Lake Retba, known worldwide as the Pink Lake, lies around thirty kilometres north-east of Dakar. A former legendary stage of the Paris-Dakar rally, separated from the Atlantic by huge golden dunes, this exceptional natural site is a must-do getaway.
How to get to Lake Retba from Dakar?
The trip from Dakar usually takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour depending on traffic. You have two main options:
Car or taxi
Rental with or without a driver for great flexibility. By taxi, agree the round-trip fare before setting off.
Guided excursion
The most relaxed option: round-trip transport from the hotel, departure around 8–9 AM or 3 PM, ~5 hrs of service, guided visit.
What a typical excursion looks like
- Departure from Dakar (8–9 AM)Pick-up at the hotel and ~1 hr drive to the north-east.
- Dunes by 4x4 or quad bikeCross the sandy tracks in the spirit of the Paris-Dakar.
- Salt harvesting by pirogueGet close to the salt workers who extract the salt by hand from supersaturated water.
- Swimming & floatingA unique sensation due to the extreme salinity — rinse off with fresh water straight afterwards.
- Lunch at the campSenegalese or European specialities, often by a swimming pool.
- Return to DakarIn the late afternoon, once the day-trippers' coaches have left.
What to do on site? Activities and discoveries
Access to the lake shores is free and open all year round. The local experiences and services, offered by leisure bases, are however paid for.
Off-road exploration
Quad bike, buggy or 4x4 over the surrounding dunes and forest tracks.
Salt extraction
A pirogue ride to get close to the women and men who extract the salt by hand.
Swimming & floating
A one-of-a-kind float, similar to the Dead Sea, thanks to the extreme salinity.
Horse riding
Rides on horseback or camelback along the shores.
Comparison of activity prices (2026)
| Activity | Duration | Price (FCFA) | Price (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quad ride (short tour) | 40–45 min | 15,000 FCFA | ~€23 |
| Quad ride (long tour) | 1 hr | 17,000–20,000 FCFA | ~€26–30 |
| Combo quad + pirogue + horse | ~1 hr 30 | 20,000–25,000 FCFA | ~€30–38 |
| Simple horse ride | 20–30 min | 6,000 FCFA | ~€9 |
| Excursion from Dakar (transport + activities) | 5 hrs (incl. 2 hr 30 travel) | 30,000–80,000 FCFA / pers. | ~€45–120 |
Excursion prices vary widely with the number of participants (sliding scale). Indicative rate: €1 ≈ 655.957 FCFA.
Food and accommodation around the lake
The lake's surroundings are well equipped: several camps and hotels have restaurants open to non-guests, often by a pool. Spending a night on site lets you enjoy the sunset once the day-trippers' coaches have left.
When to visit the Pink Lake?
The dry season, from November to June, is the ideal period: strong sunshine intensifies the activity of Dunaliella salina, the alga responsible for the hues ranging from salmon pink to mauve.
After several years in which the lake had lost its tint (heavy rains diluting the salinity), the waters have regained their magnificent emblematic pink colour since 2025. The magical spectacle is back on show.
Since 2025, the Pink Lake has regained its pink hues: the magical spectacle is back on show.— Lake Retba today
Experience the Pink Lake with zero logistics
Transport, local guide and activities organised for you: book your Pink Lake excursion departing from Dakar with YouSenegal.
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