'''Palmarin''' is a rural community in the Fatick region.

Understanding

Palmarin is rural community running along a 17km peninsula on the most southern stretches of Senegal's Petite Cote. To the West are the sandy beaches skirting the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Located to the East is the protected National Reserve de Palmarin, a patchwork delta consisting of mangrove channels, salt flats, grass lands and forest. This unique combination of habitat supports a wide assortment of plant and animal life.

The majority of the area_fs residents live in one of five villages, from north to south Ngallo, Ngueth, Gounamane, Diakhanor and Djiffer. The dominant industries in the area are traditional fishing and tourism. Other smaller industries include salt, oyster and clam harvesting. The dominant ethnic group in the area is Sereer, speaking a distinct Soloum area dialect. French and Wolof are secondary languages also commonly spoken.

Weather

The travel seasons in Palmarin and most of Senegal is between the drier months of November through May. This time of year is characterized relatively little rainfall, lower humidity and milder temperatures. Temperatures range in the mid to high seventies during this time. The months of June through October see increased rainfall rising temperatures peaking around August through October.

Get in

Travel to Palmarin can be organized through the area's lodging establishments, private car or via public transit options. From Dakar take through Mbour and Joal via route N1. After Joal the road changes from asphalt to laterite. The quality of the road after Joal is poor and can become impassable during the rainy season without a 4x4. Follow the Signs in Samba Dia directing you South to Palmarin.

Via public transit from the Dakar garage, take a sept place or bus rapid to Mbour costing approximately 1500cfa. In Mbour, sept places are available to Djiffer, the most southern village in Palmarin for 2000cfa. Passengers can request to be dropped off at there lodging accommodations or one of the Palmarin villages prior to reaching Djiffer.

An alternative public transit route is from Dakar to Joal (2000cfa) and from Joal to Palmarin (1000cfa). From the northern garage in Joal it is necessary to take a clando taxi 150cfa to the southern garage.

See

Parc National du Delta du Saloum

Salt Evaporation Pools

Traditional Sereer Wrestling

Traditional Dancing

Do

Kayak the Winding Mangroves Channels of the Palmarin Reserve This pristine area hosts an abundant volume of wildlife. Sightings of various bird species are common including pelican, flamingo, hereon, king fishers, and weavers. More elusive species include mongoose, monkeys, and monitor lizards.

Pierre_fs Kayak Tours, offers options half day excursions with optional lunch or overnight camping.

Observe the Hyenas Palmarin has a significant population of wild hyenas living with in the reserve. Expeditions can be arranged through accommodation providers or the Reserve de Palmarin Eco Guides.

Offshore Fishing Fishing in artisanal boats is available through many of the accommodation providers or local guides.

Buy

Artisanal Goods Small kiosks selling traditional African crafts are located in or around the majority of lodges. Locally produced goods include concentrated juices and bar soaps.

Eat

Sleep

Djidjack

Eden

Gite de Palmarin

La Pointe de Sangomar

La Tulip Noire

Lodge des Collines de Niassam

Royal Lodge

Yokam

Contact

Get out

Senegal is favored by a warm climate. The dry season runs from December through to May with cool trade winds in coastal areas. Throughout the rest of the year, a hot monsoon wind blows from the south bringing the rainy season and hot, humid weather. Rainfall is heaviest in Casamance and in the southeast and slight in the Sahelian region in the north and northeast, where temperatures tend to be higher.