Trip to Senegal
Trip to Senegal
Senegal on two wheels: a soulful journey that will leave its mark on you.
bike type
MTB
Duration
8 days
Profile
Low Level Sports
Distance and slope
149 km / +0 m
Trip Summary
Can you imagine that a bicycle helped change lives?
With Bikefriendly you have the opportunity to discover Senegal in a JOURNEY WITH SOUL by bike, where every pedal stroke helps improve the lives of young students.
Through the project Bicycles Without BordersThis fatbike trip will allow you to explore endless beaches, villages in the Sine-Saloum region, and baobab forests, while helping more students get to school every day.
For each traveler, Bikefriendly allocates financial resources to the educational program with the delivery of Baobikes, sturdy bicycles that are already changing the future of many young people in Senegal. An authentic experience that combines cycling, culture, and solidarity in the heart of Africa.
Date and availability
Get the Bikefriendly Club and get a 10% off automatically for this trip.
Location
Meet our guide
Sergio, Alpha, Idy and Maurice
Trip description
THE BIKE TRIP
This solidarity trip to Senegal invites you to travel during five stages by bicycle some of the most authentic landscapes in the Sine-Saloum DeltaYou'll pedal along endless beaches of firm sand, trails between rural villages, and reddish paths shaded by towering baobab trees. These are the same routes hundreds of young students travel every day to get to Palmarin or Boyard high schools, many of them walking more than 10 kilometers in the sun.
The experience goes far beyond pedaling. This trip will allow you Learn about the Bicycles Without Borders project in Senegal up close, chat with the teachers who make it possible, and discover inspiring stories from students who have received a bicycle thanks to this initiative. You'll also have the opportunity to share moments with people like Marcel, who found a new opportunity for the future working as a mechanic in local high schools.
THE BAOBIKES
One of the most special moments will be visiting Point Vélo in Palmarin, the epicenter of the project, from which the program's proper functioning is monitored in the various high schools. This project has made it possible to overcome dependence on secondhand donations and offer each student a sturdy, safe, and standardized bicycle, eliminating inequalities. Furthermore, the project provides training and employment to young people in the community, creating a positive impact that transcends education. Such as Anne Marie, currently an accountant for Bicycles Without Borders in Senegal, who was able to benefit from a bicycle from the project to complete her studies while also taking care of her daughter.
By participating, you directly contribute to the project: for each traveler, Bikefriendly allocates part of the proceeds from this experience to support the program, waiving benefits so that every pedal stroke becomes a real opportunity for the future.
EXPERIENCE LOCAL CULTURE
This isn't a conventional tourist trip. Here you'll be part of local life: you'll eat with your hands like a family does, attend a Senegalese wrestling match, explore colorful markets, and experience the hospitality of a people who welcome you as if you were their own.
You will return home with much more than cycling memories: you will return with new friends, a different perspective and the certainty of having been part of an experience that combines Adventure, culture and solidarity in the heart of West Africa.
Itinerary
The big game
The big game
The beginning of our bike trip to Senegal begins with the arrival of each participant to the Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport, the gateway to West Africa. From there, we will coordinate flights for groups from Madrid and Barcelona as well as other cities, so that all travelers can meet and take the first step of this adventure together.
At the airport we will meet the team for the first time and once together we will have a private bus to Palmarin, in the heart of Sine-Saloum DeltaAlong the way, Dakar's urban life fades away, and the landscape transforms into roads lined with savannahs, mangroves, and vibrant villages, giving us a glimpse into the essence of what lies ahead.
It will be a journey of welcome, of first conversations and of shared excitement. When we arrive at Palmarin, we will settle into the cabins, enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings and begin to feel that we are about to live a unique experience: a A SOULFUL JOURNEY on a bicycle that will change the way we see Africa.
Briefing and visit to Djiffer
Distance
22 Km
Elevation
+0m
Briefing and visit to Djiffer
We start the day with one of the most exciting parts of this trip to Senegal: the visit to the facilities of Point Vélo, epicenter of the project Bicycles for EducationThere we'll meet the team that works every day to ensure hundreds of young people can get to school in better conditions. It will be the perfect time to understand how the program works, see its real impact firsthand, and gather our thoughts. fat bike, who will be our inseparable companions throughout the adventure.
