Does anyone know how far apart the Sunset Beach Hotel and Senegambia Hotels are ? Is it pretty noisy or a quieter backwater at the Sunset Beach. Ideally I am looking for a decent hotel that is situated in a quiet location but has a reasonable number of good restaurants and bars within walking distance. Better still in an area where there will be least hassle from the bumsters !
Having never been to the Gambia before any advice would be appreciated.Thanks in anticipation.Dave
The Kairba Hotel, quiet in the grounds and grest restaurants all around
We stayed at the Sunset Beach last year. The hotel was fabulous, overlooking the sea, the service was great and food excellent. Rooms basic but adequate. If you walk out of the hotel and turn left there is an Indian (excellent) and a couple of other restaurants and bar, although that closed during our second week being the end of season. Right from the hotel were another 3/4 restaurants, we only tried one.
Senegambia strip is more lively with some nice restaurants.
However I know a lot of people love the Gambia but we had a terrible time. We are very open minded, friendly and thought we knew what we were up against but it was horrible, we sometimes felt we did not want to leave the hotel. Be nice to be nice was all we heard, after a while it did my head in. I love meeting people don't get me wrong but we love to have a nice walk along the seafront. From Sunset Beach to Senegambia was about 45 mins stroll which we would have probably done every day but the bar owners and other people would not leave us alone. I did say do you mind we are having a quiet walk but no we would be followed. Then we would be wearing a necklace and being told how buying the necklace would pay for a bag of rice.
Then the market, I walked past one stall and was practically wearing everything, I gave up. We took a local taxi driver with us to Banjul thinking that was a good idea only to find his sister and other family members had stalls there. One guy actually said 'it's in your best interest to buy something'.
We made the mistake of booking trips with reps only because we had such a bad experience on the first nice from someone from GTS who would not leave our table even though we were ordering food. Those trips were a rip off, very expensive and then you get hassle all the way.
We had a couple of nice evenings, the trip to the nightclub which is not something we normally do was great and the African Queen on the Senegambia strip we had a couple of nice meals. But we always had to get a cab there and back.
I know if you go off the beaten track it is cheaper but overall it wasn't that cheap, a bottle of beer about 70p-£1 in the hotel which isn't bad but wine and spirits were quite expensive (not everywhere though).
Overall it was the worst holiday in my life and I have been to some places where people have complained but I have made the most of it.
We recently went to Samos, a very unspoilt Greek island and had the most amazing time. No brit bars or clubs, all greek tavernas around a harbour (Pythagorian). It was amazing, lovely scenery and history, quite nights watching the boats bob up and down, friendly people and we actually spent less, despite going out more because we felt free to walk.
Seriously consider the holiday, I know a lot of people love it but I wish I had read more into the negative feedback than I had.
Senegambia strip is more lively with some nice restaurants.
However I know a lot of people love the Gambia but we had a terrible time. We are very open minded, friendly and thought we knew what we were up against but it was horrible, we sometimes felt we did not want to leave the hotel. Be nice to be nice was all we heard, after a while it did my head in. I love meeting people don't get me wrong but we love to have a nice walk along the seafront. From Sunset Beach to Senegambia was about 45 mins stroll which we would have probably done every day but the bar owners and other people would not leave us alone. I did say do you mind we are having a quiet walk but no we would be followed. Then we would be wearing a necklace and being told how buying the necklace would pay for a bag of rice.
Then the market, I walked past one stall and was practically wearing everything, I gave up. We took a local taxi driver with us to Banjul thinking that was a good idea only to find his sister and other family members had stalls there. One guy actually said 'it's in your best interest to buy something'.
We made the mistake of booking trips with reps only because we had such a bad experience on the first nice from someone from GTS who would not leave our table even though we were ordering food. Those trips were a rip off, very expensive and then you get hassle all the way.
We had a couple of nice evenings, the trip to the nightclub which is not something we normally do was great and the African Queen on the Senegambia strip we had a couple of nice meals. But we always had to get a cab there and back.
I know if you go off the beaten track it is cheaper but overall it wasn't that cheap, a bottle of beer about 70p-£1 in the hotel which isn't bad but wine and spirits were quite expensive (not everywhere though).
Overall it was the worst holiday in my life and I have been to some places where people have complained but I have made the most of it.
