Less than 15 minutes' drive from Saly, the Somone lagoon sets a different pace: a silent mangrove, a ballet of birds and nights on stilts facing the water. Enough to turn a simple excursion into a proper weekend break.
Somone, a bubble a stone's throw from Saly
If you're already staying on the Petite Côte, Somone isn't a far-off destination: reckon on less than 10 kilometres and about a quarter of an hour's drive from central Saly. That's what changes things compared with a day trip from Dakar (75 kilometres away, or 1h15 to 1h30): staying overnight for a weekend becomes realistic without upending your whole holiday plan.
The lagoon forms where the Somone river meets the Atlantic Ocean, separated from the sea by a sandbar. This mix of fresh and salt water, surrounded by mangrove, makes it one of the richest ecosystems on the Petite Côte.
Where to sleep for a proper weekend
Royal Horizons Baobab
The largest establishment in the area, with rooms, bungalows and suites, plus several pools. A comfortable option for a couple or family who want everything on site.
Africa Queen
A more intimate seafront address, air-conditioned rooms and equipped villas, lush garden. A middle ground between hotel comfort and a smaller scale.
Guesthouses on stilts
Several small family-run addresses, including Les Cases Bénadou, built facing the lagoon: you fall asleep to the sound of water and open the shutters onto the morning birds.
Expect roughly 60,000 to over 100,000 FCFA a night depending on the option and standard, breakfast generally included at the guesthouses. Book early for weekends in the dry high season (December to April), when these addresses fill up.
A two-day programme
- Day 1, arrival and lagoon at sunsetCheck in during the late morning, a lazy afternoon, then a pirogue outing at the end of the day when the light skims the water and the birds return to the mangrove.
- Day 2, morning in nature, afternoon relaxingA walk along the nature trail early in the morning for birdwatching, then back to your accommodation to enjoy the pool or the beach before hitting the road again.
For a shorter break, half a day is enough to combine a pirogue outing and lunch by the water before heading back to Saly.
The reserve and its birds
- ▸Over 170 species recorded: grey pelicans, herons, egrets, terns, cormorants and, depending on the season, flamingos.
- ▸Best times: early morning or late in the day, once the day-tripper crowds thin out.
- ▸Best season: November to May, the dry season, with clear skies and more birds present.
For up-to-date prices on pirogue outings, the walking trail and quad-bike excursions, plus a fuller description of the reserve, our dedicated article on Somone walks through every option step by step.
Where to eat on site
Several waterfront addresses make up most of the local offering, with simple, generous cooking: fish of the day, grilled dishes and Senegalese plates at gentle prices. Chez Rasta, Chez Atty and Chez Booba are among the most mentioned tables by locals, for a meal between 2,000 and 5,000 FCFA. Nothing gourmet, but the relaxed atmosphere facing the lagoon is the whole appeal of the place.
How to get there from Saly
The road to Somone ends in a dead end facing the lagoon, which shields the area from through traffic and partly explains its calm. From Saly, allow a quarter of an hour by direct road.
If you want to stay free with your schedule, particularly to be on the water at the right time for the light, renting with a local guide from Saly remains the most comfortable option: the guide knows the best windows for the birds and can go on to combine other stops on the Petite Côte the same day. To plan a wider circuit including Saly and Joal-Fadiouth, our guide to the region by car offers a complete itinerary, and our complete guide to Saly details where to stay on the beach side if you'd rather keep your base there.
Frequently asked questions
Half a day is enough for the pirogue outing and a lunch by the water. To really enjoy the calm and the birds at the right time, a night on site makes all the difference.
Strongly recommended in the dry season (December to April) and especially at weekends: the guesthouses by the lagoon have few rooms and fill up quickly.
Yes: the lagoon is calm, without waves, and the pirogue ride generally delights children. Just bring sun protection, as shade is scarce on the water.
In summary
A quarter of an hour from Saly, Somone suits both a few hours' outing and a proper quiet weekend, between a night facing the lagoon, a pirogue outing at the right time of day and small waterfront eateries.
Reach Somone at your own pace
Rent with a local guide from Saly to be on the water at the best time and easily combine it with the rest of the Petite Côte.
See guide options in Saly →