%uThe Senegambia Hotel%u and other The Gambia Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

The Senegambia Hotel is the largest hotel in Gambia, with 325 rooms in detached buildings, each identified by the name of a local bird. The hotel buildings are set among 20 acres (eight hectares) of tropical gardens which border the beach.

Rooms are basic but clean, and each has a ceiling fan, telephone, and large patio windows which open onto either a private patio or balcony.

Unique Qualities: Guests can engage in sporting events without leaving the hotel grounds. There are two swimming pools, one of which is near the beach. Other options include tennis, squash, table tennis, miniature golf, and volleyball. And of course there is a large sandy beach on the Atlantic Ocean where guests can swim or sunbathe.

In the evening, there are numerous activities to keep guests amused. The buffet restaurant offers local and international dishes. The Safari Bar is a nice place to relax with a cold drink after a day's activities in the tropical heat and sunshine. Also, the hotel puts on nightly stage shows and African folklore nights.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average

Directions: The Senegambia Hotel is located on the beach in the town of Kololi, a few miles south of Banjul.

The Bird Safari Camp is located in the bush about one mile (1.6 kilometers) west of Janjangbureh. To reach it, it is necessary to drive down a narrow dirt road which is barely wide enough for a vehicle to pass. This camp is definitely well off the beaten tourist path; most guests are birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts.

Unique Qualities: The Bird Safari Camp offers either thatched-roof rondavels or luxury tents. I chose to stay in a luxury tent because the tents are generally cooler at night than the rondavels, and because insects and spiders live in the thatch of the rondavels and come out at night. The tents have electricity, a shower, a sink, and a flush toilet, and are very comfortable.

The camp relies on a generator for power, and the generator is turned off around 10:00 p.m. Therefore, a flashlight or candle is necessary for anyone who has to get up during the night.

There is also a swimming pool on the grounds, but when I was there it was empty. Other activities include bird walks (a resident ornithologist is available to lead walks) and boat trips along the Gambia River.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other
Comparison: least expensive

Tendaba Camp is one of the most popular places to stay in central Gambia. Not only do birdwatching groups regularly stay there, but other tourists go there to experience Gambian village life in the nearby village of Tendaba.

The camp was established in the 1970s by a Swedish sea captain named Wille, when he made a deal with Tendaba's chief to open a camp near the village. Wille has since died, and Tendaba Camp is currently run by Gambians.

Unique Qualities: Tendaba Camp can accommodate up to 150 people in rondavels or bungalows. The rooms are very basic, consisting of concrete walls and floors. They have ceiling fans, a shower, and a toilet. A generator provides electricity to the camp, but it is turned off during the day. Fortunately, the power runs all night so the ceiling fans help alleviate the heat.

There is a good buffet restaurant, and a bar overlooking the Gambia River, which is a good place to enjoy a cold drink during the heat of the day.

Guests can tour nearby Kiang West National Park, which is good for birdwatching, or take an excursion by boat across the river to the mangrove channels of the Baobolong Wetland Reserve. In the evening, guests can also visit Tendaba where they can sing, dance, and meet the villagers around a bonfire.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hostel
Comparison: less expensive than average