Horse riding in Saly offers a 30-minute introduction, three rides of 1 h to 2 h across land and beach, and a 3-hour half day through bush, village and beach. Instructor and equipment are included, priced per person, with ponies for the youngest.

Five options, from introduction to half day

Five options are offered, all priced per person:

• Horse-riding introduction: 30 minutes, for a first contact.
• Land and beach ride: in 1 hour, 1 h 30 or 2 hours, to follow the beach and the paths.
• Half-day ride: 3 hours, through bush, village and beach.

After a short introduction, you set off in a small group along the paths, following the beach and sometimes crossing the eucalyptus forest or passing small coastal villages. The more confident riders can enjoy a gallop on wet sand at low tide, depending on conditions and the group, while children and novices stay accompanied on the easiest stretches. The horses are calm and supervised by an attentive team. The outing usually takes place early in the morning or at sunset, for the light and to avoid the heat.

Included are the equipment and the instructor. The experience suits beginners and experienced riders alike, from age 6, with ponies for children.

If you live in Dakar and are spending a weekend in Saly, the 30-minute introduction is a light format for the children, and the half day is for those who want to get away from the resort. If you are visiting, it is the calmest way to see the coast at dawn, when the fishermen come back from the sea.

Saly, on the edge of the Petite Côte

Saly-Portudal is the country’s first seaside resort, about 80 km south of Dakar, on the Petite Côte. The routes combine beach, forest, bush and passages near villages, with the lagoon close by. The Saly page brings together all the resort’s offers, and the Thiès Region gives the administrative setting.

To extend the outing

Horse and camel rides are also available elsewhere on the coast, jet skiing offers another way to glide over the water, and the Bandia Reserve offers a full-day safari.