February 7-8: After crossing the border, we looked for a camping spot in Senegal. We use an app called iOverlander, where you can mark and comment on accommodations, campsites, and wild camping spots, which has been very useful during our travels. We found a wild camping spot not far from the border, in a small fishing village by the seaside, We had read that the owner of a small shop there happily cooks dinner and gives travelers a tour of the village.

There was heavy traffic, so we arrived late, but Sarr still welcomed us into his home and ordered dinner for us. The next morning, he visited us with hot water, so we could have coffee together, then he showed us around—we explored the beach and the newly built fish market. He told us—though we mostly communicated in broken French, English, and gestures—that a big storm had recently hit the area, and the wind destroyed his shop and small restaurant where he used to grill fish. Despite this, he still gladly welcomes travelers who want to rest for a night in his village.

Sarr recommended a coastal road that led us to Lompoul-sur-Mer, another fishing village by the ocean, which we had visited two years ago. Lompoul is famous for its yellow sand dunes, which are quite unusual for Senegal. It happened to be market day in the village, so reaching the beach was an exciting challenge—we had to make our way through endless colorful stalls! We also finally had our first beer in two weeks, as in Morocco, alcohol is expensive, and in Mauritania, it’s almost impossible to get (except in the embassy district of the capital).

The pictures from Lompoul are from both this trip and our journey two years ago.