Djoudj National Park, near Saint-Louis, is a migratory bird reserve that people visit for the white pelicans, flamingos and cormorants. Several options exist: a discovery of the park, a pirogue ride, a village visit by horse cart or a cultural ceremony, with or without board, from 2 people.

Activities around the Djoudj

Every winter, at the edge of the Sahara, where the Senegal River spreads into backwaters before the ocean, the park hosts the first big stopover for migrants from Europe: storks, ducks, teal, stilts, pelicans, flamingos, in a maze of ponds and marshes. The options combine a discovery of the park and its surroundings, a pirogue ride in the heart of the colonies, a village visit by horse cart or taking part in a cultural ceremony.

The length varies: from 4 hours to a day or more, depending on your choices, with a half-board option in the evening or during the day. A village camp about 500 metres from the park offers accommodation, local meals and guided outings, which lets you stay on site and leave early for the birds.

When to come, what to bring

The ideal season runs from November to April, when migrants are most numerous. Binoculars and a camera are essential, along with a hat and water for the hours spent watching: birdwatching takes patience and time.

The Djoudj from Saint-Louis

The park is in the Saint-Louis region. The Djoudj page gathers the offers for the place, and the Djoudj National Park page describes the site. If you live in Senegal, it is a weekend in Saint-Louis with a day of birds; if you are visiting, it is the country’s big birdwatching event. Saint-Louis, a former colonial capital listed by UNESCO, is the natural base.

Things to do nearby

To extend your trip, the Langue de Barbarie park is another bird reserve at the mouth of the river, the Lompoul Desert offers a dune landscape, and the Guembeul Reserve rounds off the region. Other outings are grouped under birdwatching.