Parc National de Basse-Casamance

The Parc National de Basse-Casamance, centred near Oussouye, protects a stretch of forest-savanna mosaic, mangrove channels, and freshwater swamp. It was established in 1970 and for many years offered the best forest walks in Senegal before the Casamance conflict curtailed access.

The wildlife list is strong for West Africa: red colobus monkeys, green monkeys, western chimpanzees in small numbers, warthog, bushbuck, mongoose, and over 200 bird species including the African fish eagle and martial eagle. The mangrove sections are particularly good for wading birds and herons. Visits are arranged from Oussouye or through guides based in Ziguinchor.

things to do nature wildlife sight
A story
The park was established in 1970 and long considered one of Senegal's finest nature reserves — but decades of low-level conflict in the Casamance kept it largely closed to visitors from the 1990s onwards. As the security situation improved from the 2010s, the park began reopening, though infrastructure remains thin and a local guide is essential.