The Gambia Travel Forum

Hi all,
Have managed to book a cheap last minute holiday. Staying at a budget hotel, African Village Hotel in Bakau. Anyone know anything of that Hotel?

I am also going on my own, I am 62. I don't want to be wandering around at night looking for places to eat etc if it is considered dangerous. Anyone know what that area is like at night and if there are any 'cheapish' places to eat etc. Cheap as in , say, £5 a meal, not three course and all that.

If it is a bit dodgy in that area I will opt for the H/B option at the hotel for an extra £56 for 7 nights.

Also, during the day I will try to get out and about but I want to use the local transport to get around. No point in splashing out unnecessarily if I am on a last minute budget holiday. ALSO i think it would be more fun to get around like that and I guess it is all one price in those vehicles.

Any help or advice offered would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Pete

Getting around is no problem.
There are plenty of taxis and they are cheap.
Use the taxis to take you to the restaurants if they are too far away.

I would recommend you use the guides; they can be found outside your hotel and are very, very cheap.
They will take you to all of the local must see’s etc


Don’t worry about the bumsters; they can be persistent at times but just remember two words “Alma Dalasi” which means “I have no Dalasi” their local currency.
There are no state benefits in The Gambia so everyone has to work to earn a living.
Do take your meds for malaria; The Gambia has the nastiest mozzies in the World.

The Gambia in a nutshell is a very friendly place, the people are lovely.
The only thing that I did not care for, in The Gambia were the trips to the fishing villages, I mean, 10 million flies can’t be wrong.

Enjoy your holiday.

Ricky,
Thanks for that.

I am always wary about using tour guides. However, I have read that most people use them. Any idea what sort of prices they charge. Best to be a bit for-warned, as they say.

I shall remember to take plenty of repellent etc.

regards,

Pete

When we were there it was 50p a day = 50 US cents.
We gave him £5, it was well worth it and it did not break the bank :o)

prices are always changing. But one of my husbands friends is a good and experienced guide. His name is Lamin called BENZ, his No. is 00220-9958523. When you say Max wife gave you the number he will take very good care of you.

The prices for public transport are fixed, but depend on the distance.

African Village was one of the first hotels in The Gambia.

The prices in the restaurants vary, due to the different standard. Anyway, it is cheaper than in Europe

Have had my week in The Gambia and had a wonderful time. Bumsters a pain in the proverbial but I soon learnt how to handle those guys.

I stayed at African Village Hotel. Check out my Gambia Travel page... there are some pictures on there too. The hotel was mostly fine, especially for the bargain price I paid, however the one thing that I found pretty much unbearable was the heat and lack of air conditioning.

We asked for a fan but even that could not prevent continous dripping sweat. My friend and I were so desperate that we actually tried to hijack a fan that we saw in an open room. We almost got it to the room before we got caught by a member of staff.

Most days we ate at the hotel... The food was decent enough but overpriced in my oinions. The bumsters are very annoying but just be firm and continue about your business.

It is worth getting taxis as they are cheap, however they will also try and charge you according to what they can get out of you. Just remember to always knock them down. There was not a trip that cost more that 300 dalasis. Most times it was between 100 and 200.

just realised that you have already come back!!!

I had a really great time. Was out of season and the hotel was half empty. They still had entertainment every night tho. I really enjoyed the hotel Great staff. I only ate in on my first evening. Mostly I ate in local places seving Gambian food. McDomoros just up the road being my favourite.

I went almost everywhere using Bush taxis. Great fun and a way to meet the locals. So cheap as well. Once you camt to terms with the routes and where they started from, mostly in Serrekinda, it was a peice of cake.

I can see why many tourists hate The Gambia if they stay in tourist areas-- the Bumsters are a pain in the proverbial. I think I handled them well but I can see some peole who are not 'streetwise' getting badly ripped off and cheated etc.

persoanlyy, I loved the place and loved the hotel-- for the price and location it was perfect. No way would I stay in Sennegambia. May as well go to Benidorm.

get out and enjoy Gambia is my advice. Go to Barra on the Ferry. Go to Albert Market in Banjul. Go to Lamin Lodge and Abuko nature Reserve. take a boat to Denton bridge. Best of all spend hours in Serrekunda Market and finish up having a cold drink at Lanars Bar and just watch the 'theatre' that unfolds before your eyes!!

I loved it!

Pete