In the afternoon we will head to the Djiffer fishing port, located at the mouth of the majestic Saloum River. The sandy streets will guide us to a unique spectacle: dozens of brightly colored canoes Overflowing with fish, women working among mountains of shells and sun-drying seafood, and the daily life of a village centered around the sea. It's one of those places that reflects the essence of Africa in every corner, inviting you to stop and observe, photograph, and, above all, feel.
If the low tide allows it, we will have the opportunity to explore more than 12 kilometers of completely deserted Atlantic beach, an unforgettable experience in which the ocean will be our travel companion and the perfect terrain to start gaining confidence pedaling on the sand. A day that combines sport, culture and discovery, and that will fully immerse us in the spirit of the Sine-Saloum.
Visit to two institutes of the solidarity project and afternoon in Simal
Distance
33 Km
Elevation
+0m
Visit to two institutes of the solidarity project and afternoon in Simal
In this session we will delve into the true heart of the Bicycles for Education projectWe will visit two of the institutes in the area, Samba Dia and Fimela, where we can see how a simple bicycle can transform a student's life. Here we will hear firsthand the stories of boys and girls who used to walk more than 10 kilometers a day to get to class and who now, thanks to the Baobikes, they can study with more energy, attend regularly, and dream of a better future.
It will be a close and exciting experience, in which we will also be able to talk with the teachers and those responsible for the program, who will show us how the project is managing to improve attendance rates and academic performance in the Sine-Saloum Delta.
In the afternoon we will move to Simal, a charming riverside village surrounded by mangroves. There we will walk through a local craft market, full of color and creativity, where artisans will show us their handmade works using traditional techniques. Afterward, we'll enjoy a refreshing swim in the river, spending time with the local people in an authentic and welcoming atmosphere.
A day that mixes solidarity, cultural discovery and coexistence, and that will remind us that this bike trip to Senegal It goes far beyond pedaling: it is an immersion in the real life of their communities.
The authentic African steppe
Distance
46 km
Elevation
+0m
The authentic African steppe
Today we will delve into the African savanna in one of the most iconic stages of the journey. Riding our fat bike, we will walk along reddish paths that cross a landscape dominated by the imposing baobabs and the tall palm trees that dot the horizon. Among these hidden paths, we'll find small towns where life goes by calmly, punctuated by the rhythm of the sun and the smiles of its inhabitants.
The contrast of colors will be the protagonist: the intense red of the earth, the green of the vegetation and the blue of the African sky will compose a perfect setting to enjoy cycling and feel the greatness of the Sine-SaloumThe heat of the sun will also remind us of the difficult journeys young students in the area make every day to get to school, many of them without bicycles.
It will be a demanding but unforgettable day, in which the cycling adventure combined with reflection and connection with the environment. Cycling through this authentic African steppe It will allow us to understand, kilometer by kilometer, the value of each bicycle delivered through the solidarity project.
Visit to the Palmarin Institute and cultural gymkhana in Ngallou
Visit to the Palmarin Institute and cultural gymkhana in Ngallou
After several days of pedaling along beaches and savannah, today we rest the bikes to dedicate the day to the coexistence with the local population. Because this is not just a bike trip to Senegal, is an experience that seeks a real connection with the country, its people and its culture.
In the morning we will visit the institute of Palmarin, where the project is developed Bicycles Without BordersThere we will be able to see how the Bikefriendly hangar, a space that symbolizes the beginning of this collaboration and that has made it possible for many students to have a Baobike to get to class every day.
Afterwards we will move to the town of Ngallou, where we will enjoy a fun cultural gymkhana This will bring us closer to the customs, music, and traditions of the area. It will be a time to learn, play, and share, always in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Between mangroves and the island of Mar Lodj
Distance
27 km
Elevation
+0m
Between mangroves and the island of Mar Lodj
Today we changed the fatbike for the traditional pirogue, the typical boat of Senegal. From the tourist town of Ndangane, we will begin a river journey that will take us to discover the magical mangroves of the Sine-Saloum Delta, a unique ecosystem declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. During the tour, we will pass by the famous Island of the Birds, home to hundreds of species that fill the sky with their flight.
