Kaolack

Kaolack is a region in west-central Senegal centred on the Saloum River and its estuary. The regional capital, also named Kaolack, is one of Senegal's major commercial hubs, historically built on the groundnut (peanut) trade, and is home to Médina Baye, the seat of the Ibrahimiyya branch of the Tijaniyya Sufi order founded by Sheikh El Hadj Ibrahima Niasse — making the region one of Senegal's principal centres of Islamic pilgrimage. The region also includes Kahone, the precolonial capital of the Kingdom of Saloum, and other agricultural towns of the groundnut basin.

The dry season, roughly November to February, brings daytime highs around 28–32°C with low humidity and is the most comfortable time to travel. March through May is hot and dusty with the harmattan winds, and June through October is the rainy season, with the heaviest rains in August and September; unpaved roads can become difficult in this period. Médina Baye's own major pilgrimage, the Gamou (Mawlid), typically falls in October or November on the Islamic calendar and draws large numbers of visitors to Kaolack city.

• Kaolack — Regional capital and seat of the Tijaniyya's Médina Baye.
• Nioro du Rip — Historic town of the Rip kingdom.
• Kahone — Precolonial capital of the Kingdom of Saloum, with royal palace ruins and burial tumuli.

• Visit the Great Mosque of Médina Baye in Kaolack.
• See the Saloum royal palace ruins and tumuli at Kahone.

• The Saloum Delta and Fatick region lie to the west.