Hi Wendy,

It certainly is a small world!! I have just read Carolyns' post on the Goa forum and she flies out just a week before us!!
Whilst in the Gambia you can use any hotel pools, bar and restaurants you like, no need for reservations, nothing seems to be a problem in Gambia.
The sea although it can appear very calm on the surface is pretty treacherous as there are many undercurrents and even for the strongest of swimmers it can be extremely dangerous. The fortnight that we were there, there were 2 fatalities (1 local & 1 Tourist) and it was enough to put me off going for anything more than a paddle, as for temperatures I'm not sure but it felt lovely and warm even though I only went up to my knees!!
I'm sure you will have a lovely time out there and I have just put some photos on the site (think they are still in the upload folder) but I'm sure that the very efficient & helpful Fiona (HT Mod) will find a link for them if you can't see them.
Hope you are feeling a bit better, and who knows I might even see you in Goa next year!!
Cheers
Scruffyish

yes , still in upload folder here( great photos!)
When they are moved you will find them here
PS flattery will get you everywhere Scruffyfish!

Cheers Fiona................thought it might do the trick!!
Scruffyish

Great photos - can't wait to be back in Gambia - 8 weeks today
Wendy Scruffyish is right about the sea - it can be quite rough sometimes.
I have only paddled
We tend to spend the morning by the pool then in the afternoon we walk along the beach - we walk in the sea along the waters edge usually as far as you can walk. Then make our way back usually calling in the beach bars along the way.
Most of the beach bars are really good,some have people playing music. Most serve food and some have sun beds where you can be extremely lazy and hardly move all day!
It's really oneof those places where you can chill out totally or venture out and see a bit more.
Anymore questions just ask

Hi there
Thanks for your replies. I'm feeling better going back to work tomorrow.
Scruffyfish, The photos are great, Lamin Lodge looks a good place to visit. Has anyone done the evening forest and dinner visit - lots of mozzies there I imagine.

Where is best to book trips like boat trips etc. And how much should we expect to pay. I imagine trips booked via Tour operator would be much more expensive and the ones advertised on Gambia Experience website seem quite pricey.

Caz and Dave - we will be there in 8 weeks and 3 days - where are you staying?

The sea sounds a bit scary! A shame cos I prefer swimming in the sea to a pool, but will take care and not venture out. Pleased to hear its warm though.

Whats the evening temperature like ( air not sea!) I have heard it can get cool - but is this by Gambia standards. Would I need to cover up
with layers.?

Hope you don't mind all my questions.

Wendy

Hi Wendy
We go to the Palma Rima on 6th March - our wedding anniversary
Only for a week unfortunately as we have a few hols booked this year!
Off to Barcelona in May with 5 other couples.
Then our annual trip to Hisaronu in Turkey - our fave place.

The first time we went to Gambia we did a few trips through the tour operator. The 'Roots' trip was very good but a long day.
The second time we just chilled and only managed a visit to the monkey sanctuary and a meal at the house of one of the locals we met.
Last year we went out with Bob who is an English guy who organises boat/fishing trips.
We went to Sanyan beach which was wonderful. Only about half an hours drive but nearly deserted. Didnt catch many fish but the beach was lovely.
Any of the locals or taxi drivers can be relied on to take you wherever you would like to go

The temperature at night is just right. We have never needed air con. Usually cools down from the heat of the day but never cold.
Carolyn

Hi Carolyn
Thanks for your reply and information.
Hope you have a wonderful wedding anniversary.
I said earlier its a small world. Our favourite place is Olu Deniz in Turkey and have stayed in both Hisaronu and Olu Deniz several times.
Last time was 2003.
Have been looking at going back to Turkey this Summer but trying somewhere different.

Thanks again.
Wendy

Hi Wendy

We booked all our trips though Gambia Tourist Support who run a restaurant in the Senegambia area (http://gambiatouristsupport.com/homep.html). We thought that the trips were well organised and goo value for money, and it was especially nice to be able to choose our own itinery and travel in a small group, rather than being herded around like sheep by our tour operator. We did the Roots trip by road which was very interesting and also had days out at Makasutu and Lamin Lodge.

