Pink Lake Retba & Village Feast

OVERVIEW

See one of Senegal's most amazing natural wonders: the Pink Lake - and delve deeply into the culture of the nearby villages. Drive by coach from the pier, through the Niayes greenbelt to a village inhabited by the Wolof, one of the largest ethnic groups in Senegal. Nearby, you will behold the Pink Lake, also referred to as Retba. The color, which depending on the light may become purplish, derives from an aquatic microorganism and the lake's high salt content, which forms a white ring along the shoreline. After boarding a 4X4 truck, you will tour the lake, sand dunes and some neighboring villages, where you might mingle with the salt harvesters. You will also drive on the beach where the famed Paris-Dakar car rally ends. Then, savor a traditional Senegalese lunch at the Keur Salim restaurant on the lake's northern shore. To learn even more about the fascinating culture of Senegal, you will visit the village of Kounoune. After being honored in a welcome ceremony, you will watch a performance of traditional dances and friendly wrestling matches between some young villagers. As a parting gesture, the villagers will sing a touching farewell song. Rejoining your coach, you will drive back to the pier, taking in the lovely sights along the way.