Surfing in West Africa

Surfing in West Africa

I just recently watched The Endless Summer for the first time. Any images from that immediate postcolonial period in West Africa are to be treasured, and this film offers a unique angle with a sport that many West Africans on the coast were likely seeing for the first...
The Closest Beach to the Dakar Airport

The Closest Beach to the Dakar Airport

Senegal’s Petite-Côte (little coast) runs from just south of Dakar down to the Sine-Saloum. While most people gravitate to the beachside town of Saly, if you want something a bit more laid back the small town of Toubab Dialaw is your spot. It is a short drive...
Exploring the Sine-Saloum Delta of Senegal

Exploring the Sine-Saloum Delta of Senegal

Situated south of Dakar and north of the Gambia, the Sine Saloum delta is 24,000 square kilometers of villages, water ways and salt flats dotted with baobabs and palm trees. Two rival Serer kingdoms, that of Sine and Saloum, left their mark here, and in addition to...
The Best Route from Dakar to Bamako

The Best Route from Dakar to Bamako

Far and away the easiest route to travel between Senegal and Mali is the one that takes you from Tambacounda to Kédougou in Senegal, and then to Kéniéba, Kita, Kati then Bamako in Mali. The route from Kayes via Diema has really declined over the past several years and...
The Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal

The Niokolo-Koba National Park in Senegal

Who knew that a little known park in eastern Senegal has lions, hippopotamus, water buffalo, the rare giant Eland, and the northernmost population of chimpanzees in the world. West Africa is not known for its game reserves, but there are a few on offer (like Pendjari)...