Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
POP 157,000
Ziguinchor is the largest town in southern Senegal, and the main access point for travel in
the Casamance region. With its old houses, tree-lined streets and busy markets, this
former colonial centre exudes real atmosphere. The city has no major sights per se but
does boast some colourful historical buildings, including colonial beauty and central
post
al council). The huge
case à impluvium
(large, round traditional house) of the
Alliance
Franco-Sénégalaise
( 33 991 2823; 9.15am-noon & 3-7.15pm Mon-Sat)
, with its stunning South
African -Casamançais decor, is a beauty worth admiring. At
Africa Batik
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 77 653 4936)
, you can try your hand at making batiks.
For
pirogue
excursions, ask at your hotel or speak to the boat owners at the
pirogue
jetty near
Le Perroquet
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 33 991 2329; perroquet@orange.sn; Rue du
Commerce; s/d CFA12,000/14,000)
, Zig's favourite budget place where dozens of yellow-billed
storks attract you with their noisy chatter as you enter the place. Invest in a 1st-floor room
for the river views. Alteratively, the three log cabins on the croc farm
Ferme de Djibelor
(
33 991 1701; s/d CFA17,000/23,000)
are cosy and strangely reminiscent of ski chalets, until the
lush gardens remind you where you are.
Humble outdoor eatery
Le Erobon
( 991 2788; Rue du Commerce; mains CFA 3500-5500;
10am-1am)
boasts carefully spiced grilled fish served with a sea view. The ambience is won-
derfully relaxed and often includes live music like a sole guitar player or a small local
band.
Le Kassa
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 33 991 1311; Rond-Point Jean-Paul II; mains
CFA2800-4400; 8am-2am)
, a patio-pretty place on the roundabout, offers an African-food-
focused kitchen that stays open late, and there's live music on weekends.
L'Abondance
(Rue
du Général de Gaulle; 5pm-2am)
is a small bar-cum-
dibiterie
(grilled-meat place) where you
can round off a night out on the town with pork skewers, grilled lamb and cold beers.
Lastly,
Le Bombolong
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 33 938 8001; Rue du Commerce; cover
CFA1800-3500)
has the most raucous party for clubbers. There's also a small
Superette
Voyages
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
( 77 641 5132;
www.diambonevoyages.com
; Rue de France)
of-
fers flight bookings, tours, car hire and more. The
AlineSitoé Diatta ferry
travels between
Dakar and Ziguinchor twice weekly in each direction, leaving Dakar every Thursday and
Sunday at 3pm, arriving in Dakar the next day at 6pm. Buy your ticket (CFA16,000 to
CFA31,000 one way) in advance and in person at the port.
