Experience the wild adventure

General route

For a week, you'll discover Africa's largest and most beautiful mangrove forest amidst breathtaking landscapes . Between the Dakar region and The Gambia, your playground will be vast. In the heart of the Saloum Delta National Park, among mangroves and pristine islands, you'll lose yourself in this labyrinth under the watchful eyes of pelicans, cormorants, egrets, and herons. You'll cross inlets to reach your campsites, sleep under the stars to the sound of shells clattering at low tide, and learn all the survival techniques of the local inhabitants. Not a day goes by without spotting a jackal, hyena tracks , fish, parakeets, crabs... Here, nature is generous and abundant! Throughout your expedition, you'll craft tools to improve your camp, create basketry, furniture... all within one of the richest biotopes in the marine world. Indeed, you will be immersed in the mangrove (sometimes up to your neck)... the real one... the one with white and red mangrove trees , wild palm trees and giant baobabs .

AN XXL ADVENTURE IN A DREAM SETTING FOR TOTAL IMMERSION, ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE!

 

ITINERARY

​

Day 1 - Private transfer with driver from Senegal's new international airport, located south of Dakar, to the shores of the Sine Saloum Delta. From your vehicle, you will gradually see the landscape change, with increasingly large baobab trees and ever more lush vegetation. Introduction to the workshop - Overnight stay in a lodge.

 

Day 2 - Breakfast - Departure in the morning by small taxi or on foot to the typical and colorful fishing port where you will board your traditional pirogue to explore the meanders of the delta. After 2 or 3 hours of paddling, you will be dropped off on a beach between land and water in the heart of a magnificent landscape. The rest of the day will be dedicated to understanding the natural environment of the Sine Saloum, analyzing animal tracks and identifying edible plants, setting up camp, and building group cohesion. Dinner and overnight stay in a bivouac.

 

Day 3 - You spent your first night in the Sine Saloum. After dismantling your makeshift camp, you will set off to explore your new surroundings and find a new bivouac site. The immersion will be total. Accompanied by your guides, you will complete several modules, which will be covered continuously rather than consecutively (depending on what arises): Introduction to the mangrove: humidity levels / vegetation density / variations in water salinity, high and low tide / animals / edible and inedible vegetation / medicinal plants / dangerous vegetation / water currents...

Survival techniques include:

Shelter building workshop: assembling a ground shelter, making a sleeping mat.

Fire building workshop: which techniques to use depending on the tools available? All the tips and tricks to help you successfully start a fire.

Water collection workshop: how to find or collect water / filtering / drinking water.

Knot tying workshop: the main knots useful in survival situations or in daily life. First aid workshop: what to do and what not to do / emergency stretcher / splint for fractures or sprains / using plants for healing...

Traps, hunting, and fishing workshop (for food only).

Topography workshop: map reading / orientation / using a compass / reading the stars.

River crossing workshop: river navigation / fording / crossing strong currents / raft building.

Overnight bivouac.

 

Day 4 - This morning you will either have regained your smile or fatigue will begin to set in. That's fine: today we're not moving. You'll therefore have some time to improve your makeshift shelter. Time for the more adventurous to go crabbing or gather oysters... You will have to learn to manage your low and high points. You will gain confidence, and daily tasks will fall into place naturally. That's it: you've found your place in the group! Overnight camping.

 

Day 5 - Today is a big day! You'll change islands and walk towards the shore to cross a small creek, then enter the mangrove and reach Devil's Island, where a gigantic baobab tree will welcome you with open arms. Thrills guaranteed! You are now truly part of the Saloum adventure family! Walking through the pristine mangrove will be an extraordinary experience, far from the beaten track. Around a bend in the mangrove tree, you might spot a mongoose or a monitor lizard, also trying to make its way through the roots. Setting up camp - gathering shellfish - preparing dinner... Stargazing.

Overnight camping.

 

Day 6 - Conserve your energy. This will be the most mentally challenging day, but what a satisfaction to know you can make it to the end! You'll approach the village, walking once again through the mangrove, which will hold no more secrets for you, until you reach a small island teeming with life and resources. You'll set up camp on a small beach between the sea and the jungle. More great moments of exploration and resource gathering await! Learning new techniques will be the best form of entertainment. Overnight in a bivouac.

 

Day 7 - Strangely enough, this morning you'll wake up feeling much better than the previous days! You persevered. You've regained your strength because, in the end, the mangrove isn't so bad after all. Break camp and take a short walk to reach the edge of a creek to cross. A little further on, and you'll see your "exit point" and your boat where a delicious meal awaits. Grilled fish, vegetables, rice, fruit, coffee or tea, and bissap (hibiscus tea) are all you can eat. With a full stomach and a smile on your face, you'll begin your transfer back to your departure city to return to your lodge – your shower – internet connection… pure luxury!

A debriefing of this experience will be in order. It will be an opportunity to celebrate this training course in style. After a hearty and delicious dinner, you will be invited to party on the beach around a bonfire to the rhythm of djembes. Overnight at the lodge.

 

Day 8 - Breakfast - Free time by the pool - visits to nearby salt flats and souvenir shopping, depending on your flight schedule. Then we will drive you to the airport for your return flight to France.

 

PLEASE NOTE: The program is only a guideline. Weather, game, and predators are unpredictable factors that may require adjustments to the program to ensure the smooth running of the training course and your safety.

 

This course includes:

1 French instructor specializing in survival skills

+ 1 or 2 guides from the local community

Entry fees and accommodation in reserves and parks

All transfers

5 nights camping / 2 nights in hotels and campsites/lodges

Full board except for meals not mentioned in the itinerary.

 

Not included:

- International flights and excess baggage fees

- Insurance, tips, personal expenses

- Drinks during meals, and meals on days 1 and 8