Kololi Holiday Beach Reviews

We had a room at the back of the resort, which had a really lovely view of the beach and the sea. The room was very basic, but not too bad, only problem was the beds were infested. So take some insect killer with you. Also remember to take your own towels, The towels were changed every day, but they took them at about 10 in the morning and they didn't bring new ones until well after 3 in the afternoon. We also found that the cleaners liked to hang around so it made it impossible to have an afternoon nap if the sun got too much, or even just to sit on the chairs outside of the room. The best place to be left in peace was at the closed off beach area at the back of the complex, next to the beach bar, we helped ourselves to the sunloungers which were in a storecupboard by the beach bar, and there were plenty of shady places. We found that the sun loungers by the pool were taken up quite early, people seemed to just leave their towels on them so no one else could use them and then went off for the day, but there are a lot of table by the bar which are in the shade.

On the food front, I would give it a miss at this complex (we were both ill!), and walk up to Sonias, you dont have to actually leave the complex to get there, so you dont get pestered on the way. you just walk up the long path towards the main gates and Sonias is on your right. Excellent food and its clean. They have english food and lovely bacon baps. I wish we had found that out at the beginning of the holiday.
If you want to leave the complex you will be pestered, and it gets really annoying. There are plenty of stalls, but they all seem to be selling the same stuff. We went to the craft market, but again it was all the same stuff, so it made you feel guilty over who to buy from. I would advise avoiding the women that are selling things, they are really tough, and its hard to get away from them. They start putting jewllery on you, and if you buy one thing, they then try to get you to buy more by putting things in your bag.

There are a number of supermarkets, but the best we found was actually just outside of the complex. If you cross the road and its just off on the right, Its run by an Indian man, but you can get good wine in there, and various other bits, water and snacks etc., Also its not too far to go to, so you wont get pestered that much.
We also found the Uncle Sam security staff on the complex to be a problem in the evening, we would be sitting outside of the room and they would just come up to you and not leave. Its gets a bit much when all you want is a bit of peace.
the beach is lovely, but again you will get pestered, I would advise just walk straight down towards the sea and then turn left and keep walking, The bumsters dont go down that way as there isnt much there, just lots of lovely beach and sea.
You will also find that the electric goes off all the time, which then means there is no water, and the loo wont flush either!
The cash machine at the bank, which is only just down the road works fine. But you can cash your travellers cheques at reception, we were advised by the travel agent to take american dollars, but they were wrong, they only want their money. So I would suggest taking a bit of their money with you and the rest in sterling travellers cheques.
Everyone in the Gambia wants to be tipped. when you get off the plane they will all grab for your bags, and then when you get to the bus, everyone wants a tip, tip for the loader, tip for the water boy. tip for everyone.
And its the same when you get to the holiday complex, they take your bags to the room, and refuse to leave until they get a decent tip. Be careful, you will end up broke with the tipping.
Also be careful about the tours you go on, we went on a River Cruise and it was really dangerous.
There are lots of monkeys everwhere, and cats. and the weather is fantastic.

If I went back, I'd just stay in the complex, be a bit firmer with the security staff, eat at Sonias, and just visit the supermarket across the road for the wine.