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Wildlife Safaris in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
On the Senegal River floodplain north of Saint-Louis, the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary is a UNESCO World Heritage wetland and one of the world's most important bird reserves, the first freshwater stop for millions of Palearctic migrants crossing the Sahara each winter.
Why here
Djoudj is ranked among the most important bird reserves on earth, a sixteen thousand hectare patchwork of open water, mudflats and reed on the Senegal River delta that UNESCO inscribed in 1981. For migratory birds crossing the Sahara it is the first freshwater they reach, and up to three million pass through in a season. The set piece is the great white pelican colony, thousands of birds nesting on the reserve's islands, alongside large numbers of greater flamingos, cormorants, herons and ducks. You explore by small boat, drifting close to the colonies at water level while a guide sorts the waders and warblers. This is a birdwatching destination of global rank rather than a general game park, best paired with the old river town of Saint-Louis nearby.
Best months
The season runs from November to April, the dry months when Palearctic migrants concentrate on the wetland and the pelican and flamingo numbers peak. The park effectively winds down through the May to October rains. Early morning boat trips give the best light and the most activity around the colonies. Bring binoculars or a scope, since the birds are viewed from the water.
Getting there & around
Djoudj lies about sixty kilometres north of Saint-Louis, roughly a ninety minute drive on a mix of tar and track, so most visitors base in Saint-Louis and come on a half or full day trip. Operators arrange the transfer, the park entry and the pirogue with a birding guide. The final road into the park can be rough, so a local operator or a 4x4 helps.
Skill levels: beginner, intermediate
Schools & guides (2)
Cicotours
OutfitterCicotours is a Dakar receptive travel agency founded in 2005 and licensed as a destination management company under agreement 030848. Its northern Senegal itineraries include the Djoudj bird sanctuary, where the pirogue circuit navigates among pelicans, flamingos and cormorants with an ornithologist-style guide identifying species. The agency runs tailor-made circuits, trekking and accessible travel, and typically pairs Djoudj with Saint-Louis and the Langue de Barbarie spit.
Safari Senegal
OutfitterSafari Senegal is a Senegal-based travel agency running wildlife and cultural trips across the country's north and the Petite Cote, including guided birding at the Djoudj sanctuary from Saint-Louis. Its Djoudj excursions put a birding guide in the pirogue to work the pelican and flamingo colonies, and the agency also covers the Bandia wildlife reserve and the Sine-Saloum Delta. Trips are built to order and booked directly rather than through a marketplace, which keeps groups small.