Our Destinations

Letter Randocheval

Why travelling with Randocheval ?

SENEGAL : HORSEBACK TRAIL IN SINE SALOUM DELTA...

A little team of passionate people will welcome you in Ndangane, the gateway to the Sine Saloum delta, an ornithological reserve protected from mass tourism. The diversity of the natural spaces is upsetting: Tanns, Bolongs, ricefields, mangrove swamps, deserted beaches, typical villages… Being in the saddle on a barb, you will discover the heart of Black Africa, its inhabitants and its intact nature. NOTE : French speaking guide only.

ITINERARY

Day 1 : Dakar-Ndangane
Arrival at airport, welcome and transfer to Ngandane (170 km/3h drive on asphalted road and track). According to arrival time, presentation of the farm and introduction to its inhabitants. Eventually, you will relax and stay overnight in a cabin.

Day 2 : Ndangane-Simal (a 4h ride)
The arrivals are usually during Day 1 night, so we propose you to take a first relaxed morning off.
Then, the first ride: a crossing of the Bolongs (arms of the sea in the delta), a stop to the giant ant-hill whose height is 4 metres, a crossing of the ricefields, a visit of Djillor, the birthplace of Léopold Senghor. Arrival at the Simal camp, where you will stay overnight in a traditional Peuhl cabin, made of straw and shell, which is a heavenly place, if ever there was one.

Day 3 : Simal-Ngazobil (a 7h ride or so)
Today, a great stage in store. Riding through the bush, a crossing of Serere, Bambara, Peuhl villages. Lunch in the shade of the mango tree of Lewna. After a refreshing nap, departure in the direction of the listed Ngazobil forest, arrival at the convent, which is a quiet place alongside the ocean.

Day 4 : Ngazobil-Fadial (about 6h)
A visit of Ndiarogne, a village where you will eat the Senegalese couscous cooked with curds, after having pound millet and having been introduced to Serere and Peuhl dances. After the lunch-break, departure to Fadiouth island, an enchanting and inescapable Senegalese site: the shell graveyard, the millet loft, etc. Finally you will stay overnight in Fadial, in a rustic but typical housing in a cabin at the Ndiak's camp.

Day 5 : Fadial-Djiffer-Palmarin (7h)
A crossing of magnificent Bolongs, with according to the season, water up to the withers. You will discover the "secret way" in the mangrove swamps; you will have a picnic, then a ride putting your horse into a gallop on the virgin beaches as far as the eye can see in the direction of Palmarin. You will stay overnight at the "Le Yokam" camp.
During this day, according to the possibilities, we will have a break in a bush school. On this occasion, you might hand school stationary that you have taken over to the school -you always have to directly hand the pens or notebooks over to the school, and not in the street where your gifts could be subsequently resold.

Day 6 : A loop around Palmarin (3h)
Ride in the Mangrove swamp area going through salt marshes and riding along the Bolongs (arms of the sea, delta). A crossing of the shell mounds, lunch, an afternoon of relaxation on the beach, you will stay overnight in a cabin at the Le Yokam camp.

Day 7 : Palmarin-Ndangane (about 7h)
A crossing of the Tanns, where, according to the season you might be present at the taking flight of the pelicans, the herons, the egrets and the flamingos. Then you will have lunch near the Sambadia reserve, a crossing of Yayéme, a place that is surprisingly like Casamance, and return to Ndangane going through the bush.

Day 8 : Dakar
If you end your journey: According to your flight schedules, transfer back to Dakar for your return flight.

If you continue your journey staying for a rest in a seaside resort: You will be transferred to Saly in the day, to your hotel and you will have a stay for the chosen number of nights (half-board basis). At the end of your journey, you will be transferred to the airport, according to your flight schedule.

On the spot, you might have a sail on a traditional pirogue to Bird Island, if you want to (10000F CFA to pay on the spot). This sail can be done on the first or the last day according to your flight schedules.

NOTE : According to the flight schedules of riders, and the availability of the housings, the trail ride might be done in the opposite way on certain dates.

EXTEND YOUR TRIP

HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL

As a whole, there are about ten horses at your disposal :

• 6 to 7 mares for safe trail rides
• 3 to 4 stallions for the most experienced riders (because in Senegal, a lot of horses wander in the bush and a rider who is not experienced enough on a stallion that meets a mare…ouch!).
• And our lasts foals: Nadir and Etincelle !
  

YOUR GUIDES

Our team is compound of permanent employees, who are present all year long at the farm to take care of the horses: the main guide, Ibou, who has a passion for riding and loves the Saloum, perfectly knows the region. You might follow his advice with serenity.

Idi is in charge of the logistics. The maintenance is done by cart, one that goes with the riders, and the other to provide with the lunches. Every day your luggage will be transferred aside by barouche in order to avoid porterage. You will find there your things and varied "conveniences". This barouches follows a different way than the riders to avoid slowing down the rhythm of the trail ride.

These trail rides take place in a safe region of Senegal, far from the troubles of Casamance.

ACCOMMODATION

At the farm, with an access to running water, to the phone, and to electricity (that has just arrived at the village!), you will have at your disposal comfortable housings in cabins (that are permanent structures) that can accommodate until 2/3 people with single or double beds, a shower room and the toilet.

During the trail ride, you will live in camps or traditional cabins in the villages like it is said in the programme.

Plese note : a "camp" means that you will sleep in simple cabins, with beds, generally a shower, you should not confuse it with camping that is much less comfortable.

You will always have means to have a wash, as well as bedding with a rubber mattress and a mosquito net.

The establishments that are chosen are sometimes "rustic" and traditional, but always comfortable.

Sleeping bags are not supplied.

DATES AND RATES

Departures are possible all year long, subject to flight availability. If other riders are already registered on the dates that interest you, departure will be organized according to the dates of the first rider registered.

Small group supplement. This trail has a guaraanteed departure from the first booked rider. If you are the first, second or third rider booked on a departure date, a small group supplement will apply as follow :
- Supplement for 2 or 3 riders only : +100 €
- Supplement for 1 rider only : +150€
This supplement will be partly or totally refunded depending on final number of riders on your departure date.

Special transfer
Meeting hour in Dakar is set up by the first client booked on a departure date. If you choose a plane arriving earlier or later, we will organize a specific transfer from and to Dakar. Additionnal cost of 70€ per way per coach. For 90% of our customers, we manage to find plane arrangements so that we can avoids specific transfers.

Next confirmed departures :

- January 17 to 25
- April 18 to 26

Flights to Dakar

Please contact us to check the best available rate from your country.

Option
Beach stay, discovery tour of other regions in Senegal... please contact us.

BOOKING - INFORMATION

Contact Charlène for any enquiry !

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

Dakar airport.

Formalities
Please check with your local ambassy.

Vaccination - health
No specific vaccinations. Don't forget your repatriation insurance.

We recommand to be update of usual vaccination, and especially tetanus..
The yellow fever vaccination is recommanded.
A treatment against Malaria is also recommanded. Please contact a doctor before departure.