Anyone been to gambia

bradrock

Hi there,
Me and Mrs have booked a week to Gambia in November got it at £700 for the week bed and breakfast for the both of us which I thinks quite good.
Has anyone been , any tips prices when over there that sort of thing.

Cheers

gallygirl

What hotel are you staying at? Basically there are two main areas - one is Cape Point, about 6 restaurants and a few bars, and Kololi, known as 'the strip' with lots of bars and restaurants. Apart from that the other hotels are in quite solitary areas.

Plus points:
Great weather
Quiet beaches
Different cultural experience

Minus points:
Cheap for food & drink
Different cultural experience :rotfl:. You will get a LOT of hassle from the locals, with 'hello my friend, I work in your hotel' - no they don't, staff get sacked if they approach you. And if you're short with them you'll get 'it's nice to be nice' and they just want to walk with you etc. You can't shop without being pounced on, you get hassled on the beach etc. Say you've been 4 times before and they back off a bit, they also back off when you've acquired a bit of colour

We went 4/5 times in total, in January as great weather and not too far away, so obviously we enjoyed it, but it is very different.

If you're up for it, hire an official guide with a car for the day and go to Banjul market and fish markets etc. The 'Roots' trip was very humbling, but 'FOR GOODNESS SAKE LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!! IF YOU'D JUST BACK OFF AND LET ME LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE SELLING I MIGHT CONSIDER BL**DY WELL BUYING SOMETHING!!!!!'

Watch out for the President - he seemed to stalk us, we were forever getting held up for his cavalcade . He'd cured AIDS by the way, according to the literature.........no doubt helpful as there is also a LOT of sex tourism. Mainly middle aged women with handsome young men.

Oh dear, not really selling it am I! It is great though, goats walking up the road, vultures in the trees at the airport (that's reassuring :rotfl:), great birdlife in general.

bradrock

We are staying at the holiday beach club which apparently opens the room doors onto the beach, I think from what I've read it's only a 5 minute walk to the "strip".

No u won't put me off lol we want something a bit different to the Spain Turkey Europe thing done a million times before ....

annie_d

I'm going with my daughter the first week on October! Laico or some such similar Hotel.

gallygirl

It's certainly a bit different :T

Annie - you'll be very popular

bradrock

Annie u can give me an up to date lowdown in a few weeks!!!

WolfSong2000

If you want the typical touristy experience, stay by the beach. If you want something more authentic, with friendly but laid back locals, go upriver.

If you enjot bird watching, the Gambia is meant to be one of the best places in the world...there's also various historical monuments dotted about.

Unfortunately I think the camp for the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre in the national park is still closed to the public (ongoing saga with that place, won't go into it) which is a shame as it's gorgeous - used to have accommodation where you could stay, etc.

All depends on whether you want a beach holiday (and are prepared to be constantly hassled by the beach bums) or if you're looking for something more active/authentic.

The Gambians in general are lovely people - very friendly, happy to help, etc. The beach bums you find in the tourist areas are *not* indicative of the attitude of your average Gambian.

Also stating the obvious - anti-malarials are a must-have (unless you're my mother, but that's another story! haha). Malarone works well, but is expensive. Doxyxycline also works well, but beware, it does make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and whatever you do don't take it on an empty stomach! What else...be wary of stray animals. Rabies does exist in the Gambia and last I heard there was a shortage of vaccines - certainly upriver. They're probably better stocked at the coast.

Oh, and gallygirl - apparently the president has just announced he can cure Ebola, too. PR nightmare for the country *rolls eyes*. Ugh.

gallygirl

Thanks Wolfsong - yes, I should have said, the 'bums' are mainly from Senegal, not Gambia.

Dolphins in the river :j:j:j

bradrock

I knew about malaria tablets, what about jabs I have read a lot of conflicting stuff. Are just malaria tabs gonna be ok on there own?

littlereddevil

Not worth the hassle imo

Voyager2002

I have lived and worked there, and it is a lovely country. Do please get a guide book.

Most people speak English and you can get around by public transport, otherwise it is easy to hire a car and guide. Do bargain for everything: you will see notices with lists of fixed prices but if you ask you can usually do a lot better than that.

The obvious attractions are the beaches and the nearby bars and restaurants. Read reviews on Trip-Advisor (several by me), and if you fancy swimming, find out about rip-tides: swimming in the sea is hazardous everywhere in West Africa. There are wildlife parks within easy reach, and quite a lot of history, including British forts that are hundreds of years old...

Do please see your doctor well before your trip and plan your vaccinations in good time.