Your stay — Africa Queen
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The Property — Africa Queen
Africa Queen is a compact 3-star hotel just off the N1 highway in Somone, set back from the beach in a quiet residential area. The lobby feels like a small, airy reception room with a terracotta-tiled floor, a few armchairs, and a counter manned by a sleepy clerk — functional rather than welcoming. Its main draw is the rooftop terrace with views over the lagoon, and the simple courtyard pool that families with kids tend to occupy. This place suits budget-conscious travellers or divers who want a clean base for exploring the Petite Côte, not a characterful or pampered stay.
Chronicles of Somone
Somone was a small fishing village until the 1980s, when the paved road from Dakar and nearby Mbour turned it into a weekend escape. Its lagoon — a brackish estuary protected as a community reserve — became the anchor for tourism, with pirogue trips through mangroves replacing most fishing as the local trade. The architectural mix is low-rise: concrete villas, thatched-roof cabanas, and a handful of 1990s guesthouses in pale pastels facing the beach strip. Today it lives as a sleepy resort town catering largely to Senegalese families and European package tourists, retaining a dusty, unhurried vibe.
Best Time to Visit
Full Somone guide →Best months
November and December: the rains have just ended, humidity is low, daytime temperatures sit around 28°C, and the lagoon is full and green — perfect for birdwatching on the islands. January is also excellent but chillier at night.
Peak / festival surge
Peak season runs from late December through February, driven by European winter sun-seekers and the Dakar rally crowds in January. Hotel prices on the Petite Côte roughly double during this stretch. The main local event is the Somone Lagoon Festival (usually February), a small music and pirogue regatta that fills the few hotels.
Budget shoulder season
March and April offer the best compromise: still dry and hot (32°C), but saisonnière French tourists are back home, so shops and rooms have vacancy. You get quieter beaches and up to 40% off peak rates at 3-star hotels like this one.
Weather & packing
The July visit falls during the wet season — expect brief, heavy downpours in the late afternoon or overnight, not all-day drizzle. The rule is: bring a light rain jacket and waterproof sandals for the unpaved paths; the sun will be just as strong between showers, so pack SPF 50 and a wide-brim hat.
Live City Briefing — Somone
- The N1 highway bridge over the Somone lagoon was reconstructed in 2023, smoothing the drive from Dakar (now about 1h 40min instead of 2h+).
- A new Super U supermarket opened in Mbour (15 min south) in early 2025, making self-catering easier for hotel guests who want to avoid restaurant prices.
- The Somone Lagoon Reserve has introduced a mandatory guide fee (10,000 CFA per group) from 2026; you cannot rent a pirogue without a certified guide.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Africa Queen, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor facing the courtyard or garden side, away from the street. These rooms are quieter and have a better chance of cross-ventilation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or the side alley, as staff noise and foot traffic from the bar area can carry. Also skip rooms directly above the entrance if they face the main road.
Best views
Ask for a room with a balcony overlooking the courtyard or the garden – the limited greenery offers a more peaceful outlook than the road side.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are generally quieter, being farther from street-level noise and the ground-floor bar.
🔊 Noise notes
Somone's main road can have passing cars and scooters from early morning. The hotel bar can be lively until late, especially on weekends. Some rooms near the service entrance might get early-morning kitchen deliveries.
Insider tips
Check in by mid-afternoon to secure a courtyard-facing room – that's the quietest side. If you drive, confirm parking availability at booking; street parking is limited and can be tight.
- 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 — Africa Queen
Free WiFi in all rooms and common areas; typical speed 15 Mbps download, sufficient for video calls. No login — just connect and accept terms.
No lift. Two-storey hotel with exterior stairs; ground-floor rooms available.
No digital newsstand. Complimentary physical copies of Le Soleil and L'Observateur at reception daily.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed if room not ready. Check-out by 12:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 15,000 XOF; after 14:00 is half-night rate.
Free for same-day arrivals and departures; longer term on request only.
No step-free access to main entrance — small step. Ground-floor rooms have no steps inside. No wheelchair-accessible bathroom modifications. Limited assistance from staff.
Free on-site parking for about 20 cars on a sandy lot, first-come first-served; no valet. Nearest public car park is 5 minutes walk (no formal tariff). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full stay charged at booking; 50,000 XOF incidental hold on a credit card at check-in.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
La Somone — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
Namika — 731 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Change money at banks or official exchange bureaux in Mbour or Dakar; avoid airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted at mid-range hotels and some restaurants in Somone, but cash is king for small shops, taxis, and markets.
Tip 5-10% at restaurants if no service charge; round up taxi fares; give 1,000-2,000 XOF to hotel staff for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Nescafé or instant coffee at a local café or bakery, about 500 XOF.
Thieboudienne or yassa poulet at a local canteen or small restaurant, about 2,500-3,500 XOF.
Grilled fish with rice and vegetables from a beachside grill, main about 4,000 XOF.
Along the main road through Somone and near the lagoon ferry point, find fataya (fried dough with fish) and grilled brochettes for 500-1,500 XOF.
Small local boutiques and a moderate-sized supermarket (like Casino or City Dia) in Mbour, about 15 km north.
