Trip to Senegal
Trip to Senegal
Senegal on two wheels: a soulful cycling journey through villages, wild beaches and African culture that you will remember forever.
bike type
MTB
Duration
8 days
Profile
Low Level Sports
Distance and slope
149 km / +0 m
Trip Summary
Senegal by bike: a JOURNEY WITH SOUL that transforms lives
Can you imagine discovering Senegal on a bicycle while helping to change the future of young students?
With Bikefriendly you will experience an authentic SOULFUL JOURNEY on a fat bike through the Sine-Saloum region , a different cycling experience where every pedal stroke connects with the local culture and contributes to a real solidarity project.
Through our collaboration with Bicycles Without Borders , you'll explore endless beaches, traditional villages, mangroves, and baobab forests while experiencing the authenticity and hospitality of Senegal firsthand. This cycling trip is designed for those seeking adventure, human connection, and genuine experiences beyond conventional tourism.
Each traveler who participates in this experience contributes directly to Baobikes ' educational program , providing durable bicycles that allow many young people to travel the kilometers between their homes and school every day.
This trip will not only take you to discover incredible landscapes and spectacular fat bike routes. It will also allow you to be part of an initiative that uses the bicycle as a tool for social change and access to education.
Because some trips are enjoyable... and others leave a lasting impression.
Date and availability
Join the Bikefriendly Club and get an automatic 10% discount for this trip.
Location
Meet our guide
Sergio, Alpha, Idy and Maurice
Trip description
Senegal by bike: much more than a cycling trip
A fat bike trip through the most authentic Senegal
This solidarity cycling trip through Senegal will take you on a five-stage journey through some of the most authentic and breathtaking landscapes of the Sine-Saloum Delta . You'll pedal fat bikes along endless beaches, sandy trails, through rural villages, and along reddish paths lined with baobab trees, discovering a genuine Africa that is difficult to experience any other way.
But this isn't just a bike trip. It's a human and cultural experience that connects directly with the local reality. Many of the routes we'll travel are the same paths hundreds of young students take every day to get to the high schools in Palmarin or Boyard , sometimes walking more than 10 kilometers under the sun.
Throughout the journey, you'll learn firsthand about the Bicycles Without Borders project in Senegal , sharing moments with teachers, students, and other active participants in this charitable initiative. Real stories like Marcel's, who found a new opportunity working as a mechanic in local schools, demonstrate how a bicycle can become a tool for social change and a gateway to the future.
Baobikes: bicycles that change lives
One of the most special moments of the trip will be the visit to the Point Vélo de Palmarin , the nerve center of the project and the place from where the operation of the Baobikes is coordinated in the different institutes of the region.
Thanks to this program, thousands of students have access to durable, safe bicycles adapted to the terrain, eliminating inequalities and facilitating daily access to education. Furthermore, the project generates employment and training for young people in the local community.
Stories like Anne Marie 's , the current accountant for Bicycles Without Borders in Senegal, reflect the true impact of the project. Thanks to a bicycle, she was able to continue her university studies while caring for her daughter, thus building new opportunities for the future.
By participating in this trip, you're also part of the change. Bikefriendly dedicates a portion of its revenue directly to the educational project, foregoing some of its profit so that each traveler can make a real and direct contribution to improving lives through cycling.
Experience Senegal from the inside
This SOULFUL JOURNEY is designed for those who want to discover Senegal in an authentic, close and deeply human way.
Here you won't be just a tourist. You'll share traditional meals with local families, discover vibrant markets, attend Senegalese wrestling matches, and experience the hospitality of a people who turn every encounter into an unforgettable experience.
You'll return home with much more than just miles in your legs. You'll come back with new friends, unforgettable memories, and the feeling of having experienced a unique cycling adventure, where the bicycle connects cultures, people, and opportunities.
Because some journeys aren't just remembered. They transform.
Itinerary
The big game
The big game
The adventure begins in Senegal
Our cycling trip through Senegal begins at Dakar's Blaise Diagne International Airport , the gateway to West Africa and the meeting point for all travelers who will share this unique experience.
