Tama Lodge, An Ideal Africa
With its seven huts lying on the bare ground of a desert beach of the Small Coast, the Tama Lodge is an excellent example a certain way of life that has no cause to be jealous of the best finest hotels. The simplicity is a bonus.
A moment of idleness
Forget about the rather depressing image of touristic hotels that lie next to each other on the Small Coast near Sally. Further South, over by Mbour, the beach is as beautiful and it is just for you and the inhabitants of this fishing port who sail their pirogue in a celebratory atmosphere every day.
With their round windows that look like two big eyes wearing eye shadow, the TamaLodge's huts have something of those traditional masks. Lying on the bare ground, under the palm trees, they invite you to enjoy a moment of idleness under the sun of Senegal. You are definitely on the Western Coast of Africa.
Why should you go?
To discover a timeless place. The Tama Lodge was created by a Frenchman who fell in love with this part of the Small Coast. When Philipe discovered this piece of deserted beach, he built a first bungalow. Then a second for his children. The rest followed very naturally. It was Babeth, his daughter, who took care of the decoration of the lodge which now counts seven huts, a restaurant and a lovely boutique. Philipe being an informed amateur of African art, the place is full of objects that naturally find their place in the bedrooms and the common areas. Babeth, who also creates a line of ethnic-inspired jewels, has made sure the accommodation would be comfortable as well as friendly.
The authenticity of the decoration is adorable. In the huts with straw roofs, the raw-wood beds are covered with Mauritanian plaits and are draped in white cotton mosquito nets. Simplicity and elegance. Every element of the decoration exists for its utility and its authenticity. A calabash here and a basket-work there. Not to mention a fan that is humming on the roof and endeavours to blow the air, softened by the nearby ocean.
The atmosphere at the Tama Lodge is nicely relaxed. Here the pleasures are as simple as varied: beach, rest, promenades along the coast and stroll along the fishing port of Mbour. By staying at the Tama Lodge you soon become meditative. Why should you get agitated when your living space is a permanent show, a place of encounters and connections. A real gastronomic stage as well...
The best The Royal Hut which deserves its name. Overhanging the garden, it displays its roundness of ochre cob on a blue sky background. Designed like the Malian houses, it offers two bedrooms with nice terraces. Here too, the decoration is carefully chosen.
Forget about the rather depressing image of touristic hotels that lie next to each other on the Small Coast near Sally. Further South, over by Mbour, the beach is as beautiful and it is just for you and the inhabitants of this fishing port who sail their pirogue in a celebratory atmosphere every day.
With their round windows that look like two big eyes wearing eye shadow, the TamaLodge's huts have something of those traditional masks. Lying on the bare ground, under the palm trees, they invite you to enjoy a moment of idleness under the sun of Senegal. You are definitely on the Western Coast of Africa.
Why should you go?
To discover a timeless place. The Tama Lodge was created by a Frenchman who fell in love with this part of the Small Coast. When Philipe discovered this piece of deserted beach, he built a first bungalow. Then a second for his children. The rest followed very naturally. It was Babeth, his daughter, who took care of the decoration of the lodge which now counts seven huts, a restaurant and a lovely boutique. Philipe being an informed amateur of African art, the place is full of objects that naturally find their place in the bedrooms and the common areas. Babeth, who also creates a line of ethnic-inspired jewels, has made sure the accommodation would be comfortable as well as friendly.
The authenticity of the decoration is adorable. In the huts with straw roofs, the raw-wood beds are covered with Mauritanian plaits and are draped in white cotton mosquito nets. Simplicity and elegance. Every element of the decoration exists for its utility and its authenticity. A calabash here and a basket-work there. Not to mention a fan that is humming on the roof and endeavours to blow the air, softened by the nearby ocean.
The atmosphere at the Tama Lodge is nicely relaxed. Here the pleasures are as simple as varied: beach, rest, promenades along the coast and stroll along the fishing port of Mbour. By staying at the Tama Lodge you soon become meditative. Why should you get agitated when your living space is a permanent show, a place of encounters and connections. A real gastronomic stage as well...
The best The Royal Hut which deserves its name. Overhanging the garden, it displays its roundness of ochre cob on a blue sky background. Designed like the Malian houses, it offers two bedrooms with nice terraces. Here too, the decoration is carefully chosen.
Novembre 2008
By Christian-Luc PARISON
