Senegambia Beach, Gambia
Discussion
We went a few years ago, but stayed next door at the Kairaba. We went into the Senegambia's gardens a couple of times for the morning vulture feeding (has to be seen - there's loads of them). TBH it looked a bit in need of refurbishment in some areas. If I went again I'd still stay at the Kairaba.
The resort itself is OK, but suffers from the main Gambia affliction - bumsters. Basically you get ambushed by the locals every time you go outside the hotel grounds. It's never really intimidating, but it does get to be a bl**dy nuisance after a while. Having said that, I'm glad I went because the hotel was great, some of the restaurants along the strip were nice, and the excursions we did were well worthwhile (James Island, Makasutu Nature Forest, and a general day out in an ex-Swiss Army truck where we visited a school and an old village and had lunch by the beach).
We were there in mid-Feb, and it was around 30C every day. The sea can be a bit rough and isn't that warm, so stick to the pool.
ETA: Just uploaded a few photo's if you're interested - http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/s7paul/Gam...
The resort itself is OK, but suffers from the main Gambia affliction - bumsters. Basically you get ambushed by the locals every time you go outside the hotel grounds. It's never really intimidating, but it does get to be a bl**dy nuisance after a while. Having said that, I'm glad I went because the hotel was great, some of the restaurants along the strip were nice, and the excursions we did were well worthwhile (James Island, Makasutu Nature Forest, and a general day out in an ex-Swiss Army truck where we visited a school and an old village and had lunch by the beach).
We were there in mid-Feb, and it was around 30C every day. The sea can be a bit rough and isn't that warm, so stick to the pool.
ETA: Just uploaded a few photo's if you're interested - http://s127.photobucket.com/albums/p131/s7paul/Gam...
Edited by S7Paul on Friday 7th January 18:55
Exactly as S7Paul said above.
We stayed at the Senegambia and although everything was fine there, we spent alot more time next door at the Kairibar where the gardens/atmosphere was much nicer and dare I say more up-market.
Bumsters do get to you after a bit, they just dont take sod off for an answer! That said the locals were very friendly and we never felt threatened by them at all.
Weather there was beautiful and for somewhere to go thats hot, shortish flight and no jet-lag I cant think of anywhere else for a short break.
We also did a day trip to Senegal but when we caught the last ferry of the day back, Oh my God! Thought we were in serious danger of tipping over because the boat was so overloaded with foot passengers and vehicles
We stayed at the Senegambia and although everything was fine there, we spent alot more time next door at the Kairibar where the gardens/atmosphere was much nicer and dare I say more up-market.
Bumsters do get to you after a bit, they just dont take sod off for an answer! That said the locals were very friendly and we never felt threatened by them at all.
Weather there was beautiful and for somewhere to go thats hot, shortish flight and no jet-lag I cant think of anywhere else for a short break.
We also did a day trip to Senegal but when we caught the last ferry of the day back, Oh my God! Thought we were in serious danger of tipping over because the boat was so overloaded with foot passengers and vehicles
Edited by SmokinV8 on Friday 7th January 18:48
That ferry to/from Senegal is an ex Isle of Wight ferry!!
We stayed at the SenaGambia after we'd driven there from the UK!! was quite a nice place comapred to what we'd senn previously, bumsters are the main issue but you are in a proper 3rd world country so just live with it.
Make the most of the tours to see the countryside, its a wonderful place & the locals are really nice people, avoid looking flash, so dress down & casual to help the 1st/3rd world factor.
We stayed at the SenaGambia after we'd driven there from the UK!! was quite a nice place comapred to what we'd senn previously, bumsters are the main issue but you are in a proper 3rd world country so just live with it.
Make the most of the tours to see the countryside, its a wonderful place & the locals are really nice people, avoid looking flash, so dress down & casual to help the 1st/3rd world factor.
Went to the Senegambia 9/10 yrs ago. Looking a bit tired then but still nice and the grounds where superb, fruit bats in the trees and lots of exotic birds etc.
The monitor lizards (3/4 ft long) took a dip in the pool every so often which caused a small panic and amused the kids, esp when one was discovered under our bed one evening..
The beach area had a fair sized area roped off for guests and the local hawkers where kept out of that bit, but as soon as you stepped over the line you had a local jabbering in each ear and they would follow you around like bloody flies.
Mostly friendly though although some, lighter coloured (different ethnicity) seemed more bolshy.
