Jenna and Gus in Bamako

Week #33 A Trip to the Coast of Senagal

After eight months in the landlocked interior of Mali, last week took a trip to the beaches of Senegal seeking cooler temperatures, big waves, rhinos and giraffes, and lots of fish. Dakar and the beaches to the south were surprisingly much cooler than Bamako... downright chilly in the evenings... and we savored every minute!

Some local kids joked that this road was as bad as the road in Guinea

When we planned our trip we had no idea how significant the tourist industry was in Senegal. The towns of Saly, M'bour, Pompongine, and Toubab Djallo are filled with high end beach resorts and gated communties. Many Europeans live here full-time during retirement. There are many time-share bungaloos for sale along the beach and the town (and the whole coastline) are experiencing very rapid growth with construction everywhere. Dakar's new airport, located between the city and the coast, will greatly simplify trips to the coast, and new direct flights from Washington, Altlanta, and New York to Dakar will open the area to American vacationers too.

We took a break from our adventures to color easter eggs, and on Easter morning had a non-traditional beach egg hunt.

Located just inland from Saly is the Banda Reserve, host to a variety of large African animals including giraffes, crocodiles, impalas, horse-antelopes, wild boars, water buffalos, and two largewhite rhinoceri.

Some of these animals are native to Sengal, however the rhinoceri were purchased from a park in S. Africa. The Banda reserve has plans to expand and will soon include a small group of elephants.

Before the reserve was established there was a small village located here. They had a tradition of burying the griot's of the village in the bottom of a massive Baobob tree. Below you can see the tree and some of the ancient skulls that remain.

Just south of the touristic town of Saly is the small city of M'bour, which has a lively and colorful fishing port.

Large boats arrive and depart from up to two-week long voyages carrying fish for local and foreign markets.

Gus, with his lively new pants, took great interest in the catch of the day.... Jenna, on the other hand, was a bit overwhelmed with the scents of the sea.

The video clip below will give you a sense of life at the port.

Departing on a search for the evening meal.