Mahicao Museum. The Museum of Art and History of West African Cultures is in Djilor-Djidiack, birthplace of Léopold Sédar Senghor’s family. It documents the history and civilisations of West Africa, from prehistory to the present day. The programme is extensive, supported by a significant collection of objects: masks, jewellery, statues, music instruments, puppets, textiles, locks, and more. Thanks to the quality of the artefacts and clear exhibit design, the museum is accessible to all. And it lives up to its ambition to restore the richness and beauty of a world that has been battered. You’ll have lunch on site. Back again, you’ll never tire of watching the birds that are so numerous in the delta: royal tern, black-tailed godwit, Eurasian curlew, redshank, Eurasian spoonbill and many more.
Scheduled - Drive to Joal-Fadiouth, birthplace of Léopold Sédar Senghor. Fadiouth, built on a vast mound of seashells, is linked to Joal by a long wooden footbridge. It’s a key site on the Petite Côte.
After the visit, you’ll continue your journey to Saly. You’ll then settle in for three nights in an accommodation with direct access to the beach. This is a modern establishment that meets the standards of its category. The level of facilities - in both the common areas and private spaces - is entirely satisfactory. Sand and water are what it’s all about. Everything is therefore organised accordingly. You’ll enjoy water activities and simply go with the flow. Swimming pools for adults and children pleasantly complete the facilities. The rooms are well-appointed, clean, with a modern African style. At the restaurant, you’ll find Senegalese and international cuisine. The spa offers a fine range of services.
Already planned - Safari in the Bandia Reserve. Let’s set aside the birds for a moment - even though there are many - to focus on the large mammals. Under the baobab trees of the Bandia forest, they have been reintroduced as part of a regeneration programme. So you can now get close to giraffes, buffalo, Derby elands, sable antelopes, rhinoceroses, nyalas and warthogs in excellent conditions. You can even spot the elegant and endangered dama gazelle there. Howler monkeys and vervets are plentiful. Crocodiles waste no time taking advantage of wetland areas. And then there are ostriches, so a bird, after all. Lunch on site.
Golden sand and opalescent blue-green water form the horizon for the day. In fact, Saly is devoted to the sea. And, more and more, leisure time. You can still watch the fishing boats leave and return at Saly Portudal. Against all odds, Senegalese catch fish. So we make the most of the hotel’s amenities. There are many of them, and they invite you to make the most of life. They are also suitable for young people, who receive special attention. Which benefits their parents, of course. In short, everyone can find something enjoyable here.
À la carte - Bush walks; baobab tree climbing.
Transfer to Dakar Airport. Direct flight back.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
A bush outing around Saly
All aboard a four-wheel-drive vehicle with driver as you set off into the hinterland, discovering Peul and Wolof villages along the way. The Wolof people make up the majority of Senegal’s population and are traditionally farmers, while the Peul are pastoralists. In the bush, both communities go about their daily lives. You meet them at their home, with the chance to spend some time together, out of courtesy and to talk about the world and how things are going. This is village life - observed not as a spectator, but as a traveller. Lunch is enjoyed with a Senegalese family.Have you heard of accro-baobab?
The trees back home are all very well, and treetop adventure courses deliver their share of thrills. But some things change everything - the baobab, for instance. This park is probably the only one in the world offering courses from baobab to baobab. It looks impressive - and it is. Zip lines, rope bridges, Himalayan walkways and balance logs guarantee excitement, with professional-level safety throughout. Several routes are suitable for families with younger children.
Why visit Senegal with Voyageurs du monde?
Every day, our travel specialists craft bespoke experiences shaped around each traveller's profile, desires and budget. These passionate experts design experiences delivered on the ground by a local network of Concierges and trusted contacts. These fully customisable, made-to-measure trips are complemented by a wide range of high-end services (lounges, 24/7 assistance, travel booklet, app, Wi-Fi, restaurant booking, etc.)
Let us create your tripA few of the advantages of travelling with us to Senegal
- Globally unique concierge service
- 24-hour assistance
- CO2 absorption
