Patrick’s Lodge *****

INTERVIEW OF CORALIE
CREATOR AND OWNER OF PATRICK’S LODGE

What is the story of your family hotel lodge in Senegal?

Since I was 12, we have travelled to West Africa in family. We have always been attracted by this region of the world. We visited Gambia, Sierra Leone and especially Senegal. We love this country and especially we have a deep respect and real affection for the Senegalese people. They are very endearing, welcoming and radiant. Senegalese people always have a smile.

It was a dream of my father to develop a real family project in Senegal. And when that day arrived, we first decided to build an intimate vacation home where we would meet with the family for one week per year, rather than staying in a luxury hotel with other vacationers. By talking a little, we realized that many people were also looking for a haven of peace in which to relax with family or friends. We therefore thought to develop this project into a private hotel lodge for demanding families. We hope that the lodge will remain a « secret » place where happy smalas meet to enjoy a 5* service while feeling at home.

What do you think makes Senegal a family destination?

It is lovely to stay in Senegal with the family. Not only is it a destination that is accessible by many direct flights from Europe but above all, it is one of the only countries in West Africa that is completely secure.

The population is warm and places the family and the well-being of toddlers at the heart of its values. Like all Africans, there is nothing more precious to them than a child. One only has to see how the staff of the lodge (entirely composed of locals) and more particularly, the nannies take care of the little ones. Senegalese have this other way of conceiving childhood and motherhood. They make the children of others their own and the Senegalese culture gives way to beautiful scenes like a nanny who was wearing in a sheet on his back a young baby who was staying with his parents at the estate.

I also think of our friend Owl, who deals with the kids club and excursions dedicated to children. These awaken them to nature by taking walks in the reserve where he invites them to recognize the songs of the birds, to know their diets and their hunting techniques. In a world where everything is going too fast, it’s a pleasure to see children marvel at the nature of things. Senegal is a land of tradition and « truth » for all families who wish to take a break. Family activities are not lacking in Senegal buet, above all, they are out of the ordinary thanks to th preserved wild nature.

Can you tell us about the kids club and your children’s services?

Our kids-club is an outdoor space that may seem primitive at first, but it was our desire to offer children games made of wood and recycled materials that are inspired by African nature. There are wooden swings, tire-shaped giraffe seats, ring throwing and many other games of skill and waking. The children’s house also has a play area with large boxes filled with PLAYMOBIL® figures, board games and storybooks.

We also offer a lot of excursions adapted to grown-ups, but also to teenagers, such as trips in canoes, fishing alongside a local expert and the visit to neighboring villages where our little guests can mingle with the local children for a collective dance punctuated by some djembes. Owl comes from one of these villages and regularly invites children to live the daily life of its inhabitants, for example by assisting with the birth of a calf or the movement of a herd of donkeys. Sports and water activities are also organized in the lodge, such as table tennis, petanque, paddle, badminton, surfing, mountain biking, equestrian rides, quad or canoe or snowshoeing.

For infants, we have an extraordinary babysitting service thanks to our endearing and dedicated nannies, but also a large number of equipment such as the loan of pacifiers, strollers, baby bottles, car seats, high chairs.

What do children eat at the lodge?

Senegal is working miracles for children! Even for those who hate fish… Here, they can eat breaded monkfish every day because they are convinced that they are chicken nuggets! Every day our chef prepares meals based on what the garden offers, returns from fishing and small local producers. Simple dishes, refined, full of flavors cooked with love … That’s all we expect from a talented cook with a big heart.

Our menu offers mostly fish, accompanied by spicy herbal sauces and exotic tree fruits such as bissap or baobab, all served with white rice and vegetables stewed in tajine broth. Senegalese are also keen on zebu meat, a kind of thin rib with French bone pickled with ginger or basil. In Senegal, the aromatics do not have the same taste as in Europe. They are much higher, which generally appeals to parents.

