The Gambia, any good?
Discussion
The Gambia is very 'unspoilt' still and there are few hotels there. You could certainly have a relaxing holiday by the pool but there isn't a great deal to do.
Banjul is the main (only) town and so the few hotels are near or in there. The airport is very close by.
The locals are friendly but it isn't a luxury spa wifi in the toilets sort of place. It's cheap, a bit basic but not full of chavs.
Banjul is the main (only) town and so the few hotels are near or in there. The airport is very close by.
The locals are friendly but it isn't a luxury spa wifi in the toilets sort of place. It's cheap, a bit basic but not full of chavs.
I didn't like the place. Full of old people for one (although I was there in January). Not particularly cheap either.
But the worst thing was the CONSTANT hassle from the locals as soon as you step out of your hotel. A polite "no thanks" does not work. We couldn't have a drink in a bar without the increasingly aggressive sales tactics of marijuana dealers.
But the worst thing was the CONSTANT hassle from the locals as soon as you step out of your hotel. A polite "no thanks" does not work. We couldn't have a drink in a bar without the increasingly aggressive sales tactics of marijuana dealers.
t!! I seemed to be the only one in our group that wasn't ill whilst there. The beer is s
Nutter president apparently
AP said:
Authorities in Gambia have rounded up about 1,000 people and forced them to drink hallucinogens in a witch-hunting campaign that is terrorizing the tiny West African nation, an international rights group said Wednesday.
Amnesty International called on the government of President Yahya Jammeh, who seized power in a 1994 coup and has claimed he can cure AIDS, to halt the campaign and bring those responsible to justice.
Gambian officials could not immediately be reached for comment and the government has issued no statements in reaction to the report.
Authorities began inviting "witch doctors," who combat witches, to come from nearby Guinea soon after the death earlier this year of the president's aunt. Jammeh "reportedly believes that witchcraft was used in her death," the London-based rights group said.
Since then, "witch doctors" — accompanied by police, soldiers, intelligence agents and Jammeh's personal guards — have forcibly taken about 1,000 alleged witches from their villages and spirited them to secret locations, Amnesty said. About 300 of them were taken to Jammeh's personal farm in his native Kanilai, east of the capital, the group said.
Amnesty International called on the government of President Yahya Jammeh, who seized power in a 1994 coup and has claimed he can cure AIDS, to halt the campaign and bring those responsible to justice.
Gambian officials could not immediately be reached for comment and the government has issued no statements in reaction to the report.
Authorities began inviting "witch doctors," who combat witches, to come from nearby Guinea soon after the death earlier this year of the president's aunt. Jammeh "reportedly believes that witchcraft was used in her death," the London-based rights group said.
Since then, "witch doctors" — accompanied by police, soldiers, intelligence agents and Jammeh's personal guards — have forcibly taken about 1,000 alleged witches from their villages and spirited them to secret locations, Amnesty said. About 300 of them were taken to Jammeh's personal farm in his native Kanilai, east of the capital, the group said.
My cousin and best friend went there last year and whilst they enjoyed their stay, they said there are other destinations in Africa they'd rather go to!
The issue of hassle from touts, salespeople and everyone else, especially for women is the same in many African countries. I am not sure that Gambia is much worse than the norm in say Tanzania, Tunisia or many others.
The issue of hassle from touts, salespeople and everyone else, especially for women is the same in many African countries. I am not sure that Gambia is much worse than the norm in say Tanzania, Tunisia or many others.
Spent a week there last year, which was as long as you need. We stayed at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, which was really nice. The weather was excellent (around 30-32 in Feb). Some of the hotels looked pretty rough; I think you really do get what you pay for. A few of the excursions are worth doing too. We visited Makasutu Forest & did the trip up the Gambia River to James Island. Fortunately, neither of us got the "Banjul Belly".
The main problem is the bumsters; it's pretty much continual pestering as soon as you leave the confines of the hotel - not nasty (we found) but really persistent, which wears you down after a while. We found that by telling people we're going home tomorrow they'd often leave you alone, as many of them are trying to sell you excursions.
