Gouina Falls

On the upper Senegal river near Kayes, Gouina carries the whole river, about 500 metres wide at this point, over a rock lip in a drop of some sixteen metres, with mist over the rock islands and monkeys and birds in the gallery forest along the banks. A 140-megawatt hydroelectric plant built at the falls was inaugurated in December 2022. Visitors are few, and fishermen and people washing on the banks are usually the only company.

What you'll find

• The 500-metre fall - the Senegal river dropping across its whole width.
• The rock islands - outcrops in the spray.
• The gallery forest - monkeys and bee-eaters at the margins.
• The river life - fishing and ferry crossings above the lip.

When to go

September to December, after the rains, runs the falls at full width; late dry season thins them to channels. Kayes is the base and is one of the hottest towns in Africa, so the cool months are the time to go.

Before you go

Access is by dirt track with a local driver arranged in Kayes, and there are no facilities at the falls. Rocks near the lip are slippery, so keep well back from the edge. The heat is severe; carry plenty of water.

Nearby

Kayes, the Felou falls downstream and Bafoulabe's river confluence.

Key facts