In the modern world, it’s always a treasure to immerse ourselves in habitats designed as nature intended. Senegal’s answer for this is the Bandia Wildlife Reserve. Just and hour’s drive from Dakar, visitors can observe up close exotic wildlife, such as giraffes, rhinos and zebras roaming free. I loved my safari here with wonderful opportunities for photography. So, read on to learn more about what to expect from a Senegalese Bandia Wildlife Safari.
About Senegal and Bandia Wildlife Reserve
Senegal is the westernmost country on the mainland of Africa and the Old World. It’s named after the Senegal River with the capital city, Dakar. Senegal almost surrounds The Gambia, the smallest country on the mainland. The climate is Sahelian with a rainy season. Interestingly, it is considered one of the most stable countries in Africa. In 1960 Senegal became an independent republic of French West Africa. French is the official language, however, only a minority understand it. Overall, more than 30 languages are spoken in Senegal with Wolof being the most spoken. Most Senegalese people are Muslim.
Bandia Wildlife Reserve lies 65 km or an hour’s drive from Dakar on the main N1 Road. Here lies 3,500 hectares of natural habitat with incredible flora and fauna. Among ancient baobabs and African bush, roam a wide diversity of the African wildlife species. For example, you can expect to see giraffes, zebra, elands, white rhinoceros, warthog, ostrich, water buffalo, impalas, jackals, green vervet monkeys and numerous species of birds. Also, a restaurant/bar lies near a waterhole with crocodiles and a reptile garden with tortoises. Visitors can drive their own vehicle or hire a guide and safari jeep on the dirt roads throughout the reserve.
Senegalese Bandia Wildlife Safari
As an Acupuncturist on a cruise ship, I enjoyed a crew safari here from our port-of-call, Dakar. We took the hourlong bus ride to our safari in a 4 WD vehicle with a guide. Overall, the photos say it all. We got very close to giraffes, zebras, elands, crocodiles, green vervet monkeys, water buffalo herd and a white rhinoceros. Also, I was very in awe of the ancient Baobab Trees and different species of birds. My photographs say more than anything. So, I will share my favorite photos and YouTube video. However, I was at the reserve during high noon and early afternoon which is not the best timing for photography.
Enjoy Bandia Wildlife Reserve!
Overall, this is a very special reserve. No, it’s not a Kenya or Serengeti Safari, but thank goodness the Senegalese people conserved this gift of nature. As our natural world diminishes from human overpopulation and poaching, where does our wildlife and big game go? We need more reserves like Bandia as a home for the wildlife and a place for humans to reconnect with nature’s roots. If you have any suggestions on how best to enjoy Bandia, please leave comments below.
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