Round houses
Conical thatched roofs among the fields.
Mouha.ibs — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mouha.ibs — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mouha.ibs — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mouha.ibs — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mouha.ibs — CC BY-SA 4.0
Bassari Country is a rugged rural area in southeast Senegal, a multicultural landscape that emerged from the interaction of people's lives with the natural environment. UNESCO added it to the World Heritage List in 2012 as the Bassari, Fula and Bedik Cultural Landscapes. The site brings together three geographical areas, each with its own character: the Bassari-Salémata area, the Bedik-Bandafassi area and the Fula-Dindéfello area. The listing describes this landscape as well preserved. Many visitors miss the region, since it lies far from Senegal's coast and resorts. On the road you pass villages of round houses with conical thatched roofs, among red fields and green hills with blue mountains on the horizon. In the Dindéfello area a tall waterfall drops down a rock wall into a cool pool, one of the region's main draws. Reaching some villages means walking through trees on dirt paths. Bandafassi lies about 14.9 km from Kédougou and 17.8 km from Dindéfello Falls in a straight line. It is best to go with a local guide who knows the villages and their customs. Ask before taking photographs or entering homes, and ask about suitable visits at festival times. Roads are hard in the rainy season, and with borders close by, it is worth checking travel advice before setting out.
Conical thatched roofs among the fields.
A tall fall down a rock wall.
Blue mountains on the horizon.
Bandafassi, Salémata and Dindéfello, southeast Senegal
It is best, since a local guide knows the villages, customs and walking paths.
Outside the rainy season, when roads become difficult.