Authentic Saloum Delta: Les Barracudas Ecolodge, Mangrove and Bolongs

At 9am, you depart from Dakar (or from Mbour, Saly, Somone) via the new motorway towards Mbour, then continue in the direction of Sine-Saloum via Fatick and its salt marshes. You reach Foundiougne, a former colonial prefecture, to cross the Saloum river by ferry; depending on schedules, the crossing can be done by canoe.

Lunch is taken in the shade of a thatched hut, on the riverbank, in a simple and peaceful setting.

The road continues towards Sokone, gateway to the Saloum Park. You stay at the Barracudas, an ecolodge built on a shell island with views over the mangrove. Electricity comes from a hybrid solar power station (panels and batteries), supplemented by a generator dedicated to refrigeration production. Your huts, scattered throughout a tree-filled park, each have a large bed and two small beds, separate toilets, a bathroom with hot water, a ceiling fan, lighting and a socket for charging your phone or camera; air conditioning available at an additional cost.

In the late afternoon, you enjoy free time to swim in the pool overlooking the mangrove or relax on the beach-terrace by the bolong.

The evening begins with a welcome aperitif on the panoramic terrace, followed by dinner prepared by Lamine, the Chef.

The night unfolds in the peace of the bush, sometimes punctuated by the distant cry of a hyena. Throughout the day, our local team ensures your comfort, encourages respectful encounters and is committed to responsible organization serving the inhabitants and landscapes of Saloum.

This day in the heart of the Saloum is free so you can progress at your own pace.

You can enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the place, savor the swimming pool overlooking the mangrove, sunbathe on the beach along the bolong or fish directly from the jetty. It is also possible to go out for 2 hours in the early morning or at the end of the day for a kayaking, mountain biking or hiking trip.

A visit to the village of Bambougar can be organized to meet a representative of the women's group and exchange about local activities. Our team remains at your service and ensures smooth, respectful organization of the local inhabitants and natural environments.

Excursions with additional fees are offered, according to your wishes:

• Weekly markets (½ day): car journey to one of the Luma in the region — Thursday: Touba Nding / Saturday: Passy / Sunday: Touba Mouride. Rates: base 2 people: 20,000 F CFA / person; base 3 people: 15,000 F CFA / person; base 4 people: 10,000 F CFA / person.

• Patako Forest and Ndinderlin pottery (½ day): discovery of a predominantly Mandinka territory, with other types of habitats and customs. Rates: base 2 people: 20,000 F CFA / person; base 3 people: 15,000 F CFA / person; base 4 people: 10,000 F CFA / person.

• Safari at the Fathala wildlife reserve (4 hours): early morning wake-up, drive to Fathala forest on the border with Gambia, then boarding in an open 4×4 safari vehicle offering 360° views. Rates: base 2 people: 55,000 F CFA / person; base 3 people: 40,000 F CFA / person; base 4 people: 33,000 F CFA / person.

Throughout the day, your local team advises you with care and ensures the smooth coordination of activities, for an authentic and peaceful experience in the Saloum.

You embark in a pirogue for a full day in nature in the Saloum Delta National Park, classified as a World Biosphere Reserve.

The route winds through a maze of bolongs bordered by mangroves, where the atmosphere evokes a sense of "Amazonian adventure". As you navigate the meanders, you sometimes encounter oyster gatherers in the mangroves or a fishing pirogue, then observe the wildlife that animates the mangrove. On a deserted beach, a "Robinson Crusoe" barbecue is prepared; the afternoon continues in the shade listening to the birds, with a swim in the bolong or a walk in search of fiddler crabs.

The return to the Barracudas takes place in mid-afternoon; with a bit of luck, you may spot a pod of humpback dolphins, a species typical of brackish waters.

The end of the day invites you to relax by the pool.

In the evening, Lamine offers you a carefully prepared meal. Throughout this stage, our English-speaking local team ensures your comfort, encourages respectful encounters and is committed to responsible organization in order to enhance the islands, bolongs and communities of the Saloum.

For this last morning in the heart of the Saloum, you experience respectful immersion in local life.

Depending on the calendar, you join Sokone to attend mass (Sundays only), a lively and colorful moment that highlights the singing and devotion of the community. You continue to one of the traditional weekly markets (Luma) in the region — such as Touba Mouride on Sundays or another Luma depending on the day — to feel the energy of exchanges: merchants, farmers, market gardeners and fishermen gather there to offer their products and harvests. It is a simple opportunity to observe daily practices and to speak with those who bring these territories to life.

You then return to the Barracudas for a late lunch, before heading to Dakar or Mbour. Our English-speaking team ensures logistical coordination and ensures respect for local customs, to conclude this stay in a spirit of authenticity, listening and professionalism.