Air Senegal to start operation soon

The aviation industry in the country is presently experiencing a considerable boom, as recognized flights, including Air Senegal, are finding Sierra Leone a profitable destination.
This, according to the Head of General Sales Agency, Chris Robertshaw, is in line with the fact that Sierra Leone is not only among the fastest growing economies in the world but also one of the best countries in the world to do business.
He said that with Air Senegal’s reliable service and safety acclaimed across Africa and the world, their arrival will contribute to local employment and increase the country’s revenue collection.
He said that they are positioned to provide outstanding services in the aviation industry that would potentially change the taste of flight experience in the sub-region, for which they will be charging a return ticket of $599 to Senegal.
Mareme Niasse, the Country Manager for Air Senegal, in her presentation, said that the flight will make its maiden landing at the Freetown International Airport, Lungi, on the 25th of February this year. She revealed that it is the first direct flight to Senegal, with an investment portfolio worth 23 million Euros.
She said that with their present operation within the sub region, including West Africa, Central among others, there is an immediate future plan to extend operations right through Africa, Europe and the Americas.
Madam Niasse said that Air Senegal is one of the fastest growing airlines in the sub- region.
He said they started with two aircrafts running within four destinations. And at the moment, the airline can boast of 16 aircrafts running between 17 destinations.
By Poindexter Sama

Lake Retba In Senegal's Pink Lake

A boat floats on what looks like a huge strawberry milk-lake.

The wooden vessels were photographed from the air bobbing on Lake Retba, in Senegal.

From above the mass of water - which spans one square mile - looks staggeringly similar to a giant milkshake.

Giant milkshake: High levels of salt cause the water to change colour

And just like the Dead Sea swimmers are even able to FLOAT on the water with ease.

The bizarre colour is caused by high levels of salt - with some areas containing up to 40% of the condiment.

Michael Danson, an expert in extremophile bacteria from Bath University, said: "The strawberry colour is produced by salt-loving organism Dunaliella salina.

Pink on white: The dramatic change in colour as the water meets the shore

"They produce a red pigment that absorbs and uses the energy of sunlight to create more energy, turning the water pink.

"Lakes like Retba and the Dead Sea, which have high salt concentrations, were once thought to be incompatible with life - hence the names. But they are very much alive."

Salt collectors can often be seen scouring the expanse to remove the valuable mineral - but first have to coat their skin with sheer butter.

This helps protect their skin from exposure to the intense salt levels in the three metre deep lake.

Villagers process and sell the mineral

Salt crystals cling to the bodies of miners who work the lake everyday to extract its contents.

And towering piles of collected salt litter the shoreline.

Villagers then process it before selling and using the valuable mineral.

For more pictures....

Les Fanals Festival

Les Fanals Festival
Lantern Festival

This festival typically from Saint-Louis, takes place during the last week of December, this is a night parade. Real full-bodied works, buildings representing the city of St. Louis up to 5 m high, covered with brightly colored wallpaper.

The parades of these fanals, illuminated from within by candles, is accompanied by 
singing and the beat of drums. The St. Louisiennes, coated Signares required to, bring the past of the old colonial city. This event is a real contest of ingenuity and délégance between the neighborhoods of St. Louis.

Read more about this Lantern Festival..

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Stone Circles of Senegambia

Stone Circles of Senegambia

UNESCO World Heritage Site

The site consists of four large groups of stone circles that represent an extraordinary concentration of over 1,000 monuments in a band 100 km wide along some 350 km of the River Gambia. The four groups, Sine Ngayène, Wanar, Wassu and Kerbatch, cover 93 stone circles and numerous tumuli, burial mounds, some of which have been excavated to reveal material that suggest dates between 3rd century BC and 16th century AD. Together the stone circles of laterite pillars and their associated burial mounds present a vast sacred landscape created over more than 1,500 years. It reflects a prosperous, highly organized and lasting society.

The inscribed site corresponds to four large groups of megalithic circles located in the extreme western part of West Africa, between the River Gambia and the River Senegal. These sites, Wassu, and Kerbatch in Gambia, and Wanar and Sine Ngayene in Senegal, represent an extraordinary concentration of more than 1,000 stone circles and related tumuli spread over a territory of 100 km wide and 350 km in length, along the River Gambia. Together, the four groups comprise 93 circles and associated sites, some of which have been excavated, some of which have revealed archaeological material and human burials, from pottery to iron instruments and ornamentation dating between the 1 ^st and 2nd millennia to our era. These four megalithic sites are the most dense concentration in the zone and have Outstanding Universal Value, representing a traditional monumental megalithic construction spread out over a vast area, with more than 1,000 stone circles scattered along one of the major rivers of Africa.

