Cap Marniane

For a quiet break in Sine Saloum, this felt like a little oasis. All you hear is the sea, birds, and wind. The huts are simple but comfortable, and there are hammocks and sun beds to relax on. We loved the kitchen and especially the local basil tea. The food was delicious, though a bit more expensive than restaurant meals elsewhere. Drink prices seemed similar to other places in Senegal. It helps to check what's included in the stay price. Breakfast is basic: baguette, butter, marmalade, coffee, tea, and milk. Eggs and anything beyond that cost extra. We were on a tight budget, so we arranged a horse cart ourselves for 2000 CFA instead of the lodge's 5000 CFA per cart. For a half-day mangrove boat trip, we booked with Salam Saloum in Dangane for 25,000 CFA per person, compared with the lodge's 40,000 CFA offer. There's no hot shower, just a bucket of hot water, and Wi-Fi is very poor and only works around reception. None of that bothered us much. We really loved the place and would absolutely recommend it.

The surroundings are the main draw: beautiful, quiet, and great for getting away from it all. We rented a kayak for 5,000 francs and had a really enjoyable trip through the mangroves. We stayed two nights at Cap Mariane, but the rest of the experience was uneven. The room needed work. There was just one outlet, a rusty sink, very poor lighting, and a shower with no pressure, so we ended up using a bucket of cold water. There was only a fan, not the advertised air conditioning. We also couldn't find Wi-Fi in the room or the common areas, despite the listing saying internet was available. Breakfast was included, and we knew it would be simple, but the quality was disappointing. On the first morning the bread had green mold and seemed reheated, with jam. The next day there was no moldy bread, but no jam either. An omelet cost an extra 1,500 francs. Lunch and dinner choices were limited to chicken, fish, or prawns, with rice, potatoes, or vegetables. There was no menu or posted pricing; when asked, we were told each dish was 8,000 francs. There aren't other food options nearby, so that has its advantages and disadvantages. We knew the lodge was far from the village, but even after asking, we weren't told the transport choices or prices until it was time to pay. We had to take a small boat for 2,000 francs, then a horse cart for 5,000. A cart round trip from the accommodation also costs 5,000 francs. In the end, the pricing didn't feel transparent, and the facilities need better upkeep. The setting is worthwhile, but the stay didn't match what was advertised on Booking.com. Communication, service, and pricing all need improvement.

The island location is paradise, and crossing it by horse cart and dugout canoe for 7000 CFA francs is well worth doing. Too bad there was no hot water. I know we're in Africa, but we'd been told there would be some.

The nights are so peaceful, with the waves gently lapping nearby. The place feels magical, and everything was just right. Aïssatou is always smiling, and the food is delicious, especially the fish caught fresh that day and the vegetables grown on the island. Wonderful value for money.