We went on this trip in the summer of 2023 and the animals were very excited to show up.
There are two visits, one for the animals with a jeep, guide or private; and another to go only to the lions.
We went to the one with the animals and I attached a photo of the ones there are. They are all free and the hyenas have a limited area.
It is a curious and recommendable place.
"History
The history of the Bandia reserve began in 1981 with the establishment of PARFOB (autonomous project for the reforestation of the Bandia forest), funded by USAID with initially a Senegalese-American co- direction . For the Senegalese part, it is the late Boubacar SIDIBE, Senior Officer, Principal Inspector of Waters, Forests and Hunting and David GUIBSON for the American part. After three years, the American side withdrew and the project was completed in 1986 by Mr. SIDIBE.
it is on the achievements of this project that the Bandia reserve was created.
Created in 1990 , Bandia is the first private reserve in Senegal.
All the burial mounds of the Bandia forest were classified by the Historic Monuments in 2003
Features
The area of ??this reserve is 3500 hectares and fully fenced.
Wildlife
While other Senegalese parks are mainly dedicated to birds ( Djoudj National Bird Park or Langue de Barbarie National Park ), Bandia is on the contrary home to many mammals, deliberately reintroduced into the region.
Among the animal species present in the park, we note in particular rhinos , giraffes , great antelopes , dama gazelles , Derby elk , buffaloes , patas monkeys , vervet monkeys , warthogs , antelopes , zebras , jackals , mongooses and hyenas.
However, there are also nearly 120 species of birds, including ostriches , as well as giant tortoises , Nile monitors and crocodiles .
Other curiosities:
In this especially wildlife reserve, one can also observe Fulani huts , a coal millstone , Serer burial mounds with the reconstruction of a burial chamber.
There are also giant baobabs , in particular an amazing elephant baobab ( Adansonia digitata ). As evidenced by some bones, the trunk of one of the trees served as a burial place for griots .
Tourism
Not too far from the capital and very close to the seaside resort of Saly , the Bandia reserve is a classic destination for often family tourism. In 2001 , 33,000 paid admissions were recorded there.
This protected area can only be visited in a vehicle (personal or rental, taxi)."
(
visit link)