About thirty kilometers northeast of Dakar, the Lake Rose, or Lake Retba, fascinates visitors with its shifting waters that take on pink, orange, or violet tones depending on the time of day and the season. This natural site on the border between the Sahel and the Atlantic has become one of Senegal’s most iconic landscapes, known worldwide for being the legendary finish line of the Paris–Dakar rally.

This lake, barely three square kilometers in size, also charms visitors through its vibrant daily life: salt harvesting, craftsmanship, adventure sports, and unexpected encounters shape every visit. A true place of contrasts, Lake Rose also offers insight into daily life and local traditions, set among dunes and filaos trees, the tropical light, and the hospitality of the Sangalkam region.

Why is Lake Rose pink?

The magic of Lake Rose comes from a microalgae, Dunaliella salina. This micro-organism produces a red pigment when the salinity is very high and the sun is strong. As a result, the lake displays pink to deep red shades, especially during the dry season (November to May), most visible in late morning.

Salinity levels range from 120 to 380 g per liter — among the highest in the world. This extreme concentration makes anyone float effortlessly, just like in the Dead Sea.

During the rainy season, the water becomes less salty and the lake can sometimes turn green, a reminder of the fragility of its ecosystem in the face of climate change and Dakar’s urban expansion. Protecting this unique environment is now a recognized priority for authorities and locals alike.

The salt harvesters

More than 3,000 people make a living from salt extraction, done entirely by hand and by pirogue — a scene unlike any other. The salt, collected in baskets and unloaded along the shore, is sorted, washed, dried on-site, and exported throughout West Africa.

Salt harvesters — often spending over eight hours a day in the water, protected by a layer of shea butter on their skin — preserve an ancestral craft. Visitors can observe their work, talk with them, or even symbolically “try” salt collecting.

The renown of Lake Rose salt also comes from its purity: some “salt artists” sculpt white or pink figurines, a typical local souvenir.

Surrounding landscapes

Around the lake stretch blond or sometimes red dunes and forests of filaos, all bathed in a unique light. The atmosphere is reminiscent of the gateway to the Sahel desert.

The dunes are perfect for adventure: 4×4 or quad excursions, horseback or camel rides, photogenic viewpoints over the lake, the ocean, and the surrounding villages. It is also a paradise for photographers — sunrise or sunset reflecting on the pink lake is unforgettable.

Activities at Lake Rose

• Floating swim: a unique, reassuring experience thanks to the extreme buoyancy of the water.
• Pirogue rides: cross the lake with a boatman, enjoy the silence, and access less-visited areas.
• Observation of salt harvesters: a cultural immersion, with the option to chat with workers or buy salt “at the source.”
• Quad or 4×4 excursions: explore the dunes, wild beaches, or the historic Paris–Dakar route.
• Horse or camel rides: a Sahel-style experience, especially at dusk.
• Cultural encounters: visits to nearby villages, artisan workshops (salt sculptures, décor, fabrics).
• Birdwatching: flamingos, pelicans, herons; during migration season, the lake becomes an African version of the Camargue.

Restaurants and crafts

Around the lake, you’ll find family-run inns and restaurants serving grilled fish, yassa, or barbecues, often with a view of the lagoon. Temporary markets offer jewelry, décor, small ornamental boats, and especially natural or hand-painted salt sculptures — true symbols of the site.

Combined excursions

• Dakar & Gorée: a day mixing nature, history, and culture.
• Saly & the Petite Côte: round-trip excursions to Lake Rose from the beaches.
• Lompoul Desert: a Saharan-style adventure including a night in a desert camp and quad rides on the dunes.

Lake Rose anecdotes

• During the Paris–Dakar rally, the final stage required crossing the dunes between the ocean and the lake — drivers who “missed” the finish line sometimes ended up in the salty water!
• Locals say the lake’s pink color “responds” to the mood of the sky: the brighter the sun, the pinker the lake. Some fishermen claim that during the full moon, the lake sometimes glows with magical silver reflections.
• Former salt collectors say that if a child is born on a day of a “pink peak,” their skin is “blessed by the salt,” explaining the many Salif and Salimata names around the lake.
• In the green season, groups of women sometimes sing from a pirogue to “call the pink,” a ritual of gratitude toward the Dunaliella Salina algae.
• Some writers noted that on certain nights long ago, the lake’s plankton produced a faint phosphorescence — like a pink-blue sea of stars.

Practical information

• Location: 30 km northeast of Dakar, about 1 hour by car.
• Access: taxi, private vehicle, organized excursions from Dakar, Saly, or the Petite Côte.
• Best season: dry season (November–May), with optimal pink tones at midday or sunset.
• Recommended duration: half a day for a quick visit; a full day to enjoy the dunes and local life.
• Fees: the site is free-access, but activities (pirogue, quad, horse riding) are paid.
• Services: inns, restaurants, local guides, craft markets, parking, souvenir shops.