Your stay — L'Orangeraie
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The Property — L'Orangeraie
L'Orangeraie is a calm, low-rise compound of whitewashed bungalows set among bougainvillea and palm trees, a 10-minute walk from the Somone Lagoon. It feels like a quiet, non-flashy place for independent travellers who want basic comfort and a pool without resort noise. The lobby is a simple, open-air reception with a fan and a stack of local brochures, not a stage for performance hospitality. It suits budget-aware couples or solo travellers spending most time outdoors, not those expecting airs or full-service luxury.
Chronicles of Somone
Somone began as a small Lébou fishing village, its economy centred on the lagoon and Atlantic harvest. French colonial influence never reached here with large-scale development, leaving the town a dusty grid of sandy streets lined with cashew and baobab trees. The 1990s saw a slow trickle of European tourists drawn by the calm lagoon and the nearby Bandia Reserve, prompting simple guesthouses and villas. Today it remains a low-key alternative to Saly's package-hotel strip, with a mixed Senegalese-expat community and a weekly market that sells fresh fish and hand-dyed textiles. Its identity is rooted in the lagoon's protected mangrove channels, which locals guard as a nursery for fish and birds.
Best Time to Visit
Full Somone guide →Best months
December to February: peak dry season, 25-30°C, low humidity, clear skies; crowds are moderate, not overwhelming.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak European summer holidays; airfares double and hotels fill fast for beach weekends despite the start of the rainy season. The main driver is school holidays in France and Belgium, not local festivals.
Budget shoulder season
May to June and September to October: cheaper rates, fewer tourists, still mostly dry in May-June, and wet but fresh in September after the rains break the heat.
Weather & packing
July is the start of the rainy season, so expect short, heavy downpours in the afternoon, often followed by strong sun. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and quick-dry clothing, not a heavy coat; also bring insect repellent for mosquitoes after rain.
Live City Briefing — Somone
- The new Dakar-Somone motorway extension (opened late 2025) cuts travel time from Blaise Diagne Airport to about 40 minutes, easing access from the airport.
- Several lagoon-side restaurants are adding shaded terraces this season after last year's mangrove protection rules restricted new permanent structures near the water.
- Local fishermen are reporting lower catches due to warmer sea temperatures; visitors may find fresh fish more expensive and limited on market days (Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to L'Orangeraie, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (or higher) facing the pool or garden side, away from the street. These offer better privacy and less road noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or the small courtyard where staff gather; also avoid rooms directly above the bar or kitchen area.
Best views
Poolside or garden-facing rooms; ocean views are not guaranteed from this 3-star property.
Quietest floors
First floor and above, particularly rooms with a pool or garden aspect.
🔊 Noise notes
Early morning sweep of the pool deck, occasional road noise from the Somone street, and boisterous evenings in the bar area.
Insider tips
Park in the secure lot to the rear if arriving by car. Check in early to grab a pool-facing upper room—these go quickly. The hotel offers free bike loan; ask at reception to explore Somone Lagoon.
- 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 — L'Orangeraie
Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and public areas. Speed is adequate for browsing and emails but not for streaming. No login required.
No lift. The property is single-storey with ground-floor rooms only.
Complimentary digital access to a limited selection of Senegalese dailies via a tablet in the lobby. No physical newspapers.
Check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop is allowed from 10:00 subject to availability. Late check-out until 12:00 costs 15,000 CFA.
Free for same-day storage before check-in or after check-out.
All rooms and common areas are step-free and wheelchair-accessible. No structural limitations.
Free on-site parking for up to 15 cars. No valet. Nearest public car park is along Route de Somone, about 200 m away, also free. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A deposit of 50% of the total stay is charged at booking. At check-in, a card hold of 30,000 CFA is taken for incidentals.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
NSIA — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Toubh somone.C — 347 m · ~4 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 counters and tourist-area bureaux which give poor rates.
Card payment is accepted at mid-range hotels and some larger shops, but most small businesses and markets are cash-only; contactless is rare.
Restaurants: 5-10% if service charge isn't included. Taxis: round up to the nearest 500-1000 CFA. Hotel staff: 1000-2000 CFA per bag or service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee (Nescafé) at a local buvette or roadside stall: about 400-600 CFA.
A thieboudienne or yassa plate at a small local eatery (cafeteria): 1,500-2,500 CFA.
Grilled fish with rice at a beachfront cabane: main around 2,500-3,500 CFA.
Along the main road (RN1) through Somone there are small stalls and mobile vendors selling brochettes, grilled corn, and fatayas; also the morning fish market has cheap fried fish.
No budget supermarket chains in Somone; buy basics at small boutiques (increased prices) or stock up at the Auchan in Saly about 15 minutes north.
The weekly market (Thursday) in nearby Mbour has cheap second-hand clothing stalls and local fabrics; Somone itself has few options.
Shared sept-place (Peugeot 504) from Somone to Mbour: 200-300 CFA. From Dakar airport (DSS): take a sept-place from the airport to Mbour (1,500 CFA) then a local taxi to Somone (1,000 CFA). A direct taxi from airport to Somone is 15,000-20,000 CFA.
Buy fresh fish and produce at the local market rather than restaurants. Avoid Sunday dinner when many places charge holiday menus. Share a pirogue trip (boat) with other travellers rather than chartering alone.
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 L'Orangeraie
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · NSIA — 1.9 km · ~24 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at L'Orangeraie?
Request a room on the first floor (or higher) facing the pool or garden side, away from the street. These offer better privacy and less road noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at L'Orangeraie?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or the small courtyard where staff gather; also avoid rooms directly above the bar or kitchen area.
Is L'Orangeraie noisy?
Early morning sweep of the pool deck, occasional road noise from the Somone street, and boisterous evenings in the bar area.
Which rooms have the best views at L'Orangeraie?
Poolside or garden-facing rooms; ocean views are not guaranteed from this 3-star property.
What are insider tips for staying at L'Orangeraie?
Park in the secure lot to the rear if arriving by car. Check in early to grab a pool-facing upper room—these go quickly. The hotel offers free bike loan; ask at reception to explore Somone Lagoon.
What time is check-in at L'Orangeraie?
Check-in at L'Orangeraie is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does L'Orangeraie have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and public areas. Speed is adequate for browsing and emails but not for streaming. No login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at L'Orangeraie?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near L'Orangeraie?
A thieboudienne or yassa plate at a small local eatery (cafeteria): 1,500-2,500 CFA.
What is the cheapest way to get around from L'Orangeraie?
Shared sept-place (Peugeot 504) from Somone to Mbour: 200-300 CFA. From Dakar airport (DSS): take a sept-place from the airport to Mbour (1,500 CFA) then a local taxi to Somone (1,000 CFA). A direct taxi from airport to Somone is 15,000-20,000 CFA.
When is the best time to visit Somone?
December to February: peak dry season, 25-30°C, low humidity, clear skies; crowds are moderate, not overwhelming.
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.