We recently went to Samos, a very unspoilt Greek island and had the most amazing time. No brit bars or clubs, all greek tavernas around a harbour (Pythagorian). It was amazing, lovely scenery and history, quite nights watching the boats bob up and down, friendly people and we actually spent less, despite going out more because we felt free to walk.
Seriously consider the holiday, I know a lot of people love it but I wish I had read more into the negative feedback than I had.
Hi Sooze, thanks for taking the time to reply.I booked the holiday yesterday ( to the Sunset Beach), before you posted ! I have also just read that India have now restored postal applications for VISA's...the reason we didn't return there.
Have you been to India ? In the busier resorts of Goa you are continually approached to buy wares from street sellers but I don't find it too much hassle to politely say "no thanks" and keep on walking.
My biggest concern is safety I suppose. Is it safe, for example, to wander around with expensive photographic equipment ?
Have you been to India ? In the busier resorts of Goa you are continually approached to buy wares from street sellers but I don't find it too much hassle to politely say "no thanks" and keep on walking.
My biggest concern is safety I suppose. Is it safe, for example, to wander around with expensive photographic equipment ?
I haven't been to Goa but funnily enough we met two couples in the Gambia who had and said the Gambia was far worse. They said in Goa they felt they could say no and would be left alone, whereas the Gambia you would be followed. One guy followed us for 45 minutes, and he was better dressed than we were. He kept saying he needed money for rice and that we were rich in comparison. I know we are but that isn't the point. The other couple we met gave this little boy in a wheelchair some money, he was very badly disabled, another man came up and in front of them cut himself and said can he have money as he is unwell!
I would say you felt safe with your equipment. If you go right out of the hotel it is quite dark as there is no lighten and a bit unnerving but otherwise ok. When we went to the monkey park we were told outside that we needed a guide because people climb over the fence and mug you. We took no notice as we guessed this was to get more money and enjoyed a walk around on our own. The only people we saw were other tourists walking around. When are you going?
I would say you felt safe with your equipment. If you go right out of the hotel it is quite dark as there is no lighten and a bit unnerving but otherwise ok. When we went to the monkey park we were told outside that we needed a guide because people climb over the fence and mug you. We took no notice as we guessed this was to get more money and enjoyed a walk around on our own. The only people we saw were other tourists walking around. When are you going?
Hello again Sooze,
We are going mid January, and now, at least, we are prepared for the worst. It will be a new experience if nothing else. My OH is happy lounging by the pool although we both enjoy walking. My hobby is bird photography ( yes,I know !) and if the worst comes to the worst I guess I will have to wander around our and other hotel grounds to avoid the hassle , that's why I mentioned the Serengambia hotel which I was told had good grounds for birds.
We are going mid January, and now, at least, we are prepared for the worst. It will be a new experience if nothing else. My OH is happy lounging by the pool although we both enjoy walking. My hobby is bird photography ( yes,I know !) and if the worst comes to the worst I guess I will have to wander around our and other hotel grounds to avoid the hassle , that's why I mentioned the Serengambia hotel which I was told had good grounds for birds.
Not into birds myself but they have some amazing ones, you will see a lot around the Sunset Hotel. We were scheduled to go on the bird call, very early morning trip but it was cancelled as it was underbooked. If you go to the monkey forest there was also a lot of birds there.
We tried everything, pretending we had been before or knew people but it didn't work. I think you need to be very harsh, which is terrible because it is nice meeting local people, I just started to feel everyone wanted my money.
The staff at Sunset are lovely though, the grounds staff and restaurant, really cannot do enough for you. Tony behind the bar is a great giggle and Margaret who runs it is too. One of the room cleaners was an ex footballer for Bristol.
We tried everything, pretending we had been before or knew people but it didn't work. I think you need to be very harsh, which is terrible because it is nice meeting local people, I just started to feel everyone wanted my money.
The staff at Sunset are lovely though, the grounds staff and restaurant, really cannot do enough for you. Tony behind the bar is a great giggle and Margaret who runs it is too. One of the room cleaners was an ex footballer for Bristol.
HI Snooze, dont think everyone wants your money,THEY DO WANT IT FOR NO EFFORT. Oh now currency has dropped taxis are first to cash in quoted 600 dalasi from airport to kotu, it was 350-400 last march, reason given, the government has made it expensive for them, I should coco inflation is 1.8 percent per annum. cheers maxie 
Well!!! what can I say!!! 
We love Gambia, always stay at Palma Rima Hotel in Kololi.
