Senegal: Dakar, Lompoul Desert & Niokolo Koba Safari Tour

Summary

Salt harvest at Pink Lake, Jembe drums under stars and wild Gambia River mornings

You’ll taste salt in the air at Pink Lake near Dakar, hear Jembe drums echo across Lompoul’s dunes under constellations, watch hippos (maybe) from Gambia River banks and cool off beneath Dindefello Falls after trekking through Bedik villages. Each day brings new faces and flavors—you might find yourself dancing badly or just quietly watching Senegal unfold around you.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the crunch of salt underfoot at the Pink Lake near Dakar—women laughing as they shoveled piles into baskets, their hands white from the brine. Our guide, Mamadou, explained how the color shifts with the sun (it really does), and I tried a bit of the local lunch there—salty fish and rice that clung to my fingers. The drive to Lompoul was dusty but not dull; we passed kids waving by the roadside and goats darting between acacia trees. That night, after a bumpy 4WD ride into the dunes, dinner was around a fire with Jembe drummers. Someone from the ballet troupe pulled me up to dance—I was hopeless but everyone cheered anyway. The sky felt impossibly wide.

The next morning was all mosque spires and market smells in Touba—mint tea, incense, fried dough. Mamadou told us about Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba and Mouridism; I only half-followed but his pride was contagious. In Kaolack’s market, a woman selling peanuts let me taste one fresh from her basket (sweeter than I expected). We drove for hours through savannah toward Tambacounda; it’s not short, but watching the landscape change kept me awake. Lunch was in a simple place—no menu, just what’s cooking—and then we reached Wassadou on the Gambia River as dusk settled in. Hippos grunted somewhere out of sight while birds made a racket overhead.

I didn’t expect to feel so quiet during the game drive at Niokolo Koba Park—there’s something about seeing warthogs scuttle or monkeys freeze mid-leap that makes you forget your phone exists. We spotted antelope and so many birds I lost count; no lions this time (Mamadou shrugged: “They’re shy today”). Later we walked along the riverbank looking for hippos again—still elusive—but I liked just listening to the water move past.

Kedougou brought another rhythm: visiting Bedik villages perched on hillsides, where kids greeted us with shy smiles and old men played with prayer beads while watching us climb. The trek to Dindefello Falls was muddy in places but worth every step—the air turned cool before we even saw water. When it finally appeared, falling straight down into a green pool, I just sat on a rock for ages letting mist hit my face. We ate picnic sandwiches there; honestly nothing ever tasted better. Leaving that spot felt like waking from a nap you didn’t want to end.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Dakar to Lompoul Desert Experience

• Breakfast in Dakar
• Drive 1 hour to Pink Lake
• Observe salt harvesting at Pink Lake
• Lunch near Pink Lake
• Drive to Lompoul Desert
• Board 4WD to desert center
• Dinner with Jembe drum ballet
• Enjoy singing, dancing, and campfire
• Optional camel ride

Day 2 — Touba and Kaolack Visit

• Leave Lompoul early morning
• Visit Grand Mosque in Touba
• Learn about Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba
• Stop at Fulani and Wolof villages
• Arrive in Kaolack
• Visit local market
• Check in hotel

Day 3 — Travel to Wassadou and River Activities

• Drive through savannah to Tambacounda
• Lunch at Tambacounda restaurant
• Continue to Niokolo Koba Park
• Check in at Wassadou Hotel
• Boat trip to see hippos (if possible)
• Guided walk along Gambia River

Day 4 — Niokolo Koba Park Game Drive

• Early guided game drive in park
• See warthogs, monkeys, antelopes, birds
• Look for panthers and lions
• Picnic lunch
• Drive to Mako
• Walk riverbank searching for hippos
• Drive to Kedougou

Day 5 — Bedik Village and Dindefello Waterfalls

• Visit Bedik traditional village
• Trek to Peulh village of Dindefelo
• Walk to Dindefello Waterfall
• Swim at waterfall basin
• Picnic at waterfall foot
• Return to Kedougou

Day 6 — Return to Dakar

• Transfer from Kedougou to Dakar
• Stop for lunch in Kaolack
• Arrive at Dakar hotel or airport

Top questions

How long is the drive from Dakar to Pink Lake?

It’s about one hour by car from Dakar to Pink Lake.

Is there hotel pickup included on this tour?

Yes, private transportation with pickup is included throughout the tour.

Can you swim at Dindefello Falls?

Yes, there’s an opportunity to swim in the basin below Dindefello Falls.

What wildlife can you see at Niokolo Koba Park?

You may encounter warthogs, monkeys, antelopes, many bird species—and sometimes panthers or lions.

Are meals included during this Senegal safari tour?

Some meals are included (like dinner in Lompoul); others such as lunch in Tambacounda are at your own expense.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels except those with poor cardiovascular health.

Do you visit any local markets?

Yes, there’s a visit to Kaolack’s local market as part of the itinerary.

Will we have an English-speaking guide?

An experienced English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout the trip.

What’s included

Your days include private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off as needed; accommodation each night; guidance from an experienced English-speaking local who handles logistics and shares cultural context; plus dinner under desert stars in Lompoul—with plenty of chances for spontaneous stops or extra walks along rivers or village paths depending on what unfolds that day.