The Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary lies on the southeast bank of the River Senegal, north east of Saint-Louis. It provides a range of wetland habitats which prove very popular with migrating birds, many of which have just crossed the Sahara.

The park constitutes the third largest bird sanctuary in the world and counts no less than 400 species of birds : aigrettes, spoon-bill, ibis, pink flamingo, Cape shoveler, cormorant, teal, Egyptian and spur-winged goose, black-tailed godwit, etc...

 

 

The best period to observe these animals with evocative and surprising names is from November to April, but you will still be able to see other park inhabitants such as gazelles, monkeys, jackals and warthogs all year round. A wide range of wildlife also inhabits the park, which is designated a World Heritage Site. The site was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger in 2000 due to the introduction of the invasive giant salvinia plant, which threatens to choke out the park's native vegetation. However it was removed from the list in 2006,