Our Destinations
Letter Randocheval
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
SENEGAL : HORSEBACK TRAIL IN SINE SALOUM DELTA...
Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
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. |
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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
Consult us for any enquiry
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
The horses are Arab barbs, called locally Mbayar, which are very docile and robust.
They spend all the year in the farm, and are "used" only for riding leisure, they are not draught horses, which are not adapted and rented for the season.
We take great care of them (veterinary cares, vermifuge… what is not always the case in this region of Africa)
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. |
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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.
| 2008 | ||
| A la carte departure all year long, except from july to mid-october |
715 € |
contact us for availabilities |
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.
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.
RATE INCLUDING
- the trail ride with full board, drinks excluded- the financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- flights to Dakar- the transfers from and to Dakar airport
- any other service
- tips
- drinks
- insurrance : repatriation aid or multiple-risk (cancellation, luggage, repatriation. You can subscribe to these insurrances only if you are an european resident. If you live outside European Union, please check with your local insurrance company - More information.
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact Claire, the specialist for this destination !
PRATICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
Senegal
LENGTH
8 days / 7 nights / 6 days on horseback.
LANGUAGE
French only.
GROUP SIZE
The departures are guaranteed whatever the number of riders who are registered. Maximum: 6 riders depending on departures.
ACCESS
Dakar airport.
CLIMATE
Tropical, warm all year long.Rainy season between July and September.
The best season to visit Senegal is between October and June.
Formalities
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.
Vaccines-Health
The yellow feaver vaccine is compulsory, we recommend you to be up to
date concerning your usual vaccinations, in particular for the tetanus
vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.
Contact your regular doctor for advice on a treatment against malaria.
REFERENCE :CH61-senegal
