Every winter, hundreds of thousands of birds from Europe settle on the lakes and creeks of the Senegal River delta. An hour from Saint-Louis, a pirogue trip takes you into the heart of the white pelican colonies: West Africa's great birdwatching event, open from November to April.
Djoudj was born of the river. Every year the flood fills a network of lakes, creeks and channels at the heart of the Senegal River delta, at the gateway to the Sahara. For birds that have just crossed the desert, it is the first great expanse of fresh water: according to UNESCO, the park is home to some one and a half million birds. Made a national park in 1971, it has been a World Heritage Site since 1981.
The spectacle lies in the sheer numbers. White pelicans gather in their thousands; flamingos filter the lagoons; purple herons, spoonbills, egrets, cormorants and darters line the banks, while pintails, garganeys and godwits from Europe cover the open water. Warthogs are often seen along the tracks.
For a group, Djoudj offers a memorable day that is simple to organise from Saint-Louis: a morning by pirogue among the birds, a track along the lakes, lunch, and back in town for the evening. Keen birdwatchers happily devote two days to it.
Logistics, tips and site rules, checked on 13 October 2026.
The park is reached from Saint-Louis by the northern road, then a track along rice fields and dykes: allow about an hour. Entry and the pirogue trip are paid at the park's reception post; fees are reconfirmed for each request. For a group, vehicles suited to the track are better than a large coach.
The heart of the visit: one to two hours on the creeks, out to the great gatherings of pelicans. Pirogues take small groups in rotation: for a large group, we book the slots in advance. In the morning the light is softer and the birds more active.
The park is usually open from 1 November to 30 April, with bird numbers peaking from December to March. Leave Saint-Louis around 7 am to be on the water early: it heats up quickly, especially from March.
Visits are with a park guide or a licensed guide: ask to see their official card. Near the birds, stay in the pirogue, keep your voice down and never feed the animals. Drones are forbidden without prior authorisation. Binoculars, a hat, water and insect repellent are essential.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Djoudj Bird Sanctuary | ||||||||||||
| Langue de Barbarie |
General guidance for a group. Opening dates are set each season by the park: we reconfirm them for your date.
Djoudj is visited in small groups, in pirogue rotations. The most requested formats:
An early start, a pirogue out to the pelicans, a track along the lakes, lunch, back in the late afternoon: the simplest format for a group staying in Saint-Louis.
Two days or more for enthusiasts: Djoudj at dawn, the Langue de Barbarie and Guembeul Reserve, with a naturalist guide.
For tour operators and nature clubs: a series of departures over the season, guides and vehicles booked, one request for every departure.
After a seminar in Saint-Louis or Dakar, a day at Djoudj gives the group a nature outing it will not forget.
For photographers: a dawn start, a pirogue reserved for the group, time to linger with the birds. Professional filming and drones: prior authorisation.
Indicative timings, set for each group around park opening and pirogue rotations.
Describe your group once: dates, number of people, language, format. We pass your request to the right destination management companies, and their proposals come back to you.
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Groups stay in Saint-Louis, on the island or at the Hydrobase, or by the river on the way to the park. A few examples:
Accommodation listed as examples, with no guarantee of availability: we suggest what suits your group and your dates. “Verified” marks a profile confirmed by the agency.
Usually from 1 November to 30 April. The exact dates are set each season by the park: we reconfirm them for your date.
December to March, when migrants from Europe are most numerous. November and April are still worthwhile, with fewer birds and fewer visitors.
It is possible but exhausting: about five hours by road each way. Plan at least one night in Saint-Louis; two if you also want to see the town.
Yes, in rotations of small pirogues. For a large group, we stagger the slots and arrange an alternating activity while people wait.
Yes. Visits are with a park guide or a licensed guide: ask to see their official card. For a group, we book a French- or English-speaking guide in advance.
Binoculars, a hat, sun protection, water, insect repellent, and a light jacket for the early pirogue trip.
Only with prior authorisation. Mention it in your request: we check feasibility for your date.
✔ Page checked on 13 October 2026. Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, “Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary”. Access, times and fees taken from sources published by the site managers and tourist information sites; they change and are reconfirmed for each request.