The Sine Ngayene complex (Senegal) is the largest site in the area. It consists of 52 circles of standing stones, including one double circle. In all, there are 1102 carved stones on the site. Around 1km to the east, (outside the inscribed property) is the quarry from which the monoliths were extracted and where the sources of around 150 stones can be traced. The site was excavated around 1970, and more recently by Bocoum and Holl. The work established that the single burials appeared to precede in time the multiple burials associated with the stone circles. The Wanar complex (Senegal) consists of 21 circles including one double circle. The site contains 9 ‘lyre’ stones or bifed stones, sometimes with a cross piece strung between the two halves. The Wassu complex (Guinea) consists of 11 circles and their associated frontal stones. This site has the highest stones of the area. The most recent excavations conducted on these megalithic circles date to the Anglo-Gambian campaign led by Evans and Ozanne in 1964 and 1965. The finds of burials enabled the dating of the monuments between 927 and 1305 AD. The Kerbatch complex consists of 9 circles, including a double circle. The site possesses a ‘bifid’ stone, the only known one in the area.

The stones forming the circles were extracted from nearby laterite quarries using iron tools and skilfully shaped into almost identical pillars, either cylindrical or polygonal, on average around 2 m in height and weighing up to 7 tons. Each circle contains between eight to fourteen standing stones having a diameter of four to six metres. The four megalithic sites inscribed bear witness to a prosperous and highly organized society with traditions of stone circle constructions, associated with burials, and persisting in certain areas over more than a millennium.

Read More....

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Bandia Wildlife Reserve -Senegal

The Bandia Wildlife Reserve

Guest Blogger - Hilary Goldman . "A Year in Dakar" 

Up Close and Personal 

The closest we could get to the essence of a safari here in West Africa was the Bandia Wildlife Reserve. On one of our previous mini vacations to the Petite Cote - we had the opportunity to visit the reserve. The reserve is a much shorter distance from Toubab Dialaw (where we stayed at Auberge de la Plage),than it would be as a day trip from Dakar. 

 So as usual we find a local taxi man to arrange for the transport. Once in the park, the way it works is 

that  you can either opt for a larger open air 4x4 vehicle that is way more costly or stay in your taxi with the windows rolled down. Windows rolled down works for us! Either way you are required to take on a hired guide.

Giraffes

You can tell once you get started why it is required. One is safety as their goal is to get you close to the animals within reason (which we did!)  and two the taxi driver's job is to drive and listen to the guides directions on where to go. This way the guide can focus on spotting the animals and sharing his knowledge. Many of them speak not just French and Wolof but English too as they cater more to an ex-pat and European visitor. Admittedly, it was helpful to have our guide speak English to enjoy the finer details he had to share that we may  not have understood in French. 

Monkeys..t.l. Patas, b.r. Vervet

These guides really know the reserve and I think it's small enough to manage the roughly 2 hours needed to see everything. They work together as a team communicating where the animals are as they pass each other along the way  -  let's face it  - you do pay to see the animals !!




Zebras

A little history from their website.

Ostriches and Abyssinian Roller

The Bandia reserve was established in 1990 on an economically exploited and markedly degraded baobab grove. In that year 460 ha were enclosed, later this was expanded to 750 ha and it is still expanding. The first stage of conservation was aimed at regenerating the damaged vegeta­tion and after that it was introducing the first animals. Introducing wild animals be­gan slowly in 1991 and reached its peak in January 1997 with the arrival of un­gulates from South Africa. Today a visitor to the 750 ha territory of Bandia can see 22 various species of African animals, of which 11 come directly from Sene­gal, the others coming from South Africa.

Today the Bandia wildlife makes up a total of 3,500 hectares of which about 1/3 of it is currently available for the animals to roam. They continue to either open up new sections of the park and redirect animals to move to those new sections while they close other sections for regeneration. Or as they introduce more animals they expand the perimeter of the park.

