University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Bruins Go on Safari before Departing Dakar
August 24, 2023 | Women's Basketball
DAKAR, Senegal – After three days in West Africa, UCLA Women's Basketball's time in Senegal is coming to an end.
The Bruins claimed a 28-point win in their first exhibition game of the summer tour, defeating the Senegal A' U25 National Team at NBA Academy Africa on Wednesday. A full recap of the game is available here.
UCLA's women's team then headed over to the Lamantin Beach Resort for a post-game lunch. Senegal's national team were also there to enjoy and wind down at the beachside hotel. Many UCLA student-athletes got in the water, others enjoyed the lounging chairs on the sand, and some even got out on jet skis!
After some rest, relaxation, and fun in the sun, the Bruins headed back to Senegal's capital. UCLA enjoyed dinner together at an Argentine grill in downtown Dakar before packing it in for the night.
The Bruins awoke ready for their next adventure: a West African safari ride. UCLA headed to the Bandia Reserve in Saly, Senegal, the first private reserve in the country. The Bruins took two trips into different parks of the park; the team started in the lion section of the 3,500-hectacre reserve.
The Bruins stepped into the back of large, caged trucks and began the journey into the lions' den. Within minutes, the large African cats were spotted. With the turn of a hatch, tour guides dropped pieces of meat onto the hood of the trucks. After a little deliberation, the lions hopped up on the vehicles before carrying their snacks on top of the cages. The student-athletes and staff got an up-close view – some got even more as the lions salivated while chowing down on their food.
After taking photos and videos of its new feline friends, UCLA headed towards the lion cubs to get a look at the youthful big cats. The Bruins then headed to a separate section of the park that was home to giraffes, antelope, monkeys, zebras, and more. While rain came down on the open-air trucks throughout the safari ride, the Bruins still got up close with some large animals and important wildlife while guided around the reserve.
"I loved seeing the baby giraffes," said redshirt-junior Emily Bessoir after the safari ride ended. "We also saw rhinos and huge trees," said Bessoir. The German forward was referring to the baobab tree – the national emblem of Senegal – that can grow over 60 feet tall and live for more than 3,000 years.
The Bruins headed back to Dakar for one final meal before heading to the airport. UCLA will catch a flight to Berlin, Germany, and begin the Deutschland leg of the summer tour tomorrow, Aug. 25.
Make sure to keep up with the team's social media channels to catch all the action!
The Bruins claimed a 28-point win in their first exhibition game of the summer tour, defeating the Senegal A' U25 National Team at NBA Academy Africa on Wednesday. A full recap of the game is available here.
Match Amical : Les lionnes U25 battues par l'Université de Californie Los Angeles (87-59).
— ????BasketSenegal???? (@Basket_Senegal) August 23, 2023
La rencontre se déroulait à la NBA Academy (Mbour). #kebetu #basketsenegal #UCLA @UCLAWBB pic.twitter.com/LZhuZiPKze
UCLA's women's team then headed over to the Lamantin Beach Resort for a post-game lunch. Senegal's national team were also there to enjoy and wind down at the beachside hotel. Many UCLA student-athletes got in the water, others enjoyed the lounging chairs on the sand, and some even got out on jet skis!
After some rest, relaxation, and fun in the sun, the Bruins headed back to Senegal's capital. UCLA enjoyed dinner together at an Argentine grill in downtown Dakar before packing it in for the night.
The Bruins awoke ready for their next adventure: a West African safari ride. UCLA headed to the Bandia Reserve in Saly, Senegal, the first private reserve in the country. The Bruins took two trips into different parks of the park; the team started in the lion section of the 3,500-hectacre reserve.
The Bruins stepped into the back of large, caged trucks and began the journey into the lions' den. Within minutes, the large African cats were spotted. With the turn of a hatch, tour guides dropped pieces of meat onto the hood of the trucks. After a little deliberation, the lions hopped up on the vehicles before carrying their snacks on top of the cages. The student-athletes and staff got an up-close view – some got even more as the lions salivated while chowing down on their food.
Lions, giraffes, and Bruins, oh my! ??????#GoBruins x #BruinSummerTour | ??: Bandia Reserve pic.twitter.com/8mt4WCFUwV
— UCLA W. Basketball (@UCLAWBB) August 24, 2023
After taking photos and videos of its new feline friends, UCLA headed towards the lion cubs to get a look at the youthful big cats. The Bruins then headed to a separate section of the park that was home to giraffes, antelope, monkeys, zebras, and more. While rain came down on the open-air trucks throughout the safari ride, the Bruins still got up close with some large animals and important wildlife while guided around the reserve.
"I loved seeing the baby giraffes," said redshirt-junior Emily Bessoir after the safari ride ended. "We also saw rhinos and huge trees," said Bessoir. The German forward was referring to the baobab tree – the national emblem of Senegal – that can grow over 60 feet tall and live for more than 3,000 years.
The Bruins headed back to Dakar for one final meal before heading to the airport. UCLA will catch a flight to Berlin, Germany, and begin the Deutschland leg of the summer tour tomorrow, Aug. 25.
Make sure to keep up with the team's social media channels to catch all the action!
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's BasketballUCLA W. Basketball Postgame - vs. Texas (April 3, 2026)
Friday, April 03
UCLA W. Basketball Press Conference - Final Four Pregame (April 2, 2026)
Thursday, April 02
UCLA W. Basketball Media Availability - Coach Cori Close (March 31, 2026)
Tuesday, March 31
UCLA W. Basketball Media Availability - Players (March 31, 2026)
Tuesday, March 31