Latest Reviews for Bakau

The Gambia is a photographer's paradise – A simple drive through the sprawling suburbs to the Serrekunda market is an unforgettable experience. The vibrancy of colour explodes once you get to the market, nothing can prepare you for the volume of people and range of goods on display - this is the African marketplace in all its glory.

The people are too photogenic for their own good; there are a million shots to be taken routed to one spot and most are happy for you to snap away, though the odd coin or purchase helps a lot!

So whether it is social and documentary, portraiture or beach and landscape - there is something for everyone.

The Gambia won't be to every ones taste, it is a unique, but very poor country and the Ngala Lodge Hotel is an Oasis in the middle of a third world community. The staff are retained throughout the year, rather than 'let go' during the quiet summer months, which creates a wonderful loyalty where NOTHING is too much trouble.

The accommodation is spacious with nice touches like little libraries in each room, a CD player and choice of music. There is art and sculpture everywhere in the hotel and dotted throughout the grounds. The gardens are continually nurtured (to see the Palm tree surgeon at work was an event in its self); the paintwork and the swimming pool needs a little attention, but we understand the hotel is waiting for a consignment of paint to be delivered.

The staff and the food was just wonderful!

We stayed in the Manor Suite at Ngala Lodge, but when we go back (and we will) we like the idea of staying in one of the upper suites in the original Colonial Building. Have read a couple of reviews from different sites; it is interesting this hotel gets such a varied rating. We can only assume (like a fine wine) it gets better with age!

Rooms are basic but comfortable and clean. Cleaned everyday and towels changed daily, towels are provided by the pool and on the beach.

We stayed bed and breakfast where there was plenty of choice but don't expect a full english. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve Gala meals were included New Year's Eve was better as this was out door on a large field with tables of 10 so you had to sit with people you didn't know but it made you make friends with people who you wouldn't have normally bothered with, entertainment was Ok, fireworks were fantastic.

The hotel now operates a system where you don't pay for things as you buy them but they go against your room, you can settle the bill as often as you like to ensure that you don't have a shock when you check out. Prices for drinks were more expensive in the hotel that what they were on the streets. This is not very well liked by the staff in the hotel as they no longer get tips and use to rely on the tips to ensure that they had adequate wages, also staff are only given 6 month contracts and then the hotel finishes them at the end of the season, this means the staff have very little job security. The hotel is now owned by lebanese and the money they make at the hotel is taken out of the Gambia, which is not good for the country, while we were there the staff went on strike against the pay and the short term contracts which they are given the strike was over after a couple of hours but whether the staff got what they wanted was unclear.

The hotel grounds has lots of wildlife including monkeys and monitor Lizards.

During christmas day there were Children choirs singing around the hotel, bands on the beach, and it was a nice way to spend christmas instead of sitting room and overeating.

It is a third world country so don't expect a lot, they have very little but they are the happiest people I have ever met.

We spent 2 days on Jinnack island which is a hut on the beach with no running water and no electricty, this was a good experience as it shows exactly how the Gambian people really live, we also visited a Gambian Compound which again just showed how happy the people are without such luxuries which we enjoy. it does make you think about what we take for granted.

All in all I would return to the Gambia for the climate and the friendliness of all the people we met and their hospitality even though they have nothing compared to us.

excellent hotel for its rating. very bright and clean reception area. same for hotel room-111. Lovely large sandy beach. no rush for beach beds. limited lunchtime eating places. we went to the sunbeach hotel.good evenings we found chapmans to be excellent,otherwise an expensive ride to fajara. overall a vey good hotel

I knew it was a 2leaf hotel but it was well below that.I asked the rep twice to get me a flight back home but he kept on asking me to give him a chance to sort it out.

My room was grubby and was in need of repairs and updating,the door to the room was just about holding on to its lock,the toilet moved if you had the bottle to sit on it,didn't even try to use the mosquito net.The breakfast was not very good just eggs,ham and bread no toast,cornflakes or jam.The coffee was good and in a mug but you made it yourself.

The beach was the worst thing i have ever been on.It was like an ash tray and more broken concrete than sand.The sunbeds were like broken coffins and the mattresses was disgusting i've had to throw my bathers away.You could not go at night as the locals would not leave you alone some even stayed in the hotel rooms with some of the guests.

Right now the good points the staff was helpful and smiling.Don't know what they had to smile about as the holiday cost me 600 pounds and they only earn 50 pence an hour.Perhaps unlike me they get to go home at night.It is not that cheap to eat out as a plate of chips costs 2 pound.Good job there was a supermarket across the road as i could buy english chocs or i would have starved.I would not go back to this hotel again

What a fantastic holiday! A perfect combination of relaxation in gorgeous sunshine with exploring on the side!! Perfect break in a cold and snowy January!!

Admittedly the holiday got off to a slightly bad start - delayed flight departure (nearly didn't fly at all!), and an unscheduled fuel stop, so we arrived five hours later than hoped, so the first day was pretty much written off...

