Gambia advice please

nicoc

Hi All,

OH and I are booking a holiday to Gambia for a week in November and just wondered if anyone had been and had any tips on the place.

I've done some research on Trip Advisor and we think we're going to stay in Kotu, in the Bakotu hotel, gets great reviews and sounds like it's basic but clean which is about what we're after. Be keen to hear if anyone has any experiences of this hotel or any others you think are good. Ideally we're just looking for a base in a resort which has some bars and restaurants but isn't too busy. The object of the holiday is just to lie on the beach for a few days and then get out and see a totally new place.

Has anyone done any trips out there?

I know there are bumsters on the beach which some people find more annoying than others, am hoping after visiting Egypt and Turkey I'll be ok with it though.

Last question I promise, malaria tablets. Never taken them before but I understand we need to see our doctor to get a private prescription then we can buy from anywhere, I know there's differing advice on which one to get so I can do more research on that but sounds like Malarone is the brand leader. However does anoyone know how long you need to take them before travelling and returning? Just trying to work out rough costs thats all.

Thanks so much in advance for any advice

SteveJW

Was a thread in this forum on Gambia a couple of weeks ago, if you do a search you should be able to find

My doctor always insists I see the practice nurse for malaria advice before she will prescribe any medication, I'm lucky she doesn't charge me for the prescription.

Nurse may also reccomend some other injections

I think Malorone is taken one week before travelling, during the stay and three weeks afterwards

Be firm but polite with the bumsters

We stay in the Senegambia area, nice bars and restaurants etc

Lots of nice eating places, most you need a taxi to get to, usual arrangement is you agree a price for the return journey and a couple of hours waiting time, that way you have a taxi ride home. Remember to send a couple of soft drinks out to the driver whilst dining
It maybe sounds silly paying for the driver to wait but the best places are away from the main drag and you don't just wave a taxi down as in the UK

Places to go
Boat trip from Denton Bridge
Possibly half a day trip to Banjul (its enough)
Roots if your into that sort of thing, most of it is fake but not a bad day out
Jeep Safari (a few monkeys and termite hills) if your lucky
Abuko nature reserve

We'll be there in November (again)

Don't forget your mozzy spray

Enjoy

Voyager2002

Post #2 refers to the Senegambia area, which is where I stayed. It has a large selection of bars and restaurants (including the best place for live jazz in the country) all within walking distance, but might be a little too busy for your taste. If you choose that area, I strongly recommend the Kairaba hotel: the next-door Senegambia hotel is nothing like the same standard.

The beaches are fine for lying on, but swimming can be hazardous.

As it happens, on several occasions I did just wave down a taxi, but never at night.

As for malaria tablets: Malarone are the most expensive option, but the choice will depend on your personal preferences and medical history.

SteveJW

Almost forgot, unless you are on a real good tarif (check), take an unlocked phone and buy a sim card acrros there.
One year they were giving sim cards away at Banjul International Airport sic with around a £1 credit
Last year to purchase a sim card with credit was around 50 Dalasi, a text message to the UK was around 10P and no charge to recieve, local calls were for coppers
Phone system is really good

Currency
We always take sterling, change about £20 at the airport on arrival, plenty of places to change currency in resort

bcl999

According to here http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/africa/gambia.php
It's 2 days before and 7 days after for Malarone.
I took them a few years ago andf that sounds about right.

nicoc

Thanks everyone for the advice!

SteveJW - thanks, am off to investigate all those trips you mention. Am I right in thinking Kotu is slightly quieter than Kololi do you know by any chance? Also thanks for the info on the phones, definitely going to do that!

Voyager2002 - thank you, am off to do more anti malarial investigations!

bcl999 - thanks, off to trawl the site!

SteveJW

Kololi and Koto we made a couple of visits there last year, little quieter than the Senegambia area, lots of nice place along Kariba Avenue. Prefer the old name Pipeline Road. We were persuaded to visit The Butchers Shop, gets good reviews but we were very dissapointed

Restaurant at the bottom of Kariba Avenue on the left, lots of ex pats go their, wife jut told me its Franciscos

Just noticed on the map Bijilo National Park, always found it a nice day out

http://www.accessgambia.com/map-kololi.html

You can walk along the beach from Cape Point to Bijilo Park, we will be laid on the beach at the Seaview Bar and Restaurant

Malaria tablets, we can take Larium Malaria tablets, so use these.

Malarone tablets, visited the site recommended by bcl999, they do say a couple of days before. In my humble opinion the problem is many of the tablets have side effect some rather serious. You need to start taking most malaria tablets prior to the holiday, if you leave it to the last couple of days and they do not suit you, what do you do carry on taking, or stop, could be a little late to get to the doctors and try some different ones

Sorry to be hogging this thread but as you may have guessed we love the place