Tambacounda Region

The Tambacounda Region is in the southeast of Senegal. The article also covers the Kédougou Region.

• 🌍 Tambacounda — the main transport hub for Basse Casamance, Guinea and Mali and a stopover point for travellers heading to Niokolo-Koba National Park
• 🌍 Kédougou — a center for eco-tourism with beautiful mountains and waterfalls.
• 🌍 Salemata — draws travellers interested in experiencing the Bassari culture
• 🌍 Bakel – an extremely remote town on the Senegal River

• 🌍 Niokolo-Koba National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of woodland savannah and semi-arid Soudanese forest that is home to some 80 mammal species, 20 species of amphibians, 60 species of fish, and 38 species of reptiles

Tambacounda is the largest of Senegal's 14 regions, but it is the poorest, and is sparsely populated.

Tambacounda is famous for its rich djembe and dance culture and heritage. Some of the greatest djembe masters from Segu, Mali came to Tambacounda in the mid 1900s, bringing with them their history, knowledge, and secrets of the djembe.

The economy of Tambacounda is based primarily on agriculture, with cash crops including cotton and peanuts. Mining plays a role in the southern part of the region around the city of Kédougou. 

One UNESCO World Heritage Site is in this region; the Bassari, Fula and Bedik Cultural Landscapes of the Bassari County.

Dindefelo Falls, near Kédougou, is a 50–100-metre (160–330 ft) waterfall in the middle of a lush forest

In Salemata, experience the Bassari culture. The annual initiation ceremonies take place during the month of May. Tourists are welcome to view the festival which is complete with brilliant masks and dancing. There are also numerous ceremonies that take place throughout the year.