Our destination will be the island of Mar Lodj, a place with a special charm where time seems to stand still. There awaits us traditional Senegalese food, prepared with fresh, local produce, which we will enjoy in an authentic and relaxed setting. After lunch, we will visit the village and take a break in the picturesque Rastafarian hut, a corner by the water that invites you to rest and soak up the island atmosphere.
In the afternoon, we will return by pirogue to the pier of AkuléFrom there, we'll return to our fatbikes for a final stretch of cycling to our accommodation. It will be a perfect combination of sailing, nature, and cycling that will allow us to experience Senegal from very different perspectives.
This day reflects like few others the essence of this solidarity trip to Senegal: sport, culture, unique landscapes and direct contact with local life.
Niassam Reserve and Palmarin Salt Flats
Distance
21 km
Elevation
+0m
Niassam Reserve and Palmarin Salt Flats
Our bike trip through Senegal is coming to an end, but one of the most special days still lies ahead. Today we will cycle through one of the most beautiful areas of Palmarin, where nature and local traditions intertwine. The landscape will be dominated by century-old baobabs, palm trees swaying in the Atlantic breeze and extensive salt flats where women work hard harvesting salt, maintaining an ancestral trade that is part of the region's identity.
On the backs of our fat bike, we will delve into the Niassam Nature Reserve, a protected area of great scenic beauty. There we'll ride along red sand tracks that cross the savannah, enjoying views of the mangroves and salt lagoons. It will be a stage of great beauty, ideal for putting to the test everything we've learned pedaling on sand during the previous days.
If time allows, in the afternoon, travelers will have the opportunity to add a optional activity (not included in the trip): a cart ride to the refuge of hyenas within the reserve, or a kayak excursion through the mangroves. Two experiences that offer a different perspective of the Sine-Saloum and that perfectly complete the adventure.
A day in which the Senegal's nature, cycling and local life combine to leave an indelible memory.
Time to say goodbye
Time to say goodbye
Our TRAVEL WITH SOUL to Senegal comes to an end, but the experiences lived will stay with us forever. The morning will begin in Palmarin, sharing the last moments with the local community and the group of travelers who have become a true family throughout these days of adventure.
We will return to Point Vélo, where we will return the fatbikes and say goodbye to the team that made this project possible. It will be a time to thank our guides and mechanics for their dedication, and to put into perspective what it means to have pedaled the same paths that the region's students travel daily thanks to the Baobikes.
We will have some free time to finish our craft purchases, chat with the townspeople or simply contemplate the calm of the sea for the last time. Sine-Saloum. Afterwards, we will take the Private bus to Dakar's Blaise Diagne International Airport, from where each traveler will embark on their return flight home.
We will return with a suitcase full of memories, with new friendships and with the certainty of having been part of an experience that unites us. Cycling, culture, and solidarity in the heart of West Africa.
Advantages of booking your event with BikeFriendly
Culture
Culture in Palmarin
Palmarin is the heart of the Senegal most authentic. A place where the rhythm of life is set to the beat of the tides and the smiles of its inhabitants. This peaceful rural area, nestled among mangroves, rice paddies, and endless beaches, preserves the traditions of the Serer people, known for their hospitality and deep connection to the land and the sea.
Here, the community lives off artisanal fishing, salt harvesting, and farming, activities you can see up close as you pedal along sandy roads and coastal trails. The women, dressed in colorful boubous, gather to prepare typical dishes such as thieboudienne —rice with fish— while children play soccer on improvised sand courts.
In Palmarin, every greeting is an invitation to stop and share, every glance a window into a way of life that exudes calm, cooperation, and respect for nature. Cycling through these lands isn't just about covering miles; it's about connecting with a culture that welcomes you as part of its family.
Climate
Weather in Palmarin
Travel to Palmarin in Easter It means pedaling under a gentle sun and warm temperatures, with highs around 28°C and mild nights. It's the end of the dry season, so the days are stable, rain-free, and the landscape boasts golden, salty hues. Perfect for enjoying the rides and relaxing by the sea.
