A safari in Bandia (the Bandia Reserve) is done by vehicle, among baobabs and savannah, about fifteen kilometres from Saly and roughly 65 km from Dakar. Giraffes, rhinos, zebras, buffalo and antelope roam semi-freely; depending on the option, you set off from the Petite Côte, the Somone or Dakar, with a guide and transport.

What you see in Bandia

The reserve covers several hundred hectares of protected nature: clearings dotted with rocks, wooded areas, grassy plains, dirt tracks and giant baobabs. Along the route you can spot giraffes, rhinos, buffalo, zebras, antelope, ostriches and monkeys. Birds are plentiful too, with hornbills, egrets and marabou storks: a plus for birdwatching enthusiasts.

The visit is by vehicle, with several stops to watch, take photos and enjoy the scenery. The animals live semi-freely; the safety rules keep the viewing risk-free, as long as you stay in the vehicle outside the authorised areas. Because everything happens in the vehicle, the outing suits everyone: families, groups of friends, older travellers or people with reduced mobility.

Options, departures, what is included

Several options coexist: departing from the Petite Côte (Saly, Somone, Ngaparou, Nianing), in a small group of 4 to 6 people from the Somone, or with pick-up from Dakar for a transport supplement. Depending on the option, the return transport, the guide and, for some, the reserve entrance are included. The duration varies with the departure point and is shown when you choose.

The reserve entrance, the reserve’s compulsory guide and vehicle access are official fees: when they are not included in the option, they are payable on site, on top of the price, at the rates displayed in the dedicated section of the listing. Only drinks remain at your own expense.

Bandia from Saly, the Somone or Dakar

Bandia is the most accessible reserve in Senegal from the Petite Côte: if you live in Dakar, you can come for the day; if you are staying in Saly or the Somone, you can slot it into a week at the beach. To prepare the visit, our Bandia Reserve page describes the reserve in detail, and the Bandia page lists all the offers there.

Around Bandia: extending the day

The natural next step is on the Petite Côte: a pirogue trip on the Somone lagoon, some downtime on the beaches of the Petite Côte, in Ngaparou, or a visit to Joal-Fadiouth. To stay in nature, birdwatching and a pirogue ride complement the safari, and other safaris are available across the country.