Bonjour! Ça va bien? (Hi! How are you?) Nanga def? (How are you? in Wolof) Je m'appelle Stephanie, et toi? (My name is, and you?) No parle Français (No speak French) Bizzou! (Kisses/Bye!)

This is about all the French I knew when I landed in Dakar and these phrases pretty much carried me through my week in Senegal. An American traveler and English speaker, in a francophone country isn’t the greatest combination but I prevailed, somehow. Senegal is located in west Africa, hugging the Atlantic coast. It’s a beautiful country, filled with diverse land, thriving surfing and fishing communities and rich history. Occasionally, you may hear a call to prayer 95% of the population practices Islam. The major language is French, as it was colonized by France until 1960 when it gained its independence, in addition to native languages of Wolof and Fulani. Known as the “Land of Teranga” which represents hospitality, generosity, and warmth, which the Senegalese value.

Saly

I traveled from Accra to Dakar after enjoying a week celebrating Easter. I knew my first stop in Senegal needed to be somewhere by the water, where I could relax and be still, and alas, Saly. Saly, a coastal city, lies just 1 hour and 30 minutes south of Dakar, if you’re flying into DSS. I pre-booked my transportation to the resort because 1) I knew the French would whoop my ass as soon as I landed and 2) I never and you never want to look lost and confused in an airport, you make yourself an easy target, and that’s how you get got. So I made my way down to Saly, with my French speaking driver and came upon the most beautiful resort, Hotel Royam.

Hotel Royam

If you want more pics and details about the property and room, check out my IG post here!

Beachfront property
Standard single room, with outdoor patio for 3 days/2 nights. Spacious room and bathroom, with daily turndown service.
Breakfast and dinner inclusive: buffet breakfast and buffet or plated dinner options. The food wasn’t spectacular but I enjoyed it. The best meal I had was prawns at the beachside restaurant.
Daily activities such as yoga and instructor led aquatics workouts.
Nightly performances varied from Senegalese music and cultural dancers to a live band.
Total for 3 days/2 nights with breakfast and dinner included: $431

Hotels in Saly

I decided on Hotel Royam based on location, beach access, amenities, and price. The further the hotel is from the beach, the cheaper it will be. I was also traveling solo, and wanted to be in a bigger, well-known resorts vs a smaller, boutique hotel. Prioritize what matters most to you!

Excursions from Saly

I wouldn’t say the hotel is isolated, because there’s other properties around, but it’s definitely secluded from town. Since it’s a beachfront resort, you have access to the beach and, of course, to water activities available such jet skiing and kayaking. However, if you want an actual excursion, you’ll have to take a drive.

Mbour Fish Market: see fisherman in action, and get fresh seafood
Bandia Reserve: Safari-style game drive to see rhinos, giraffes, zebras, buffalo, antelopes, and monkeys in a semi-wild environment.
Lac Rose/Lake Retba: the salt-rich, naturally pink waters, visit salt harvesters, and enjoy a 4x4 tour through dunes.
Market (Village Artisanal de Saly): wide array of handmade arts, crafts, and African clothing
Somone Lagoon: enjoy canoe rides through mangroves.
Dakar city tour: see the African Renaissance Monument, Dakar markets, museums, and historical sites.
Goree Island: UNESCO World Heritage Site, visit the House of Slaves, colonial architecture, and art galleries.
Toubab Dialaw: artsy seaside village, dance/music workshops, beach vibes.

Is Saly worth the visit?

If you’re looking for seclusion, beach lounging, and calm vibes, then Saly is a perfect place to visit when coming to Senegal. The town is also worth exploring for a feel of Senegalese culture, outside of its major city of Dakar. It can serve as a stop on a bigger trip or as a base to travel to and from. The quality in services I received, for the price I paid was too good! Even though I preferred Dakar as my base, Saly was definitely more affordable and offered just as amazing quality. Hope you check it out! Here’s some quick Travel Jawn tips to consider:

Know some basic French and download a translate app, trust me, you’ll need it
Set up transportation and tours ahead of time, especially if you’re on a tight schedule
Decide if you want to stay in a resort vs a boutique hotel, Saly has good options for both
Don’t be afraid to speak to the locals, they’re extremely kind and not pushy
Saly was about 10 degrees hotter than Dakar, so plan for that
Exchange cash before you get to Saly. If you’re unable to, make sure to bring big bills (50s/100s)

Let's Go to Senegal: Saly Travel Guide

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