Yes you get approached, but a firm NO always works.
We made many friends in Gambia who we talk to on MSN all the time, I pasted your comments for them to see....and boy did they cause a heated discussion
Gambia is a very poor country, the people are very friendly and if you make friends with them they will reward your friendship. We are now in the process of sponsoring a little girl through school in Gambia. Her parents are so grateful.
The last time we were there we were invited into a compound for a meal, treated like royalty and when my husband offered to pay for the food, they refused and looked insulted..dont paint all Gambians with the same brush.
DaveWales, go to Gambia with an open mind...Im sure you will love it
We love Gambia, always stay at Palma Rima Hotel in Kololi.
Yes you get approached, but a firm NO always works.
We made many friends in Gambia who we talk to on MSN all the time, I pasted your comments for them to see....and boy did they cause a heated discussion
Gambia is a very poor country, the people are very friendly and if you make friends with them they will reward your friendship. We are now in the process of sponsoring a little girl through school in Gambia. Her parents are so grateful.
The last time we were there we were invited into a compound for a meal, treated like royalty and when my husband offered to pay for the food, they refused and looked insulted..dont paint all Gambians with the same brush.
DaveWales, go to Gambia with an open mind...Im sure you will love it
Hi I am glad they provoked the discussion. 99% of my friends in gambia are locals, these are not the bumsters I was referring to.They the bumsters are the give me give, me give people, the I need, I want ,when you do give them something, its give me more. being disabled I usually need some kind of help. tell a bumster that you will pay him for help, thats a big no no on those occasions few have become really offensive,
or the others who distracted me from the front and the other who emptied my wheelchair bag, cost to me hundreds of pounds and a lot of wasted time. then being distracted to my left in the money exchange so another on the right could steal 40 pounds
remember bumsters love it 3 tourists give them 100 dalasi in a day just for peace.that takes a mason nearly 4 days hard graft to earn.
Sellers are not bumsters they work very hard for little reward ,they have my respect
As for taxis most its see a wheelchair and the price goes through the roof,not all of them but many.
One occasion when my chair broke down one tried to charge me 400 dalasi for a 70 metre journey to a welder,and refused to release the chair till I paid that amount, a police officer decided the fare,thats only one of many occasions, however the welder was paid double what he asked as he was more than fair.
I too also sponsor 2 children through school one of each and pay the school direct plus buy the shoes and uniforms.
I love the gambia , spending between 8-12 weeks a year there.
I have no time for the bumsters who are only seeking to harass perfectly innocent holidaymakers, they give the gambia a bad reputation
remember the gambia is for a holiday not hassle .cheers maxie
or the others who distracted me from the front and the other who emptied my wheelchair bag, cost to me hundreds of pounds and a lot of wasted time. then being distracted to my left in the money exchange so another on the right could steal 40 pounds
remember bumsters love it 3 tourists give them 100 dalasi in a day just for peace.that takes a mason nearly 4 days hard graft to earn.
Sellers are not bumsters they work very hard for little reward ,they have my respect
As for taxis most its see a wheelchair and the price goes through the roof,not all of them but many.
One occasion when my chair broke down one tried to charge me 400 dalasi for a 70 metre journey to a welder,and refused to release the chair till I paid that amount, a police officer decided the fare,thats only one of many occasions, however the welder was paid double what he asked as he was more than fair.
I too also sponsor 2 children through school one of each and pay the school direct plus buy the shoes and uniforms.
I love the gambia , spending between 8-12 weeks a year there.
I have no time for the bumsters who are only seeking to harass perfectly innocent holidaymakers, they give the gambia a bad reputation
remember the gambia is for a holiday not hassle .cheers maxie
Have been reading these posts with interest as i am going to Gambia on 12 th Feb for the first time
Did you enjoy the Sunset Beach Hotel Dave ? as that is where i am going
Very worried about the " bumsters " and just " who " do you trust ??
Also i am in a quandry as to wether to have my Yellow Fever injections -- help please !!
i know the injection isnot compulsory but i just dont know what to do-- hate injections and side effects - sny one out there had the injections ?
Got the Malarone tabs !!
Thanks everyone
turkeylady...we had our Yellow Fever jabs a few years back, I know that they arent compulsory but its better to be safe than sorry.