Good market and kids traded their expensive branded Tshirts etc for worthless junk and thought thy had got a bargain.
Fishing trip on a local type 'piroque' boat was fun, caught loads of fish and a water snake which our guide managed to shake of the hook, looked v relieved.
Gambia v third world, or was back then but v enjoyable experience.
All of this is 10yrs out of date and worthless information but brought back a few memories
eta
the local zoo was worth a look, the lions enclosure consisted of 1 layer chicken wire and as a lion was resting against the wire it was easy to reach in and give it a stroke, not advisable for your 5yr old tho.
And the crocodile pool where you walked down to the water amongst the crocs, our guide had an arm missing which was a slight cause for concern..
No health & safety exec in The Gambia
The monitor lizards (3/4 ft long) took a dip in the pool every so often which caused a small panic and amused the kids, esp when one was discovered under our bed one evening..
The beach area had a fair sized area roped off for guests and the local hawkers where kept out of that bit, but as soon as you stepped over the line you had a local jabbering in each ear and they would follow you around like bloody flies.
Mostly friendly though although some, lighter coloured (different ethnicity) seemed more bolshy.
Good market and kids traded their expensive branded Tshirts etc for worthless junk and thought thy had got a bargain.
Fishing trip on a local type 'piroque' boat was fun, caught loads of fish and a water snake which our guide managed to shake of the hook, looked v relieved.
Gambia v third world, or was back then but v enjoyable experience.
All of this is 10yrs out of date and worthless information but brought back a few memories
eta
the local zoo was worth a look, the lions enclosure consisted of 1 layer chicken wire and as a lion was resting against the wire it was easy to reach in and give it a stroke, not advisable for your 5yr old tho.
And the crocodile pool where you walked down to the water amongst the crocs, our guide had an arm missing which was a slight cause for concern..
No health & safety exec in The Gambia
Edited by R TOY on Saturday 8th January 17:40
arfur said:
Hi folks,
Looking to go here in March. Not booked anything yet, but hoping that PH have experience of the Hotel, location or destination. Would be for 2 adults and a 5 yr old ....
Other destinations are possible, but no more than 6 hrs flight and the need for some sun and beach !
Arf
if you want to go to the beach undisturbed heres what you do Looking to go here in March. Not booked anything yet, but hoping that PH have experience of the Hotel, location or destination. Would be for 2 adults and a 5 yr old ....
Other destinations are possible, but no more than 6 hrs flight and the need for some sun and beach !
Arf
look around for any big chap hanging around , pay him 20$ for the duration of your holiday to act as your personal guard
then sit down relax and mr T will keep all the hangers on beach pedlars away
simple
DBSV8 said:
arfur said:
Hi folks,
Looking to go here in March. Not booked anything yet, but hoping that PH have experience of the Hotel, location or destination. Would be for 2 adults and a 5 yr old ....
Other destinations are possible, but no more than 6 hrs flight and the need for some sun and beach !
Arf
if you want to go to the beach undisturbed heres what you do Looking to go here in March. Not booked anything yet, but hoping that PH have experience of the Hotel, location or destination. Would be for 2 adults and a 5 yr old ....
Other destinations are possible, but no more than 6 hrs flight and the need for some sun and beach !
Arf
look around for any big chap hanging around , pay him 20$ for the duration of your holiday to act as your personal guard
then sit down relax and mr T will keep all the hangers on beach pedlars away
simple
DBSV8 said:
arfur said:
Hi folks,
Looking to go here in March. Not booked anything yet, but hoping that PH have experience of the Hotel, location or destination. Would be for 2 adults and a 5 yr old ....
Other destinations are possible, but no more than 6 hrs flight and the need for some sun and beach !
Arf
if you want to go to the beach undisturbed heres what you do Looking to go here in March. Not booked anything yet, but hoping that PH have experience of the Hotel, location or destination. Would be for 2 adults and a 5 yr old ....
Other destinations are possible, but no more than 6 hrs flight and the need for some sun and beach !
Arf
look around for any big chap hanging around , pay him 20$ for the duration of your holiday to act as your personal guard
then sit down relax and mr T will keep all the hangers on beach pedlars away
simple
Only thing I would say is that most thefts are an inside job out there.....so whatever you do don't ask Mr T to look after your camera etc whilst you go for a swim. You'll never see him again.
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