Join us as we Celebrate Community Success and Environmental Stewardship!
The Sahel Eco Fest is back for its second edition, bringing together participants from Mauritania, Senegal, and the Global Ecovillage Network to celebrate the incredible achievements of the host villages, Lahel and Loboudou. Witness the transformation of an 18-hectare forest into a thriving sanctuary for diverse wildlife, and a desert landscape into a food forest and nursery that supplies thousands of trees to surrounding communities.
When: February 15 -18 2025
Where: Lahel, Senegal and Loboudou, Mauritania
We hope to provide you with an amazing cultural and educational experience.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS AND WHAT TO EXPECT
Highlights of the Festival will include:
Women’s Cooperatives Exhibition: Explore a rich and varied display of local and
organic agricultural, medicinal, cosmetics, and food products, showcasing the dynamism and creativity of women’s cooperatives.
Cultural Performances: Enjoy the vibrant socio-cultural heritage of the region with:
Subalbe Fishermen: Marvel at their mastery of water through a stunning canoe choreography.
Horse Dance: Experience the majestic dance of horses set to traditional
music,accompanied by thunderous applause.
Aawlube Griots and Artists: Be enchanted by poetry recitations in Pulaar and traditional songs that brighten the atmosphere.
Educational Sessions – Engage in insightful discussions on:
Inspiration from the Loboudou Model
Learn from the first Ecovillage of Mauritania, whose efforts in biodiversity regeneration are recognized worldwide by the Global Ecovillage Network. Understand the importance of environmental preservation as a communal and spiritual duty.
Support and Collaboration:
The cross-border Ecovillage cluster project, supported by REDES, REMEV, and the Community Development Association of Loboudou, along with the municipality of Gamadji Saré and Ecologie Universelle, has received enthusiastic backing from local authorities, NGOs, women’s cooperatives, and youth organizations.
Together, we can make a difference. Let’s unite our efforts to replenish ecosystems, ensure biodiversity, and combat desertification. Your participation is crucial in this pressing emergency to safeguard our planet for future generations.
FESTIVAL PROGAM
The link to the program is here
ITINERARY
Upon arrival in Dakar from outside of Senegal on:
February 13 arrivals in Dakar-overnight stay – airport pickups provided
February 14 travel to Ndoum/Lahel – overnight stay
February 15 Opening of Festival in Lahel, Senegal
Day time Activities and overnight stay
February 16 travel to Loboudou, Mauritania –
Festival Activities in Loboudou – overnight stay
February 17 Festival Activities in Loboudou – overnight stay
February 18 Festival Activities in Loboudou closing day – travel back to Senegal, Lahel /Dioum- overnight stay
February 19 travel to Dakar – overnight stay
February 20 departures from Dakar, transportation provided
ACCOMMODATION DETAIL
Please note that the Sahel Eco Festival 2025 will take place in Lahel and Louboudou located about 500 Km north of Dakar. The list below outlines the festival itinerary for our traveling guest joining in celebration:
Accommodation summary – Guests will stay a total of 7 nights:
2 nights in Dakar total
3 nights in Lahel/Dioum, Senegal
2 nights in Loboudou, Mauritania
Cost:
Package A:
Hotel stay in Dakar( 2 nights) and in Ndioum (3 nights) plus local accommodation in Loboudou (2 nights)
Cost: €762.00 / $780.00/500,000 FCFA
Package B:
Homestay in Dakar (2 nights) and Lahel (3 nights) plus local accommodation in Loboudou (2 nights)
Cost: €655.00/$672.00/430,000 FCFA
Full Board includes ( airport pick up and drop off, Breakfast, Meals,
Transportation, Festival program/activities coverage)
PLEASE NOTE:
Payment:
Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first come first served basis with registration and completed payment due by 31 January, 2025
LOCAL PARTICIPANTS – INDEPENDENT TRAVELERS
If you are already in Senegal you can travel with the REDES Team or find your way to the north (Lahel)
The options are as follows:
Option 1: Full Package accommodation in Lahel/Ndioum and Loboudou, transportation, food and drinks (5 days)
Cost : 200,000 FCFA /$312/ € 304 Hotel
150,000 FCFA/ $234 / €228 Home Stay
Option 2: This includes accommodation in Loboudou,Transportation (Lahel/Loboudou), food and drinks (2 days)
Cost :100,000FCFA/ $156 /€152
Please email us at Sahelecofest2025@gmail.com to confirm which option you choose to confirm your participation or if you have any questions.
Travel to the REDES headquarters in Lahel
From Monday to Friday public services buses (called Dakar Dem Dikk buses) link Dakar and Ndioum in the two directions. There’s only one bus every day and it leaves the departure station at 7 AM.
Tickets must be purchased at least a day in advance. On the eve of a national celebration, reservations must be made long ahead (1-2 weeks before). A single /one way ticket costs 8,000 cfa.
Taxi- brousses (7 seat taxis) rotate between Ndioum and Dakar. The reservations are made by phone, contact Amadou Sy +221 77 631 83 76 They leave between 4 and 5 AM. The fare is 11,000 cfa plus 1000 cfa for a large suitcase.
Accommodation
Hotel Samassa
Located in NDIOUM 25000 per night in shared rooms
Contact: Camara Samassa
+1 221 77 511 16 24
IMPORTANT FYI
Food and beverage
Please inform REDES (by e- mail sahelecofestival2025@gmail.com) and host families about your food habits and allergies prior to travel.
A 10-liter water bottle costs 1,000 CFA =1.5 euro) In Dakar. Inside the country the price is a little higher because of transportation costs.
Senegalese families typically have “attaya” (green tea with mint leaves after lunch.
Telephone and internet facilities
Upon arrival,you are strongly advised to purchase a local SIM card from one of the phone companies to receive calls and have access to the internet. A SIM card costs CFA 1,000.
A copy of your passport is required by law for the phone company as identification of the subscriber. You can get a sim card in the airport after customs before the exit.
Or your may be able to download an e-sim card from your carrier
Medical care
Visitors are expected to have travelers’ medical insurance which can be purchased when you buy your plane ticket.
If a visitor needs medical attention, someone from REDES will take them to the nearest public hospital. Medical expenses will be covered by the visitor themselves or their insurance.
If you have any further questions please email us at sahelecofest2025@gmail.com
