Visiting Senegal

Palmarin, Senegal

The best places to visit in Senegal are dotted throughout the country. Some are cities, others villages, islands, or nature reserves.

A great place to start your travels in Senegal is Dakar. The capital of Senegal deserves a visit, and is a good way to get a feel for Senegalese culture while you are in the country.

Dakar offers a wide variety of things to see and do, including great restaurants and nightlife, a beach on the westernmost point in Africa, and the famous Ile de Goree. The last of these is not only one of the best places to visit in Senegal, but one of the best places to visit in all of west Africa.

Near Dakar, visitors shouldn’t miss a chance to visit Lac Rose and Le Village des Tortues. The former is a lake that turns pink in certain light, and is surrounded by small shops, resorts, and restaurants. The latter is a turtle sanctuary where turtles from all over west Africa can be seen. Le Village des Tortues’ conservation and repopulation efforts are evident throughout the grounds.

Another great place to go in Senegal is Saint Louis. This city in the north of Senegal was made famous by early postal routes that flew from Europe to South America via Africa. Now the city is home to beautiful colonial architecture, long sandy beaches, a huge fish market, and several museums.

Near Saint Louis is the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary. Visitors can go on a day trip from Saint Louis and take a boat safari to see thousands of pelicans and other migratory birds. There are also warthogs and other animals on the land there.

South of Dakar, the Petite Cote is famous for its beaches and laid-back atmosphere. Small shops, restaurants, and accommodations line the coast, and the area is very popular with visitors from Europe.

Another one of the best places to visit in Senegal’s southern region is the Palmarin Nature Reserve. Palmarin is located at the southern tip of the Petie Cote above the Sine-Saloum Delta. It is close to the border with The Gambia. Visitors to Palmarin can enjoy the area’s beaches, go on river cruises through the delta, and stay in a treehouse at Les Collines de Niassam lodge.

Les Collines de Niassam

Les Collines de Niassam Lodge
Address: Palmarin Ngallou, BP 08 JOAL – Senegal
Phone: +221 77 639 06 39

Les Collines de Niassam Lodge in Palmarin is one of the best hotels in Senegal.

Located in the Palmarin Nature Reserve at the southern tip of the Petie Cote and just above the Sine-Saloum Delta and the border with The Gambia, Les Collines de Niassam Lodge is an excellent luxury eco resort and a great place to base yourself during your holiday in Senegal.

Les Collines de Niassam Lodge is unique in that all of its rooms are stand-alone bungalows. Some are located on the ground, while others are tree houses or over-lagoon bungalows. The unique experience of staying in one of the tree houses at Les Collines de Niassam is highly recommended.

Apart from the rooms, Les Collines de Niassam Lodge offers a small central lobby building, a pool with lounge chairs, a lagoon with boats, and beautiful grounds.

Les Collines de Niassam is situated on a large lagoon and is a short 1km walk from the beaches on the Atlantic coast of Senegal.

Activities such as night hyena drives, river safaris, nature walks, Senegalese dancing, massage, and more are available through the hotel and local tour operators in Senegal.

The restaurant at Les Collines de Niassam offers a choice of indoor or outdoor seating, and breakfast can be served in your room or at the restaurant. The food is excellent and the chef specializes in French-African cuisine.

Room rates at Les Collines de Niassam Lodge start at 90 euros per person per night (half board). Discounts are available for families.

Palmarin, Senegal

Taxis from Dakar to Palmarin, Senegal

Taking a taxi from Dakar to Palmarin on the Petite Cote in Senegal is a good option for independent travelers that want their own private transport.

A taxi from Dakar to Palmarin should cost no more than 40,000 CFA one way.

Drivers will not give you their best price up front, so make sure to negotiate before agreeing on a price for the taxi.

While many hotels in Palmarin and on the Petite Cote offer a transfer service for guests, taxis are usually less expensive.