Hotel Lodge de Lompoul

In the unique and Lilliputian desert of Senegal, at equal distance from the sea and the village of Lompoul (3 mi). The lodge is located not far from the road between Dakar and Saint Louis (83 mi). You will come in a 4X4 through the dunes, passing through the superb fine sandy beaches (at low tide) or crossing the savanna.

The camp's clientele is mostly French and Spanish. Shows are organised when 10 to 15 people are expected (singing, bongo playing, dances?). After dinner, a bonfire is lit under the stars. If you need to recharge your electrical appliances in the middle of the desert, you must hand them to the camp manager before 7:00 pm. They can be used again the following morning! Numerous excursions are possible from the camp. Mosquitoes are only present during rain season (from July to October). For your information, litter is burnt and buried almost every fortnight, to preserve the environment. The visible wildlife in the desert of Lompoul is limited to rabbits, partridges, guinea fowls, lizards, etc.

In September 2007, the lodge was installed on the fine and golden sand at the entrance to the small desert of Lompoul. In this fenceless Berber camp, the staff are welcoming and wear traditional Mauritanian outfits. The largest tent houses the restaurant services and the bar. The alcoholic drinks can be chosen from the small central counter. On either side, large and low tables placed next to the sofas and cushions await those who love the chance to relax. Naturally, guests meet together very frequently in this place. Not far from there, you can find the only concrete building dedicated to cooking. The toilets can also be found there. The only tent not raised up on a wooden board is the one where shows and occasional meetings take place. A safe is available where you can place your money.

Built on stilts, the 15 large Mauritanian tents are all designed in the same way, apart from the more elaborate tent number 4. All nicely spaced out, the tents are lit up with candles and oil lamps in the evening. The few decorative elements are Moroccan, like everywhere else in the camp. Behind each tent, equipped with a mosquito net at its entrance, you will find a nicely designed area with a toilet, a copper sink topped with a pretty mirror, and a shower head cleverly stuck in a bucket with a hole in it. If you ever dreamt of washing under the stars, it becomes a reality here! Every private patch is, however, well shielded from onlookers by dried leaf fences! No hot water is available though. If there is no moonlight, the staff will be there to walk you back to your tent thanks to a powerful torch.

Cabbage, manioc, tomatoes, aubergines, beans, etc. are abundantly produced in this region. They are the vegetables which you will find both at Lompoul's weekly market every Friday, and, in turn, on your plate. Beneath the large Mauritanian tent - a good protection from the sun, time passes by while you're drinking a mint tea in the light of a candle. As for meals (1:30 pm to 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm), the menu is fixed (and very good!) It is not at all possible to make a choice. As an example: omelettes, chicken couscous and fruit salad. For breakfast served from 7:00 am to 10:00 am, you will be served: bread, jam, butter, two sorts of fruit juice, coffee and hot chocolate.