Parker and Addison had been to the reserve with their class earlier in the year so at first they seemed quite disinterested in returning except perhaps to try and feed the Green Vervet monkeys. Of which I preferred they not add to the monkeys already domesticated habits.

Wart Hog

Once we got rocking and rolling and spotted our first animal - interest on their part picked up again! Of course our first warthog sighting and I'm thinking "Phacochere, Phacochere" - our guide from Djoudj who got so excited about spotting them. Now that he's been spotted and out of the way - we can get on with the show. And what a show it was!!

 The White Rhinoceros......Why White? 

White Rhinoceros

From wikipedia - A popular theory of the origins of the name "white rhinoceros" is a mistranslation from Dutch to English. The English word "white" is said to have been derived by mistranslation of the Dutch word "wijd", which means "wide" in English. The word "wide" refers to the width of the rhinoceros' mouth. So early English-speaking settlers in South Africa misinterpreted the "wijd" for "white" and the rhino with the wide mouth ended up being called the white rhino (with nothing"white" about him or her!) 
 

Baobab Tree

Along with the animals we were shown an ancient Baobab tree within the reserve that marks the resting place for the human remains of celebrated local griots - storytellers - and burial mounds. 

My Husband, Taxi Driver and the Twins...

A completely memorable day had by all - including our taxi driver - as a Senegalese who had not been here nor likely could afford to come - it was a special treat for him - including his ice cream! (Please visit original posting "Up Close and Personal" for more and better pictures) 

Guest Blogger - Hilary Goldman . "A Year in Dakar" along with her husband and twin sons moved to Dakar Senegal for a year sabbatical. She gives a lot of practical advise about moving and living and experiencing Senegal from a different American point of view. The reason why I was attracted to her blog is because I have found her effort and interest to integrate as she describes it with the Senegalese culture, people and language so inviting. While Hilary and husband did voluntary work...the boys went to a local French/Senegalese school. Best of all the family has explored Senegal by means of walking, taxi, car rapide, dem dikk and sept-place because they don't have a car. They also hope to take the boat to Casamance before their year is up. The blog documents their travels in and around Dakar and to Saint Louis, Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary, Guembeul Nature Reserve and the Accro-Baobab Park to name just a few of the places visited.

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Senegal Tennis

- Senegal Tennis -

Senegal Tennis

Tennis has been played in Senegal since colonial times and our federation is among the oldest in Africa.
Tennis saw a surge in popularity  in Senegal particularly in the 80's and 90's with some excellent performances by players like Yaya DOUMBIA (who had won several major awards at the international level), but also sisters 

Yaya DOUMBIA

BERTHA (several times champion of Africa). Plus the strong performance of their Davis Cup team which for a long time, was one of the best in Africa.

That was the Golden Age of Tennis in Senegal.

Currently the federal team headed by President Issa Mboup, strives to find solutions to impove the state of Senegal Tennis.

-The five-year plan for Senegal Tennis -

Senegal Tennis

The overall objective is to develop sustainable quality and quantity in the Senegalese courts.


The specific objectives, these are:

•  To discover and play tennis in 3000 thanks to young Senegalese JTI (Junior Tennis Initiative);
•  Perform technical missions in the regions;
•  Motivate technicians;
•  Form (or initiate) each year 30 students INSEPS;
•  Increase the number of licensees by 50%;
•  Double the number of youth tournaments;
•  To involve local authorities in the management of tennis;
•  To organize international tournaments for young men and women;
•  To host the regional center of the ITF young West Africa;
•  To integrate all existing programs;
•  Strengthen the administrative structure of the TSP;
•  To study the structure of the organization of the TSP compared with current regulations to the Department;
•  Develop a marketing plan and communication at the point of practitioners and the public to support the development program.

For more information on Senegal Tennis visit Senegal Federal Tennis site

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Senegal Sports

Thiès Senegal

Thies Senegal

Thiès...(pronounced chess). The town, considered Senegal's second city, and a mere 60km from the capital,  in an area considered to be among the most developed in the country, and is a transport hub, servicing routes between St Louis, Dakar and Bamako in neighbouring Mali.

History
Before colonization, the Thiès Plateau was a wooded frontier between the kingdoms of Cayor and Baol inhabited by the Serer-Noon, an ethnic sub-group of the Serer people. The Serer-Noon still inhabit the Thiès-Noon neighborhood of the south-west city today.

