The bird-watching safari in Somone takes place on the lagoon, a 700-hectare reserve criss-crossed by mangroves, by pirogue or on marked ecological trails. Guide, binoculars and notebook are included; the dry season, from November to April, is the best time.

The lagoon, a major bird-watching spot

The Somone lagoon is one of Senegal’s major bird-watching spots: criss-crossed by mangroves and edged by a tongue of sand, it attracts nearly 175 bird species. You see waders, herons, pelicans, flamingos, egrets, terns, kingfishers, ospreys, kites, gulls and curlews, along with migrants from Europe. Around the artisanal fishermen, swarms of herons and seagulls hover while the birds of prey watch for scraps of fish.

Outings are mainly by pirogue or on the marked trails, with an enthusiastic local guide. The best times are sunrise and sunset, when the light enhances the lagoon and bird activity is at its peak. Hides are set up for photography in the nature lodges of the area, to be booked in advance.

Included are the guide, the binoculars and a notebook. The naturalist guides give advice on equipment, spotting and discreet approach. Bring a telephoto lens of 200 mm or more, pale clothing and plenty of photo storage. The pirogue ride and the walk on the trails are gentle and suitable for families, with educational stops.

If you live in Senegal, it is a half-day outing that is very accessible from Dakar or Saly. If you are visiting, it is a first immersion in full nature, with little walking and plenty to see.

The Somone, estuary and reserve

Somone is a village on the Petite Côte, about ten kilometres from Saly, built at the edge of an estuary where the sea and the Somone river meet. More serene than its seaside neighbours, the area lends itself to contemplation and nature watching. The Somone lagoon page tells the story of the mangrove and its birds, and the Thiès Region ties the lagoon to the rest of the coast.

To combine with the safari

Discovering the reserve can be combined with a visit to the village of Guereo or to the Bandia Reserve, a neighbour of the lagoon. To stay on the water, the pirogue ride shows the mangrove up close, and bird watching brings together the country’s other outings.