Hi scruffyish

Finally found my 'Rough Guide to the Gambia' - would throughly recommend you buy or borrow a copy if you haven't alredy got a guide book.

The Palma Rima looks to be about a mile from the Senegambia area of Kololi where the bank is. I would recommend you get a taxi there and back so that you don't end up being trailed by bumsters the whole way. Walking by the side of the road wouldn't be very safe in any case as there are no pavements and the cars they drive are a bit rickety.

If you haven't already, I would also suggest that you have a look at the GTS website for more info on the Gambia (http://gambiatouristsupport.com/homep.html). We joined them while we were over in the Gambia and went on 4 day trips with their staff. I would definitely recommend them!

Hope that helps!

We have neer been on holiday abroad out of normal summer season.
Couldn't decide between Goa or Gambia - Want somewhere Hot and exotic but not touristy, want to experience real people and culture and thanks to info and reviews on this site and recommended websites decided on Gambia and have just booked - very excited.

Travelling on 10th March for 2 weeks to Palma Rima in Kotu/Kololi
think its half way between the two.

Have already picked up a lot of info from here but have a few questions.

WEATHER what will it be like mid March? Hot and sunny in day I hope,
but what about nightime - will we need air-con? Iv'e read that it is
expensive to pay for this in hotel,, they charge up to £8 per night
is this true. Will we need it?

We never eat in hotel so will be trying out as many restaurants as possible.
My dream is drinks on beach and dining overlooking sea are there
good places in Kololi or Kotu for this?

Can you walk along beach from Kololi to Kotu or even further Iv'e heard the beaches have suffered bad erosion problems?

I love boat trips - any kind - sunset cruises ,remote beaches, are there any of these?

Enough questions for now - no doubt will have some more?

look forward to your replies

Wendy

We are going to Gambia on 6th March staying at the Palma Rima.
The weather in March is superb.Around 30 degrees during the day but nice and cool at night. We have never needed air con.
The beach is lovely now. When we first went five years ago the beach at Kololi was virtually non-existent. They were working on the erosion then and the same the year after when we went. We went for New Year this year and were amazed. The erosion has been stopped and the beach is lovely and big. You can walk right along from Kololi and there are lotsof beach bars where you can stop and have food and drinks. We usually call into some of the hotels on the beach aswell for a look around!
I don't knowof any restaurants directly overlooking the sea but I'm sure you will have some excellent food.
There is a man called Bob who organises boat trips and fishing trips. I cant remember the name of his company but will try and find it. We met him in Churchills which is a bar/restaurant at Kotu,on the road down to the beach from Palma Rima. He took us to a lovely beach further down the coast where the men did some seafishing and us women just sunbathed. It was nearly deserted with palm trees - it was a greatday out.
I would definitely recommend getting out and about. A lot of people are wary of leaving their hotels but there is so much to see and do.
Enjoy it
Carolyn

Hi Caroline
Thanks for your info - hopefully we won't need air-con, as I understand its costs approx £8 a day.
You will be there just before us then, have you stayed there before
whats it like?
The beach sounds wonderful, I'm a real beach fanatic - is the sand
white? is the sea clear? and is it warm - I've heard the Atlantic can be cold!
Does the Palma Rima have a beach bar - and do they have sub beds
and shades available on the beach? are they free or have to pay?
Can you just pop into all the other hotels and use their bars, restaurants
without an bother?

We never stay in hotel much, usually even go out for breakfast even when its provided, but the breakfast sounds good from reviews.
Do they have proper coffee ( coffee freak also)- filter type available anywhere.

Will definitely go on excursions , and will try to book with locals as prices
quoted by tour operators seem very high as usual.

Hope you don't mind all my questions.
look forward to your reply
Wendy

thanks wendy.. xxx

Carolyn - Just realised I spelt you name wrong in my reply - sorry.
Wendy

Hiya Wendy
Yes we have stayed at the Palma Rima before. We used to stay at the Sennagambia but to be honest the prices are much higher and the rooms are all pretty basic really. Don't let that put you off - they are kept very clean and towels changed every day.
The Palma Rima is not actually on the beach but is only a few hundred yard walk. The beach round this area is lovely,there is always more room than round the Kololi area. Each hotel has its own area but they are not cordoned off in anyway. You can walk right along the beach and stop at all the sunbed areas and beach bars.
We really enjoy doing this as you don't feel restricted as you do in some places where each hotel has a designated area.
Can't honestly remember much about the coffee but I will ask my friend as she is a big coffee drinker.
If you want to hire a taxi to either go on trips or just to the Kololi area at night I can give you a reliable contact.
Any other questions just ask

Hi,
was hoping if anyone could advise if the Palma Rima hotel reception has a facility for changing travellers cheques or would we have to go to the bank in Kololi. Many thanks for any help you are able to give.
Cheers Scruffyish
ps. 12 days and counting!!

Hi there
Sorry don't know answer to your question, just wanted to say hope you have a great time and be sure to tell us all about it with review of the hotel and resort when you get back. We go to this hotel in March.
Happy Hols
Wendy

Yes you can change travellers cheques at Palma Rima reception.
The safe deposit boxes are in a room next to the main reception. I seem to remember they are open till about 3 in the afternoon then closed and reopen about 7 at night.

Hi Caz and Dave,

Thanks very much for your speedy response to my question youv'e been a great help to me.
Cheers
Scruffyish

Hi Wendililac,
Thanks, I'm sure we will have a great time and at least 1 thing is for sure.............it will be a lot hotter than home!! Don't worry I will write a full report when I get back and I'll also try and upload some piccies of the hotel and resort on this site.
Cheers
Scruffyish

HI great beach at palma rima ,for peace and shade use the cafe up from the busy european one,its friendly the food cost less but nmade next door,and little hassle to buy buy buy cheers.maxie

I have been trying to contact the Palma Rima Hotel on their emaill address and visit their website, but neither of these work.
Can anyone please advise of a correct website address or email address
or on how to contact them direct.

many thanks
Wendy

Hiya Wendy
Sorry but I've been through all my things from last year but can't find any contact details.
Only 20 more days to go for us

Hi Caz and Dave
Thanks for your reply.
Just wanted to contact them to pre-order a fridge for our room, save having to do it when we get there.
HE must have his cold beers!!
Do you know if its easy to hire a fridge - and how much it costs?
Have sent them 3 emails and they haven't responded.

Only 25 days now for us - can't wait.

Wendy

Hi Wendy
Would the travel agent you booked through not arrange it?
If you don't manage it PM me your details if you like and I will request it for you when we get there.
Carolyn

Hi Carolyn
Thanks for your reply - Thomas Cook don't book this, have to arrange through hotel. If I knew how much they charge would help, does anyone out there know?
Thanks for your kind offer, will get back to you on this.

Got really excited today, our tickets have arrived. But shocked to find that we only have 15KG luggage allowance each + 5KG hand baggage I know, but I have real trouble packing light. Usually have trouble with 20KG!! Like to take my travel kettle + travel iron + hair appliances etc etc.

Really surprised that Thomas Cook only allow 15KG especially as its
almost longhaul.
Also have heard is chilly at night - so might need jackets and cardys
- Oh NO - i hope not. Any idea what the temp is like in evening.

Look forward to hearing from you
Wendy

Hi Wendy
Our tickets have not arrived yet so can't check the baggage allowance. May ring the TA tomorrow as we go in just over 2 weeks.
We have never found it to be chilly at night. It does cool down so that you don't really need air conditioning but I have only ever taken a thin cardi and probably only ever used it once or twice.
Carolyn