St Louis

The Saint Louis region of Senegal sits just off the border with Mauritania.

Famous for its cast iron bridge, put in by French colonialists in the 19th century, it is close to the Djoudj National Park, home to thousands of birds, some indigenous to the area.  The city is also famed for its culinary roots, being the home to Senegal's national dish: Ceb-u-djen - rice and fish.

The Governor’s Palace

The Governor’s Palace is an 18th century fort, and now a government building.  Place Faidherbe, with its statue of the famous French colonial governor, sits in front of the Governor’s Palace.

Guet N’Dar Fishing Village

In the fishing part of the town, Guet N’Dar, pirogues are lined up on the beach and fish dry on racks by the side of the road.  Women boil up fish in vast drums, and the steam mixes odorously with the early morning sea mist.  A little further south is the Muslim cemetery, where each fisherman’s grave is covered with a fishing net.

Réserve de Faune de Guembeul

This reserve is small, accessible and easy to explore by foot.  It’s about 8 miles south of St Louis.  The landscape is a mixture of lagoons, mud flats and dry woodland protecting the population of endangered Sahel animals, which include Dama Gazelles, Patas Monkeys and Sulcata Tortoises.  There are also many birds around the lagoon – 190 species have been spotted here – and there are plans to introduce other Sahel mammals into the reserve.  3 hour guided walks can be provided for CFA 7000.