Thiès cannot be reduced to a single stretch of coastline: the Région de Thiès has a northern and a southern seafront, separated by the coast of the Région de Dakar. Choosing a focus for your trip also means weighing up the contrasts between beaches, pirogue trips, wildlife viewing and crafts. In the Département de Mbour, tourism is mainly focused on the beach; other destinations add culture and scenery to the picture.
Coast, Port and Pirogue Trips
The bay of Ngaparou has a large sandy beach. Mbour is also known for fishing: its port is described as Senegal’s second-largest fishing port. In Joal-Fadiouth, pirogue trips are offered through mangroves and along granaries. The streets of Fadiouth are paved with shell and oyster shells. The coastal towns therefore offer something for different interests: Ngaparou for its sandy beach, Mbour for its port and fishing, and Joal-Fadiouth for trips on the water and Fadiouth’s distinctive street surfaces.
Crafts and Religious Traditions
The Manufactures sénégalaises des arts décoratifs were founded in Thiès in 1966. A visit to the workshops offers insight into the process of making colorful tapestries. If a workshop visit is part of your plans, check the visiting arrangements in advance. The Département de Tivaouane also contributes to the region’s cultural character: it is known for religious tourism centered on Gamous and Ziarras. Alongside crafts, religious traditions are therefore a focus in their own right.
Wildlife and a Striking Baobab
The Bandia Reserve offers family safaris to observe African wildlife; sightings depend on conditions. A large baobab stands in the forest of Nianing, with a diameter of 32 meters and an estimated age of 18 centuries. The two nature experiences offer different highlights: Bandia is about observing wildlife, while Nianing is about a single tree of exceptional size and estimated age.
Thiès in the Wider Destination of Senegal
The wider destination of Senegal also offers further contrasts in landscape. The country has 700 kilometers of coastline as well as rivers, lakes, lagoons and numerous islands, providing a range of nautical experiences. Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary is a 16,000-hectare wetland in the delta of the Senegal River. It is home to more than 1.5 million migratory birds and 365 bird species, including more than 120 Palearctic migratory bird species. Niokolo-Koba National Park covers nearly one million hectares and illustrates the essential features of the Guinean savanna ecosystem. These examples from across the country provide a wider context for choosing a trip: destinations in Thiès combine coastal, cultural and nature experiences, while Djoudj and Niokolo-Koba represent other landscape features of Senegal.
Discover more destinations: Mbour, Kebemer, Thiès, Sindia, Merina, Mboulem, Bountou Pole and Kolda.
Return to the main travel overview: Senegal.