Although reports comment on the hassle at the airport, as long as you are firm - with the locals and the grip on your bag, you'll be fine. Change for tipping is useful though . . . Arrived to a warm welcome at The Sunbeach and even though it was dark, very pleased with our choice. Woke up the next day to idyllic blue skies and the sound of the ocean crashing against the rocks, just yards from our door . . . . lovely!! We found the breakfasts to be very good, and ideal to fill you up without a need for lunch. More time for sunbathing and volleyball. The hotel was a high standard, good facilities, and always clean. Daily cleaning of rooms impeccable also.

The beach was superb, and as well as using the serviced area, we wandered along on several occasions, and the peace of having expanses of beach to yourselves.

Aside from sunbathing, we got out and about quite a bit, and recommend using the guides, and it is best to find one you get to know and trust. And bless them, they will happily supply you with weed if that's your thing! Bumsters a definite pain the first few days . . . We went into the village on several occasions, quite an experience at first! Also went to the Croc Pool(yes, got persuaded!), Banjul market, the school (take some pencils crayons etc!), Bakau and some other towns. Even went and saw the homes of some of the locals, a great insight.

We made good use of the taxis, particularly in the evenings. Hilarious, how the cars stay in one piece I will never know!! Infact one didn't - it ran out of petrol and our cheery driver ran off with his can to top us up (torches come in handy at times like this)!!! Dined at some very good restaurants including Clay Oven and Ngala Lodge. We were recommended the Italian, about a 15 min walk from the hotel, but slightly concerned after spending some time talking to the owner . . . . maybe would not return here!!!

We found prices reasonably cheap but they varied hugely depending on where you were, and what you ate and drank. Wine is generally imported and cost at least £7 a bottle with dinner.

Quick smooth transfers but the flight on the way back was even worse than on the way out - got dumped in Birmingham, had a lengthy wait before a coach back to Manchester (and then another two hour drive for us)!! Not best happy (35 to minus 5 in 7hours!) but the holiday was so good, we still managed to stay smiling.

We would thoroughly recommend the Sunbeach and the Gambia, and would definitely consider going back!!

This was our third trip to The Gambia (see our original review still on this site from Dec 2004)We fell in love with this resort and this hotel then and have returned each year since.

We are well travelled but I will say that this is our favourite destination and we look forward to our visits each year.This time we had our 14 yr old son and the animation team kept him happy throughout the two weeks. Last year we had two sons (15+ 13yrs then)with us and also had a great holiday.

Once again we had a wonderful, wonderful holiday. The Gambian people are truly marvellous. Unfortunately we live in a suspicious society and find it hard to believe that there are people in this world who are truly nice and genuine, as they are. Therefore we are hesitant to believe or make friends with the Gambians. Get over this belief and you will have a great time.

Since this was our third holiday we were familiar with many of the staff and the locals. Most of them are just nice people and just want to talk and be friendly. The report from another holiday maker that I have read is misleading. The tour guides outside the hotel (in the purple shirts) are NOT BUMSTERS. They are there to assist and help tourists. They are very knowledgeable and, although they recieve no wage, are employed by the hotel to assist tourists and prevent hassle (they are provided with official I.D. cards by the hotel management). I recommend that you don't be afraid to use them.

Eating out is a pleasure and is cheap. We recommend the Chinese restaurant, Chapmans, the Calypso or the Ocean Clipper(this one is more expensive but the food is good and well presented). You should also try Ali Baba's or the Scala in Serrakunda. You can get a taxi there for ten pounds and the driver will wait until you have finished your meal and then return you to your hotel.

The Gambia and its people get ";under your skin"; and you cannot help but fall in love with the place once you learn to rid yourselves of the English reserve and suspicious nature. Many on this site complain about the porters at the airport. True, they do tend to grab your luggage but you have to keep in mind that this is a poor country and all they ask in return is a small 5-10 dalasi tip (10-20p). Remember tips in European resorts are much more and is it not worth 10p for someone to lug your heavy luggage around for you!
We will definitely be returning this winter.

The hotel is spot on. The staff were friendly and efficient as usual, the food excellent, as is the standard of the rooms. Any problems are promptly dealt with AND WHERE ELSE CAN YOU HOLIDAY AND BE THE ONLY PERSON SWIMMING IN THE POOL AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS GETTING A SUN LOUNGER OR PAROSOL. (free of charge to boot) We also tried the laundry service this time, the clothes came back the same day spotlessly clean and ironed and one of the staff came by to ask us if we were satisfied with the service. Its's also very cheap.
If you want a relaxing holiday amongst really nice people in a hotel with staff that will spoil you rotten and with guests that return every year (we met several families that we have met on previous stays) then choose the Sunbeach, as we certainly will be.

