Anyone been to the Gambia?

[LadyElizabethThornton]

Thinking if going to the Gambia in February with 3 year old and 1 year old.

Any tips or advice? Any good places to stay or good day trips etc?

Anyone thinks it's a terrible idea?

3 times, I love it. Senegambia is a good place to stay, or Bakau is nice. We did a safari trip to Fathala park in Senegal, and also the Roots trip where you go to the places mentioned in Alex Haley's book (read it if you haven't, it's harrowing but interesting) which is basically a trip and explanation of the slave trade. A tough day but worth it.

I’ve been. Agree with place recommendations above. Suggest you stay in the best hotel you can afford as some are a bit ‘ropey’. Went on a fantastic early morning boat trip into the mangroves. There are some lovely nature reserves. However overall I found it a bit depressing. Rich white enclaves in hotels surrounded by relative and real poverty. Some guarded beaches. And when we were there there were refugees washe duo dead on our beach from island off the coast (sorry forgotten the names of islands). Sorry to be a bit of a downer. I felt exploitative being. There. More than other places. Very mixed.

Just check the travel vaccinations recommended, and see if they will administer them to your youngest.

www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/africa/gambia
Have a look at this. I wouldn’t take small children to The Gambia tbh.

The yellow fever vaccine is not necessary. 1st time I went I refused to have it as it was a live vaccine and I was on immunosuppressants. Last time, they said if we wanted to go to senegal, we had to have a vaccine certificate, or pay £2 each at the border. we did that. There hasn't been a case in 30 years, apparently. Very odd, and £2 was way cheaper than the vaccine.

Yes, there is a lot of poverty. And I was disturbed by the sex tourism (older women with buff young men, it's not nice, but you see the boys' point) You will get hassled walking around all the time, but it is how they make money. The people are lovely, but need to eat, so it is what it is.

It's a beautiful country that thrives on tourism, and if you are streetwise but also kind, you can meet some lovely people and have a great time

I'm facebook friends and chat quite a bit with a restaurant owner we met there, it's interesting - had a good debate re the political situation and change. The first time I went people were wary to talk re Jammeh. Post the political change, they'd chat willingly. Hope to go back soon.

I wouldn’t take small children tbh. Admittedly I went a long time ago but DH and I both got very ill from the food - standards aren’t as high as more developed countries. I also found the contrast between the resorts and the areas outside uncomfortable and we were hassled a lot whenever we left the hotel. If you do go, I echo the PP suggestion to stay at the most highly rated hotel possible.

And yes to the sex tourism! Lots of older British ladies swanning around with young Gambian men

I wouldn't go with young family

There are far nicer destinations TBH

Go to Ghana, if you want winter sun. Much, much, better. Or Senegal.

I did - but twenty years ago...
Honestly I felt very uncomfortable being on holiday while there are people living in shacks by the side of the road. I know the tourism dollar helps develop the country but it was difficult to see people begging openly for money, food and can while I was going out for a cheap dinner and drinks.

We went before we had children. I certainly wouldn't take young children there. It's a lovely country and the people are mostly friendly, but there's a lot of poverty and it can be very intimidating as you're basically hassled everywhere you go. Even the guy on the hotel reception desk asked if he could have our beach shoes when we'd finished with them and were going home. The hotel grounds staff were always asking if they could have our t shirts - it gets very wearing day after day. Also agree with comments about hotel standards - we stayed in a 5* hotel, but all the food was out of tins or packets - you could see into the kitchen stores from the gardens and it was just filled with big catering tins of beans, soups, etc.

I wouldn’t go back, same for Kenya as well. All the same reasons already listed. I particularly wouldn’t take young children.

If you do go then you will pretty much need to stick to the hotel grounds unless you are comfortable being constantly harassed.