City of Banjul Travel Forum

Hi, I and a friend are travelling to The Gambia within the next month. We would like to find out about accomodation as we want to move away from the coast. I heard of a site called africania which promotes sustainable tourism, but the site is now under construction. Does anybody know how to contact the people behind the site, such as an email?
We are also on a budget, would 150 pounds a week see us right? Also, we wanted to head north to Kaolack and maybe Dakar, what sort of travel times would be normal to Dakar via the cheapest or fastest possible mode of transport?
One other question, we've been looking for information on how to decide what to pay if asked for road tax. As it may happen that we might be left waiting until we pay, would travelling with a guide avoid this?

Its a bunch of questions and more might follow, but if your guys could answer even some of them, it would help alot.

Many thanks in advance.

:D.

Ok, since nobody else has commented, maybe I can help. First, I've only friends who've traveled to the Senegal and Gambia, but I have many VT pages on Ghana, Mali, and Burkina Faso. So, I'm generally familiar with the tourist scene in West Africa. Senegal, particularly at Dakar, is further north than the countries I visited and seens to be more jaded by the European influence. On the whole, the region has a great reputation for good hospitality and honesty, but in urban areas, the West Africans have picked up the love of money. The transport there will be old and wonderful rusty buses within the city, but outside the city you will have either large lumbering and slow buses, which are also very cheap, and/or somewhat more expensive but relatively fast minvans. The buses will require a ticket, whereas the minivan is a jitney system where the vehicle leaves the station immediately when filled to capacity. This latter method of travel is quite satisfactory, although along some rural routes the old lumbering bus may be your only option. I think that 150 pounds per week should be adequate for budget travel. Trying to inquire in advance about accomodations is generally not a good idea. You certainly don't want to put any money down, and reservations, if you were to get them, might get lost or not be honored. Besides, you'll want to carefully inspect the quality of the room and bargain for service upon arrival. Having said this, most towns of any size should have a decent place to stay, and any local taxi driver will know where the place is located. In this region, you'll want to carry the mosquito net, but you can avoid using it if you find a hotel with window a/c units. Malaria is a real concern, so prepare for defense against it. I don't know about this "road tax", but I wouldn't think a guide necessary to deal with this. Get your guide, if one is needed, ONLY at the place where one is needed. Don't travel from city to city with one. Guides can be a big headache too. Check out my pages for more ideas....

Many thanks for the information, one question about the Africania website is of most interest to me. Ive looked around and tried to locate an email for them, but to no avail. Would you happen to know of anyone who might know about this type of sustainable tourism......where you stay with a family for a couple of days at a time.

Any information would be great.

Many thanks for the links on your page.

Footsteps is an 'Eco Lodge' about 45mins from the coast. Have been here as we are into alternative technology and have worked in Gambia. Very nice place, but maybe more than your budget (?) Another nice place to stay away from the tourist strip is www.gambia-adventure.com Here you would have a shorter journey by taxi to Banjul, or pick up local gela, gelas in Senegambia (cheap) From Banjul a ticket needs to be purchased at the ferry port to go across to Barra, where you can then, once across, pick up the local transport to Dakar. I love the experience of the ferry, just keep your wits about you.

Although I understand that having guide can be difficult at times, I think that it would save you a lot of hassle and get you the local price for tickets and things. Come to some-sort of arrangement beforehand, to suit yourselves. Alway's beware.

It will be hot, dusty and fraught at times on the Dakar journey, yes, you well may get stopped loads of times for police checks etc. But it is magical!

Hope this helps.

From the Gambia I went to Dakat twice, using the minivans. You have to take the first ferry to Barra, the take transport to the border, where you change to the minivans. It's an experience. First: The Senegalese will cheat you with the price even worse than the Gambians, and they cheat the Gambians just like you! If you are very lucky, you may have a little break in Laolack, but if not you can#t even ease yourself before arriving in Dakar. The cars we had were so tight that my blood almost stocked. Even my Gambian husband never travelled this way before!

There is no road tax in Gabia, but policemen have their families to feed, and sometimes demand some small money.

In Dakar, the most wonderful thing to see ist the island of Goree. It is worth a trip!

In the Gambia I normaly stayed in guest houses. This tinme I rented in a compund. That was about 300 Euro for a month.

Please bear in mind that most food you will eat is imported, so it is not all that cheap. Alcohol is relatively expensive.

Thanks for the information. Does avoiding or saying no to those asking for money at borders/stops work....or would this be a bad idea. Well be there for 2weeks,so do you guys think that gambia south bank up the trans highway to koalack, possibly to thieles, a night in dakar, sometime in a village or two along the way back along the coast and then to The Gambia sound too much in that time. I ask as Ive read anumber of different accounts of transport..... simple journeys taking 8 hours when I could walk the distance in 6. Although Ive also been told to forget my watch.... so maybe I answered my own question.

Is it easy to find accommodation along the way without any planning? Also, Im Irish...... melts at 28C...... I hear that 40C is not uncommon this time of year. Is it humid?

Sorry for the questions, but my knowledge is limited, can we buy things for local schools in the country rather than bringing them from europe?

Cheers and many thanks.

As to the weather, yes, you will suffer, but only at first. After awhile you'll get used to it and not really care. Don't worry about the bribary issue. Just don't talk a lot, play dumb, and don't volunteer anything to officials. You actually can put yourself at risk if you do as it might insult some, and it shows that you have money. Beggars asking for money can just be ignored. Don't even answer them and walk by as if they don't exist and you didn't hear them. If the beggar is some kind of handcapped person (don't be fooled by con-artists though) that seems to deserve a lift, keep a coin or bill ready for their cup, and don't make a big deal about the contribution. Give it with a slight smile and walk on.

I agree with the above post about guides. They do tend to reduce costs and improve the experience--if you find the right one. A good way to do this is to hang around town a bit until a kid proves his worth for free. My best guides were those who demanded nothing, gave a lot, and then proved their worth enough for me to strike a deal with them. The possibility that the guy might get angry at you for not paying what he expected is a real problem though, so as recommended, make the salary expectations real clear. Once you find a good guide in town, you can travel in the immediate countryside by scooter and maybe even stay overnight in a village. I'd skip the "sustainable" tourism, and find a budget way to do the same thing on your own.

Another thing, i was checking for budget accomodation online and the beds come in at 10to 20 a night, being west africa i was expecting less. can you just go to a village and ask for someone ot put you up and make a gesture of thanks at the end. Also, we're interested in visiting some NGOs to see what sort of work is done there.

Thanks already for the great information so far, its well recieved.