had 2 weeks at the sunbeach in november the hotel was far better than i was expecting very clean rooms had a few chipped tiles but my room was directly looking over the beach and the sun rises were fantastic.all the staff were friendly and polite on going for breakfast at least 6 people called out good morning to me and remembered my name,

breakfast was excellent and service good,i was half board but would recommend b and b as the hotel charge less for evening meal than the tour operators,the evening meals were also excellent lots of choices the only thing i would say was the choice of vegetables were limited,the tarts for dessert were out of this world and different flavour every night..pool fantastic and apart from 1st day always a bed to be had.went to the calypso for lunch a few times it is along the beach past the other hotels and further along is the shack it looks just like that, walk along past the mangroves or along the road good food very cheap prices.did some trips with the tour operators but those done with the locals were better and much better value.the monkey park was brilliant,i had my birthday while out there and the hotel made a real fuss of me and made the day special.i will be going back again next year in november the weather was really hot and not a mossie in sight but i did spray every night as some people were bitten.as a single traveller i would recommend this hotel to other single travellers and families alike.

met some really nice people out there hi to ray and clare and elaine and sylvia if you read this.

On a spur of the moment we decided to spoil ourselves to another holiday and we decided on Gambia after hearing several good comments from friends.
This time we did not stay in a major tourist resort but wanted to enjoy real Gambia.

We found a small lodge, Gunjur Beach Lodge, with 8 rooms (all en-suite) in the village of Gunjur, about 40 minutes from the airport. We were collected by the friendly manager and on the way to lodge we already knew we made good choice. We saw the green lush land, small villages and smiling people.

The Logde is a great place to escape. The rooms are basic but nicely furnished. The breakfast was a real joy every morning as we sat in the garden and had loads of birds to look at. Almost every mornig we saw some big lizards coming for a drink in the birdpool. Also the food in the restaurant was excellent. Good portions, freshly made and as the call it honest food. Nothing fancy but just good food.
The lodge is eco-friendly and runs on solar. Which is perfect and suited us, but be sure to bring a tourch. (as we decided to do at the last moment)

We had long walks along the Atlantic, worked on our suntan on the hassle free beach of the lodge, explored the surrounding villages and the wetland. Joined the fishermen whilst bringing in their catch and even went a day fishing with one of them and caught some nice fish we grilled later that day.

Went to see the big 'cities' as Serrekunda and Banjul and spent an evening there in Fajara (had a great meal and cocktails in theWeezo's) and Kololi (watch other tourist whilst sitting on a terrace of the Irish Pub and went clubing
in Aquarius). That was ok for one day but we were happy in our peaceful Gunjur with only the sound of nature.

Learned to play the djembe at night around the campfire, visited families in their compounds, went bird watching.

All in all a fantastic holiday, thanks to the ever so friendly staff and their warm hospitality.

We can highly recommend Gunjur Beach Lodge and we will be back!

The Hotel staff are quite helpful and friendly.The hotel is quite basic but clean.
As with all over the resort areas the bumsters can be persistant.Just try not to show the slightest interest or wear ear phones!This tends to deter them.
If you have time, try to get away from the resort areas and meet the real Gambian people.
COST.
If you stay only in the tourist hotels and bars you can spend as much as if you are in spain.Just venture 10 minutes walk to Bakau and you can eat for £1 and get 3 Julbrew for £1.
Get a local taxi to the ";sand plover";.This is a beach bar in amongst the mangroves.Taxi should cost you D75-100 from Cape point.Lovely peaceful bar open 12-6 or 8ish.Eat for 75-100 D.

On the whole I would recommend Cape Point hotel and The Gambia.Great place for fishing, bird watching and generaly chilling.

We were booked to stay at this hotel for 7 nights - we only lasted 1! We stayed in an upgraded room with a sea view. We wanted somewhere small and friendly with an African atmosphere but our room was not clean and was grubby. The balcony door fell to pieces the first time we opened it (but the staff did fix it straightaway), the bath had disgusting streaky marks, the sink was blocked, the mosquito net had plasters over to cover the numerous large holes in the net, the fan was very rusty - not nice.

The breakfast was disappointing - bread, jam, ham, cheese, orange squash (not juice) and corn flakes. The beach was a slab or concrete with a bit of sand chucked on top (we knew it was man-made but Tenerife's man-made!). As for good things: the location (right next to a large market), not too touristy, cheap drinks, a few restaurants a short taxi ride away (though too far to walk especially at night) and the staff were friendly.

Overall, reminded us of a backpacker-style hotel and would make a good base for a holiday if you wanted to go on trips every day and simply go back to the hotel to sleep. Not for us though and we upgraded to the Ocean Bay Hotel at Cape Point - a vast improvement.

Word of warning though, we found the Gambia not as cheap as people say in previous reviews. We did not eat in the most expensive restaurants and only had a glass of wine and a couple of bears with our meal, but it still came to £30-40 (starter and main course each). Considering the price of the food that restaurants can buy it for and that they pay their staff a pittance, is very surprising. To highlight this, the average wage for a family is around £20 per month!! Also it costs in the rural areas 20p to send a child to a school for a month and over 50% of kids don't go to school as their parents can't afford it.