Wildlife Holidays in Senegal

Senegal boasts a remarkable array of birds of prey, including resident Long-crested and African Fish Eagles, as well as migrants such as Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel and Osprey. Perhaps the country’s most impressive raptor spectacle, however, is an enormous roost of Scissor-tailed Kite, a graceful, nomadic species that can be challenging to find in other parts of Africa. In the south of the country, on the banks of the River Gambia, can be found several other sought-after birds such as African Finfoot, Egyptian Plover and Pel’s Fishing Owl, while the savannahs beyond contain Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Four-banded Sandgrouse and Yellow-crowned Gonolek, amongst numerous others.

Although Senegal is perhaps best known as a birding destination, it is also one of the most important countries for endangered Sahelian mammals. In particular, Niokolo-Koba National Park, in the south-east, supports some of the region’s only Lions, Leopards, African Savannah Elephants and Giant Eland, alongside Chimpanzees and the last packs of African Wild Dogs in West Africa. While they may be harder to track down than their counterparts in East and Southern Africa, the thrill of an encounter here can be even more rewarding. Other mammal species in Senegal include Patas Monkey, Pale Fox and even the elusive African Manatee.

Tell Me More about Senegal...

On a continent famous for its abundant wildlife, Senegal offers a unique African experience. Situated at the far west of the Sahel, which stretches all the way from the Atlantic to the Red Sea, Senegal provides a window into a spectacular and little visited part of Africa. Like The Gambia, the tiny nation it almost entirely surrounds, Senegal offers an excellent introduction to the region’s varied and colourful birdlife. However, the country’s larger size, remote corners and extensive network of protected areas mean it also contains a much more impressive variety of flora and fauna, from poorly known regional specialty birds to some of West Africa’s largest remaining mammal populations.

The Sahel covers over three million square kilometres, a vast transitional belt between the desolate Sahara and the more humid savannahs to the south. The region gets its name from the Arabic for “coast”, which may be a poetic reference to the endless seas of sand to the north. Its climate is hot and largely arid, with landscapes dominated by semi-desert, grassland and dry forest, but also containing several surprisingly fertile wetlands. Hidden within these varied habitats is an abundance of fascinating wildlife, much of it quite different from anything found in the classic safari destinations of East and Southern Africa. Although much of the Sahel is challenging to visit, Senegal is a safe haven, being one of the most democratic and politically stable countries in Africa. Covering over 197,000 square kilometres, the nation of Senegal represents by far the best destination for experiencing the wildlife of this distinctive region.

The far north of the country is the most arid, home to semi-desert on the southern shores of the Sahara. The Senegal River forms the border with Mauritania, and along its banks can be seen many typically West African birds, including Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Vinaceous Dove and Western Red-billed Hornbill, while classic raptors such as White-backed Vulture and Short-toed Eagle often soar overhead. Away from the water, in the country’s most barren landscapes of all, can be found the true Sahelian specialists, such as Sudan Golden Sparrow, Cricket Warbler and the iconic (and poorly known) Golden Nightjar. In dramatic contrast are the riotous wetlands of Djoudj National Park, which can support one-and-a-half million waterbirds during the northern hemisphere winter; amongst the most notable are great flocks of Great White Pelican, Garganey and Black-crowned Crane, while denser vegetation holds less conspicuous species like Winding Cisticola and Greater Painted-snipe. Dry country further south holds more specialty birds, such as the sought-after Quail-plover, Arabian and Savile’s Bustards, as well as a magnificent roost of Scissor-tailed Kites, amongst the most elegant birds of prey on Earth.

The River Gambia heralds a change from the parched north. From its banks south, Senegal’s landscapes transition from semi-desert to a patchwork of open grasslands and wooded savannah. Along the river’s banks can be seen species like African Finfoot, Egyptian Plover and resplendent breeding Northern Carmine Bee-eaters, while there’s always a chance of Pel’s Fishing Owl, either at a day roost or hunting at night. This is also Senegal’s most productive area for mammals – Hippopotamus can be found in the river itself, while nearby Niokolo-Koba National Park is one of West Africa’s largest and most important protected areas. Sprawling over 9000 square kilometres, Niokolo-Koba is a stronghold for many regionally endangered large mammals, including West African Lion, African Savannah Elephant, African Buffalo and Chimpanzee. The park additionally supports a remnant population of Giant Eland, as well as West Africa’s last African Wild Dogs. Overall, no country other than Senegal offers such varied access to the Sahel and its distinctive and spectacular wildlife.