I think a map is needed to round out the telling of my journey. As to avoid copyright issues, I am going to draw my own little rough map of Senegal and trace our traverse with the customary dotted red line:



Not bad. For such purposes…..

Senegal is renowned for the beauty of the Casamance, the coastal region stretching from The Gambia to Guinea-Bissau. There one can read on white sand beaches beneath the shade of a lanky palm or perhaps tour the lagoons of the Casamance River by pirogue and gape at the millions of migratory birds who make their winter homes along this lush waterway. The Diola people, the primary inhabitants of the region, are known for their sweet temperaments and tireless hospitality and the shoe-stringing backpacker should have no problem finding cozy accommodations within a local village. Conversely, a vacationer with a bit more money to burn can enjoy a little luxury at one of many beachside resorts and, if he/she so chooses, take part in the vibrant little nightlife scene—sip on a juice cocktail, body rippling to the rhythms of a local musician.

We did not go to the Casamance. We could have. The Ecovillage network through which we were traveling is well established in that region—the Casamance has created a fairly successful campements rurals integrés (integrated rural tourism) enterprise. Dakar’s airport even has daily flights to Ziguinchor, Senegal’s southern capitol of sorts.

But in the planning of our trip, it became apparent that we all wanted to stray from the beaten path; we wanted wildlife, remote villages, cultural immersion, distinct physical beauty…no generic palm-lined beaches, thank you very much.

And, ultimately, we found what we sought.

[More to come...]