Location: Dakar, Senegal

We docked in an industrial area in Dakar, Senegal. Breaking from tradition I jumped on a bus and drove 90 minutes to Bandia Reserve for a last quick safari in Africa. Of the different “safari” locations I’ve visited this trip, Bandia is the most zoo-like. They feed the animals and even maintain a lake / water hole (pumped from a well). However, this was the closest I’ve even gotten to giraffes and rhinos.

Things started off well, as while waiting in the parking lot we saw a family of bush pig and monkeys. But first, some color. Here is an Abyssinian Roller.

The Park had several Ostrich, we only saw males (the ones with black feathers).

When you enter the actual reserve there are built up “cages” – open areas surrounded by a wall and/or pits. Tortoises are kept in one, and Hyena in another.

Then there are herd animals I have never seen before, including the Roan Antelope, which the ranger called a “Poba”.

And Cape Bushbuck, who has very twisty antlers.

We drove by a family of Forest Buffalo, all napping in the shade of a tree.

I have never seen Giraffe sitting before.

There were several families of Bushpigs, which are slightly different from Warthogs. Some had impressive bristles. The ranger told us many folks don’t like them because they dig up all the plants.

Our ranger said the Reserve imported White Rhinoceros from South Africa with the hope of breeding them.

After the drive we stopped by the facilities to see the crocodiles. First there were Green Monkeys jumping around the buildings.

Another lake was right next to the restaurant. Seems the crocodiles are used to getting leftovers, as they came right up to the fence.

We then left the Reserve to have a tasty lunch at a low-key beach resort (a great sweet onion sauce) and watched some local dancing. We had an evening event at the ship, and traffic was pretty bad. But we arrived with minutes to spare.

West Africa

So, my thoughts on West Africa. First – it’s dusty. I’m not saying everything is dirty, it just seems with the sparseness of vegetation the soil leaves a layer of dust on everything. Open air markets selling new clothing – all the clothing is already covered in dust. You have to accept that.

The people are great. They wear so much bright, fun clothing (perhaps a reaction to the dust?). But as a Westerner you have to learn to accept the lower standard of living. Example – people hand-build their houses as they get the money. Over 60% of the homes I saw were not complete – the owners just haven’t bought all the masonry brick yet to finish. But as they earn enough the add another few feet of wall to a room.

I wasn’t able to get video uploaded before the ship left dock – I have to use my mobile phone connection to upload video as the ship’s internet is just too slow.