We didn't have air con in our hotel but we found that the ceiling fan was more than adequate. It did get comparatively chilly some evenings but only in terms of needing a light jumper.

Hope this is useful!

I was thinking of booking a holiday to the Kombo Beach for next New Years eve week. Any ideas on weather then? I went there back in 1985(mmmm that dates me a bit!!!) and it was really enjoyable -that was in Nov and it was quite humid. Also the airport was just a shack with no seats and the luggage was retrieved by queueing up at containers where the suitcases were!!The road was just a dirt track! has it changed?

We went for New Year last year-weather was absolutely fantastic
Brilliant sunshine every day,usually about 30-35 degrees.
We had some cloud one morning for about 1 hour but fantastic on the whole

Well I have taken the plunge and booked it!! So any further info greatfully received! It certainly seems the place to get warmer weather after all it is much nearer the equator than Egypt which is where I was going to go !

Our friendshave just returned after spending Christmas and New Year there. Fantastic tans - weather was wonderful

Thanks for your replies. Where did your friends stay? Any further info Iw ould love to hear. Anyone know about jabs?

Our friends stayed in the apartments at Luigi's restaurant. They were really impressed and have already booked their flights for Christmas/New Year this year.
We had the yellow fever jabs when we first went to Gambia about 5 years ago. We were told you couldn't get into the country without the certificate but have never been asked for it.

Hi Wendy,
sorry it's taken so long to reply but started to feel better then went straight down with a chest infection so starting to feel better......................again!!
Any of the (Pricey) trips which the Gambia Experience offer you are available if you speak to a taxi or jeep driver outside the hotel at a fraction of the cost of booking through the T.O. One thing I would advise that if you are organising your trips on your own is to tell the driver what YOU want and don't allow them to "dictate" to you where you should go. I don't mean that in a nasty way but if you allow them to take you where they want to take you , you will end up at their cousins shop, their Aunties house, and their brothers restaurant!! We found this out the hard way and by day 4 we were starting to get wise!! So as much as it might go against your nature please be firm from the start. 2 excellent words which were taught to me were "Amun Halis" this translates as "I have no money"!! Don't get me wrong I gave good tips and always had something spare to give to beggars as they wrre mostly disabled and had no means of maintaining themselves and their families, however please be aware that there are others who decide not to work because they can earn a heap of money just by taking a"tourist" out for the day. One thing I do feel angry about is that the first time we went to Lamin Lodge we were taken the Oyster Factory, whilst there we were asked to sponsor the local school in Lamin and we did so willingly, however the following day we were told by 5 different local people that this is nothing more than a Scam and that the money never reaches the school, so if I you have any intentions of helping the locals please do it through the likes of the Gambia Tourist Support (GTS) Kololi, as they will direct the money where it is most needed, Corinne76 gave them a mention in the last post but unfortunately they were closed when we were there, but they do wonderful work out there..
I'm quite sure you will have a great time
Scruffyish

I stayed at the Kombo beach when I went and it's lovely, but hotels in Kololi (or Senegambia as they call it locally) have more bars and restaurants close by. I think me and the wife will be in Gambia for Xmas and New Year at the Kombo Beach again or in Senegambia Hotel (I have been recommended)

Read my review HERE of the Kombo Beach

Rgds

Tom

HI It is really pleasing to see how much people enjoyed gambia,nice country nice people and beautiful weather, you just go with the flow, cheers maxie

I have booked a flight to Gambia in march and am trying to find my own accommodation (preferably in a package-holiday free hotel).

I am interested in one called the Bakadaji Hotel which is on the Senegambia highway.

Does anybody know of this place?

Alternatively, I would be interested in renting an apartment, but my internet search has been fruitless. Anyone had any experience of booking an apartment independently?

Kind regards ans....
Thanks in advance

Sorry don't know of that one but some friends of ours stayed in an apartment at Luigis restaurant at Kotu. They reccomended it and have booked to go again.
Let me know if you want more details
Carolyn