Réserve naturelle de Popenguine, Nature reserve in M'bour Department, Senegal.
The Réserve Naturelle de Popenguine is a protected coastal area with rocky shores and open savanna vegetation. The landscape supports varied ecosystems with different plant and animal species throughout.
The area was first protected as a forest in 1936, then designated as an official nature reserve in 1986 to restore lands damaged by deforestation. This formal status represented a major step in protecting the coastal region.
Local women directly manage conservation work and community programs throughout the reserve. Their presence shapes how the place functions and welcomes visitors each day.
You can explore the reserve with a local guide who knows the best spots for watching birds and wildlife. The reserve is most rewarding to visit during migration periods when bird activity is highest.
The reserve preserves remnants of World War II defensive structures, including bunkers and gun positions, scattered through the landscape. These military relics sit quietly amid the natural habitat and offer a glimpse into the area's strategic coastal past.
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