Que faire à Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary ?

What to do at Djoudj

The pirogue to the pelicans. This is the heart of the visit. From the landing stage, the pirogue follows the creeks for about an hour and a half, through the reeds, to the edge of the white pelican colony. You keep your distance and do not land: that is the rule, and it is also what lets you watch the birds settle, preen and take off in formation without being disturbed. The pirogue trips category brings together the bookable outings.

Birdwatching with binoculars. After the pirogue, the visit continues by vehicle and on foot, from one lake to the next, looking for flamingos, waders and birds of prey. You visit with a guide, who knows which creeks the birds are in that day and helps you identify the species. To go further, the birdwatching outings and the wildlife reserves & parks category gather the options departing from Saint-Louis.

For the park’s history, wildlife and designations in detail, read our in-depth Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary park page. This page helps you organise your outing.

When to go

Within the day, aim for opening time in the morning. The birds are more active, the air is still cool and you will be on the water before the midday heat, which empties the landscape.

Getting there from Saint-Louis

The park lies about sixty kilometres north of Saint-Louis. Head up the N2 national road towards Ross Béthio, then a laterite track leads to the entrance and the landing stage. Allow one to two hours depending on the state of the track and your vehicle; a high-clearance vehicle or a 4×4 is more comfortable on the last few kilometres. The simplest option is an organised outing from Saint-Louis, with transport and a guide. From Dakar, intercity transfers and the airport / Saint-Louis transfers take you to your base. A few campements (village guesthouses) near the park also let you sleep on site and be at the water’s edge as soon as it opens.

Practical tips

Carry cash in small notes for the entry fees, which are paid on site. Bring binoculars (one pair between two at the very least), a hat, sun cream and water: there is no shade on the water. On the pirogue, keep your life jacket on, speak quietly and do not ask the boatman to get any closer to the colony: the distance protects the nesting birds.

Nearby

Djoudj pairs naturally with Saint-Louis, its starting point. South of the city, the Guembeul Reserve can be explored on foot in a morning, and Gandiol opens onto the Langue de Barbarie and its national park, another favourite haunt of birds. Heading east up the river, Lac de Guiers and Podor extend the journey. All these destinations are brought together on the Saint-Louis Region page.

Book an activity at Djoudj with QFS

The Djoudj outings offered on QFS are run by independent local professionals. You will find them under birdwatching, pirogue trips and wildlife reserves & parks. You pay 20% to secure your booking (the booking fee), and the balance is paid on site, on the day, directly to the local provider. Park entry and the vehicle fee are official fees, payable on site and not included in the price. If you live in Senegal, you get the resident rate: up to 30% off the activity.

Frequently asked questions