The Gambia Travel Forum

Is the Palma Rima hotel child friendly? , like if they were on a holiday with the school?

Has anybody holidayed at the palma rima at Koto in Gambia. Thanks

Hi im going to the gambia in november, i have been to kenya is it simular,has anybody stayed at the palmer rima. thank you

when you holiday in gambia can you buy your holiday clothes & toilitries there

Hey there,

I heading to The Gambia at the start of June for 2 weeks. its my first time and I'm very excited - I've been reading lots about it online - I've just noticed that the Roots festival will be on while I'm there... but other than what the festival is about and various press releases I can't seem to find any info on it, ie.whether its a ticketed event - where to buy tickets and where in the Counrty the festival will be taking place. Is it like Carnaval in Brazil and is simply celebrated throughout the country or will it mostly be taking place in Banjul??
I know that june is the start of the wet season - but what exactly does that mean - will it be raining all the time?? I'm Irish so it will be like home if thats the case ;)
Thanks...

Why do the main tour operators in the UK stop serving the Gambia between end April and start November? Is it really just too hot for a fair skinned person like me? Would You advise going anyway? Thanks, Jon.

Hello!!
I'm heading to Cape point with my parents next week and wondered if anyone could help. unfortunately, we have very different ideas about travelling and they booked us on a package deal with a nice hotel, etc, whereas i'm more used to travelling alone & trying to experience more of the local life....i'm not liking the idea of bein stuck in a tourist resort when i will be in such an interestiting country... Just wondered if anyone could offer advice about how i might manage to escape the tourist enclosure from cape point to see a little of the real Gambian life & try some local food, culture, etc...perhaps hiring a bike or something? would be very grateful for any advice.

would anyone know of or could recommend charity/ volunteer organisations in the gambia which would allow me to do some volunteer work - thanks

hello,

I am trying to get an idea of how much money to budget for a trip to The Gambia. What is a the average cost of food, lodging etc? I know that exchange rate is about 28 dalasi/1 USD, but I want to know what to expect....I want to know the local prices if possible, so that I can have an advantage in bargaining!

thanks,

michelle
M

the first question

Did anyone ever hear of the blue parrot as a place tostay in the kololi area?

the second question.... how easy is it to convert money (sterling) at the airport

Is there a better place than the airport to convert money

would bringing travellers cheques be useful in the gambia

Many thanks, yet again,

D.

Hi, We're off to The Gambia for a week next Friday and I've been trying to figure out how to do an overnight trip to Dakar. Because we're only away for a week it really has to be no more than 2 nights max in Senegal. I found a really good trip with Gambia Tours (http://www.gambiatours.gm/ex_senegal_roundtrip.html) but I've already enquired and they are not able to do the trip while we're there.

I'm thinking of going it alone (well, me & Jonathan) but overland sounds complicated. I also looked into flying but Air Senegal's online reservation system doesn't seem to be working and I think it's really expensive.

Has anyone made this trip recently and can offer advice?

Thanks.

how easy is it to find accommodation through the gambia without prior booking? Also, is there accomodation for prices at or below 15euro a night?..... im not too fussy where or what.

Thanks.

Thanks everyone for all your postings on this site, they have been most helpful. We fly tomorrow - 28th feb. suitcases are packed and in the hall! Can't wait.

Ann

Im about to buy some malaria tablets and was keen to find out about cheap places to get them. Im in the UK if that helps and Ive been told to go to stratford-pharmacy.com or the like. Does anyone have suggestions for a cheap and reliable supplier?

Cheers!

Has no-one been to this hotel? Does anyone know anything about it? We fly on the 28th so please any info. would be good!

Ann

Any Information on the ROOTS Festival.

Will be there 30th May - 6th June.

Staying at Bwiam Lodge....Alan

Hi there. My boyfriend and I are planning to visit the Gambia at the beginning of June. I was wondering if there is any beach hut style accommodation available on the beach (i'm thinking like Thailand or Goa) as this would be our chosen type of accomodation. If not, could anyone recommend somewhere cheap and cheerful, very near the beach similar to this type of accommodation? We are looking for anything a bit differnet like tree houses etc.? I know it's a long shot, any information would be grateful.
Thanks in advance
Catherine Zeta x

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.

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.

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.

just found out that i need yellow fewer jabs?. is there a great risk for staying at the kololi beach resort. they are 60 quids and was wondering i f i really need them

sam

My wife and I are planning a trip to gambia and would like information on the best time of year to go and what hotewls are recommended?

I am off to Gambia and staying in Kololi Beach club, could some one please give me some info on tipping. what is the normal amount for tipping porters restaurants etc. Also, do you tip in local currency or sterling for porters, cos when we arrive i will only have sterling until i change the money.

sam

We are off to The Gambia for our first time end of Feb and staying at the above hotel. Anyone any info on the hotel would be most welcome.

Thanks

MY WIFE AND I ARE PLANNING A TRIP TO THE GAMBIA THIS YEAR .WE HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN {2 AND 4} WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE FOR FAMILIES ? IS IT SAFE FOR CHILDREN? ANY TIPS FOR TAKING CHILDREN TO THE GAMBIA ?ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT

We're going to Gambia for the first time due to troubles in Kenya. Has anyone stayed at this hotel? What is there to do locally as regards things to see/restaurants/bars. Also is it possible to go to Niokolo Koba from Banjul and if so what sort of price could we expect to pay in March and would we need visas. Any info would be greatly appreciated

last question before we go next week,
anyone know approx. how many children are in each school class as we,ve got some small calculators and would,nt want anyone to miss out.
30 at the moment, will we need more?
thanks to all who,ve answered previous q,s

follow on from previous question.
i plan to take a bag of things for the kids, really just a sports bag and leave it over there for someone.
question is .....will it be safe at the gambia end as being material it will be easily cut open. i,m not questioning the gambians integrity but if they are as poor as people make out is it possible someone at the airport might see this as an easy target?

I'm going to the Gambia in a little over two weeks for a 7day holiday in a nice touristy beach resort - does anyone doing similar actually get all the vaccinations recommended?

These vaccinations are jolly expensive in the UK (which is a little confusing as just £1 can apparently vaccinate a whole African family according to Comic Relief) I'd really appriciate some advice on what diseases really are a problem for tourists?

I know that I should ideally have all vaccinations but at this point in time and with my bank balance, this isn't going to happen. If anyone who's been there (or is medically trained) can offer advice, I'd be very grateful.

first time in gambia, staying at the palm grove hotel, banjul beach. anyone with recent experience of it please????. we are going in 3 weeks so quick replies would be good, thanks.
also, the pens/pencils etc. question. is it really that bad for the kids across there?. we have a load of these to take but would appreciate advice on who and where to give them to, also small childrens clothing, same question. any advice on any shortages they might need.
thanks again,
steve c