Our most popular trip. Easy to moderate riding on incredibly diverse terrain, from salt flats and jungle to beaches and off-road dirt track. We cover two different countries, but it might as well be three — Casamance, Senegal’s southern province, is a world apart. A great introduction to West Africa all around, and the perfect way to discover the diverse culture, food and music in this corner of the world.

Itinerary

Please see our philosophy on itineraries. This itinerary is flexible and not necessarily chronological. Changes can be made depending on local conditions, spontaneous discoveries that can happen on the road, and the considerations of the group. Instead of a day-by-day breakdown we will share some of the highlights of the trip and then explain what to expect in terms of weather, food, lodging etc.

Dakar

Cosmopolitan Dakar can be considered one of West Africa’s capitals, a hub for culture and trade. Beachside boulevards, all-night sabar drum parties and nightclubs, kaleidoscopic fabrics and fashion, and delicious Senegalese food are a few of the things you will find in this city situated on the Atlantic Ocean.

You need to arrive in the city by the Saturday before the trip. While the trip does not begin until the following day, we will have a pre-departure orientation that evening, most likely at dinner next to the ocean with a view of the sunset and some local surfers. If you want to explore Dakar properly, plan to arrive a few days early (or stay a few days after the trip ends). We can make plenty of recommendations.

For certain groups, particularly those that are on the small side, we will start the trip from La Petite-Cote south of Dakar. This is closer to the airport and our jumping off point. We will let you know well in advance if this is the case for your trip.  

Sine-Saloum Delta

Senegal’s beautiful delta region offers stunning rides through salt flats, palm groves and plains of baobab trees. Framed by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and the dry scrublands to the east, the delta is an intricate network of crisscrossing waterways and mangroves, with the Saloum River running through the heart of it.    

You might look at that photo and wonder where exactly we ride the bikes. All part of the adventure, right? Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks. In fact, it is some of the best riding on the trip.  

Photo taken by client Penni Gladstone

And when we arrive at our lodging for the night, we will be able to enjoy a sundowner next to the water while sharing stories from a great day of riding.

Photo taken by client Penni Gladstone

The Gambia

Yes, it is The Gambia. As the story goes, this tiny sliver of a country, a former British colony sandwiched inside of Senegal, was often mixed up with Zambia so they added a “The” to distinguish it. There are many other stories wrapped up in Gambia’s history, from the origins of the country itself to Kunta Kinte and Alex Haley’s Roots. 

Please excuse the blurriness of the photo. There was something on the lens.

While we will peak our head into the more touristy Kololi/Serrekunda/Senegambia area, with its Caribbean style beaches and its full English breakfasts, we do most of our riding in the Gambia further south, exploring small villages, cruising through the Tandji Bird Reserve, and enjoying terrain that varies with each kilometer. We will ride next to the ocean, into the jungle and into the bush for some true off-roading as we avoid the major highways.

Casamance

We always seem to find ourselves in the orbit of Senegal’s under-visited southern province. The truth is that there are few places in West Africa — let alone the world — like the Casamance. There is the remarkable natural beauty: the towering kapok trees, the miles of untouched beach, the mighty Casamance River. Then there is the unique mix of Diola, Fulani and Wolof cultures along with Senegal’s only recognized animist kingdom. 

Perhaps more than anything else, it is the warm welcome around every corner that keeps us coming back.

We typically spend about half the trip in the Casamance. The riding and cultural experiences are unmatched. It doesn’t hurt that there are plenty of optional activities to enjoy as well: swimming, fishing, bird-watching, kayaking, mountain biking, drumming and dance classes or simply relaxing on the beach with a cold beverage.    

It also provides us with a chance to do some riding on the beach. Depending on the tides, we can actually ride into Guinea-Bissau territory. On the way, we will likely see more beach cows than people. If you are used to seeing expansive beaches crowded with tourists and resorts, the kilometers of untouched sand may just blow your mind.

We typically wrap up our time in the Casamance with a visit to Oussouye, Senegal’s only animist kingdom. While Oussouye is subject to Senegalese law, the department is recognized by the government as a semi-sovereign entity. 

The scenery – patches of forest punctuated by towering kapoks bursting through the tree-line, all surrounded by rice fields and mangroves – is a draw, but the unique cultural experience will leave the strongest impression. 

There are fetishes that act as conduits between the physical and the spiritual realm, and there is a King, who serves simultaneously as a religious and a political leader (see this thread we wrote on the King of Oussouye).

After exploring the beaches of Cap Skirring and the animist kingdom of Oussouye, we will get ready for our journey back to Dakar. It’s never easy to say goodbye, but we will at least do it in style, either on a boat going out to the atlantic at sunset or on a beach on the Petite-Cote. 

When scheduling allows, we take the overnight ferry back to Dakar from Ziguinchor. The boat has private cabins, a fully stocked bar and restaurant. Cruising down the Casamance River and stopping by the island of Carabane before heading out to the Atlantic, all while dolphins surf in the wake of the boat, is yet another highlight of the trip.

For those extending their trip to visit Dakar or elsewhere, we can advise you on places to visit and things to do. Please see the rubric below for more details about the trip.

What to Expect

Available Dates

These are the current open group trips. There are always more on the way, but you can also contact us if you have particular dates in mind. 

Cost and Booking Information

The trip cost is €1650 (we do offer a discount for Senegal residents, please inquire). This cost is based on double occupancy lodging. For a single room, there is an additional €75 supplement. To secure your spot on the trip, we take a non-refundable deposit of €250. If you are unable to make it on the trip, you can use this deposit towards a future trip at a later date.

As stated above, the trip cost includes all lodging, transport, and a certain number of group meals during the trip. It does not include airfare, visas, optional activities, drinks, and food outside of the group meal.

If a trip has open spots, we will accept bookings up until departure. For trips that are full, we expect trip payment no later than two months before the trip starts. Please see our page on trip policies and cancellations.