Retba Lake, Senegal

From series “Top 13 Most Colorful and Picturesque Places on the Planet”

3 out of 12 - Lisse Tulip Fields, Netherlands

4 out of 12 - Rapeseed Fields in Luoping, China

Not only the wonderful flowers, but also the bacteria can color the world colorfully. An excellent confirmation of this is the lake Retba, located in Senegal. This unique water basin is characterized by the bright pink water color. The secret of the strange lake is quite simple - a special kind of cyanobacteria is living there. Remarkable that they are among the oldest microorganisms living on earth and among the few living creatures that can live in saturated saltwater.

Retba is one of the most salty lakes on the planet. The salt concentration in the salt concentration of the Dead Sea is about one and a half times. The unique natural site is not far from the Cap Vert peninsula. The remarkable pink lake is quite large, its surface is 3 sqkm. The depth of the water basin is relatively low and is a maximum of 3 meters. Retba Lake has been used for salt production for more than forty years. The numerous tourists come here to ride on the pink sea surface by boat.

The race fans know the distinctive natural attraction as well. Retba is the end point of the Paris-Dakar race. There is a small village in the immediate vicinity of the lake, the 'Wolof' tribe lives on its deserts. Literally all the mainstream residents are concerned with salt production. At a reasonable price they take the tourists to their work and show them all the subtleties of this job. It is not recommended to unprepared people to touch the salty water of the lake because it is so salty that it can cause serious burns on the skin. Locals have found an excellent way to protect themselves. Before working, they rub with the special oil of the butter tree.

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Retba Lake - interactive map

Useful staff nearby

ATM bankomat: 'Agence d'Ecobank' located in 18 km (

check the route on the map).

Car rental office: 'PALENE AUTO' is located in 23 km (

on the map).

Fuel station: 'station oilibya' in 14 km

Supermarket: 'Marché Keur Mbaye Fall' in 13 km

Parking: 'Parking' in 20 km

Apotheek: 'Pharmacie Tally Icotaf' in 20 km

Police station: 'Gendarmerie Rufisque' in 14 km

Cafe/restaurant: 'Bonaba Cafe' in 0.46 km

Railway station: 'Gare ferroviaire de Rufisque' in 14 km

Nearest airports:
» Saint Louis Airport XLS - in 158 km

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Best hotels near Retba Lake

Village Hotel Bassari

Located in 0 km from Retba Lake
Route on the map:

Rooms: 25

Decorated in a simple style, all rooms feature a seating area, wardrobe and tiled floor. The en suite bathroom includes a bath or shower. A … More: photo, rates and booking

Hotel Toolbi

Located in 1 km from Retba Lake
Route on the map:

Rooms: 10

The traditional rooms at Hotel Toolbi have a tiled floor, a desk and a private bathroom with a bath or a shower. Free Wi-Fi access is provided. A … More: photo, rates and booking

Residence du Lac

Located in 16 km from Retba Lake
Route on the map:

Rooms: 10

Each accommodation type is air-conditioned and includes a seating area and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Some have a private bathroom … More: photo, rates and booking

Auberge Lilas Dakar

Located in 21 km from Retba Lake
Route on the map:

Rooms: 10

Featuring a sea view, all air-conditioned accommodations are furnished a seating area with a satellite TV. Each room includes a private bathroom … More: photo, rates and booking

Nearest unique sightseeing spots to visit

26 km - Maison des Esclaves Prison

From the series 'Famous prisons of the world'

The historic Maison des Esclaves prison is located on the island of Goree in Senegal. It is also known as the center of the slave trade. The French colonialists kept slaves in this prison. The prison ceased to exist only after the abolition of the slave trade in 1848. …

30 km - African Renaissance Monument

From the series 'The Most Grandiose Statues and Monuments'

Dakar can boast with one of the most emblematic and impressive monuments of the world, African Renaissance Monument. Its opening took place relatively recently, in 2010. The event was timed to the 50th anniversary of Senegal's independence. The height of the monument …

224 km - Senegambia Stone Circles

From the series 'The Unesco World Heritage Sites in Africa'

Travellers who like to explore unusual sights should go to the Gambia. Here, in the Senegambia area are mysterious circles of megaliths, about the appointment and history of which scientists from around the world have been arguing for hundreds of years. Scientists …

611 km - Banc d Arguin Park

From the series 'The Unesco World Heritage Sites in Africa'

In Mauritania lies a remarkable coastal park Banc d'Arguin, which amazes travellers with a variety of landscapes and exotic inhabitants. The nature reserve is located on the coastal territory of the Atlantic. Its guests can see wonderful sand dunes, small islands and …

625 km - Cabo de Santa Maria Wrecks

From the series 'The Surviving Remains of Shipwrecks You Can Observe Yourself'

The freight ship Cabo de Santa Maria has an outstanding history. In 1968 it was transported very precious cargo – presents from Francisco Paulino Hermenegildo Teódulo Franco for Spanish alliance partners that support the country at the time of the economic crisis. …

932 km - Richat Structure

From the series 'The Most Mysterious Geological Formations on the Planet'

Many travelers go to the Sahara Desert in search of amazing sights, as its western part features the most mysterious formation on the planet, Richat structure. Its scale is so large that photographers usually take companions to shoot this thing in full. Richat is a …

Top destination around Retba Lake - Dakar

A stunning tour is available from SenegalStyle Tours. As the name implies, this is a “Senegalese” tour, and therefore it will definitely appeal to anyone who wants to get acquainted with the local culture, which is distinguished by its multifacetedness. Another interesting tour is offered by Diallo Tours Services. Not only the capital of Senegal but also surroundings are explored here. Here is also an opportunity to see the country's animal world. In general, you can simply have a good time and relax during the tour. And this is just what you need in the capital of the peanut republic.

The city has a lot of diving clubs, among which the best companies are Nautilus Diving and Barracuda Club Dakar. All those lucky ones who decide to try this kind of leisure will get only pleasant experience from such a beautiful pastime. For tourists traveling with children, an interesting pastime can be a visit to Accrobaobab Adventure. This is a theme park offering a variety of activities, and everyone will find entertainment to their liking here.
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