Nioko Bokk: An eco-village between forest, ocean, and community

Immersed in the heart of the subtropical forest of Casamance, in southern Senegal, between the villages of Diannah and Abene, lies Nioko Bokk: an eco-village and solidarity camp created with the aim of uniting hospitality, environmental sustainability, and community growth.
It welcomes tourists, volunteers, and travelers from all over the world, offering not only an experience of living in harmony with nature but also the chance to discover agroecological practices and take part in environmental awareness projects.

The land where Nioko Bokk stands today was purchased in 2017 by RENKEN ETS, which envisioned transforming a forest area into a space where responsible tourism, environmental education, and sustainable agriculture could intertwine. Over the years, the project has taken shape thanks to the work of the local community and the support of international volunteers, becoming a point of reference in the region for those who believe in a fairer and more balanced future between humans and nature. The eco-village is not only a place for tourism but also a center for experimentation and education. Training activities, cultural exchanges, and awareness-raising events are organized here for both international visitors and surrounding communities.

A Growing Network: Collaboration with MOMO

In recent years, other RENKEN ETS projects linked to permaculture and agroecology have grown around Nioko Bokk, contributing to the creation of a true network of sustainable initiatives. Among these stands out the MOMO project, developed in partnership with CISAO, dedicated to agroforestry and especially the cultivation of Moringa oleifera, a plant with extraordinary nutritional and medicinal properties. MOMO has not only helped to build a more conscious local community but has also carried out strong awareness campaigns on environmental protection and the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. On the land of the MOMO project, a processing laboratory for fruit and vegetable products was also built, available to the local community, where training courses are held — from moringa processing to the production of tropical fruit jams.

The People, the Community

If Nioko Bokk exists and continues to grow in collaboration with MOMO, it is not only thanks to the beauty of the forest and the strength of the projects that drive it, but above all thanks to the people who live it and carry it forward every day. Among them, two figures embody the soul of the village: Yaya and Clarisse.

Yaya’s story has been intertwined with Nioko Bokk since the very beginning. He was among the first to work in transforming a forest plot into an eco-village and is now seen as the guardian of its vision. Over the years, he has closely followed every phase of its creation: from clearing the forest to building structures, from cultivating fields to training the first groups of volunteers. Today, he is the main point of reference for the maintenance and smooth running of Nioko Bokk, but above all he has become a trainer and educator: every week he holds agroecology meetings with local farmers and participants in solidarity eco-tourism.

If Yaya represents the agricultural roots of Nioko Bokk, Clarisse embodies the ability to transform and add value to the fruits of the land. After years working in guest reception and managing the eco-village restaurant, she has taken on a central role as head of product processing and marketing. In particular, Clarisse is in charge of moringa, as well as the preparation of jams and other processed goods. Her work not only helps ensure a source of income for the community but also strengthens the identity of Nioko Bokk and MOMO for neighboring communities.

Discover Nioko Bokk

The Nioko Bokk eco-village is open for residential experiences such as research camps and agroecology programs from November to June each year. With Renken ETS, it is also possible to join group trips and shared experiences. On Thursday, October 9th, at Jigeenyi in Via Borgo Dora 3/o, there will be an aperitif and an evening dedicated to trips to Senegal — an opportunity to get to know this wonderful country better and ask questions.