We didnt have any reactions at all from the jabs. Malarone in my opinion is the best maleria tablet
We didnt have any reactions at all from the jabs. Malarone in my opinion is the best maleria tablet
hi turkeylady
dont be woried about the beachbums as they are all safe they are persistant but only trying to earn a few quid.
if you do what we did you will be alright,outside the hotels are local guides in sort of uniform but all have id cards.
choose one of these on your first venture out and they will look for you every time you go out.
no one else will bother you when you have chosen a guide..
just tip him what you think he has earned , say £2 per hour.
they can book you on trips,take you to local school and tell you all the history plant+bird life..
as for the yellow fever dont waste your money as it only applies if you stay for long periods outside the resort towns.
eg way into the country or senegal.
dont be woried about the beachbums as they are all safe they are persistant but only trying to earn a few quid.
if you do what we did you will be alright,outside the hotels are local guides in sort of uniform but all have id cards.
choose one of these on your first venture out and they will look for you every time you go out.
no one else will bother you when you have chosen a guide..
just tip him what you think he has earned , say £2 per hour.
they can book you on trips,take you to local school and tell you all the history plant+bird life..
as for the yellow fever dont waste your money as it only applies if you stay for long periods outside the resort towns.
eg way into the country or senegal.
Been there done it.
Here is my report !
The Sunset Beach is a great value holiday hotel. I have put in an hotel report but ask for a room that faces towards the pool direction to make the most of the evening sun.
Current exchange rate is 42.5 dalasi to the pound.
Typical prices are 30 p for a supermarket 330ml Julbrew beer. Stock up your room fridge. A can of tonic is 25d. Buy some duty free gin to enjoy on your balcony and take some of those plastic bag ice cube makers. The fridge is very efficient.
Bar prices range from 35d a bottle at the beach bars to 55d in the hotels. Locally try the delicious "Gambas" prawns at Ali Baba's (285d) great value, "Sailors" and the "Kunta Kinte" beach bars are pretty good too. Try shared garlic prawns and bread for a starter ( you get a good portion for 100d) and main courses are about 170d.
You can get a taxi elsewhere but we didn't bother. We walked to the next village, Fajara, before it got dark and had an excellent help yourself chicken buffet at Mamma's. 255d per head . We walked back down the very dark track too. We did take a small torch.
When you walk out of the hotel you will be seen as a potential target for every body to sell you something. By and large you quickly learn to be polite in return and just keep walking. I only got irritated on a couple of occasions !!!! The guys that mob you when you walk into the village are no problem at all and merely want to escort you to the restaurant they are touting for. At first we told them we were not interested but once we found out they were on commission we didn't mind them escorting us to where we going anyway !
We had the Yellow Fever jabs as well as the Malorone. Yellow Fever is mosquito borne. The area close to the hotel is pretty typical mosquito land but at this time of year there are not many about. My wife didn't get bitten at all, but I did fairly often . I was glad to have some cream we took with us to alleviate the irritation. Would I get the yellow Fever jab ? Certainly. It might cost £50 but it lasts 10 years. I don't expect to have a car crash but I wear a seat belt. Yellow Fever is a possibility, especially if you take some trips and besides you might go somewhere in the next 10 years where you need it anyway.
There is a cash machine in Kololi, 30 minutes walk along the beach or a taxi ride. You can only use VISA not Mastercard in the Gambia. Cash withdrawals using my Nationwide debit card gave me 40.6 dalasi exchange rate so you are better off taking cash. Only hotels tend to take credit cards. Incidentally, the duty free at the airport only takes British cash too, so if you want Larios Gin at £4 a litre keep some sterling back !
We didn't take any trips, certainly the tour reps were expensive. Starting at over £30 per person some were nearly £100 !!! Taxis and private tours are negotiable. I paid 700d ( initial price 1000d) plus a100d tip for a taxi to Abuko Nature reserve Picked up at 8.30am, he waited for me until 5.00pm for the return journey.
The craft shops too try it on. A price of 750d for a dress can be bartered to 250 easily. Mind you they initial price is a joke !
Can't think of much else to impart, hope this has been useful.
Have fun and don't worry the locals are not dangerous, just persistent. Enjoy yourselves !
Oh, don't pack too many clothes. The temperature is very warm and dress informal. The roads and footpaths are very sandy. Flat heels required !
Here is my report !
The Sunset Beach is a great value holiday hotel. I have put in an hotel report but ask for a room that faces towards the pool direction to make the most of the evening sun.
