The Senegal River at Kaedi is wide and green, a stark contrast to the dry scrubland stretching north. The river is the reason the town exists at all — the crossing point here, managed by pirogues and occasional ferry service, has made Kaedi a node in the network of movement between southern Mauritania and northern Senegal.
The river is best seen in the early morning when fishing activity is at its height and light is good. The opposite bank is Senegal — the village of Bakel is visible on clear days. Asking at the quayside about pirogue crossings is straightforward; the crossing itself takes twenty minutes and is a memorable experience if you are heading south.