As soon as you leave the streets of St. Louis you will travel up the Senegal River and find stops in the authentic Africa that are far from the seaside and mass tourism resorts. Occasionally accompanied by pirogues for a few feet, this unique river boat will take you to discover the third largest ornithological reserve in the world, which covers 39,536 acres (the Djoudj Park), the sugar cane town (Richard Toll), and the Wolof village of Dagana, etc. The trip ends in the town of Podor, previously a large French trading post, where commerce flourished. This cruise can also be taken in the other direction, from Podor to St. Louis. Sailing times are between 2 hours and 8 hours a day. The Bou el Mogdad sails from the end of October to June and is then docked for maintenance.
Those wishing to offer a gift to the people they meet are advised to give medicines, clothes and all types of items to the cruise manager, who will officially distribute them to the various village leaders. Relationships between tourists and villagers are therefore not biased.
Do not bathe in stagnant water or near the banks of the river where there are all sorts of extremely dangerous parasites (and a particular risk of bilharzia)!
It is worth remembering that the differences in temperature between St. Louis and Podor can be surprising - take the necessary warm clothes!
Accommodation advice:
As the boat is very popular, you are strongly advised to book your cabin well in advance. The prices for each are identical.