Somone Lagoon
Just 80 kilometers from Dakar and the Terrou-Bi luxury hotel, the Somone lagoon is a natural setting that plays host to thousands of birds all year round.
Whether you're with family or friends, you'll enjoy a 100% nature experience. Young and old alike will marvel at this authentic spectacle in the heart of the nature reserve.
Somone’s nature reserve
To the southeast of Dakar, the Petite Côte stretches 70 km between the villages of Rufisque and Joal, birthplace of Léopold Sédar Senghor. It is here that the village of Somone itself nestles in the heart of the eponymous lagoon. Both owe their name to the Somone river, which rises in the Ndiass mountains before flowing into the Atlantic Ocean.
The village of La Somone is a traditional fishing village that lives in osmosis with an exceptional natural environment: the lagoon. The lagoon is the mouth of the river, separated from the ocean by a sandbar, and is a nature reserve known for its numerous species of migratory birds from Europe.
Grey pelicans, flamingos, herons, ring-necked turnstones, curlews, marsh harriers and little egrets make the most of these 700 hectares of forests, mangroves and sandbanks, which ebb and flow with the tides. A remarkable ecosystem for the 175 bird species present on the ornithological site.
Birdwatching in the Somone Lagoon
The lagoon can be explored from a boat, or along a 1.2 km-long ecological trail. Naturally, a good pair of binoculars will enable you to observe the birds in this haven of tranquility. Silence is essential to avoid disturbing them. Waiting, watching the almost stationary flight of a bird of prey before diving on it, listening to the quacking of a pink flamingo... Your senses are on alert for this immersive experience in the Somone lagoon.
Enjoy birdwatching at sunrise or sunset. These two times of day are particularly good for observing birds and all the other animals living in the Somone lagoon nature reserve.
The white sandy beach of Somone
After or before a visit to the lagoon, take advantage of the magnificent fine-sand beach, whose waters are always calm thanks to the Cape Verde peninsula that protects it from the sea winds. Depending on the season and your mood, you can take endless walks with your partner on the immaculate white sand, laze in the sun or swim with your family... Somone beach is a pure moment of relaxation in a postcard setting. And for bird-watchers, it's not unusual to see terns and black kites waiting for fishermen to return to take their share of the spoils!
The Terrou-Bi hotel advises and accompanies you on a day trip to the Somone lagoon. All you need to do is bring your camera and binoculars.