A pirogue ride in Saint-Louis is an hour to an hour and a half on the river, along the historic island and the Guet Ndar fishing quarter with its colourful pirogues, as far as the edge of the Langue de Barbarie. The price is per person, with a reduced rate from four people.

Saint-Louis seen from the river

Nothing tells the story of Saint-Louis better than the river around it. The ride runs along the historic island, then the Guet Ndar fishing quarter and its colourful pirogues, before reaching the edge of the Langue de Barbarie. As you go you see colonial architecture, life on the river and, depending on the season, a good variety of birds.

The trip lasts one hour to an hour and a half. It is peaceful and open to everyone, and it is ideal late in the day, when the soft light falls on the water. The price is per person, with a reduction from four people: the bigger the group, the less each person pays.

If you live in Saint-Louis, this is a late-day outing to fit between two commitments, and it shows your own town from a new angle, from the river; if you are visiting, it is the simplest means of understanding how the town is laid out, between island, ocean and river.

Saint-Louis, between river and ocean

Saint-Louis is a former colonial capital at the mouth of the Senegal River, facing the Atlantic Ocean, and its historic island is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town is organised around three parts: the island of Ndar in the middle of the river, the Langue de Barbarie on the ocean side and Sor on the mainland bank. Heritage, fishing, birdwatching and a Sahelian atmosphere all meet here. The Saint-Louis region is best read along the river.

Things to do nearby

Sites in the region include the Langue de Barbarie National Park, the Guembeul Reserve, the Djoudj National Bird Park and the Lompoul Desert. Guided cultural visits and birdwatching round off the outing.