Bandia Wildlife Reserve private safari tour from Dakar

Track white rhino and giraffes on your own schedule in Senegal's restored reserve

A private safari tour from Dakar to Bandia Wildlife Reserve, 90 minutes away, with a live guide in English or French, pickup from your hotel, and all entry fees covered. You travel by 4x4 through a reserve where white rhinoceros, zebras, giraffes, buffalo, antelopes and over 120 bird species roam after successful reintroduction efforts. The tour runs 3 to 4 hours and includes fuel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari tour in Bandia Wildlife Reserve

• Pickup from Dakar
• Drive 65km to Bandia Reserve
• Explore wildlife and flora
• See rhinoceros, giraffes, buffaloes
• Observe ostriches, jackals, monkeys
• View antelopes and bird species
• Visit Serere burial mounds and baobab tree
• Return to Dakar

The experience

Bandia Wildlife Reserve sits 65 kilometers from Dakar and 15 kilometers from Saly-Portugal, a working restoration of habitat that had emptied through poaching. The reserve now holds white rhinoceros, zebras, giraffes, buffalo, and a spectrum of antelopes (giant eland, damas gazelle and others) alongside monkeys, crocodiles, ostriches and jackals. Your guide drives the 4x4 at a pace that lets you frame shots and watch behavior without the rush of a shared vehicle. The reserve also holds Serere burial mounds and a baobab tree where griots were once interred, layering history into the landscape.

Pickup comes from your Dakar hotel, and the drive itself takes you through the transition from city to reserve. Once inside, the 4x4 is yours alone: no competing for window seats or waiting while other groups photograph the same animal. Your guide speaks English or French and navigates the reserve roads, timing stops around what you want to see and photograph. Entry fees and the vehicle are both included, so no surprises at the gate.

What’s included

• Private hotel pickup from Dakar.
• 4x4 vehicle for the duration of the tour.
• Bandia Wildlife Reserve entry ticket.
• fuel surcharge.
• live guide in English or French.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 85 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by sensafari excursion

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you speak English or French comfortably and want to move at your own pace through the reserve without sharing the vehicle or waiting for a group to gather. The private 4x4 and guide give you control over where you stop and how long you linger at each sighting.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Under 12: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What animals will I actually see at Bandia Wildlife Reserve?

White rhinoceros, zebras, giraffes and buffalo are the main draw. The reserve also holds multiple antelope species including giant eland and damas gazelle, plus monkeys, crocodiles, ostriches, jackals and over 120 bird species. Sightings depend on the day and the animals' movement, but the reserve is stocked and active.

How long does the drive from Dakar to Bandia take?

Bandia lies 90 minutes from Dakar by road. The full tour, including time in the reserve, runs 3 to 4 hours from pickup to return.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay for separately?

The price covers private pickup from your Dakar hotel, entry to Bandia Wildlife Reserve, the 4x4 vehicle and fuel. Meals and drinks are not included.