The beach

The house is less then 350 meters from the beach. Nearby, at the right, several wave breakers have been constructed (by the Dutch company Van Oord) to protect the beach from erosion. As a result, until Saly center, the sea is relatively calm and you can take a long swim. Going to the left you can enjoy the powerfull waves of the atlantic Ocean. During the day, especially when it is hot, you won' t find many people on the beach, except for some western tourists or pensioners. The beach becomes crowded after 4 o' clock, when young football players, other sporters, romantic couples, motorbikers, horseriders and children come to visit. The sunsets are great. You can also enjoy them from one of the little restaurants alongside the beach.

Walk to Saly center

A walk northwards to the center of Saly is great. Depending on your pace it's a 20 minute walk. Along the way, traditional fishing boats, places to eat, sunbathing spots, and souvenir shops are interspersed with a few luxury hotels. A good end point for the beach walk is Chez Sasha, or Restaurant des Artistes. These are nice restaurants where you can have a good time, lunch or dinner. From there, you will find the lively part of Saly at an arms length. The walk alongside the beach is also the fastest way walking to Saly Center.

At sea

The traditional Senegalese fishing boats are beautiful. Some fishermen will take tourists on their fishing trips, which is a real adventure! These start early in the morning. On sunny days it’s  adviced to have good sun protection. The fish that is caught will be prepared by the fishermen and women upon return. The six hour trip ends after a tasteful fish-meal on the beach.  For information, visit restaurant "Les Pecheurs", a very sympathetic and good restaurant with attention to its customers. If you prefer a short sea trip, or you want the speed of jet-skis, these can be booked nearby at hotel Royam and a few other hotels. Also, windsurf or paddle boats should be able to find.

Mbour market

Mbour can be reached by cab, collective car or bus (number ), a 75 minute walk along the beach to the south is another way of getting there.

It is known as ‘Quay de Peche’ meaning Fish Market. But fish is only one of the goods traded over here. In reality, it’s a huge marketplace where you can find a plethora of stuff - and easily can get lost. 

The walk passes by opportunities for a snack or a drink, but when approaching the market, you first pass the huge fishing fleet, traders and life around it. Don't expect neat streets from a postcard. This is -also- raw Africa, with an environment (waste) and living conditions that can and should be approved. At the extensive fish market on the beach, you’ll discover all the seafood you can imagine. Upon leaving the beach, you’ll find the rest of the market with vegetables, fruits, spices, clothing, fabrics, personal care products, kitchen, tourist items and much more. As a tourist you’ll most certainly be sought out by many salespeople, that will try to persuade you to buy something - at excessive prices. In this busy, chaotic environment, it is advised to visit the market with a local guide you can trust.

Nature & animals

After a 45 min drive by car on the N1, you’ll find Reserve de Banda. This is a park where you can see most of the known African wildlife, like Rhinos, Zebras, Giraffes, Gazelles, but also Monkeys, Jackals & Crocodiles. There are no large cats and Elephants in this parc. 

It is a fun trip, especially with children, though not cheap. The trip is offered by all tourist agencies, but you can also take a taxi and arrange it yourself. You could also just visit the restaurant, watching the many crocodiles from a small distance, but do keep an eye on the fast and cheeky monkeys, as they will try to join your dinner.

Another great trip offered in the tourist guides: Lagoon de Somone, a 40 minute drive to the north along the beach. 

Here the sea intertwines with the land. The brackish water creates a unique environment that can be discovered by boat or a guided walk. You’ll see birds like Flamingos, Pelicans, Herons and magical Mangrove trees. During the trip you can relax in one of the cozy restaurants. Afterwards, you should eat some shellfish, oysters or other fish - catched and prepared by local women. You can find them here.(...?) Afterwards, enjoy a beautiful sunset.

luxe!?

If you’re keen on putting a hole, you can pay a visit to the Saly golf course, to be reached by taxi but also public transport. Bus one( ?) will take you there.Another tip: in Saly you’ll find many opportunities for quad bike trips outside Saly. A few companies will also rent out just the quad, so you can also discover Saly and the neighborhood by yourself.

The really adventurous can book a flight with an ULM Autogire plane (photo), from Aérodrome, Rte Saly-Ngaparou. Pilots of these vehicles will take one passenger, a 10-minute tour costs 35,000 cfa (almost 55 euros).

However, the most rewarding thing, is to spend money on people who can use it to improve their lives, and so many of them live in Senegal.​

Play drums

It's not, a focus in the tourist guides, yet, but huge chance you feel the vibes and your intuition leads you to experience the traditional west African drums and rhythms. Specific for Senegal is the "Sabar". “Sabar” refers to the name of the drum, the dance associated with it, and also the event at which it is played. The drum is played with one stick and one hand. The rhythms are thrilling and exciting and form also the basis of more modern Mbalax music played by such artists as Youssou N’Dour and Baaba Maal.

Other rhythms, djembe from Guinea, Mali or Burkina Fasso are also popular in Senegal. Many enjoy to listen or dance, but you can also practice to play the djembe or dunun drums yourself. Whether you are absolute beginner or experienced drummer you can upgrade your level to the next. Sometimes group courses are organised in advance from Europa, but you can also find a teacher nearby. Inform at the Djembe cafe in Mbour, less then 15 min walk from the house. If you go end-afternoon, big chance you'll hit an open drum session, which you may like to join.

Dance

Rhytms and dance movements are often interwined. If you want to dance the Sabar, the traditional dance of Senegal, some experience and a good dose of perseverance is strongly recommended! Otherwise the djembe dances are a better choice. You do not have to be a professional to enjoy and dance these rhythms. For example, originally from Guinee you can learn the "Tiriba' named after a famous dancer, "Kassa" sourced from peasants, or "Kuku" a fishers dance. From Mali is the dance of the slaves "Wolosodon" and the "Djansa" a competition dance for young men. Nowadays these rhytms are all evolved into populair ones, modernized, and played and danced all over West Africa.

Like drum lessons, dance courses are often organized in advance from Europe, but you should also be able to find a local dance teacher. Preferably with a couple of drummers. Classes can take place on the beach where there is enough space, or for small groups only, on the lawn in the house, which is more private.

Food and going out

Buying food in Senegal, it is mostly of quality and for a  good price.  For visitors, the most sympathetic and authentic restaurant is 'Les Pecheurs', which is open, the year around.  If the wind is not too hard you can find a little refuge of them too on the beach. Some other restaurants or street cookers,  nearby, are open also the whole year, others only in high season. Most of them have good and nice food.  Some restaurants organize music & dance shows regularly. "Chez Kandji" has local music Friday/Saturday but it will start after 12.00 p.m, and "Katmandu" has often on Sunday (?) live music, starts also very late. "Chez Yvon", in Saly  center has often Wednesday evening live music which starts around 9 p.m. Of course Saly center has more options for live music, performances and discotheques and the big hotels organize events regularly too.