1966: Frédéric PAPP is born to a Hungarian father and a Congolese-Portuguese mother. He lives in Kinshasa, capital of Congo (former Zaire), until age 18. Travel, Nature and multiculturalism have always been part of his life.
1986: Continues higher studies in accounting in Brussels (Belgium). But the social, cultural and climate shock never allows him to truly flourish.
1987 - 1998: Luxury ready-to-wear salesman, international model, financial manager at the European Commission in Brussels.
1998: Passionate about the maritime world, made famous by Cousteau and Jules Verne's novels, he takes up studies in marine environment. With the State diploma in hand (awarded by the Antwerp Higher School of Navigation), he decides to turn yet another page of his life and becomes a professional skipper. Pleasure-yacht captain, yacht broker in Antibes... before finally creating his own host-boat concept. Croisiérement Votre is born in the French West Indies.
2003: Atlantic crossing on his sailing catamaran, returning to France to be closer to his son Shai.
2004 and 2006: Alek and Ilona are born in Antibes (France). Eyes still set on the horizon, he continues his quest, settling his young family on the opposite shore of the Mediterranean, in Tunisia (North Africa).
2010: On the eve of his 45th birthday, he heard the call of the continent of his childhood — that Africa he idealises and reveres: Dalaal Diam Village was born. Backed by a collective of friends, family and investors, he set out to create a village steeped in authenticity, fully self-sufficient, with one goal: to promote African culture and its art of living!
They launch an ambitious programme for global development, combining human development (summer camps for young people, farming and livestock), economic development (tourism and other activities), infrastructure (building architecture, services, bridges, dykes, tracks, wells…) and ecological development (reforestation, wildlife and plant conservation).
2012 and 2013: Many setbacks emerge. The initial programme falls short of its goals and several activities have to be dropped, mainly due to a lack of commitment from the management team. From then on, Dalaal Diam Village refocuses around the Eco Lodge concept. A significant share of the human and financial resources are devoted to reforestation with multiple species, both local and tropical: fruit trees and shrubs, ornamental plants, flowers, fragrant species, water networks, fish ponds.
2014: From 1 January, the Lodge Naturel finally opens to the public. Guest satisfaction grows month after month, helped by a fresh new energy: the enthusiastic involvement of his new partner, Céline. She has fully redesigned the interior decoration. She has also redesigned the website to revive the Eco Lodge's visibility online. And she is the written voice answering every request with speed.
To keep building momentum, all revenue is reinvested to continue finishing and decorating the buildings and gardens.
2015 - 2019: The years of consolidation Over the years, Dalaal Diam continued to change. The gardens grew, the facilities improved and the character of the place gradually took shape. Far from the standards of conventional hospitality, the project developed an original concept built on self-sufficiency, deliberate simplicity, the protection of nature and immersion in Senegalese culture.
This period was also marked by major investment in energy independence, water management, reforestation and the continuous improvement of the accommodation. Several thousand trees and shrubs were planted, gradually turning inhospitable land into a genuine haven of greenery.
2020 - 2021: Weathering the storm Like the whole of the global tourism sector, Dalaal Diam was hit hard by the Covid-19 health crisis. Despite the abrupt halt to international tourism, the choice was made to preserve the site, its animals, its jobs and its values.
This difficult period also became an opportunity to carry on with some of the development work and to reflect on the future of the project.
2022 - 2026: A stronger vision than ever After more than a decade of effort, Dalaal Diam has become far more than a simple eco-lodge. The estate now welcomes travellers in search of disconnection, nature and authenticity.
Alongside the tourism activity, an animal sanctuary has gradually taken shape. Rescued horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, birds and many other species find protection and kindness on the estate.
Still driven by the same passion for the sea and open spaces, Frédéric also continues his work as a professional skipper while devoting much of his energy to defending and developing Dalaal Diam.
The project keeps evolving despite the many obstacles encountered over the years. More than a tourism business, Dalaal Diam has become a human, family and environmental adventure, carried by the conviction that a different relationship with time, nature and living beings is possible.
The story continues to be written every day, with the visitors, the partners, the volunteers and everyone who helps keep this unique place alive.
So please come and be welcome... We need You! Your encouragement and your participation help us sustain and grow this programme. Thank you in advance!