Our chef is also a specialist in tempura, madeleines and sorbets. She loves to cook dinner in front of the kids. They sit on the work plan and carefully observe her every move. She sometimes cooks them sweet potato fries or carrot chips. Our chef is really very talented. In just an hour, she learned to cook a tartare and it is the best tartare we’ve ever tasted!

Breakfast is an important meal at the lodge. Our guests are served delicious home-made products such as granola, chia pudding, coconut fruit and milk, pieces of bread and cakes, juices and detox waters, and more.

FOR THE CHILDREN

Good news: children from 0 to 3 years old stay for free in Patrick's Lodge!

Children are kings at Patrick's Lodge! Upon arrival, they enjoy many privileges: games, books, welcome gifts, not forgetting a tailor-made recreational programme. The kids have a free and atypical outdoor kids club, built entirely from local materials.

Secured and animated, the children's club is the ideal place to learn the secrets of African culture and Senegalese nature, before learning about hiking, cycling, ping-pong, paddle and many other sports and nautical activities.

The children have their own house in the area. Named "Chicouff", it is ideally located near the parental suites. Inside, there are 10 beds in 2 luxury dormitories, whose walls are home to beautiful colourful frescoes inspired by African fauna.

The lodge provides parents with a large number of equipments to facilitate the stay of the little ones, such as the loan of strollers, car seats, high chairs, cribs or baby phones. A free high-quality babysitting service is also available for parents who wish to have a personal meeting with friends or with friends.

In addition to a large pharmacy and the presence of a nurse in the neighboring village, a pediatrician is also available 24 hours a day in case of minor injuries. By the way, do not panic if you or your little ones are bitten by small reptiles: those who live in the area are not usually poisonous or dangerous and the staff of the lodge always has aspi-venins and antidotes on hand!

FAMILY EXPERIENCES

Senegal is a land of traditions that the lodge's staff invites you to discover during your family excursions. Accompanied by fascinating guides, go for a walk in the Saloum Salines or share a meal with a resident of Djilor village, before dancing with your toddlers on the rhythmic drums. The traditional market held in the village every Wednesday is also a unique experience not to be missed!

The favourite activity of the families is definitely trips by canoe to the neighbouring islands. You float on the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean before ending your trip with a delicious picnic on a pristine white sand beach. This beach is also owned by the owner of the lodge who has installed luxurious tents in which you can spend the night and play Robinson Crusoe!

Adventurous tribes roam the pampas from all four wheels of their quads, freely available at the reception of the lodge. Parents put their eldest in the passenger seat, safely.

The Accro-Baobab is also an outdoor activity that appeals to the whole family. This family-friendly and friendly park with branches (located only 1h30 from the lodge) invites the little ones to discover the joys of climbing and speleology for a few euros. Several courses are organized according to the age of your toddlers. We are ready to play, we encourage, your baby is proud, your baby smiles!

The Bandia Natural Reserve is the best way to discover all the main species of Africa : giraffes, monkeys, zebras, crocodiles, elephants, etc. Located 90 minutes from the lodge, your private driver will be happy to bring you and your toddlers there.

FOR THE PARENTS

Nature lovers will not know where to turn, as there are many excursions in the region. We think in particular of horseback riding, or the birdwatching that awaits you in the nature reserve.

For those who prefer the waves to the mainland, we recommend a trip to the sea. A local fisherman gives you all its secrets and assists you in what will probably become your best catch in the Atlantic Ocean. At dinner, it's you who enjoy!

Sports parents can try kitesurfing in the Bay of Somone (1h40) or get behind the wheel of a kart car at the Sindia racing circuit (1h40) before improving their swing on the 18-hole golf course at Saly (1h40).

If you want to enjoy your stay without leaving the estate, go to the spa or fitness room of the lodge. The spa is free for the lucky ones who privatized the Lodge : no fewer than 6 hours are available every day! Relax with a body massage after burning a few calories on the sports centre's many state-of-the-art machines.

All the while, baby will be pampered by his/her adorable nannies.