Senegal is one of the least developed countries in West Africa regarding tourism. The country borders Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to the south.
The Sine Saloum region through which you ride leads is located in the north of Gambia and south of the coastal section of the Petite-Côte Region. The area of the region covers 180,000 hectares, is still very natural and has so far been spared from mass tourism. Here you will also find the Saloum Delta National Park, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the area where the former kingdoms of Sine and Saloum were located and the waters of the same name flow into the Atlantic Ocean. The Sine-Saloum Delta is known for its rich diversity of animal and plant life, as the mixing of fresh water from the Sine-Saloum River with the salt water of the Atlantic Ocean creates a special and unique habitat. On the one hand you will find the small flamingo, various species of terns, avocets, herons, pelicans, cranes and storks. Many migratory birds spend the winter in this region. The landscape is flat, but varied - with many palm forests and baobabs (baobab trees). Experience authentic Senegal, pass through typical villages and look forward to the warm hospitality of the locals.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Dakar. You will be picked up at the new international airport of Dakar (Dakar Blaise-Diagne DSS) and brought to the farm (transfer time approx. 1.5-2h). The farm is located in the heart of the Sine-Saloum Delta. At the farm you will receive a warm welcome and enjoy a first dinner. Overnight stay on the farm.

Day 2: First ride around the farm (about 3 hours)
After a first relaxing night a delicious breakfast is already waiting for you. Afterwards you will go by boat to the island of Mar to visit a local fair. About 2000 people live on the island and it consists of four villages. Near MarLodj is the only church on the island, famous for its Sunday mass with some drum accompaniment, the holy trees and artists who create sand paintings. Afterwards you drive back to the farm and enjoy a lunch together. In the afternoon the horses will be quartered and you will make a first test ride (about 3 hours) through the delta. Experience the Senegalese savannah, the tree landscapes and sand paths from the horse. Just in time for sunset you will arrive back at the farm and enjoy the wonderful colours of the setting sun. At dinner you can end the day in a comfortable round.

Day 3: Farm - Palmarin - Farm (riding time approx. 7 hours)
After breakfast you will set off on a longer ride and ride over long sandbanks. Depending on the season you have the chance to see pelicans, flamingos and herons. You always have the opportunity to gallop along the untouched sandy beaches - they are waiting for you as far as the eye can see. You ride in the direction of Palmarin. Once there, you will have a picnic on the beach - enjoy it!
Palmarin stretches to Litoral and consists of three ecosystems - the mangrove, the forest and the savannah, look forward to a beautiful and varied landscape!
The nature reserve inspires by its rich flora and fauna. You can hear the cries of the holy ibis piercing the water or the clatter of the wings of the heron flying away. At the end of your ride you can enjoy the sunset and admire how the sun sets behind the meanders of the Bolong (inlet) - a beautiful sight! Afterwards you return to the farm and sit together for dinner.

Day 4: Farm - Ngazobil (riding time approx. 7 hours)
Today you are again longer on your horse - about 50 km lie ahead of you, passing small, authentic villages and through large palm forests. In the morning you ride through the bush until you reach some villages like Sérères, Bambaras or Peuls. You can make a short stop at a school here if you have brought some school material for the children. They are very happy about it - there is a lot missing here! After lunch you continue through bush land until you reach the village of Ngazobil. Here there is a monastery which belongs to the order of St. Joseph - not far from the sea. Here you will spend two nights and enjoy the peace and quiet of this place. If you do not want to ride all day, you can share the day and ride only a part of it.

Day 5: Nagazobil (riding time approx. 3-4 hours)
You ride from the beach to the village of Mbodiène, passing a lagoon where many birds nest. The panorama here is absolutely worth seeing as it is home to one of the largest nesting colonies of terns in the world. You will return to the monastery for lunch. In the afternoon you have time to relax. You can go swimming with the horses - an unforgettable experience! Later you will go to Joaln harbour and experience the daily fishing life of the locals. Again and again you will see fishing boats arriving and there is a lot of hustle and bustle.
Overnight again in the monastery - let the sound of the waves lull you to sleep!

Day 6: Ngazobil - Farm (riding time approx. 7 hours)
A long riding course of about 50 km awaits you again today. You ride slowly back to the farm, but on a different way than you rode at the beginning of your journey. You can also decide here to ride only a part of it. Today you will enjoy long, brisk gallops and ride across the Saloum Islands. These consist of intertwined mangrove trees (tropical trees that occur in coastal areas and form dense forests). In 1981 the area was declared a World Biosphere Reserve and in 2011 it will be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Saloum Delta is one of the largest mangrove areas in Africa. Here you ride along the mangrove trees on the secret path to the gate of paradise. You will then have the opportunity, depending on the tides, to ride to Fadiouth Island, one of three shell islands in Senegal. This is one of the most densely populated islands in the world with about 9000 inhabitants on 15ha and is connected to the mainland by a wooden bridge. Depending on the water level you will get wet (from your feet to your buttocks) when crossing the sea level. However, the beauty of the landscape and the brisk riding will compensate for this. In the evening you will return to the farm in the dry and let the evening hours end comfortably.

Day 7: Farm ride (riding time approx. 6 hours)
You start your ride towards the village of Roh, in the north of Ndangane. You will make wonderful gallops along long sandbanks and pass rice fields again and again. Beautiful views along the bay await you where you stop and enjoy your picnic. Towards the end of your day you will ride back to the farm and pass a huge termite hill on the way. Once you arrive at the farm, you will have to say goodbye to the horses that have accompanied you all week. In the evening you will review the week and exchange views at your last dinner together.

Day 8: Day at leisure
After breakfast you have the opportunity to go shopping and visit the local market. Lunch will be taken at the farm again. Afterwards you will be taken to the airport in Dakar and you will have to say goodbye to the beautiful country with a lot of memories of Senegal.

Subject to change because of unforseeable incidents.

Accomodation
You will stay 6 nights on the farm and two nights in the monastery. The farm has 6 simply furnished rooms, which are equipped with mosquito nets. Each room has a private bathroom adjoining the room (no door!) and a fan. There is usually running water and electricity on the farm. However, water outages can occur from time to time. However, there is a bucket of water at your disposal which you can use for a shower.

The rooms in the monastery are simply and functionally furnished with a bed and private bathroom.

 

Saddle & Tack: English saddles and bridles (McClellan on request). Saddle bags are provided.

Experience: 3-5 years riding experience. Comfortable in all gaits and difficult terrain. Rider weight max. 90 kg.

Horses: There are about 7 homebred Arabian and Berber horses available. Among locals they are called Mbayar the meek, at the same time they are very resistant. They live on the farm all year round and have a lot of experience in the field.

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