Current exchange rate is 42.5 dalasi to the pound.
Typical prices are 30 p for a supermarket 330ml Julbrew beer. Stock up your room fridge. A can of tonic is 25d. Buy some duty free gin to enjoy on your balcony and take some of those plastic bag ice cube makers. The fridge is very efficient.
Bar prices range from 35d a bottle at the beach bars to 55d in the hotels. Locally try the delicious "Gambas" prawns at Ali Baba's (285d) great value, "Sailors" and the "Kunta Kinte" beach bars are pretty good too. Try shared garlic prawns and bread for a starter ( you get a good portion for 100d) and main courses are about 170d.
You can get a taxi elsewhere but we didn't bother. We walked to the next village, Fajara, before it got dark and had an excellent help yourself chicken buffet at Mamma's. 255d per head . We walked back down the very dark track too. We did take a small torch.
When you walk out of the hotel you will be seen as a potential target for every body to sell you something. By and large you quickly learn to be polite in return and just keep walking. I only got irritated on a couple of occasions !!!! The guys that mob you when you walk into the village are no problem at all and merely want to escort you to the restaurant they are touting for. At first we told them we were not interested but once we found out they were on commission we didn't mind them escorting us to where we going anyway !
We had the Yellow Fever jabs as well as the Malorone. Yellow Fever is mosquito borne. The area close to the hotel is pretty typical mosquito land but at this time of year there are not many about. My wife didn't get bitten at all, but I did fairly often . I was glad to have some cream we took with us to alleviate the irritation. Would I get the yellow Fever jab ? Certainly. It might cost £50 but it lasts 10 years. I don't expect to have a car crash but I wear a seat belt. Yellow Fever is a possibility, especially if you take some trips and besides you might go somewhere in the next 10 years where you need it anyway.
There is a cash machine in Kololi, 30 minutes walk along the beach or a taxi ride. You can only use VISA not Mastercard in the Gambia. Cash withdrawals using my Nationwide debit card gave me 40.6 dalasi exchange rate so you are better off taking cash. Only hotels tend to take credit cards. Incidentally, the duty free at the airport only takes British cash too, so if you want Larios Gin at £4 a litre keep some sterling back !
We didn't take any trips, certainly the tour reps were expensive. Starting at over £30 per person some were nearly £100 !!! Taxis and private tours are negotiable. I paid 700d ( initial price 1000d) plus a100d tip for a taxi to Abuko Nature reserve Picked up at 8.30am, he waited for me until 5.00pm for the return journey.
The craft shops too try it on. A price of 750d for a dress can be bartered to 250 easily. Mind you they initial price is a joke !
Can't think of much else to impart, hope this has been useful.
Have fun and don't worry the locals are not dangerous, just persistent. Enjoy yourselves !
Oh, don't pack too many clothes. The temperature is very warm and dress informal. The roads and footpaths are very sandy. Flat heels required !
Wow thanks alot for that report - very helpful
Will report back myself when we get back
Will report back myself when we get back
Me again -- just a question about the Sunset Beach Hotel -- we have bought the mozzie plug in for the room - they have 2 pin plug -- what is the plug situ in hotel ?? Also is there shops that if we run out of mozzie sprays etc we can buy there
Sorry to be a pain
Cheers
ps will my uk hair dryer be ok in the hotel ???
Sorry to be a pain
Cheers
ps will my uk hair dryer be ok in the hotel ???
Two pin plugs and there were several spare ones. My o/h didn't use an hairdrier but says she heard them being used !
We didn't need to buy any extra supplies of mozzie spray as we took plenty and bought some home !
Imodium will be useful in all probability.
If you intend buying beers to drink on your patio don't forget the bottle opener !
After a few days at home, especially in this weather, we are ready to go away again. Need a bag carrier by chance ?!
We didn't need to buy any extra supplies of mozzie spray as we took plenty and bought some home !
Imodium will be useful in all probability.
If you intend buying beers to drink on your patio don't forget the bottle opener !
After a few days at home, especially in this weather, we are ready to go away again. Need a bag carrier by chance ?!
We found our room had normal 3 pin plug but we had an adapter in any case. However each room had a hairdryer which although not over powerful was enough. Plus the weather was so warm once outside it didn't take long to dry!
The hotel shop sold mozzie repell if you should run out.
The hotel shop sold mozzie repell if you should run out.
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