The camel ride at the Pink Lake crosses the golden dunes and follows the lake, with a camel driver. Six options, from 5 minutes to a half day, equipment and instructor included, and the activity is open to children from age 5.

Six options, from 5 minutes to a half day

Six options are offered, priced per person: 5, 15, 20 and 30 minutes, 1 hour, and a half day. The three most common are the short 15-minute ride, ideal for families, the 30-minute discovery for the panoramas and photos, and the one-hour excursion for taking your time. Equipment and instructor are included.

During the ride, the camel’s slow pace leaves time to watch the salt harvesters and the Fulani villages around. The local guides share their knowledge of the animals and the region, with a view over the waters of the Pink Lake and the Grande Cote. You can combine the ride with a quad tour or a pirogue trip.

Children are accepted from age 5; the youngest can ride with a parent. Wear long trousers, closed shoes and sunglasses; a scarf protects against sand and wind, and a hat or cap is recommended. The best times are early morning or late afternoon, to avoid the heat and enjoy the best light.

If you live in Senegal, it is the format that adjusts to your free time, from a quick break to a half day. If you are visiting, it is the lake’s gentle activity par excellence: effortless, open to all ages, and easy to combine with the other outings.

The Pink Lake, between dunes and salt

The Pink Lake, or Lake Retba, is about thirty kilometres north-east of Dakar. It is known for the colour of its waters, which changes with the time of day and the season, and for having been the finish line of the Paris-Dakar rally. The Pink Lake page tells its story, and the Dakar Region gives the wider setting.

To combine around the lake

To complete the outing, the horse or camel ride category has horseback variants, quad and buggy quicken the pace, and the pirogue ride shows the lake from the water.