2-Day Pink Lake & Lompoul Desert Tour from Dakar

Summary

Senegal adventure: Lac Rose salt harvest & Lompoul desert camp

If you want to see Senegal beyond Dakar, this two-day trip lets you float in pink waters at Lac Rose, cross wild dunes by 4x4, sleep under stars in Lompoul’s desert camp, eat local food, and dance to real djembé rhythms—all with a guide who knows every shortcut.

What’s the experience like?

We left Dakar just after sunrise, the city still half asleep. The drive north was quiet except for the odd goat wandering along the road. When we reached Lake Retba—locals call it Lac Rose—the water really did look pink in the morning light. Our guide, Mamadou, explained how the color shifts with the sun and wind. We watched women scraping salt from the lakebed, their hands white with crystals. The air smelled faintly briny, and you could hear laughter from the workers nearby.

After circling the lake and learning about how families have harvested salt here for generations, we piled into a 4x4 to cross those wild sand dunes you always see in rally photos. It felt like riding a rollercoaster—sand flying everywhere, our driver grinning as he took sharp turns. We stopped at a stretch of empty beach where fishermen were mending nets and kids waved at us. Later, I dipped my feet in the lake; it’s so salty you float without trying. Lunch was simple but fresh—grilled fish and spicy rice under a thatched shelter.

The next day started early again. The road to Lompoul gets bumpier as you go—by midday we reached this tiny desert village where camels lounged in the shade. Our camp sat right in the dunes; tents were basic but clean, with thick blankets for when it got chilly after dark (trust me, it does). Dinner was by candlelight—lots of couscous and grilled lamb—and then came drumming around the fire. Locals played djembé drums while some of us tried dancing (not well). Riding camels at sunset felt surreal—the sand turned gold and everything went quiet except for hooves crunching softly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pink Lake Visit and Salt Harvest

• Tour of Rose Lake and salt harvest
• Cross sand dunes
• Arrive at big coast beach
• Swim at Pink Lake
• Lunch at Rose Lake Hotel Palal or Chez Salim
• Dinner in Lompoul desert

Day 2 — Lompoul Desert Experience

• Travel to Lompoul desert camp
• Camel ride, candlelight meal, Djémbé evening, African dance
• Breakfast in Lompoul desert

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for children?

This tour is best for adults or older teens due to long drives and some bumpy sections. It’s not recommended for travelers with back or heart issues.

What should I pack?

Bring light clothes for daytime, a warm layer for cool desert nights, sunscreen, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes. A swimsuit if you want to try floating in Lac Rose!

Can I join from Saly or Mbour?

Yes! Just send us an email so we can give you rates starting from Saly or Mbour instead of Dakar.

What’s included

Your guide covers all meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast), transport by 4x4 or minibus from Dakar, overnight stay in a desert ecolodge or similar camp at Lompoul, camel ride in the dunes, evening drumming session with locals—and plenty of stories along the way.