Kartong

Kartong is the last village before Senegal, right at the southern end of the coast where the Allahein river comes out through sandbanks and marks the frontier. Small eco lodges sit among the palms, and a bird observatory here rings passing migrants right through the northern winter. A reptile farm on the edge of the village keeps snakes that villagers bring in rather than kill. A sacred pool in the bush behind the village holds crocodiles and is still used for blessings today. Pirogues cross the river over to the Casamance whenever somebody actually wants to go.