The December BridgeThe weather remains ideal: sunny and warm days, but somewhat cooler than in spring, with highs close to 26°C and pleasant nights. It's a time when the Atlantic breeze refreshes your pedals and the atmosphere is peaceful, offering a perfect escape from the European winter.
Gastronomy
Gastronomy in Palmarin
Palmarin's cuisine is a feast of African flavors with a strong influence from the sea. The signature dish is the thieboudienne, considered the national dish of Senegal: rice cooked slowly with fresh fish, vegetables and spices that infuse everything with an irresistible aroma.
Other classics that you can taste are the yassa, a chicken or fish stew marinated in lemon and caramelized onion, and the mafe, a creamy, rich stew of meat or vegetables in peanut sauce.
In this coastal area, fish and seafood—prawns, oysters, and mangrove clams—take center stage on the table, always fresh and accompanied by local produce such as millet, sorghum, and tropical fruits. Everything is served with the hospitality that characterizes Senegalese culture, turning each meal into a moment of togetherness and celebration.
Land
Route terrain in Palmarin
The fat bike routes through Palmarin are pure African adventure on two wheels. You'll pedal through endless firm sand beaches, where the ocean will be your travel companion, and you will enter into indoor sand trails that pass through towns full of life and color.
Inside, you will roll between imposing baobabs and red dirt areas, with sections that alternate compact paths and small challenges of loose sand that will test your technique. You will also find some road section, perfect for linking stages and enjoying the contrast of landscapes.
It's a varied and fun terrain, designed to allow the fat bike to unleash its full potential, combining flowing stretches with more technical ones, always with the unique flavor and landscape of Atlantic Africa.
Included services
Transfer
Transfer from Dakar airport to Palmarín on the first day of the program and return on the last day of the program.
Accommodations
7 nights of accommodation and breakfast in shared cabins.
Full board
Lunch and dinner at local restaurants, including water. Other beverages not included.
Directed outputs
We will have a guide every day and mechanical service in the group.
Refreshments en route
Refreshment stations during the routes, with water and fruit.
Tourist visits
Guides and tourist activities indicated in the program.
Bike rental
Fatbike rental every day.
Support vehicle
Support vehicle, with the option to change clothes or get in the vehicle during the route if someone needs it.
Direct Flights
Help in the management and purchase of flights to Dakar from your place of origin.
Bikefriendly donation
For each person who registers, Bikefriendly contributes €250 to the Bicycles Without Borders project in Senegal for bike rental and mechanical support.
Not included
Direct Flights
Round trip flights to Dakar Blaise Diagne Airport.
Lunch and dinner drinks.
All drinks at lunch and dinner, except water.
Vaccines
Vaccinations and medications necessary during the trip
Visa
Management and obtaining of the visas and permits necessary to enter the country.
Kayaking and hyena watching
Weather permitting, additional activities include a cart tour of the Niassam Nature Reserve to see hyenas and kayaking among the mangroves.
Not included.
Any service not detailed in the Included Services section.
Additional to hire
Assistance and cancellation insurance
It is mandatory to have assistance and cancellation insurance, which you can purchase with us or from another company.
*Check our cancellation policy.
Gallery
Testimonials
The work being done by Bicycles Without Borders and Bikefriendly is commendable and makes me think there is still hope in the world.
I've seen firsthand that this project is real and not just a gimmick. The idea is truly brilliant, and it's helping many children and adolescents continue their education in a very meaningful way, as it's not a charity, but a means for the local population to develop.
The immersive experience in the country is complete, and traveling around the country by bike helps us feel fully integrated into the environment. In just one week, we've been able to understand and learn a lot about this country and its wonderful people, who are materially poor but spiritually rich.
I take my hat off to the work done by both the guide Sergio and the local team, which included Alpha, my lifelong friend and very professional, as well as Idi, Maurice, and Sidy.
I will definitely recommend this trip.
I recommend it, the routes exceeded my expectations! The hotels were good and the food was very good.
FAQs
How do you do flights?
Are the routes very demanding?
Even if there are supplies… do I have to take something?
I have allergies or intolerances. Can you adapt the menus?
What should I get vaccinated for?
Do you have any doubt? Ask us!
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