Bassari Country
Senegal · Kédougou · 78 m
Description
Bassari Country is the hill region of far south eastern Senegal where the Bassari, Bedik and Fula have lived since the eleventh century, holding on to animist practice in a country that is otherwise almost entirely Muslim. The Bedik build dense clusters of round huts with steep conical thatch on hilltops reached only on foot, Iwol among them under a sacred baobab. Bassari villages around Salémata terrace their slopes for millet and rice, and Ethiolo is their most sacred place. Masked initiation ceremonies mark the start of the rains. The landscape carries UNESCO World Heritage status.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 7 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – March
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Bassari Country cultural landscape (UNESCO)
- Bedik hilltop village of Iwol
- Dindéfello Waterfall
- Bassari villages around Salémata
- Ethiolo sacred village
- Bassari masked initiation (approx. May)
- Bandafassi Bedik country
- Hillside terraces & millet fields
- Village-to-village trekking(Multi-day trip)
- Sacred baobab of Iwol
- Kédougou market
- Fouta Djallon foothill scenery
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- DSS