Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Lac Rose
Also known as Lac Retba, this shallow lagoon surrounded by dunes is a popular day-trip
destination for
dakarois
and tourists alike, all coming to enjoy the calm and catch the
lake's magic trick - the subtle pink shimmer that sometimes colours its waves. The spec-
tacle is caused by the water's high salt content, which is 10 times that of your regular
ocean. It's a beautiful sight but can only be enjoyed when the light is right. Your best
chance is in dry season, when the sun is high. But even if nature refuses to put on her
show, a day out here is still enjoyable. You can swim in the lake, buoyed by the salt, or
check out the small-scale salt-collecting industry on its shores. And up until the demise of
the Dakar rally, Lac Rose is where the Sahara drivers would arrive and celebrate their vic-
tories or drown their woes.
Most hotels here are clustered near the Village Artisanal, a spot that's plagued by touts
and hustlers. One of the cheapest is
Chez Salim
( 33 836 2466;
www.chez-salim.com
;
d CFA20,000;
)
, with well-maintained bungalows set in a garden, but the best place is
Chevaux du Lac
(
77 630 0241;
www.chevauxdulac.com
; half board CFA22,000; horseback tours 1½/3hr CFA12,000/20,000;
)
on the other end of the lake. It's friendly and welcoming and offers tours around the lake
on horseback.
Trying to get here by public transport involves a journey by minibus,
car rapide
(CFA600) or DDD bus 11 to Keur Massar; from there it's a 5km walk to the lake. It's
much easier to hire a private taxi (round trip with some waiting time costs around
CFA18,000).
