La Somone or Mbour: where to stay on Senegal's Petite-Côte

"Hotel Somone", "La Somone or Saly", "Mbour hotels": when you plan a stay on the Petite-Côte, south of Dakar, the real question is not only "which hotel?" but "which spot?". Between the lagoon at La Somone, the village of Ngaparou, the resort of Saly, the town of Mbour and Pointe Sarène further south, the atmosphere changes within a few kilometres. Here is how to find your way, then which hotels to look at depending on the stay you want.

The Petite-Côte from north to south

Coming from Dakar, you pass from north to south through Popenguine, La Somone, Ngaparou, Saly, Mbour, Nianing and then Pointe Sarène. Blaise Diagne International Airport, at Diass, is not far: Saly and Mbour are about 30 km away. Each stop has its own character:

• La Somone: a village built around its lagoon, for nature and peace and quiet;
• Ngaparou: a village between La Somone and Saly, with small hotels and residences;
• Saly: the main seaside resort, with the widest choice of hotels and restaurants;
• Mbour: a real town, lively and turned towards fishing;
• Pointe Sarène: further south and quieter, around a large beachfront resort.

La Somone: the lagoon comes first

Life in La Somone revolves around its lagoon. The nature reserve, created in 1999, covers about 700 hectares and is now managed as a marine protected area. Local women played a big part in protecting the mangrove, and mangrove trees are still being replanted. Oysters are farmed there too.

For birdwatchers, more than 170 species have been recorded, including pelicans, herons, egrets, terns, cormorants and the osprey. There are two ways to discover the lagoon: a pirogue (canoe) trip, or the eco-trail of about 1.2 km, with information boards along the way.

The most searched-for hotels in La Somone:

• Royal Horizon Baobab: La Somone's large all-inclusive resort, and the name that comes up most in searches about La Somone;
• Africa Queen: the other much-requested address; compare its meal plan with the Royal Horizon Baobab's;
• Aerys Village: a more low-key address on the Avenue de la Lagune, as close as you can get to the reserve.

People come to La Somone mainly to rest. If you like going out in the evening, Saly is not far: just plan a taxi.

Ngaparou: peace and quiet next to Saly

Between La Somone and Saly, Ngaparou is more low-key. You will find small hotels, guesthouses and residences. It is a good option if you want quiet without being too far from Saly's restaurants.

Mbour: the town, fishing and the ocean

Mbour is not a resort but a real Senegalese town, and one of the most active fishing centres on the coast. It runs into Saly: you pass from one to the other almost without noticing. Staying in Mbour means choosing a more local atmosphere, with its markets and fishing activity, while keeping the sea close at hand.

Several hotels in Mbour sit right by the ocean:

• Tama Lodge, a lodge facing the sea;
• Blue Africa, on the beach;
• Le Mbaïla, next door to Blue Africa.

These are mostly small-scale hotels. Before you reserve, check beach access and the meals on offer, and look at recent photos posted by travellers.

Saly, on the Mbour side: the big names

Saly-Portudal, to give it its full name, runs into Mbour. This is where most of the hotels most searched for from France are found: the Royam, Le Saly Hôtel & Hôtel Club Les Filaos (all inclusive), the Palm Beach and the Saly Princess. The Mövenpick Resort Lamantin is a little apart, in Saly Nord, towards Ngaparou. To compare these hotels and their board options, read our guide to all-inclusive hotels in Saly.

Pointe Sarène: the Riu Baobab

Further south, beyond Nianing, Pointe Sarène is far from Saly's bustle. This is where you will find the Riu Baobab, a large beachfront resort with 24-hour all-inclusive. It suits travellers who want everything on site. Allow a little more driving time from the airport than for Saly or La Somone.

La Somone, Saly or Mbour: which to choose?

• For nature and quiet: La Somone, or Ngaparou.
• For restaurants and nightlife within walking distance: Saly.
• For a Senegalese atmosphere and local life: Mbour.
• To stay put, all inclusive: the Royal Horizon Baobab in La Somone, Les Filaos in Saly or the Riu Baobab in Pointe Sarène.
• To end a tour by the sea: La Somone or Saly, close to the airport.

Getting there from the airport

From Blaise Diagne Airport, you reach La Somone, Saly or Mbour without going through Dakar. If you land very late or leave very early, read our tips on choosing a hotel near Blaise Diagne Airport. When you reserve, ask your hotel whether it can arrange the transfer, and at what price.

Reserving your hotel on the Petite-Côte

Choose your dates on our hotels in La Somone or hotels in Mbour pages: available hotels are shown with their board options. Travelling from the UK, the US or elsewhere abroad? You can pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment.

A question about a hotel, or about the right spot on the Petite-Côte for your stay? Write to NIA, our assistant, or contact us.

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.