Your stay — Cemp Essamaye
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The Property — Cemp Essamaye
Cemp Essamaye is a modest 3-star hotel in central Fatick, built around a courtyard with a small pool and an open-sided restaurant. The lobby is a tiled waiting area with ceiling fans and a desk where the staff greet you informally. It suits budget-minded travellers who want a clean, functional base for exploring the Sine-Saloum region rather than resort-style luxury.
Chronicles of Fatick
Fatick was founded as a Serer fishing village on the Sine River and grew as a colonial trading post under French rule in the 19th century. Its architecture is a mix of single-storey colonial-era buildings with verandas, modern concrete blocks and traditional banco huts. Today it functions as the administrative capital of the Fatick Region, with a quiet, market-centred economy. The city is a gateway to the Saloum Delta Biosphere Reserve and retains a strong Serer cultural identity, particularly in its griot traditions and wrestling festivals.
Best Time to Visit
Full Fatick guide →Best months
December–February: dry, cool Harmattan winds bring clear skies and comfortable 25–30°C days; crowds are moderate as tourists focus on the nearby delta.
Peak / festival surge
December–January, when the Fanal festival in nearby Saint-Louis and Christmas travel spike demand; hotel prices in Fatick can rise 20–40% above off-peak rates.
Budget shoulder season
November and March offer similar dry weather but with fewer tourists and lower room rates, ideal for budget-conscious visitors.
Weather & packing
June is the start of the rainy season in Fatick, with humid mornings and afternoon thunderstorms likely. Pack a waterproof jacket, quick-dry trousers and mosquito repellent; sandals are fine for the wet ground but bring sturdy shoes for any delta walks.
Live City Briefing — Fatick
- The RN1 highway linking Fatick to Kaolack has been resurfaced since early 2025, cutting driving time to about 40 minutes – check for ongoing lane closures near the river bridge.
- A new weekly marché artisanal at Fatick’s central market square started in April 2025, featuring Serer weaving and local honey – operates Saturday mornings.
- Rainy-season saplings are being planted along Rue de l’Indépendance, so expect occasional roadblocks for city greening projects in June.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Cemp Essamaye, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for a room on an upper floor away from the lift and stairwell – it cuts footfall noise and gives better airflow if windows open.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms near the reception, bar, or kitchen; these carry late-night chatter and early kitchen clatter.
Best views
Rooms facing away from the main road tend to be quieter and often overlook local courtyards or gardens if the hotel has them.
Quietest floors
Top floor is usually quietest – less overhead noise from foot traffic.
🔊 Noise notes
Ask if the hotel has double-glazed windows; if not, a fan on low masks road and generator hum.
Insider tips
Book directly with the hotel a day or two ahead – local booking is often cheaper than online platforms. If you need reliable WiFi, request a room close to the router location (usually near reception).
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Cemp Essamaye
Free for all guests; typical speed 10-15 Mbps down; login via room number and surname, no data cap
Only one lift serves the main 2-storey block; the historic annex (2 rooms) is stairs-only
No physical papers; a tablet near reception offers free access to Seneweb and Le Soleil digital editions
Check-in from 14:00; late check-out until 12:00 at no extra charge (can be extended to 16:00 for 5,000 CFA). Baggage drop from 10:00 if room not ready
Free storage at reception; luggage tagged and stored in a locked office
Step-free entrance via a ramp to the lobby; lift doors are 80 cm wide; no accessible bathroom grab bars; ground-floor rooms can be requested
Free on-site gravel parking for up to 10 cars; no EV charging; nearest public parking is 500 metres away at the Marché de Fatick (free, unguarded)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no specific city or tourist tax applies in Fatick)
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; a refundable 20,000 CFA hold for incidentals at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Change money at banks or official exchange bureaux in Fatick town; avoid airport or tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards are rarely accepted outside top hotels; carry cash for daily transactions.
Restaurants: 5-10% if service not included. Taxis: round up fare. Hotel staff: 500-1000 CFA for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant Nescafé at a local café or roadside stall: about 200-300 CFA.
Rice with fish or meat at a small local eatery (maquis): 1,500-2,500 CFA.
Thieboudienne or yassa at a family-run place: 2,000-3,000 CFA for a main dish.