Having been there once, and been out & about, I feel that I've seen as much of Gambia as I need to. The only reason I'd ever return is if I just wanted to do absolutely nothing for a week, and was content to stay around the hotel all the time (not very likely). However, I wouldn't want to put off first time visitors, and would say that for a first visit it's worth putting up with the hassle to get an insight into the place - it's definitely a culture shock.
The main problem is the bumsters; it's pretty much continual pestering as soon as you leave the confines of the hotel - not nasty (we found) but really persistent, which wears you down after a while. We found that by telling people we're going home tomorrow they'd often leave you alone, as many of them are trying to sell you excursions.
Having been there once, and been out & about, I feel that I've seen as much of Gambia as I need to. The only reason I'd ever return is if I just wanted to do absolutely nothing for a week, and was content to stay around the hotel all the time (not very likely). However, I wouldn't want to put off first time visitors, and would say that for a first visit it's worth putting up with the hassle to get an insight into the place - it's definitely a culture shock.
I went some years ago and couldn't understand why I could get through the airport customs. Then the penny dropped (literally!) You have to bribe the officials to get out of customs. The whole Gambia experience ended up in bribes and constant hassle. Maybe the airport is no longer like this, somebody I sure will be along to comment, but all I know is until I handed some notes over there was no way i was being let through. Beaches are beautiful tho if you ever get that far.
humphrey1 said:
I went some years ago and couldn't understand why I could get through the airport customs. Then the penny dropped (literally!) You have to bribe the officials to get out of customs. The whole Gambia experience ended up in bribes and constant hassle. Maybe the airport is no longer like this, somebody I sure will be along to comment, but all I know is until I handed some notes over there was no way i was being let through. Beaches are beautiful tho if you ever get that far.
The airport was the same 2 years ago. On arrival i had this guy insist on carrying my bags to the coach & then demand £5 for the privelidge which i duely gave him as i didnt want any hastle.On returning the the airport 7 days later this guy lifted my bag onto the check in desk & then asked for money & at this point i had had enough of constant hastle & told him to fu** off otherwise i would brake his legs! He walked away & on to his next victim. In my experience, you have to be firm with these people as a simple no thanks will not work.
Been there twice now, great place if you open your mind and realise you are in Africa.
If you want a peaceful hotel I'd recommend Ngala Lodge - no hassle from bumsters in this location and easy taxi to Banjul or the Senegambia area (where most of the bars/clubs are) - but there are some great bars/restaurants nearby too (Leybatos Beach Bar, Weezo's Mexican and a cracking Indian the Clay Oven to name a few).
Regarding bumsters, we've never had too much problem and firm and polite "NO!" usually does the trick. If they ask "Is this your first time in Gambia" lie and say we come here every year - they'll leave you alone.
Gambia beer is almost always Julbrew a refreshing 5% brew if served ice cold.
Local food is cheap and usually very nice, chicken yassa and domoda being my favourites.
Excursions to Makasuta Forest and the Roots trip are well worth it. I'd recommend joining and using the Gambia Tourist Support for excursions as they have competitive prices and the profits are feed back into the charity.
So I'd say go for it, it will be a holiday with a difference!
If you want a peaceful hotel I'd recommend Ngala Lodge - no hassle from bumsters in this location and easy taxi to Banjul or the Senegambia area (where most of the bars/clubs are) - but there are some great bars/restaurants nearby too (Leybatos Beach Bar, Weezo's Mexican and a cracking Indian the Clay Oven to name a few).
Regarding bumsters, we've never had too much problem and firm and polite "NO!" usually does the trick. If they ask "Is this your first time in Gambia" lie and say we come here every year - they'll leave you alone.
Gambia beer is almost always Julbrew a refreshing 5% brew if served ice cold.
Local food is cheap and usually very nice, chicken yassa and domoda being my favourites.
Excursions to Makasuta Forest and the Roots trip are well worth it. I'd recommend joining and using the Gambia Tourist Support for excursions as they have competitive prices and the profits are feed back into the charity.
So I'd say go for it, it will be a holiday with a difference!