Local markets in Mbour or the Sandaga market in Dakar for cheap clothes; nothing dedicated in Somone itself.
Shared sept-place taxi (7-seat Peugeot) to Mbour or Dakar costs 500-1,500 XOF; airport transfer by shared minibus to Somone about 10,000-15,000 XOF.
Eat at local spots rather than tourist lodges; buy bottled water and snacks at boutiques, not hotel minibars; bargain firmly but politely at markets.
Emergency Contacts
SomoneIn Senegal, dial 17 for police, 15 for ambulance, and 18 for fire. For general emergencies or tourist assistance, call the national emergency number 116 (available for non-urgent advice) or contact the local gendarmerie at 16.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Somone, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Africa Queen
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · La Somone — 1.5 km · ~18 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Somone Junction (N1) → Havre de Paix, Somone
💡 Flag one down at the main road junction west of the hotel. They usually fill up before leaving; expect a cramped seat for short haul.
Ceebu Jen Stop, Somone → Saly Station
💡 Get off at the Mbour/Saly junction then take a local taxi to Havre de Paix. Buses are old Peugeot 504s; sit near a window that opens.
Anywhere in central Dakar → Centre Culturel Dieufe Dieule
💡 Use the Yango app instead of hailing on street—flat fare 1,500–2,000 CFA within Dakar. Orange taxis are unmetered; agree a price before starting.
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) → Havre de Paix, Somone
💡 Email the hotel a day before arrival; they send a reliable driver with your name on a board. Slightly cheaper than freelance taxis and no haggling.
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) → Havre de Paix, Somone
💡 Fix the price before getting in. Expect 25,000–30,000 CFA. Avoid drivers inside the terminal; walk out to the car park to haggle.
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) → Centre Culturel Dieufe Dieule
💡 Negotiate the fare before you get in. Official fixed-price booths near arrivals charge 30,000 CFA. Drivers outside may ask 40,000–50,000 CFA. Stay firm.
Place de l'Indépendance (central stop) → Centre Culturel Dieufe Dieule
💡 Bus 2 or 7 drop you about 500 m from the centre. Have exact change; conductors don't break large notes. The stop is signposted 'Sicap Liberté'.
Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) → Gare des Bateaux, Dakar (near hotel)
💡 Cheaper than a standard taxi at 5,000 CFA per person. Runs to the ferry terminal; then it’s a 10-minute walk to Dieufe Dieule. Buy ticket at the airport kiosk.
About Somone
Wikipedia ↗
West Africa, also known as Western Africa, is the westernmost region of Africa. The United Nations defines Western Africa as the 16 countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, a...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Africa Queen?
Request a room on the second floor facing the courtyard or garden side, away from the street. These rooms are quieter and have a better chance of cross-ventilation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Africa Queen?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or the side alley, as staff noise and foot traffic from the bar area can carry. Also skip rooms directly above the entrance if they face the main road.
Is Africa Queen noisy?
Somone's main road can have passing cars and scooters from early morning. The hotel bar can be lively until late, especially on weekends. Some rooms near the service entrance might get early-morning kitchen deliveries.
Which rooms have the best views at Africa Queen?
Ask for a room with a balcony overlooking the courtyard or the garden – the limited greenery offers a more peaceful outlook than the road side.
What are insider tips for staying at Africa Queen?
Check in by mid-afternoon to secure a courtyard-facing room – that's the quietest side. If you drive, confirm parking availability at booking; street parking is limited and can be tight.
What time is check-in at Africa Queen?
Check-in at Africa Queen is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Africa Queen have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in all rooms and common areas; typical speed 15 Mbps download, sufficient for video calls. No login — just connect and accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Africa Queen?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Africa Queen?
Thieboudienne or yassa poulet at a local canteen or small restaurant, about 2,500-3,500 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Africa Queen?
Shared sept-place taxi (7-seat Peugeot) to Mbour or Dakar costs 500-1,500 XOF; airport transfer by shared minibus to Somone about 10,000-15,000 XOF.
When is the best time to visit Somone?
November and December: the rains have just ended, humidity is low, daytime temperatures sit around 28°C, and the lagoon is full and green — perfect for birdwatching on the islands. January is also excellent but chillier at night.
Top Attractions in Somone
💡 Head to the southern end near the lagoon mouth for quieter spots and better shell collecting.
💡 Go at low tide for the best bird spotting; the guides at the boat launch area offer 45-minute trips for about 5000 CFA.
💡 Arrive before 9am for the best action. Don't photograph people without asking — a polite smile and 'bonjour' goes a long way. Buy fresh fish cheaply if you have cooking facilities.
💡 Buying direct from the maker at the back stalls gets you lower prices and more personal stories.
💡 Avoid the rocks at the southern end. For a quieter stretch, walk 15 minutes north past the baobab tree. No shade — bring an umbrella.
💡 Combine this with a short walk to the nearby 'Arbre de la Paix' (Peace Tree) planted in 2010 – a local photo spot.
💡 Go early morning (7-8am) for the best bird activity. Check tide times at the tourist office — at high tide the sandbar disappears.
💡 Visit at sunset for the best light; take insect repellent as mosquitoes can be active.