We will coordinate the arrival of groups from Madrid, Barcelona, and other cities to begin this cycling adventure together through the heart of the Sine-Saloum Delta . From the very first moment, the conversations, the excitement, and that special feeling of being about to experience something different will begin.
Once the group has gathered, we will head to Palmarin in private transport. During the journey, the landscape will gradually transform: the energy of Dakar will fade away, and the first glimpses of the most authentic Senegal will appear, amidst savannas, mangroves, local villages, and roads surrounded by nature.
Upon arriving in Palmarin, we'll settle into our cabins and begin to experience the tranquil rhythm of this corner of Atlantic Africa. It will be the perfect time to relax, get to know the group better, and prepare to embark on a truly soulful cycling journey , where culture, adventure, and solidarity intertwine in a way that's hard to describe… and even harder to forget.
Briefing and visit to Djiffer
Distance
22 Km
Elevation
+0m
Briefing and visit to Djiffer
First pedal strokes between culture, ocean and solidarity
We begin the day by visiting the Point Vélo facilities , the heart of the Bicycles for Education project in Senegal. There, we'll meet the local team who work daily to enable hundreds of young people to access school thanks to bicycles. It will be a unique opportunity to understand the true social impact of the project and pick up our fat bikes , which will accompany us throughout this adventure in the Sine-Saloum region.
In the afternoon, we'll head to the fishing port of Djiffer , located at the mouth of the Saloum River. We'll cycle along sandy paths through villages and coastal landscapes until we reach one of the most authentic and vibrant places in Senegal. Colorful canoes laden with fish, makeshift markets, seafood drying in the sun, and daily life revolving around the ocean create a scene that's hard to forget.
If the tide allows, we'll also experience one of the most spectacular parts of the trip: cycling over 12 kilometers along a completely deserted Atlantic beach. Pedaling alongside the sea, on firm sand, with the endless horizon before us, is a feeling of freedom that's hard to describe.
A first day where cycling, local culture and the solidarity spirit of the trip begin to blend together to show us the true essence of Senegal.
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
A day to understand the true impact of a bicycle
Today we will experience one of the most exciting and humane days of this solidarity cycling trip through Senegal. We will visit the schools in Samba Dia and Fimela , where we will discover how the Bicycles for Education project is changing the lives of hundreds of young people in the Sine-Saloum Delta.
Here we'll learn firsthand the stories of students who used to walk more than 10 kilometers a day to get to class and who now, thanks to Baobikes , have more opportunities to study, relax, and build a better future. We'll also spend time with teachers and project leaders, understanding the real impact that bicycles are having on education and the daily lives of these communities.
It will be an intimate, authentic, and deeply inspiring experience. Because on this JOURNEY WITH SOUL, we not only discover Senegal on two wheels, but we also understand how the bicycle can become a tool for social transformation.
In the afternoon, we'll travel to Simal , a peaceful village surrounded by mangroves and nature. There, we'll explore a vibrant local craft market filled with colorful textiles and traditional products handmade by local artisans. Afterward, we'll enjoy a refreshing swim in the river and spend time with the locals in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
A day where solidarity, culture and coexistence come together to show us the most authentic essence of Senegal.
The authentic African steppe
Distance
46 km
Elevation
+0m
The authentic African steppe
Cycling through the African savanna
Today we'll experience one of the most authentic and adventurous stages of this fat bike trip through Senegal. We'll venture into the spectacular Sine-Saloum savanna , riding along red dirt tracks among enormous baobabs, palm trees, and small villages where life follows the tranquil rhythm of nature.
The routes traverse landscapes unlike any typical cycling experience. We'll pedal along African trails surrounded by silence, nature, and everyday scenes that showcase authentic Senegalese rural life. The contrast between the deep red of the earth, the green of the vegetation, and the infinite blue of the sky makes this a visually stunning and unforgettable experience.
