Saint-Louis UNESCO Colonial Town & Lompoul Desert Camp – 5 Days

Tour Overview

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Dakar to Saint-Louis

Depart Dakar after breakfast for the 4-hour drive north along the Atlantic coast. Stop at Pink Lake (Lac Rose/Retba) en route to witness salt harvesting and the lake’s unique pink hue. Arrive in Saint-Louis by afternoon. Check into La Residence or Hotel de la Poste, both charming colonial-era properties on Saint-Louis Island. Evening walking tour through narrow streets lined with multi-colored 19th-century French colonial buildings, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Faidherbe Bridge, designed by Gustave Eiffel’s firm.

Accommodation: La Residence or similar, Saint-Louis

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 2: Saint-Louis Colonial & Cultural Tour

Full day exploring Saint-Louis. Morning visit to the lively Guet Ndar fishing village, home to Senegal’s largest fishing community, where you’ll see hundreds of colorful pirogues returning with the day’s catch. Visit the Saint-Louis Museum housed in a restored colonial building, the Governor’s Palace, and the old military barracks. Afternoon tour includes the Grande Mosquee and the vibrant Sor market on the mainland. Optional horse-drawn calèche ride through the colonial quarter. Sunset at the Langue de Barbarie peninsula watching the Atlantic meet the Senegal River.

Accommodation: La Residence or similar, Saint-Louis

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

Early departure for Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (UNESCO World Heritage), arriving as the birds are most active. Board a traditional pirogue for a 3-hour cruise through freshwater wetlands and channels. Djoudj is the world’s third-largest bird sanctuary, hosting over 3 million migratory birds from November to April including white pelicans, pink flamingos, purple herons, African spoonbills, and cormorants. Spot crocodiles, warthogs, and monitor lizards along the banks. Packed lunch or return to Saint-Louis for lunch. Afternoon at leisure to explore Saint-Louis independently.

Accommodation: La Residence or similar, Saint-Louis

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Lompoul Desert Camp Experience

Morning drive south through the Sahelian landscape to Lompoul Desert. Arrive at the desert camp transfer point and switch to 4×4 vehicles for the dune crossing. Check into Lodge de Lompoul, a permanent desert camp with Mauritanian-style tents featuring real beds, solar-powered lighting, and en-suite bathrooms. Afternoon camel trek through the golden-orange dunes as the sun begins its descent. Climb the highest dune (approximately 50m) for spectacular sunset views over the desert stretching to the horizon. Evening around the campfire with traditional Serer drumming, local folklore, and a Senegalese barbecue dinner under the stars.

Accommodation: Lodge de Lompoul (desert tent camp)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Lompoul to Dakar / Departure

Optional sunrise camel ride or dune walk. After breakfast at camp, depart Lompoul and drive back to Dakar (approximately 3.5 hours). Stop at the Fulani village of Lompoul-sur-Mer to meet local community members. Arrive in Dakar by early afternoon. Transfer to Blaise Diagne International Airport for evening departure or to your Dakar hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

• 4 nights accommodation (3 nights Saint-Louis colonial hotel, 1 night Lompoul desert camp)
• Daily breakfast, 2 lunches, 3 dinners
• Private air-conditioned transport throughout
• 4×4 transfer to/from Lompoul Desert camp
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Pirogue ride at Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
• Camel ride in Lompoul Desert
• Entrance fees to Djoudj National Park, Saint-Louis Museum, Lompoul Desert
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure

What’s Not Included

• International flights
• Travel insurance (required)
• Senegal visa fees
• Personal expenses, tips, drinks
• Optional calèche (horse carriage) ride in Saint-Louis
• Any items not specified in itinerary