One of the notable spots near the capital city Ziguinchor, at the mouth of the Casamance River leading out to the Atlantic, is the Île aux Oiseaux (Isle of Birds, pictured here), where you can also see dolphins rhythmically swimming. They're a part of the abundant nature that so impresses visitors, its beautiful mangroves and wetlands, palm forests, savannahs, and beaches home to a variety of other wildlife including buffalo, sea turtles, crocodiles, monkeys, leopards, and a wide variety of birds such as pelicans, spoonbills, flamingos, yellow billed ibis, sacred ibis, cormorants, and bee-eaters. The two main nature parks, Basse Casamance National Park near Ziguinchor and Kalissaye Avifaunal Reserve out on the coast, are currently closed, but local tour operators can point you to other wildlife-spotting opportunities.

Read more in our post Casamance is an Under-the-Radar Gem of Senegal.

Fabian Plock