20 January 2009 - Express & Star - Andy Richardson
Andy Richardson takes a walk on the wildside in Senegal
SENEGAL – is it Italy?
One friend asked me before I headed out to discover the delights of the West African country. French speaking Senegal has remained relatively untouched and unknown to the British holidaymaker who has travelled to nearby Gambia over years gone by to experience the delights of an African beach holiday.
But the status quo is set to change as travel company Serenity Holidays has decided to add the destination to its brochure as part of its Senegal experience.
I was given the opportunity to discover for myself the delights of the country with a group of journalists and I wasn’t to be left disappointed during a breathtaking five-day tour.
Initially flying out to Brussels from Birmingham International Airport with Brussels Airlines, we then changed flights to board our journey to the city of Dakar.
The journey from Dakar to the holiday resort of Saly where we were staying for our first night was quite a surreal and memorable experience as our coach hit the rush hour. I have never enjoyed being stuck in traffic so much as I watched the multicoloured buses and camper vans with people hanging off the back and goats strapped to the top of the vehicles make their way out of Dakar. Everywhere you looked there was another surreal moment from African life.
Our first stop was the five star Lamantin Beach Hotel. After a wonderful welcome by the staff we were shown to our accommodation, which was, a traditional African style two-storey bungalow situated amongst colourful, manicured gardens. The rooms are fully air conditioned, and are large, bright and airy and each has its own terrace. There is a superb pool which you can enjoy during the day or sample the delights of the hotel’s own private beach. I thought I had discovered paradise. Little was I to know the best was yet to come.
Having secured a good night‚s sleep in my luxurious bungalow the following morning we embarked on our first activity of the trip – an adrenalin pumping off road buggy adventure. It was a thrilling off-road drive through the bush where we were greeted by the friendly villagers along the way. Our oasis at the end of the tour adventure was a beach bar, which served a delicious chicken, rice and soup dinner. After a quick game of football on the beach we were back in our buggies for another adventure across the bush.
At night we went to one of the Saly nightspots to enjoy drinks with the locals and to dance the night away.
When I didn’t think things could get much better the following day, we were taken to the Bandia Nature Reserve for a tour of the wildlife park. Senegal suffered a huge drought during the 1970s, which drove many of the animals such as big cats, giraffe and antelope out of the country. Now environmentalists are introducing some of the animals back into Senegal from other African countries.
During our fascinating adventure in the national park we saw rhinoceros, zebra, giraffes, ostrich, antelopes and crocodiles. Then we enjoyed a splendid lunch at Tama Lodge hotel, with its superb fish dishes. We then headed off to our next hotel – the four-star Espadon close to the heart of Saly.
Hotel Espadon is simply fantastic. The rooms are arranged in a cluster of two-storey, traditional style bungalows, nestled among the palm trees. Once again the hotel has its own sandy beach and the eye-catching Le Ponton bar, which is reached to by a jetty. The hotel even has its own pet pelican called Popsi, which flew in to the bay 10 years ago and liked it so much it stayed walking to the poolside bar at night to sleep.
The following day we sampled some of the local culture and headed to Sine Saloum and to the market Ndiagnio. There we bought rice, soap, books and stationery then headed to Mbour Village to distribute them to the villagers. Although I had enjoyed fantastic activities during my trip, handing gifts to villagers and seeing the joy on their faces ranked on an equal par.
We enjoyed lunch at Souimanga Lodge before heading off to our next destination. All along the journey what struck me was the country‚s vast richness of scenery from fabulous beaches to coastal lagoons and waterways, which provide a rich array of wildlife.
We then drove on to the five-star Le Royal Lodge for our final night. Now when I was told they were saving the best to last they weren’t joking. Le Royal Lodge is simply paradise on earth if you want to impress that special someone this is the hotel to visit. The hotel is nestled on the outskirts of the Saloum Delta National Park. On arrival you are whisked away in a buggy to be taken to your room. Now when I say room I should really say house. This is no ordinary room. Relax in the suite’s jacuzzi before enjoying a drink on your own private terrace. Each suite has a large bedroom with a bed fit for a king and its own separate lounge. Your suite is only yards from a glorious beach. Back in the main hotel you can take a dip in the magnificent pool and swim up to the Pelican cocktail bar for a couple of afternoon beverages.
With great reluctance we left Le Royal Lodge the following day, which was also sadly to be our final day. We headed back to Dakar where we sailed over to the historic and infamous Goree Island which is a former slave trading port and is certainly a must visit for any visitor to Senegal. On arrival you are bombarded by street sellers trying to sell anything from jewellery to animal carvings. The sellers can be aggressive at times but if you are after a souvenir to take home you can certainly get a bargain if you are prepared to barter.
Catching the ferry back to Dakar, it was with a heavy heart that I said a final farewell to Senegal.
FACT BOX
Andy travelled with The Senegal Experience which offer flights with Brussels Airlines from Birmingham. Contact0845 338 8706 or www.senegal.co.uk
Prices start from £699 per person, based on seven nights half-board at Hotel Royam in Saly and includes return flights, transfers and taxes.
View the pdf » 