Possible trip to the Gambia - any tips?

Ali25

My partner & I are thinking about booking a week's trip to the Gambia in mid-October. We have seen a very good deal to go. I was just wondering if anyone has any tips about the country and/or things to do when you're there.

Thank you in advance,

Alice x

alanrowell

Vaccinations are recommended for Typhoid and Hepatitis A for trips to The Gambia. Yellow Fever and Meningitis inoculations may also be needed. You are strongly recommended to take anti-malarial drugs for travel to The Gambia and a DEET based insect repellent is strongly recommended for use in the late afternoon and evening.

Mytravel

See your doctor to get the up-to-date information on what antimalarials to use

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/main.jhtml?xml=%2Ftravel%2F2001%2F03%2F10%2Fetnews3.xml

bcl999

Main thing to take into account is the cost of the Malarone tablets and the private prescription to get them. There have been lots of threads on this forum about them ,try a search.

I went to The Gambia one winter instaed of my usual week at the Red Sea. I wouldn't have booked if I'd known it was a malaria area. There's too many other places to go where you don't have that problem.

As for The Gambia, it was OK. I stayed at the Atlantic which is right in the main town and was hassled to death as soon as I stepped out of the hotel grounds. (I'm used to this, having visited Egypt, Morocco, Kenya etc but it seemed worse.) The food wasn't great. I only went on one trip, to Senegal. Booked via the travel rep but it was run by a local company. I couldn't stop thinking how little they were probably paid compared to whatI paid for the trip.

The Gambia isn't on my list of places to go back to, even if it was an exceptional deal.

warthog2

I have booked a late deal to Gambia departing 28 Sept. Going to GP today for advice and prescriptions. Initial info from Nurse said Yellow Fever vaccination and definitely Malarone tablets plus Hep A and B (already had Typhoid injec last year)

Go to Trip Advisor forum for info about Gambia - it is the rainy season now, hot and humid. Weather forcast today is showers, 32 degrees and 24 tonight.

Have read lots about Gambia. Just be polite and firm with the hassling locals. Taking items to hand out for children e.g. pencils and paper.

Currently trying to find best deal for Gatwick parking.

We are looking forward to our trip!

ramellous1

About 10 years ago we paid a lad from the hotel £10 to be our guide about for the day. Took us to a local market, crocodile pool and a general drive around in a taxi he sorted. It's a good idea cos nobody hassles you when your with him. We had a proper trip through the local (Kololi) nature reserve with monkeys swinging through the trees.

The ocean in January was warm and body boarding is fun.

I don't know if Kololi is more developed now but if you want a lazy pool hot break then it is an experience.

We stayed in the Holiday beach club which is on Trip advisor. It sounds like it was then. Had to keep waking the barman up for a bottle of Julbrew. They played a lot of Maxi Priest and Marley around the pool. It's right on the beach so you go to sleep with the sound of the waves nearby.

Talking about I think I'll go back..

rbulph

If you're into birdwatching it's good. Otherwise there's nothing to do.

littlereddevil

Worst place I have ever been

warthog2

warthog2 wrote: »

I have booked a late deal to Gambia departing 28 Sept. Going to GP today for advice and prescriptions. Initial info from Nurse said Yellow Fever vaccination and definitely Malarone tablets plus Hep A and B (already had Typhoid injec last year)

Go to Trip Advisor forum for info about Gambia - it is the rainy season now, hot and humid. Weather forcast today is showers, 32 degrees and 24 tonight.

Have read lots about Gambia. Just be polite and firm with the hassling locals. Taking items to hand out for children e.g. pencils and paper.

Currently trying to find best deal for Gatwick parking.

We are looking forward to our trip!

Nurse gave me Yellow Fever and Hep B today. Yellow Fever takes 10 days to start immunity (not quite long enough for me but better than no protection) and Hep B will need follow up injections in 1 month and 5 months to build full immunity.

You will also need typhoid jab last year along with Hep A.

Something else to consider - the value of the Dalasi is dropping quite drastically. According to info on the Trip Advisor Gambia forum it has dropped from 53 to 35 dalasi to the £ in the last 6 weeks.

Hope this is useful info.

Ali25

I know I'm adding advice to my own thread, but I've discovered a great site called The Gambian Tourist Support that has loads of great tips and information and can also offer fantastic looking trips once you're out there. It costs £15 to join and you get free airport transfers.

Ali25

littlereddevil wrote: »

Worst place I have ever been

What was so awful about it, if you don't mind me asking. Or is it too much to go into?!!!

Thanks to everyone for their advice so far.

Alice

bcl999

Warthog2
Have you mistyped in your message about dalasi value?
Surely if the dalasi has gone from 53 to £ to 35 to £ that means the value of the dalasi is increasing rather than dropping? It's the value of the £ against the dalasi that is dropping i.e. things will work out more expensive for those exchanging sterling.