The cooking workshop and market at the Pink Lake blends the culture of the lake with that of the table: local market, hands-on workshop, a Senegalese dish prepared together, then a walk in a nearby village, among dunes and salt basins. Guide, workshops and lunch are included, and the activity is open to beginners.

From market to plate, lake side

The day begins with a market around the lake, lively from early morning: tropical fruit, vegetables, spices, fish, craft products. It is medium-sized but very lively, especially in the morning, and may be bigger early in the week. You see which ingredients are used in local cooking.

In the lake area, some workshops draw on salt harvesting or local food-preparation techniques. The cooking workshop is participatory: sauces, choosing spices, slow cooking, fish or chicken. The dish varies with the season: thiéboudienne (fish and rice), yassa (onion-marinated chicken or fish), mafe (peanut stew), rice with fish. The workshop focuses on thiéboudienne, the national dish, with a visit alongside.

Dunes, salt and village

In the afternoon, the walk goes through a village near the lake: sandy lanes, family homes, everyday shops and, depending on the route, the salt basins. You see Sahelian life among dunes, salt pans and breaks in the shade. Lunch is often taken in a shaded spot near the dunes or the lake. The wind can lift sand: bring glasses or a scarf; near the salt pans, the sun is strong, so a hat is essential; and shoes should be comfortable.

Lake Retba, away from the usual circuits

The Pink Lake, thirty kilometres north-east of Dakar, is known for its waters with pink, orange or violet reflections depending on the time of day and the season. Its page, Pink Lake, describes the site. If you live in Dakar, this day is a good option for taking relatives out without repeating the quad ride; if you are visiting, a means of understanding that the lake is also a place where people live, with its inhabitants and its market. The Dakar region gathers the other nearby outings.

To extend your day

After the workshop, a pirogue ride on the lake lets you see the salt workers, and a quad or buggy extends the day on the dune side. The Senegalese cooking classes and crafts and know-how give other chances to learn.