Bandia Reserve is a private wildlife park on the main road towards Mbour, roughly 65 kilometres from Dakar. One Senegalese travel guide gives its size as about 3,500 hectares, and the Senegalese tourism agency describes a savanna that invites family safaris, with rhinoceros, monkeys, gazelles, ostriches, Cape eland, zebras, hyenas, giraffes and crocodiles seen along the tracks, beneath giant baobab trees. Animals have been brought in from other parts of Africa, so you see species you would not normally meet in Senegal, and the open vehicles get you remarkably close. The reserve does not have large predators in the main park, which makes it a gentler safari than those in East or Southern Africa, but it is a rewarding half day for families and for anyone who will not reach the larger parks.
Visits are by vehicle with a guide, either a safari truck or your own car, and a guide is required for each vehicle. The reserve is open through the day, and the animals are most active in the cooler early morning and late afternoon. In the dry season, guided walks in the dry riverbed can sometimes be arranged in advance, and the reserve has crocodiles, tortoises and more than a hundred bird species as well as the larger mammals.
Exact fees change, and the guide, vehicle and entry are often priced separately, so ask what is included before you pay.
Because the reserve is some distance from Dakar, most visitors go with a driver or on a tour that also stops at Lac Rose or the Somone lagoon. Allow a full morning or afternoon, plus travel time, and bring a hat, sunscreen, water and a camera with a decent zoom. Wear neutral clothing and closed shoes, and keep your hands inside the vehicle when animals are near. If you want a bigger safari experience, consider the larger parks in the south and east on a longer trip, and treat Bandia as an easy introduction.
What to expect
The experience
A guided game drive through the reserve by safari truck or your own vehicle, with stops to watch giraffes, rhinos, zebras and antelope.
Best time
Early morning or late afternoon, when the animals are most active and the heat is lower.
How long
Two to three hours in the reserve, plus travel from Dakar or the Petite Côte.
Tips
Bring a zoom lens, water and sun protection, ask what the fee includes and keep hands inside the vehicle.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and wildlife fans who want a straightforward safari without a long journey.
- Families
- One of the best family outings near Dakar, with animals close to the vehicle and no long walks.
- Couples
- A late-afternoon drive gives golden light and a quieter reserve.
- Pair with
- Lac Rose or the Somone lagoon sits on the same route, so combine them in a day.
- Time needed
- Half a day for the visit, longer with travel and lunch.
Good questions
Where is Bandia Reserve?+
On the main road towards Mbour, roughly 65 kilometres from Dakar. Most visitors go by driver or as part of a day trip.
What animals will I see?+
Giraffes, rhinoceros, zebras, antelope, ostriches, monkeys and crocodiles are among the animals described by the tourism agency. Large predators are not part of the main park.
Do I need a guide?+
A guide is required for each vehicle. Ask whether guide, vehicle and entry are bundled or charged separately.
When should I go?+
Early morning and late afternoon are best for animal activity. Midday is hot and quieter.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, it is one of the most child-friendly excursions near Dakar. Bring hats and water and keep children seated in the vehicle.
