Lamin Lodge is a restaurant built on stilts among the mangroves overlooking the Gambia River. (Lamin means "first-born son" in the local Mandinka language). To reach the restaurant, patrons must cross a causeway through the mangrove swamp, where they may see water birds and small fish in the water.
The multi-level restaurant is constructed entirely of split logs, and it seems as if there are few, if any, flat surfaces in the whole structure. The building does not seem very sturdy, and it creaks in high winds. Patrons can even see the water underneath the building through cracks in the flooring.
My group had lunch in the third-floor watch tower, which provided great views over the mangroves and river. We were even able to birdwatch while enjoying our lunch, seeing herons, egrets, kites, vultures, terns, and kingfishers.
Favorite Dish: The Lamin Lodge features fresh seafood caught from the nearby river, including several types of fish, oysters, and shrimp. (The mouth of the Gambia River contains salt water and therefore seafood). I had ladyfish with rice, and it was the best-tasting meal I had during my two weeks in West Africa.
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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
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on Feb 8, 2007
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