Bazouk du Saloum Ecolodge

BEWARE!!! Colonization isn’t over for the owners of this establishment. They treat guests and their staff of African descendant with disrespect. Mar Lodj is a beautiful pristine space. We went with the expectation to have a relaxing time after a hectic year. The land, animal life, water and local community members in the village were all exquisite. We enjoyed being in this part of Senegal as it wasn't our first time, but we had a terrible time staying at this ecolodge. We stayed for 4 days and 3 nights, the first room we stayed in for the first night didn't have water (at all!). They said there had been a water cut in the village but they didn’t report that to us when we called in the morning. Then others had water and we didn’t. They changed our room after the first night and put us in a room that had water, but had old dirty sheets that didn't fit the bed, on an old mattress, with a mosquito net with holes in it and a fan that was so small and old for the room that the air could barely be felt, let alone cool the room. After our first night in the 2nd room, we asked them to change the sheets to ones that fit and provide another fan. They said they would change the sheet but didn't and as we were out during the day and evening exploring the land and enjoying the outdoors, we didn't realize it till late in the evening. They provided an extra fan but they consistently turn off the electricity every evening so we suffered under mosquitos and heat for two of three nights. They denied this but this practice was confirmed as a regular practice by the people who suggested we stay at this place and the staff. When we told the french owner on our final day about this. She was dismissive to us and our experience of their place, then she blamed her staff. The staff did their best but clearly this dismissive attitude comes from the top down. I would stay far away from this place. We spent over $200 at this place which was money thrown into the toilet. They call this an 'eco-loge' to receive a tax write off. This place if falling apart there clearly haven't been any meaningful renovations. The owners were rude. They tried to shush us as to tell us to "stay in our place". The food was bad (very much geared to a very cheap french/european taste, even though Senegal is full of amazing food). We choose to eat at the nearby restaurants in the village which was much cheaper and much better quality. This place is a horrible representation and f what Senegal has to offer. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A RELAXING GOOD QUALITY VACATION STAY AWAY. These people are rude and insulting. Their privilege has deluded them to thinking that because they have this land in Senegal colonialism is alive and well, you can see in the way they treat their staff and their disrespect of our experience with them. There are many beautiful places go somewhere else.

Nous avons passé un séjour merveilleux au Bazouk du Saloum. Un lieu idyllique au coeur du Siné Saloum, sur l’île de Mar Lodj. Des bungalows individuels éparpillés sur un vaste espace de sable. Marie et Philippe et tous les membres de leur équipe nous ont reçus chaleureusement et avec une disponibilité de tous les instants. Ils ont organisé pour nous de multiples excursions qui nous ont permis de découvrir la mangrove, la vie des pêcheurs, la faune et tous ses oiseaux… Les repas à l’ombre de la végétation, un autre moment de découverte: Lotte, zébu, poulet, crevettes… tout était vraiment très bon! Je terminerai en vous parlant de l’écolodge qui contrairement à d’autres lieux, n’est pas une usurpation. La gestion de l’eau, de l’électricité, des déchets,… tout est géré de manière intelligente, au plus près de la nature. Le Bazouk s’investi auprès de l’association Ten Bi qui mène des actions dans les domaines de la santé et de l’éducation. En conclusion et vous l’avez compris, nous vous recommandons fortement ce lieu et nous n’avons plus qu’un désir: Y retourner ! Merci Sophie, Laurent & Léopold

Un très bel endroit avec une vue magnifique de 180°. Le calme et la sérénité. Les repas sont très bons. Le logement est moyen. Les bungalows sont très basiques et il y avait un problème d'eau, donc des mini douches possibles seulement. Nous avons passé tout de même un très bon week-end.