#2: [07-Feb-07]

16-Jan-2007 -- We have had our sights on 15N 16W for some time, knowing that it would be an easy catch just 100 meters or so off the Touba-Darou Mousti road. We set out from Dakar on a 10-day field trip which would take us on a loop through Senegal. This Confluence fell near our planned itinerary for the first day.

The drive took us across Senegal's "Peanut Basin" – a sandy agricultural region where Wolof and Serer farmers have cultivated peanuts and millet for nearly two centuries. We stopped to admire old baobab groves which mark the locations of human settlements that have long since disappeared. Abyssinian rollers flashed their blue feathers at us along our route. School girls graced us with their smiles and colorful dresses.

With several village visits along the way, we were concerned about reaching the Confluence and finding an isolated place to camp before dark. Sandy cart trails and a crumbling paved road slowed our progress. We made a brief stop to admire the mosque at Darou Mousti, then reached the Confluence just before sunset. As I was taking the required photos, a herd of cattle ambled across the site. After the site visit, we managed to reach a suitable campsite before dark in the savannas of the Ferlo – Senegal's northern pastoral region.

Continued at 14N 14W.