Located on the southeast bank of the River Senegal, just north of the town of Saint-Louis, the Parc National des Oiseaux du Djoudj (Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary) is a haven for all kinds of avian wildlife. Consisting of a large lake surrounded by wetlands, ponds and tributaries, the park is designated as an official UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Djoudj is the first stop for many migratory birds after the long flight over the Sahara Desert, and the squishy grounds of the park are usually teeming with life: pelicans and flamingos are the most eye-catching visitors, though the park hosts close to 400 species of birds. Avian enthusiasts will be excited to learn that Djoudj is the most important wintering site in the world for Aquatic Warblers en route from Europe. You may also catch sight of purple herons, African spoonbills, great egrets or cormorants among the 1.5 million birds estimated to inhabit the park at any given time. Djoudj is not just a rest stop for birds, however. The park is also frequented by a wide variety of wildlife, which, in Senegal, could mean anything from a Cape Buffalo to a crocodile.
