Mboulem: Baobab in the surroundings and an overview of Thiès

Near Mboulem, in the Nianing Forest, stands a large baobab with a diameter of 32 metres. Its age is given as 18 centuries; it served as a cemetery for Serer griots. The three details answer different questions: the diameter describes its size, its age places it in time, and its use as a cemetery conveys its historical significance. For those who want to explore both the landscape and cultural history while planning their trip, it offers a point of reference near Mboulem.

Thiès as a wider travel destination

Thiès provides the wider regional context. The Région de Thiès has a northern and a southern seafront, separated by the coastline of the Région de Dakar. Tourism in the Région de Thiès is predominantly focused on beach tourism in the Département de Mbour. One specific coastal highlight in the wider Thiès area is the Bay of Ngaparou, with its large sandy beach. The seafronts describe the geography of the Région, while the tourism focus applies specifically to the Département de Mbour.

Coasts, pirogues and landscapes

In the wider Thiès area, Joal-Fadiouth and Fadiouth offer different points of interest. In Joal-Fadiouth, pirogue trips are offered through mangroves and past granaries. In Fadiouth, the alleyways are paved with shells and oyster shells. Here, the focus is not on a route but on the material used to pave the alleyways. The pirogue trip describes movement through the landscape; the shell paving, by contrast, characterises the alleyways as part of the townscape. For travellers interested in landscapes and townscapes, these provide two different points of reference.

Safaris and wildlife watching

Bandia Reserve offers family safaris to observe African wildlife. Wildlife sightings vary depending on conditions, so the specific experience cannot be predicted. This sets it apart from the coastal and mangrove highlights: the focus is not on a type of landscape, but on observing wild animals. This makes the safari a different point of interest in the wider Thiès area.

Culture, history and regional influences

Culture and history take different forms in the wider Thiès area. The Manufactures sénégalaises des arts décoratifs in Thiès was founded in 1966. The date makes its founding history a clear historical point of reference in the region. Religious tourism in the Département de Tivaouane offers a different cultural focus, characterised by Gamous and Ziarras. For travellers interested in culture, these offer two distinct ways to explore it: the history of an arts institution and religious traditions. This shows that the wider Thiès area cannot be understood through its coast and landscape alone.

The fishing port of Mbour is considered Senegal’s second-largest fishing port; this ranking may change over time. As another regional point of reference, it complements the coastal and cultural aspects with a focus on fishing.

Discover more destinations: Merina, Sindia, Bountou Pole

View the wider travel overview: Thiès.