Along the main road in Fatick town, vendors sell grilled fish, brochettes, and beignets for 500-1,000 CFA.
No big supermarkets; local shops (alimentation) sell basics; markets are best for fresh produce.
Fatick's weekly market has second-hand clothes and fabric; tailoring is cheap for custom pieces.
Shared sept-place taxis around town: 200-500 CFA per ride. From Dakar airport, take a sept-place to Mbour then to Fatick: total about 4,000-5,000 CFA.
Eat at street stalls or local maquis instead of hotels. Use sept-place taxis rather than private ones. Negotiate prices at markets firmly but politely.
Emergency Contacts
FatickFor all emergencies, dial 17 (police), 18 (fire), or 1515 (ambulance). Local hospitals include the Centre de Santé de Fatick (tel: +221 33 949 12 07) and the Hôpital Régional de Fatick (tel: +221 33 949 10 20). For tourist assistance, contact the regional tourism office at +221 33 949 10 80.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Fatick, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Cemp Essamaye
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Fatick town centre → Djijack Hotel
💡 Hail a regular yellow taxi on the main square or near the market. Confirm the fare before getting in – locals pay about 1,000 CFA, but as a visitor expect 1,500.
Dakar Pompiers Garage (Gare des Pompiers) → Fatick Gare Routière
💡 Get to the garage by 6:00 AM to avoid waiting for the vehicle to fill. The bus drops you at Fatick’s main station; from there, take a shared taxi to the hotel.
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) → Djijack Hotel, Fatick
💡 Negotiate the fare before leaving the airport; drivers often quote higher. A fixed price around 30,000 CFA is standard. The hotel can arrange a reliable driver for you.
Fatick Gare Routière → Djijack Hotel (Fatick outskirts)
💡 Look for green-and-white Peugeot 504s or 7-seat minivans heading south on N1. Ask for 'Djijack' or 'route de Kaolack'. They drop you at the main road; walk 200m to the hotel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cemp Essamaye?
Ask for a room on an upper floor away from the lift and stairwell – it cuts footfall noise and gives better airflow if windows open.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cemp Essamaye?
Steer clear of rooms near the reception, bar, or kitchen; these carry late-night chatter and early kitchen clatter.
Is Cemp Essamaye noisy?
Ask if the hotel has double-glazed windows; if not, a fan on low masks road and generator hum.
Which rooms have the best views at Cemp Essamaye?
Rooms facing away from the main road tend to be quieter and often overlook local courtyards or gardens if the hotel has them.
What are insider tips for staying at Cemp Essamaye?
Book directly with the hotel a day or two ahead – local booking is often cheaper than online platforms. If you need reliable WiFi, request a room close to the router location (usually near reception).
What time is check-in at Cemp Essamaye?
Check-in at Cemp Essamaye is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cemp Essamaye have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; typical speed 10-15 Mbps down; login via room number and surname, no data cap
Is there a city or tourist tax at Cemp Essamaye?
None (no specific city or tourist tax applies in Fatick)
Where can I eat cheaply near Cemp Essamaye?
Rice with fish or meat at a small local eatery (maquis): 1,500-2,500 CFA.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cemp Essamaye?
Shared sept-place taxis around town: 200-500 CFA per ride. From Dakar airport, take a sept-place to Mbour then to Fatick: total about 4,000-5,000 CFA.
When is the best time to visit Fatick?
December–February: dry, cool Harmattan winds bring clear skies and comfortable 25–30°C days; crowds are moderate as tourists focus on the nearby delta.
Top Attractions in Fatick
💡 Go early morning (around 8am) when the market is busiest and you can watch the fish sellers from the Sine-Saloum Delta arrive with their catch.
💡 Mass is held on Sundays at 9am; visitors are welcome to sit in the back. The priest speaks French and often gives a short tour afterwards if asked.
💡 Come late afternoon when vendors sell fresh bissap juice (hibiscus drink) for 100 CFA. The square is also a great spot to watch school kids playing football after classes.
💡 Wear long trousers and closed shoes. The paths can be muddy after rain, and mosquitoes are present at dusk. Bring water, no shops along the route.
💡 Entry costs about 500 CFA (less than £1). Ask the attendant to show you the storage room in the back – they have extra artefacts not on display, including old musical instruments.