Throughout the stage, we'll encounter local villages where the greetings, smiles, and curiosity of children will accompany us with every pedal stroke. We'll also gain a much deeper understanding of the importance of the Bicycles for Education project , as many of these routes are the paths young students travel daily to get to school.
It will be a demanding, exciting, and profoundly transformative day. Because here, every kilometer is not just an adventure: it's also a way to connect with reality, culture, and the value a bicycle can have in the lives of many people.
A day to cycle, feel and understand Senegal from within.
Visit to the Palmarin Institute and cultural gymkhana in Ngallou
Visit to the Palmarin Institute and cultural gymkhana in Ngallou
A day to connect with the authentic Senegal
After several days exploring beaches, villages, and savanna trails on fat bikes, today we're putting the bikes aside for a different and profoundly human experience. Because this SOULFUL JOURNEY through Senegal isn't just about pedaling, but also about connecting with the people, the local culture, and the reality of the country.
In the morning we will visit the Palmarin high school, one of the locations where the Bicycles Without Borders project is based . There we will learn about the operation of the Bikefriendly hangar , a space that symbolizes the collaboration between the educational project and our cycling community, making it possible for many students to get around daily thanks to a Baobike.
It will be a unique opportunity to spend time with students, teachers and program managers, understanding firsthand how a bicycle can become a real tool for accessing education and for social transformation.
Later, we'll travel to the village of Ngallou , where we'll enjoy a fun cultural scavenger hunt to discover local traditions, music, and customs. Games, socializing, and shared moments will allow us to experience the authentic hospitality and joy of the Senegalese people.
A different kind of day that will remind us that some of the most important moments of the journey are not measured in kilometers, but in experiences and human connections.
Between mangroves and the island of Mar Lodj
Distance
27 km
Elevation
+0m
Between mangroves and the island of Mar Lodj
Sailing through the mangroves of Sine-Saloum
Today we will swap fat bikes for the traditional Senegalese pirogue , a typical boat that will allow us to discover from the water one of the most fascinating landscapes of the trip: the mangroves of the Sine-Saloum delta , declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
From the village of Ndangane, we'll embark on a river journey through canals, mangroves, and small islands where nature and local life coexist in perfect harmony. During the trip, we'll pass by the famous Bird Island , a true natural sanctuary where hundreds of birds soar above the delta, creating a unique spectacle.
Our destination will be Mar Lodj Island , one of the most authentic and peaceful spots in Sine-Saloum. There, we'll enjoy a traditional Senegalese meal prepared with fresh, local ingredients, sharing a table in a relaxed and charmingly African setting.
After exploring the village and discovering special places like the famous Rastafarian hut by the water, we'll return by pirogue to the Akulé pier . There, we'll hop back on our bikes for a final stretch on fat bikes to our accommodation, combining boating, nature, and cycling in a truly unique day.
A day that perfectly sums up the essence of this SOULFUL JOURNEY through Senegal: adventure, local culture, unique landscapes and experiences that truly connect with the land and its people.
Niassam Reserve and Palmarin Salt Flats
Distance
21 km
Elevation
+0m
Niassam Reserve and Palmarin Salt Flats
Last pedal strokes among baobabs, salt flats and mangroves
Our fat bike trip through Senegal is nearing its end, but one of the most special and exciting days of the entire adventure still awaits us. Today we'll explore some of the most authentic landscapes of Palmarin , where nature, local culture, and African tradition come together in a unique way.
We'll cycle among enormous baobabs, palm trees swaying in the Atlantic breeze, and vast salt flats where local women continue one of the region's most traditional trades: the artisanal harvesting of salt. This activity has been linked for generations to the life and economy of the Sine-Saloum Delta.
The route will take us to the spectacular Niassam Nature Reserve , a protected area of immense beauty where we'll ride along red sand tracks through savanna, mangroves, and salt lagoons. It will be the perfect stage to enjoy everything we've learned about fat biking in the previous days, combining smooth sections with more technical ones in a wild environment completely different from any typical cycling experience.
