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Many of the staff who work for JLM Travel have visited the Gambia many times and have first hand experience of Gambia holidays. So what does a holiday in Gambia offer? It offers miles of lovely sandy beaches and lovely year round temperatures that average above 30c. Holidays in Gambia are a wonderful introduction to Africa with the locals offering a very warm welcome.
The Gambia is known as “Africa’s smiling coast” due to the friendly Gambians. The Gambia is a former British Colony situated on the west coast of Africa. Gambia gained independence from Britain in 1965. As one of Africa’s smallest countries it is around twenty miles wide and around 300 miles long, it is surrounded by Senegal to the North, South and East and the Atlantic Ocean in the West. At around six hours flying time, a holiday in Gambia is perfect for a relaxing sunshine holiday.
THINGS TO DO ON HOLIDAY IN GAMBIA
There is lots of things to do during your holiday in the Gambia. Many people like to just laze on the beach or around the pool, but there is an abundence of things to do if you are more active. Birdwatching is a popular activity in the Gambia, there is a fantastic range of bird life in and around watering holes and many excellent local guides on hand to help you explore. Fishing is another popular activity that see's organised trips travel to Gambia for the experience. There are many deserted beaches waiting to be discovered that is great for walks or horse riding on. In the larger resorts there is usually a craft market where you can purchase African jewellary and art or hand carved wood carvings and a visit to the Gambia is not complete without a good old barter with the locals.
EXCURSIONS IN THE GAMBIA
There are many excursions on offer for you to sample while on holiday in the Gambia. The excellent Goverment backed local guides can arrange trips for you to many places including Baboon Island, the home of the Chimpanzee Trust as well as a visit to the market in Serrekunda, The Gambia’s largest town. You can visit nearby Senegal and see lots of native wildlife. Camel Trekking is a popular excursion and can be combined with an afternoon on the beach. For those who like nature, try the Abuko Nature Reserve or visit the crocodile pool near Bakau. Birdwatchers return year after year to see over 500 different species. Dolphins and Hippo's are spotted on the River Gambia, and monkeys in the woodland areas, some very close to hotels!
Over the last five to ten years many new hotels including luxury boutique hotels as well as modern new hotels from international chains and they offer very good quality accommodation. The 5* Kairaba Hotel in Kololi is an excellent hotel that attracts many repeat guests, as well as the new Sheraton Gambia in Brufut Heights.
For the more budget conscious, a holiday in Gambia offers a great destination for this years break, there are basic guesthouses and budget hotels that offer good value for money hotels such as the Badala Park in Kotu and The Sarges Hotel, Holiday Beach Club and Mansea Beach Resort, all in Kololi usually have great deals on off peak dates.
EATING AND DRINKING IN THE GAMBIA
A holiday in Gambia still represents excellent value for money compared to countries in the Eurozone. If you fancy a snack during the day when your on the beach, many of the beach bars offer great value for money. Pizza's are available for around £2.50 with chicken and chips around the same price. Many new bars and restaurants have opened in Kotu and Kololi (Senegambia Strip) - in January 2011 a filet steak with trimings was available in one of the top restaurants for £6.50! You can eat like Royalty for very little. Drinks are very reasonable too, soft drings range from around 40p in a supermarket to a maximum of £1 in a bar. The local wine and beer is very reasonable to, a bottle of Julbrew beer is available in bars for around £1.
As the sun goes down the night is yours to sample many different cuisines, most hotels serve various international and African dishes, however there are many fine restaurants in the tourist areas. The resort area of Kololi (also known as Senegambia) offers some excellent local restaurants. Ali Baba's Garden is a must for a nice meal, and some African entertainment - reggae style. Skala is one of the best restaurants in the Gambia and well worth a visit! Mama's restaurant near Fajara also offers good food at low cost. There are many different types of restaurants in The Gambia, from traditional African to Indian and Chinese, whatever you fancy there is something for you.
You can watch the footie in Cheerz bar at Kololi, or for night owls there is a number of disco's to sample which play international hits until the early hours. On the Senegambia Strip in Kololi there is Chooson, a bar that plays live African music until the early hours, Waaw bar a Gambian nightclub and Aquarius a western style nightclub that plays international hits. Churchill's on Palma Rima Road is an English style pub that has occasional Karoke, next door is a fab pizza restaurant called Luigis, which offers the best pizza in the Gambia!. For a more local style nightspot, head to Serrekunda where you will find Jokers (sometimes called Joko's) for some dancing African style - not to be missed!
GAMBIA HOLIDAYS - QUICK FACTS
Location: West Africa
Capital: Banjul
Currency: Dalasi ( rate UK£1 = 43 Dalasi as of January 2011)
Time Zone: GMT
Population: 1.5 million
Official Language: English, although French, German, Dutch, and Scandinavian languages are widely spoken in the Gambia, as well as local languages such as Mandinka, Wollof, Fula, Jola, Sarahule, Serere and Manjango.
British passport holders do not need a visa. A £5 tourist levy is charged by the Gambian government and this is included in the cost of your holiday. As of 1st November 2010 a €20pp development fee is payable on departure from The Gambia, this can be paid in Pounds, Euro or Dalasi.
There are inoculations and malaria precautions recommended for holidays in The Gambia, we advise that you speak to your GP for the up to date information. You will usually only require a yellow fever jab if you have travelled from an infected area, again though we recommend you speak to a GP.