The plateau acquired strategic importance when the 

Thies City Center

French embarked upon an expansionist colonial policy. A military post was created in 1864 and the military have marked the city’s development ever since; it is home to a major military base.
Tapestry
Thiès is best known for its tapestry-making industry, an exclusive factory having been set up in 1966, producing work designed by Senegal’s top artists. The famous Birds of Paradise tapestry was manufactured in Thiès.

Manufactures Sénégalaises des Arts Décoratifs, located in Thiès, was one of the artistic centers 

Thies Tapestry

inspired by President Senghor in the 1960’s. Designs for the brightly colored tapestries are chosen from paintings submitted by Senegalese and other African artists.

Each design is first drawn in reverse, then enlarged and color coded. This large piece of paper is placed in the loom for the weavers to follow. The weaving is done on manual looms with two weavers completing about 1 sq meter per month. Only eight tapestries are made of each design. Most of the tapestries are gifts of the government to foreign dignitaries. Atlanta airport, Buckingham Palace, Bill Clinton, and George Bush are four of the recipients.

Economy


Thies Museum

Agricultural production includes  rice, peanuts, manioc, millet, and fruit, the city is a leading livestock-trading and meat-packing center. It has rail yards and repair shops, and alumina phosphate deposits are worked at nearby Palo and Taïba.

Today, Thiès is developing increasingly as an extension of the congested Cap-Vert Peninsula. It is attracting industrial investments (electrical and mechanical engineering) and there are plans to link it to Dakar by highway and commuter train.The city also contains a polytechnic school.

Other attractions in Thiès include a museum, an artisanal and crafts village and a few remains of old fortifications.

The Regional Museum of Thiès is (housed in the Fort of Thiès). was the first regional museum inaugurated in Senegal. It contributes greatly to the preservation of Senegalese culture, with specific focus on the city of Thiès.

The museum comprises an exhibit hall dedicated to prehistory, history of the region of Thiès, great kingdoms, slavery, and religious brotherhoods of Senegal. There are also an exhibit hall and a research center relating the history of the railroad of Senegal. The museum hosts artists in residence and regular exhibitions. With its collections of objects, photographs, paintings, and contributions from various researchers, the museum aims to give visitors a sense of Senegal's rich history.

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Accrobaobab Adventure Park - Senegal

Accrobaobab Adventure Park - Great Day Trip from Dakar or Saly

Accrobaobab Adventure Senegal

Accrobaobab Adventure Park  is the only park in the world built exclusively on baobabs.Located in the bush in the Senegalese sole baobab forest of our planet, this park welcomes you 5 to 77 years for unforgettable adventures safely.

Accorbaobab Adventure Park Map

A 65 km south of Dakar and 15 km from the resort of Saly, the park is easily accessible for all types of vehicles. To get there, take National 1: track to right across the reserve Bandia, 5 km from Sindia.

Saly Senegal - The Riveria of West Africa

Saly Senegal

Two hours south of Dakar, lie the endless beaches of the Little Coast. This is the domain of Saly, a beautiful resort which extends over a green park of more than 1,480 


acres. Saly has several first 

Saly Senegal

class hotels, swimming pools, restaurants, horse stables, a deep sea fishing center, shops, night clubs and miles of white sanded beaches. It is the top tourist destination in all of West Africa, often refer to  as the Riviera of West Africa. Saly makes a great day trip from Dakar.

Accrobaobab Adventure Park

For the more active, Saly has several excellent water sports centres, offering a range of activities such as jet skis, water-skiing, catamarans, kayaks and windsurfing.   Quad and buggy tours or horse treks are also available in and around the resort. Saly is also home to one of Senegal’s best 18 hole golf courses and the Accrobaobab Adventure Park, where you can climb, swing and slide on a series of nets and ropes among the baobab trees.


Saly's economy relies almost entirely on tourism. Hotel complexes, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, shops, water sports, real estate agencies all compete for the business of  visitors from other countries.Seminars and symposiums are often held here..Saly is a convenient point of departure for excursions to Dakar, the Pink Lake, the Casamance or the Saloum islands


Saly's Top Hotels, Villas and Restaurants 


Lamantin Beach Resort & Spa - Saly Senegal

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