8 Days roundtrip
ECO-INTEGRATION: SOLIDARY AND ECOLOGICAL MEETING AT THE INHABITANT
This roundtrip offers the sole occasion of immersing, within some good days, into the atmosphere of the Casamance village named Diannah and to live a real and active integration with the population and particularly the families.
Diannah is a village located in between the villages of Kafountine and Abene, at the North–West coast of Casamance. Distant at some kilometers to the Gambian border and only 3 kilometers to reach the Atlantic Ocean. Administratively, it belongs to the District of Bignona and the region of Ziguinchor.
Several communities Mandingo, Diola, Karone, Bainouk, Wolof, Mankagne, … are dwelling in perfect harmony in this village. This is a proof of a natural cultural diversity, exclusively met in Casamance. It is also an authentic village, where the smile and contacts are omnipresent.
Participants are able to discover the dense eco–environment by walking only throughout sandy paths or cruising by pirogues within the river ramifications “Bolong” (in the Mandingo language). The fauna and flora, particularly the mangrove trees and swamps await you admiration..
You will be visiting gardens, plantations of orange, mango, mandarin trees. Depending on the season, there will be an opportunity for gathering fruits directly from trees and ….. enjoying the taste.
Altogether we will be listening different kinds of music, admiring traditional dances and folks, sharing mutually ideas.
It is a project I have been maturing for long years. It holds me dear to my heart. The aim: favor meeting, exchange and share of competences of each of the Participants; we have to learn a lot from each others. Should be you have some competences in the domain of health, teaching agriculture or others, then your assistance and suggestions are cordially welcome. For all of us and also the inhabitants of the whole village.
Eco-Assistance and integration (1)
Eco-Assistance and integration (2)
Day 1: Friday; AIBD Airport – DAKAR – ZIGUINCNOR (Time for the sea shuttle link Dakar – Ziguinchor: 20.00 h – 11.00 h)
Welcome and assistance at the airport.
Lunch and tour within the city Dakar.
In the afternoon, shuttle sea link on the journey Dakar– Ziguinchor.
Dinner at the sea link shuttle, overnight stay in bed–cabins.
Sea link shuttle – Dakar – Ziguinchor – Dakar
Day 2: Saturday; ZIGUINCHOR – DIANNAH (98 km / 1h 40mn)
Arrival at Ziguinchor around noon.
Visit of the old city with its colonial buildings and houses as well as the ship yard.
Lunch and next after, visit of the Central Market, Saint–Maure des Fossés.
Overnight stay in Diannah in a large Mandingo habitation. One private apartment of 3 rooms and sitting room are expected for welcoming the participants.
Some good days spent at a Mandingo habitation and within its social environment favor the immersion into african culture, where sharing is a daily spontaneity.
Day 3: Sunday; DIANNAH
Visit of the village, health center, primary school and nursery school.
In the afternoon, swimming and relax at the fine sand beach of Diannah.
Evening spent with Kora music in a family atmosphere. This traditional music is played by a Mandingo griot, native of the village Diannah.
Day 4: Monday; DIANNAH – ORNITHOLOGICAL RESERVE OF KASSEL–DIANNAH (16 km/ 30 mn)
Visit of the Karone Islands and the ornithological reserve of Kassel, with its area extending to 10 ha. The island is dominated by mangrove trees serving for the nests of birds. The avifauna is really very diversified. The population is estimated for more than 17 000 pairs, which form their nests every year between May and February. We may also observe a great concentration of individual for the period July – October due to the birth of young birds.
Ornithological park – Kassel (1)
Ornithological park – Kassel (2)
Day 5: Tuesday; DIANNAH – KAFOUNTINE – DIANNAH (8km /15 min)
Swimming and relax at the beach of the village Kafountine.
Lunch at the hotel Esperanto or similar service structure.
In the afternoon, visit of the fishing yard of Kafountine, with its multiple colored pirogues. Great and unforgettable impressions with the arrival of fishers.
Pirogues back from fishing activities (Kafountine), (1)
Pirogues back from fishing activities (Kafountine), (2)
Day 6: Wednesday; DIANNAH – ABENE – DIANNAH (3 km/ 1 h)
Visit of the village Abene, its sacred kapok tree (Bantan Woro, in Mandingo language), an immense tree exhibiting majestic roots. The women of the village use to meet each others at this place for accomplishing rituals related to the traditions.
Lunch in Abene at the Hotel Atlantique or similar service structure.
In the afternoon, swimming at the ocean.
Majestic kapok tree «Bantan Woro» (1)
Majestic kapok tree «Bantan Woro»: surprise and respect (2)
Day 7: Thursday; DIANNAH– ZIGUINCHOR–DAKAR (98 km/1h 30 min)
Transfer by car from Diannah to Ziguinchor.
Lunch at Ziguinchor and next shuttle sea link to reach the capital Dakar.
Overnight stay in bed–cabins.
Day 8: Friday; DAKAR – GOREE ISLAND (5 km/ 20 mn)
Arrival at 7.00 AM in Dakar.
Goree Island: visiting the House of Slaves and other historical sites which hold the painful label of the slavery. Take use of the time to have o walk through the paths of the Island and visit different markets of Goree.
Lunch and after, 20 min of sea link shuttle for reaching Dakar.
Last shopping in Dakar.
Diner at the small town, Popenguine.
Transfer to the airport AIBD.
Goree island (1)
Goree island (2)
Goree island (3)
Goree Island: House of Slaves and door of the «No Return» travel (4)
NB: This roundtrip may be modified. Participants may remain in Diannah or visit other places of Basse–Casamance (Lower Casamance) with some humanitarian aims. There is also some opportunity of sportive fishing in the river ramifications «Bolong» with the assistance of professional fishermen.
Fishing activity at rivers (Bolong) – Assistance of professional fishermen.
Fishing activity at rivers (Bolong) – Assistance of professional fishermen