Mbour’s fishing harbor is Senegal’s second-largest and offers a clear introduction to the region’s fishing culture. In the département of Mbour, lagoon ecology, wildlife and historic places provide further highlights. When planning your trip, it’s worth looking at the individual locations: nature and cultural experiences are spread across the département and are not all located in Mbour itself.

Mangroves and wildlife

The RNIC Somone is in the département of Mbour and extends across the Commune de Somone and the Communauté rurale de Sindia. Its features include a species-rich mangrove dominated by Rhizophora. It is also home to heron colonies and a sea turtle nesting site, and has more than 52 bird species. The protected area was created to preserve the integrity of the lagoon ecosystem.

In Somone, pirogue trips through the mangroves are offered to help visitors discover the lagoon’s natural environment. Another highlight is wildlife watching in the Réserve de Bandia. There, visitors can see white rhinos, zebras, giraffes and buffalo, among other animals, as well as more than 120 bird species. Sightings vary, so the species list is not a guarantee that any particular animal will be seen. The two nature experiences therefore have different focuses: the lagoon landscape and mangroves in Somone, and wildlife in Bandia.

Fishing culture at Mbour harbor

Every time the colorful pirogues return, Mbour’s fishing harbor offers an impressive spectacle. Visitors can also watch women scaling fish and the artisanal processing of fishery products. The harbor thus represents both the return of the pirogues and the specific work involved in fishing. Those interested in fishing culture will find a different focus here than among the mangroves or wildlife.

Historic and cultural sites

Cultural heritage is also spread across several locations. In the Joal-Fadiouth marine protected area, granaries on stilts and shell mounds are part of the historic and cultural heritage. In the wider destination of Thiès, pirogue trips through mangroves and along granaries are also offered in Joal-Fadiouth. The streets of Fadiouth are paved with shells and oyster shells. These places bring together different cultural and scenic impressions without forming a single visit location.

Other historical highlights are in the département of Mbour: Thiémassas is a prehistoric site; Fort du Comptoir de Saly Portudal and the Maison familiale de Léopold Sédar Senghor are among its historic sites and monuments. Popenguine has welcomed a Christian pilgrimage since 1888. Ngazobil is considered a historically significant place with symbolic importance for the Catholic Church in Senegal. These varied highlights range from prehistory and monuments to religious heritage.

Choose the right place for your trip

If you’re looking for hotels in Mbour, it helps to first distinguish the town from the département. The fishing harbor is in Mbour, while mangroves, wildlife watching and other cultural sites are associated with different places across the département.

Discover more destinations: Nianing, Mbodiene, Popenguine, Joal-Fadiouth, Thiès, Kebemer

Go to the broader travel overview: Thiès.