Testimonial from Pauline Family Trip 15 days in September 2016 Guide: Diegane

As a 23-year-old student, I decided to do an internship in the beautiful country of Senegal as part of my studies. After two months there, my parents and sister decided to take advantage of the opportunity and came to visit me. Since traveling by bush taxi can be quite tedious, we decided to contact a driver-guide through SoGuide so we could enjoy our trip with complete peace of mind.

After several exchanges, we chose to go with Diegane. He was very professional and responsive in answering our questions. He was very flexible and tailored his proposal to our preferences and budget. Diegane and his driver offered us a truly great rate for this 15-day trip!

“He was very flexible and tailored his proposal to our preferences and budget”

Our journey began leisurely with a visit to Gorée Island and a day at the Somone seaside resort. We then headed to Sine Saloum, our favorite part of the trip! On the way, we stopped to watch the spectacle of the fishermen arriving in M’bour… a feast for the eyes and nose!

Once we arrived in Sine Saloum, we wanted to spend some time with family. Diegane was perfectly accommodating; he dropped us off and picked us up a few days later. Sine Saloum is an absolutely magnificent region with varied landscapes. The bolongs, where you can take a pirogue ride while watching pied kingfishers, pelicans, and other herons; or the palm grove where you can meet Senegal’s last nomadic families.

“The road to Sine Saloum was the highlight of our trip!”

After a few days of rest, we hit the road again, heading north! The drive from Sine Saloum to the north is very long; it’s best to go with a guide who has a reliable vehicle, like Diegane! We tried the desert camp in Lompoul—an excellent experience! The tents are very comfortable (a real bed with a thick blanket, an open-air shower…) and the atmosphere is magical. As soon as night falls, dozens of candles are lit throughout the camp, and the Berbers start dancing to the beat of the tam-tams.

Finally, we explored the city of Saint-Louis! We weren’t really impressed—it was a long drive for a city similar to M’bour or Dakar… Looking back, we would have preferred to spend a few more days in Sine Saloum! If you do go, however, the Aeropostale Museum and the French Institute are worth a visit!

“We tried the desert camp in Lompoul—an excellent experience!”

After one last night by the Pink Lake, we left Diegane and Senegal with wonderful memories in our heads and a desire to return to Senegal to explore Casamance!