Went there 20 years ago. It was pretty basic then. There was some great bird watching (the feathered kind) and shocking poverty. The local kids would mob you saying "innipen", calling you "taybob". Innipen was a request for simple Bic biros ("any pens" - you were advised to take a big box of biros with you) and taybob was a corruption of "two bob" the sum they would ask for from their colonial masters. It was still relatively friendly but could get a little tense.
It is also malarial - a friend's father died (!!) after a trip there. He cam back and thought he had the flu. Eventually it was diagnosed as malaria but it was too late to save him.
It is also malarial - a friend's father died (!!) after a trip there. He cam back and thought he had the flu. Eventually it was diagnosed as malaria but it was too late to save him.
Been there a few times - my father-in-law was an advisor to The Gambian government for five years so we went there quite regularly. A few observations:
1) Yes it's corrupt from the top down - but most of Africa's like that.
2) Use triparvisor not PH to select a hotel.
3) Avoid the seedier parts of Banjul.
4) Use plenty of sun block - the Atlantic is cold and the Sun can be deceiving.
5) Don't give to beggers you'll be swamped!
6) Visit some inland villages and get to know the real Africa - the 'real' people are delightful.
1) Yes it's corrupt from the top down - but most of Africa's like that.
2) Use triparvisor not PH to select a hotel.
3) Avoid the seedier parts of Banjul.
4) Use plenty of sun block - the Atlantic is cold and the Sun can be deceiving.
5) Don't give to beggers you'll be swamped!
6) Visit some inland villages and get to know the real Africa - the 'real' people are delightful.
I have just returned from the Gambia ,staying at the Senegambia Beach hotel.Having read the previous reports about the destination it would be easy to be concerned.DONT BE !!!! Why people constantly bang on about being hassled by bumsters I have no idea.If you go to any under devoloped country you will will always get people wanting to act as guides or tap you up for a few quid for some dodgy sunglasses lol.You will get this in the caribean ,mexico ,cuba all of Africa ,Egypt ,GOa ,and so on and so on.It is part and parcel of going to exotic destinations and Gambia is certainly no worse than any of the above. A smile and a firm no thankyou does the trick.As for the beach it is completely free of traders and hassle free,almost dissapointing as a bit of barterring over an African drum can be fun !!! The food was truly excellent ,only go bed and breakfast as the restaurants on "the strip" are great , inexpensive and great food.
The weather was fantastic and only a 6 hour flight .We had no problems going through or out of airport check in? out and there was no question of having to pay bribes or anyother daft notions ,at worst you have to tip the bag boy if you want ( I went to Cancun Mexico in January, considered a luxury destination and had exactly the same there ).I would recomend our hotel but remember this is a developing country and what they consider luxury we would consider more basic ,the grounds were lovely complete with monkeys in the tress ,cute and harmless , however it was clean and had everything you need ,air con ,fridge etc if you want bland luxury go to Marbela.
We will DEFINITELY be going back and April is considered probably the best Month.
The weather was fantastic and only a 6 hour flight .We had no problems going through or out of airport check in? out and there was no question of having to pay bribes or anyother daft notions ,at worst you have to tip the bag boy if you want ( I went to Cancun Mexico in January, considered a luxury destination and had exactly the same there ).I would recomend our hotel but remember this is a developing country and what they consider luxury we would consider more basic ,the grounds were lovely complete with monkeys in the tress ,cute and harmless , however it was clean and had everything you need ,air con ,fridge etc if you want bland luxury go to Marbela.
We will DEFINITELY be going back and April is considered probably the best Month.
I take it that you have never been on holiday anywhere else? ^^^^^^ 
As said, we went, didn't like it because it was a dirty shi* hole of a place with constant hastle the moment you stepped foot out of the hotel grounds! The only thing we did like was the weather, January was a scorcher & you cant get that anywhere else for that price, hence you get what you pay for in life!
As said, we went, didn't like it because it was a dirty shi* hole of a place with constant hastle the moment you stepped foot out of the hotel grounds! The only thing we did like was the weather, January was a scorcher & you cant get that anywhere else for that price, hence you get what you pay for in life!
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