Weather permitting, in the afternoon you'll have the opportunity to enhance your experience with an optional activity such as a horse-drawn cart ride to the reserve's hyena sanctuary or a kayak excursion through the Sine-Saloum mangroves. Two different ways to continue discovering the incredible biodiversity and magic of this corner of Senegal.
A day where cycling, African nature and local life remind us once again that this JOURNEY WITH SOUL is much more than a cycling adventure.
Time to say goodbye
Time to say goodbye
The end of a SOULFUL JOURNEY through Senegal
Our solidarity cycling trip through Senegal has come to an end, but the experiences we've had during these days will stay with us long after we return home.
The morning will begin in Palmarin , sharing the last moments with the local community and with the group of travelers who, stage after stage, have become a true family united by adventure, cycling and the emotions experienced in the heart of Sine-Saloum.
We'll return to Point Vélo to return our fat bikes and say goodbye to the local team that makes the Bicycles for Education project possible . It will also be a moment to look back and understand everything we've experienced traveling the same paths that so many students use every day thanks to Baobikes.
Before leaving, we will still have time to stroll through the village, buy local crafts or simply enjoy one last time the calm, the landscapes and the special energy of Senegal.
After that, we will head to Dakar's Blaise Diagne International Airport , from where each traveler will begin their return home.
We'll return with much more than just memories of a cycling trip. We'll come back with new friends, stories to tell, and the feeling of having been part of an authentic experience that combines cycling, culture, and solidarity in West Africa.
Because some journeys end… but others leave a lasting mark.
Advantages of booking your event with BikeFriendly
Culture
The authentic culture of Palmarin
Cycling through Palmarin is to discover the most authentic essence of Senegal. Among mangroves, wild beaches, and sandy paths, this region keeps alive the culture of the Serer people , known for their hospitality, their connection to nature, and their peaceful, communal way of life.
Along the routes, you'll have the opportunity to experience traditional fishing, salt harvesting, and the daily life of local villages firsthand, where every encounter becomes part of the experience. The vibrant markets, traditional Senegalese cuisine, and the warmth of the locals make this cycling trip much more than just pedaling: it's a cultural and human immersion that will leave a lasting impression.
In Palmarin, you don't just travel kilometers. You connect with another way of life.
Climate
The perfect weather for cycling in Senegal
Palmarin offers ideal conditions for enjoying cycling for much of the year. Both during Easter and the December bank holiday weekend , the weather is warm, stable, and perfect for cycling through mangroves, along beaches, and on sandy paths by the Atlantic.
During this time, sunny days, pleasant temperatures, and gentle sea breezes predominate, creating the ideal setting to enjoy cycling routes, relax by the sea, and disconnect from the rhythm of the European winter while discovering the most authentic Senegal.
Gastronomy
Flavors of Senegal by the Atlantic
The gastronomy of Palmarin is a fundamental part of this cycling experience through Senegal. The local cuisine combines African flavors, fresh seafood, and traditional recipes full of aroma and color.
During the trip you can discover typical dishes such as the famous thieboudienne , considered the national dish of Senegal, as well as yassa or mafé , traditional recipes made with fish, chicken, vegetables and local spices.
In this coastal area, fresh fish, mangrove seafood, and tropical fruits are part of an authentic cuisine that makes every meal a moment to share, relax, and connect with the local Senegalese culture.
Land
Terrain of the routes: fat bike adventure along the Atlantic
Fat bike routes in Palmarin combine endless beaches, sandy paths, and contrasting African trails. You'll pedal along the ocean on stretches of firm sand, pass through local villages, and ride along tracks surrounded by baobabs, mangroves, and wild landscapes that showcase the authentic essence of Senegal.
The terrain alternates between fast, flowing paths and short, more technical sandy sections, perfect for making the most of the fat bike experience. A unique, fun adventure, completely immersed in nature and local culture.
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.
*See our cancellation policy.
Gallery
REVIEWS
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.
FAQ
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?
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