LAGUNA BEACH

My stay at Pelican du Saloum was an amazing experience. What I loved most about it was how quiet and peaceful it was. I was staying in the inner city of...

My stay at Pelican du Saloum was an amazing experience. What I loved most about it was how quiet and peaceful it was. I was staying in the inner city of Dakar prior to visiting this hotel which can get pretty hectic sometimes so this was a nice change of pace. The hotel grounds are covers in stunning foliage and the yellow, pyramid shaped accommodations create picturesque views everywhere. The rooms were lovely, with amazing balcony view to one of the many rivers on the Sine Saloum delta. The meals served at the hotel are decent. A live band plays great music as dinner is served near the hotel pool. If you do not wish to eat at the hotel there are many restaurants nearby that serve everything from fish to pizza. There are many great activities or excursions available at the hotel that the staff is happy to setup for you. Two of my favorite activities were kayaking along the adjacent river and touring the bird sanctuary by boat. To see as many birds as possible here is a big tip: go to see the sanctuary as close to sunset as possible. I would highly recommend this hotel for couples. Although the hotel grounds are large, there is a definitive romantic ambiance in the air (beautiful birds everywhere chirping, the beautiful foliage, the hammocks amongst the trees, the list goes on an on). This is a heavenly hotel that I would definitely stay at again in a heartbeat.

The hotel is an architectural monster, huge two-storied bungalows with a room on the ground floor and another on the upper floor peeping from the "straw"...

The hotel is an architectural monster, huge two-storied bungalows with a room on the ground floor and another on the upper floor peeping from the "straw" roof. However the rooms are cozy and comfortable, with mosquito nets, silent and efficient A/C, separate toilet and bathroom (no hot water, though), rear patio, TV and fridge. There is a swimming-pool (10-15 meters) and a beach with access to the river. The river is hard to swim in, though, because of strong current. There is a mini golf and a tennis court. The dinner has three courses with a choice of two different options. Breakfast has been the first proper breakfast in Senegal: juice, cereals, omelettes, croissant, cheese, jam. Wifi works in the lobby and partly in the swimming pool and it is rather slow. The view is great, as the hotel is right on the river and facing West for great sunsets.

We arrived by boat, and this was the last hotel of our holiday with Explore. It was a nice hotel, but with a small pool. The two-story rooms were clean...

We arrived by boat, and this was the last hotel of our holiday with Explore. It was a nice hotel, but with a small pool. The two-story rooms were clean and air-conditioned with TV, and had good views over the Saloum Delta. There was plenty of bird life nearby, with Thick-knees, Bee-eaters and sunbirds along the water’s edge and well as others nearer the village.The hotel is in the centre of a busy local village, so plenty going on, with local shops and a few bars.

I just returned from 8 nights at the Pelican. Staff is helpful, food offerings are nice (only had breakfast and dinner there), nice open air lobby with...

I just returned from 8 nights at the Pelican. Staff is helpful, food offerings are nice (only had breakfast and dinner there), nice open air lobby with wifi and bar, pool, almost on the water, air conditioned rooms with flushing toilet, sink and shower. Mosquitos were pretty bad this time of year.

The attractive pyramids consisted of 4 rooms; 2 up, 2 down. They were surrounded by trees, which attracted lots of birds. The bed and pillow were comfortable...

The attractive pyramids consisted of 4 rooms; 2 up, 2 down. They were surrounded by trees, which attracted lots of birds. The bed and pillow were comfortable and there was hot water, but being upstairs there was a problem with the pressure. The rooms are sprayed before dinner - so don't lie around half naked!. The 3 course dinner was excellent with a choice of 2 options for each course. We had a pichet of wine which was very good (value and taste). Breakfast was a little disappointig with no choice of fruit.

We spent 1 week full board in the Pelican hotel & enjoyed our stay very much . The transfer from Saly Portudal took about 2 hours & we were pleased...

We spent 1 week full board in the Pelican hotel & enjoyed our stay very much . The transfer from Saly Portudal took about 2 hours & we were pleased to be offered a cool hibiscus juice on arrival while registering with the reception .We had the hotel nearly to ourselves as the season had not yet started so felt like royalty with our own private beach & pool . The Pelican is used mainly by passing tourists on a tour of Senegal or by birdwatchers & fishing enthusiasts as it is situated in a wildlife sanctuary .Rooms :-First thing you see is a romantic mosquito netting above the bed , ( the rooms get sprayed at 8 pm every evening ). Good airconditioning , mini fridge . Electricity & water sometimes get cut off but the generator cuts in for the electrical failure & the water is out of their hands . Soft fluffy towels , no hairdryer but lovely hot water . Septic tanks can get a bit smelly .Our room had a patio at the back which was only a few steps from the private beach . The beach has a free pedalo and canoe for use of guests plus sun beds & parasols . We swam in the sea more often than the pool . Lovely warm water .Blue towels are provided free of charge for use at the pool & beach .Very beautiful gardens which attract birds of all sorts , tiny red & blue ones to large parrot types . If you sit quietly by the pool , the birds will eat & drink from the bowls provided by the hotel right next to you without fear . Breakfast :-7 h - 10 h omlettes , pancakes , bread , croissants , jam etc Lunch 1 pm - 2.30 pm Choice of two starters , 2 main courses & 2 desserts Dinner :- 20 h_ 22 h. Similar to lunch menu with 2 choices for each course .Always one fish & one meat choice . Not really suitable for vegetariens but they will allow you to have the fruit for a starter as well as for dessert , and there was regularly salad starters .The pastry chef was excellent & made wonderful tarts , pies & cakes for dessert . He was also on hand to make the delicious pancakes and omlettes in the morning , a real treasure .Three sets of cutlery & 2 glasses per person with linen serviettes.Memorable dishes include the crab salad , steak in pepper sauce & of course the fresh fish of the day . The turbot was excellent . The red wine was fairly sweet but we got used to it after the second glass .We were full board but I regret not going half board .Situation of Hotel :-Very well placed in the heart of the village of Ndangane with the port 2 minutes stroll away . Lots of local shops selling alcohol ( pastis only 3000 CFA for a liter bottle ) , soft drinks , packs of water , nuts fruits , toiletries & colourful clothes & souveniers . There is a nearby pharmacy , discoteque , butchers , bakers & dress makers . A real village with no hassle from the locals . Plenty of restaurants & bars if you are looking for a good but reasonably priced meal .We discovered a tourist information office which I am hoping to add to the things to do in Ndangane .I had a lovely dress made for 15000 CFA in one of the dress makers .Free safe behind reception .Bureau de Change 10h - 14h & 16 h- 20h.30 at reception .Free WiFi in main reception area . Also internet available for 1000 CFA for 30 minutes .Hotel Boutique Attractive clothing at realistic prices , patchwork trousers , hats , karité creams , jewellery & souveniers . I was impressed with her competative prices compared with the exterior shops . TheBar :-On arrival I paid 1,500 CFA for a squeezed lemon & water , so I bought a large bag of fresh limes from a lady outside the hotel & squeezed my own afterwards . I had a few gin & tonics & my husband had the local beers , flag & gazelle while we sat round the pool . The drinks are of course a little more expensive than outside the hotel so we went out for drinks before meal times .The barstaff & waiters very attentive especially Pap who looked after us during our stay .The hotel was busy whitewashing walls , rethatching the parasols & getting ready for the season which was about to start .If you need to unwind & are looking for a relaxing holiday , then I highly recommend this hotel & its village and environment .