Visit Ziguinchor – Senegal Travel

With over 230,000 inhabitants, Ziguinchor is the largest city in Casamance. Founded in 1645 by the Portuguese, then taken over by France in 1888, it has become a very prosperous town thanks to the peanut trade.

Situated in south-western Senegal, Ziguinchor is a port town, nonchalant, quiet, very pleasant and melancholy, with large colonial houses of the era. It remains the ideal starting point for visiting Casamance. The town is surrounded by water. And there’s plenty of greenery.

During your stay, be sure to visit the colorful market in St-Maur-des-Fossées and bring back plenty of gifts and souvenirs. For those who love exhibitions and shows. Head for the Alliance Franco-Sénégalaise. You won’t be disappointed. There’s a great restaurant and you can also take a Wolof course. Afterwards, you can head for the Casamance river to watch traditional pirogues being built and set off. Don’t hesitate to sample popular dishes such as Tchéboudienne, chicken yassa, mafé, accras and bissap juice with hibiscus flowers.

In the Lower Casamance region, the “Mbapatt” traditional wrestling matches are a must-see. Indeed, traditional wrestling is considered by its wrestlers to be both a spiritual and sporting activity. To the sound of percussion, griots and song, the wrestlers engage in fierce combat. A true spectacle not to be missed.

What are the different activities you can do?

• 1) Discover the magnificent town of Ziguinchor.
• 2) See exhibitions and shows at the Alliance Franco-Sénégalaise cultural center.
• 3) Browse and buy souvenirs at the St-Maur-des-Fossées market.
• 4) Taste the local gastronomy. Eat popular Senegalese dishes such as Tchéboudienne and chicken Yassa.
• 5) Drink fresh Bissap juice made from hibiscus flowers and taste the national beers (Gazelle, Flag…)
• 6) Attend a traditional Lower Casamance wrestling match.
• 7) Observe the pirogues facing the Casamance River. You can see craftsmen building the pirogues.

• 8) Fishing in the Ziguinchor river.
• 9) Go out in lively bars.

• 10) Discover the local flora and fauna.

What do you think?