Ziguinchor
Senegal · 12 m
Description
Ziguinchor is the capital of the Casamance, the green southern region cut off from the rest of Senegal by the Gambia. It sits on the Casamance river among mango and palm trees, with Portuguese and French colonial buildings, a long river quay and a covered market known for its wood carving and basketry. Kayaks and pirogues work the mangrove creeks called “bolongs” that spread in every direction. The ferry from Dakar ties up here after a night at sea. Diola villages, sacred forests and the fortified impluvium houses of the region lie in the country around it.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: November – March
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Ziguinchor river quay & Dakar ferry
- Marché Saint-Maur des Fossés
- Casamance bolong pirogue trips
- Colonial quarter & Escale
- Diola impluvium houses at Enampor(Day trip)
- Alliance Franco-Sénégalaise gardens
- Casamance sacred forests
- Affiniam & Elinkine river villages(Day trip)
- Île de Karabane(Day trip)
- Casamance palm wine & Diola cuisine
- Ziguinchor woodcarving workshops
Getting there
- Airports:
- ZIG
- Seaport:
- Reachable by ship or ferry