Dakar safari and lagoon tour: Bandia Park and Somone

Watch giraffes, rhinos and antelopes on a game drive, then drift through mangrove channels by boat.

A full-day safari and boat tour from Dakar combines a morning game drive through Bandia Park reserve (where giraffes, rhinos, antelopes, buffaloes, monkeys and crocodiles roam) with an afternoon boat ride through the mangrove channels of Somone lagoon, a sanctuary for wading birds. An accredited guide handles park arrangements and accompanies you throughout. Lunch in Somone village and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The tour runs seven hours and suits all fitness levels. Children from age five are welcome when accompanied by an adult.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari and boat ride at Somone lagoon

• Meet accredited guide
• Drive to Bandia park entrance
• Safari drive to watch wildlife
• Travel to Somone village
• Have lunch in Somone village
• Boat ride on Somone lagoon

The experience

You're picked up from your Dakar hotel in the morning and driven to Bandia Park, a conservation reserve built to protect African wildlife in an eco-friendly setting. Once there, your accredited guide arranges entry and leads you on a safari drive through the park. You'll watch giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, rhinos, antelopes, monkeys, crocodiles and birds from the vehicle as they move through their natural habitat: the guide points out behavior and details as the day unfolds.

After the game drive, you head to Somone village for lunch. The meal is included and vegetarian options are available if you request one at booking. Then you board a boat for the second half of the day: a ride through the lagoon's mangrove channels. The waterway is lined with lush vegetation and home to a variety of bird species. The boat moves slowly enough to spot them without disturbing the landscape. This is the quieter, more contemplative part of the day: a contrast to the open-air safari drive.

The guide stays with you for both activities and speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one additional language. Hotel drop-off happens at the end of the afternoon. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with very young children, though infant meals aren't included. Kids five and up can join as long as an adult is present. The tour requires a minimum number of passengers to run, so there's a small chance of cancellation after booking if numbers don't meet the threshold: in that case you'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• accredited guide for the full day.
• Bandia Park entry and safari drive.
• lunch in Somone village with vegetarian option available.
• boat ride through Somone lagoon mangroves.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 36 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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Diallo Tours Services

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Dakar with a free afternoon or morning and want to see African wildlife without arranging transport or park entry yourself. The guide handles logistics at both stops, so you move between the safari and the boat ride without planning either one. Small groups keep the experience manageable. If you prefer a private vehicle and guide, confirm that option at checkout.

Traveler reviews

4.44★★★★★★★★★★

66 verified traveler reviews

5 ★46

4 ★11

3 ★4

2 ★2

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Children under 5 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 wildlife will I actually see on the Bandia Park safari drive?

Bandia Park is home to giraffes, zebras, buffaloes, rhinos, antelopes, monkeys, crocodiles and birds. Your guide leads the game drive and points out animals as you encounter them, though sightings depend on where the animals are on any given day. The park is a conservation reserve, not a fenced enclosure.

Is the boat ride on Somone lagoon suitable if I get motion sickness easily?

The boat moves through mangrove channels at a slow pace, so the ride is gentle rather than rough. If you're prone to motion sickness, mention it when you book so the operator can advise whether this tour suits you.

Can I bring my five-year-old on this tour?

Children from age five are welcome, provided they're accompanied by an adult at all times. Specialized infant seats are available for younger children, though meals for infants aren't included in the tour price.

What's included in the lunch at Somone village?

Lunch is included in the tour price. Vegetarian options are available. Let the operator know your preference when you book so they can prepare it.

How long is the whole tour, and what time does it end?

The tour runs seven hours from hotel pickup to drop-off. It starts in the morning and typically finishes in the late afternoon, though the exact end time depends on your hotel location and traffic in Dakar.