Ecocamp Badian

Description

The construction of this camp has been sponsored by “Campamentos Solidarios”, a non- profit organization whose main goal is to contribute to sustainable development in areas of extreme poverty. To achieve our aims we are committed to build and maintain working ecological-touristic camps that generate employment and resources for their surrounding areas. They are built and managed together with local people and are based in areas where economic resources are in short supply but which have high ecological, ethnic and cultural value.

To make sure that the camp integrates with the environment, Bassari builders have used similar methods of construction as those used in the indigenous villages of the area, namely wooden huts, cane walls and covered with straw. Nine huts circle a large central hut used as a restaurant and meeting area making it an ideal place for communication between travellers, being sheltered from the jungle outside.

Each hut has a porch, individual open-air bathroom with shower, toilet and washbasin, a dressing-room and cane furniture built by Mandinga carpenters. Lighting is provided by oil lamps and water for the showers comes from tanks via gravity. Ventilation is natural and the kitchen uses wood and fire. The result is a subtle mix of African way of life and western comfort.

One of our objectives is to inform travellers about the region’s cultural and ecological values. Informative posters on fauna classification and tribal customs are displayed along with examples of decorative objects such as rugs, western African masks and sculptures by local artists. The ethnographic richness of the area invites exploration and discovery of various indigenous tribes.

How To Find Us

Badian ecocamp is located next to the river Gambia as it runs through Mako and Badian villages in West Senegal, 600km from Dakar, 190km from Tambacounda and 40km from Kedougou. To get there from Kedougou you cross the Niokolo Koba National Park and, once past Mako village, after crossing the bridge over the Gambia river, you take a track to the right for 2 kilometres which leads you to the camp.

Pricing Details

Prices for person: Full board - 35$ Half board - 28$ Bed&Breakfast - 24$