A bird watching safari in Bandia is for people who come for the birds as much as for the giraffes: more than 120 species in a setting of savannah, baobabs and waterholes. A naturalist guide, binoculars and a notebook are included, along with vehicles suited to a quiet approach.

Bandia through the eyes of the birds

The reserve is home to more than 120 bird species, scattered across savannah dotted with baobabs and waterholes. It is one of the best birding spots in the country, and it is easy to reach from Dakar or Saly. The route crosses lagoons, wetlands and dry clearings, where pelicans, ibises, bee-eaters, grey herons, rollers, weaver birds, hornbills and many other species are busy at work.

The adapted vehicles allow a quiet approach, and the hides are sometimes only a few metres from the birds or from ostrich nests: close enough to catch scenes of feeding, take-off or courtship. Some stops are placed so that you can take photos without disturbing the birds, near the waterholes and the nests. The light in the morning or late afternoon flatters everything, even for beginner photographers.

The naturalist guide shares tips on wildlife photography: settings, angles, discretion. A camera with a zoom of at least 200 mm, binoculars and some protection against dust and heat are recommended. The safaris also combine bird watching with photography of the other animals: giraffes, antelopes, rhinos. The outing is open to all levels.

If you live in Dakar, this is the contemplative side of Bandia, best done with binoculars rather than in the weekend crowds. If you are visiting, it is a safari that teaches you how to look, which helps before you head to other birding sites in the country.

Bandia, on the Petite Côte

The reserve lies on the Petite Côte, in the Thiès region. The Bandia page brings together the activities on offer there, and the Bandia Reserve page tells the story of the reserve, its 3,500 hectares and its baobabs.

Extending the outing

Other wildlife outings are nearby: bird watching gathers the outings across the country, the Somone lagoon is the neighbouring birding site, and the safaris offer other ways to get close to the wildlife.