Basse Casamance National Park

Park Senegalese national park preserving Casamance mangroves and wildlife

Basse Casamance National Park protects mangrove, riverine and forest habitats in southern Senegal; birdwatchers and boaters explore waterways and local villages along the Casamance River.

Basse Casamance National Park
12.3908, -16.6344

How to Get to Basse Casamance National Park #

The park is accessed from Ziguinchor, the Casamance regional hub. Ziguinchor is served by small domestic flights from Dakar and by ferries and buses. From Ziguinchor, local roads and river transport - often arranged through local guides or community cooperatives - reach different park sectors; expect several hours of travel depending on tides and road conditions.

Tips for Visiting Basse Casamance National Park #

  • Hire a local guide in Ziguinchor who knows seasonal river routes; some trails become impassable in the rainy season.
  • Bring strong insect repellent and a light head net - mangrove fringes and forest clearings can be mosquito-heavy at dusk.
  • Ask about cultural protocols before photographing villages; Casamance communities are proud of their traditions and value courtesy.

Best Time to Visit Basse Casamance National Park #

Travel between November and May for the most predictable access, though the green season has rewards for those willing to accept rough roads.

Dry season
November-May · 24-32°C (75-90°F)
Easier access on dirt roads and by river; game and birdlife congregate on remaining water sources, making wildlife viewing more reliable.
Shoulder season
June · 25-30°C (77-86°F)
Short rains start; the landscape is green and villages are quieter as crops are tended.
Rainy season
July-October · 24-30°C (75-86°F)
Heavy rains make some areas inaccessible; however, rivers swell and the forest explodes with life if travel logistics are arranged.

Weather & Climate near Basse Casamance National Park #

Climate

Basse Casamance National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 16°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1322 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
JanuaryDecemberMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
16°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 31°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
16° 31°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

February

February is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
17° 33°
63%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
11.6h daylight

March

March is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
18° 33°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.0h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
19° 32°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.3h daylight

May

May is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 21°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

88 Excellent

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
21° 32°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

June

June is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
23° 31°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

84 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.7h daylight

July

July is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (356 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 30°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

356 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.7h daylight

August

August is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (463 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
23° 30°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

463 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.4h daylight

September

September is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (308 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 30°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

308 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.1h daylight

October

October is the hottest month, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Regular rainfall (97 mm).

75 Very Good

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
27°C
Temperature
23° 32°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.7h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 32°
72%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

8 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

December

December is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 18°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.

95 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
18° 31°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

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