What to do there
The Wednesday market. Allow at least two hours in the morning to move from the produce of the land to the cloth and spices, then on to the livestock market, the most spectacular part. We devote a whole page to the Nguéniène market: you will find the details of the visit there.
The Fadial baobab. Within the commune itself, the great sacred baobab of Fadial draws visitors and pilgrims. Its hollow trunk once served as a burial place for griots, a Serer practice abandoned under Senghor’s presidency, and its vast cavity still impresses visitors.
The bush and its villages. Several outings offered on QFS take you to a Serer and Fula bush village: family compounds, granaries, work in the fields. Others combine Nguéniène and Joal-Fadiouth in a single day, the market in the morning, the shell island in the afternoon.
And for families. The activities listed for this place on QFS also include an outing to a wildlife leisure park and local classes, swimming or dance, designed for residents of the Petite Côte.
When to go
The day matters more than the season: it is on Wednesday, and in the morning, that Nguéniène comes into its own. In the dry season, from November to June, dust replaces mud and the tracks to Fadial and the villages are easy going. During the rainy season (hivernage), July to October, the bush is green, but the tracks become difficult after heavy rain.
Getting there
The town lies inland, between Thiadiaye and Joal-Fadiouth, south of Mbour. Buses and sept-places (shared taxis) link it to Mbour and Joal, with more frequent services on market day; if you are driving, set off early on Wednesday.
| From Joal-Fadiouth | About 15 to 25 minutes |
| From Mbour or Nianing | About 25 to 40 minutes |
| From Saly | About 30 to 45 minutes |
| Getting there from Dakar | About two to two and a half hours, via the motorway and Mbour |
Practical tips
Bring cash in small notes, a hat, water and closed shoes: the ground is bare earth and the sun beats down early. At the livestock market, give way to animals and carts. For photos, always ask, and take a refusal with a smile.
Nearby
Nguéniène combines effortlessly with the coast. To the south, Joal-Fadiouth and its shell island, also covered on our Joal-Fadiouth page. Towards the sea, Pointe Sarène and Nianing. To the north, Mbour and its fishing quay, the nearby village of Ndianda, and further on Bandia Reserve. Further south still, Palmarin opens onto the Sine-Saloum Delta. See also our Petite Côte page.
Book an activity in Nguéniène with QFS
For the market and the bush, browse our traditional sites & villages and all our nature & culture discoveries; with children, take a look at the animal parks; if you live locally, the local classes & workshops, including swimming & water activities. You pay 20% to secure your booking (the booking fee), and the balance is paid on site, on the day. For the market, there are no additional official fees. If you live in Senegal, you get the resident rate: up to 30% off. To widen your search: Thiès Region.
Frequently asked questions
What day is the Nguéniène market held?
Every Wednesday. Come in the morning: that is when the crowds and the choice are at their peak.
Do you have to pay to enter the market?
No, there are no additional official fees: access to the market and the town is free. You only pay for what you buy, and for the activity if you book a guided outing.
Is Nguéniène by the sea?
The town is inland, between Thiadiaye and Joal-Fadiouth. The nearest beach is around twenty minutes away, towards Mbodiène, Pointe Sarène or Joal.
Can you combine Nguéniène and Joal-Fadiouth in the same day?
Yes, it is actually the best option: the market on Wednesday morning, then Fadiouth Island in the afternoon, around twenty minutes away by road.
Where is the Fadial baobab?
In the commune of Nguéniène, a few kilometres from the town. It is a sacred baobab, a former burial place for griots, and much visited: approach it with respect.
Can you get there by public transport?
Yes, by bus or sept-places from Mbour or Joal, with extra services on Wednesdays.
