Why people choose Sunrise Senegal
Participants join a djembe class in the garden of Auberge Abene Bolong, near the beach of Abene in southern Senegal.
Choosing a retreat isn’t just about picking a destination.
It’s about a feeling – the wish to slow down, to reconnect, to rediscover yourself. And when people find Sunrise Senegal, they often say the same thing:
"This one felt real. Authentic, warm and meaningful."
1. More than a holiday
Sunrise Senegal isn’t a typical retreat.
It’s a ten-day journey of personal growth, rest and transformation.
Between the ocean and the forest, between laughter and silence, between you and your true self.
Our home base is Abéné Belong, a peaceful lodge surrounded by nature, close to the beach.
From here, we explore local life – the sacred Batangworoo tree, the markets, the rhythms of daily village life.
Room at Auberge Abene Bolong with a warm, natural atmosphere and comfortable beds, accommodation for the Sunrise Senegal retreat in Abene.
2. Personal guidance – before and after
Every participant receives individual attention.
Before you travel, we schedule a 45-minute intake to tune into your goals and intentions.
After you return home, there’s an evaluation session to integrate what you’ve experienced.
Because a retreat doesn’t end when you go home – it’s often the beginning of something new.
3. Real cultural connection
Sunrise Senegal is guided by Maureen van de Lustgraaf, a spiritual coach from the Netherlands, and Saikou Jatta, born and raised in The Gambia and now working for many years as a local guide in the Casamance region of southern Senegal.
Together they bring two worlds together – local wisdom and spiritual depth – helping you experience Senegal from the inside out.
You’ll meet local people, cook together, visit the sacred tree and feel the true meaning of Taranga (Senegalese hospitality).
4. December: Music and Transformation
Our December retreat aligns with the vibrant Abéné Music Festival.
The village fills with drumming, dancing and joy.
You can take kora or djembe lessons, join local celebrations, and end your year with rhythm, sunlight and new intentions.
Lush natural surroundings of Auberge Abene Bolong with palm trees, sandy paths and tropical calm, the serene setting of the Sunrise Senegal retreat in Abene.
5. Small-scale and authentic
We welcome a maximum of twelve participants – small enough to feel safe, connected and personal.
Meals are shared, laughter flows easily, and silence is always welcome.
This is a place to breathe, reset and reconnect – in community and in peace.
Sunrise Senegal is for those who want more than a trip.
It’s for those who want to come home – to themselves, and to the rhythm of life.
Sunrise Senegal – where adventure, culture and inner peace meet.