Ferlo Desert, Natural region and biosphere reserve in northern Senegal
Ferlo is a vast natural region in northern Senegal composed of flat plains dotted with dunes and rocky outcrops. The landscape is defined by scattered water sources that support both pastoral communities and native wildlife.
This region has been home to pastoral societies for many centuries as a natural semi-arid zone. Major droughts in the 1970s and 1980s disrupted traditional settlement patterns and demonstrated the vulnerability of life here.
Pastoralist communities have shaped this landscape for centuries through their seasonal movements and knowledge of water sources scattered across the plains. Today, their camps and livestock still form the backbone of daily life here.
The area is accessible throughout the year thanks to water boreholes developed in previous decades to support livestock and communities. Visitors should prepare for hot days and bring adequate supplies, as services are limited in this remote region.
Two protected wildlife reserves established in the early 1970s help safeguard the savanna species found here. These reserves remain relatively unknown to most travelers despite their importance for regional conservation.
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