Gambia - anyone been?

[BitchQueen90]

Just browsing for next year and I've seen that Thomas Cook do holidays to Gambia. Has anyone been and are there things to do outside the resorts? I've been to Greece/Spain etc so many times and want to go somewhere a bit different but I don't want to be confined to the hotel!

Yes I went years ago. We went to Senegal on a day trip and out to a local market, but in reality it's a 3rd world destination and a resort holiday. The local lad that was working the sunbeds was lovely, we left him a tip equivalent to 6 months salary. At the time it made me feel better about the situation, but armed guards on the beach is a bit weird.

Yes, I went in February.
It is very different to Greece etc.
It has positives and negatives.
Positives are -
Vibrant west African culture - traditions, music, customs etc
Weather is generally amazing in tourist season (Nov - March)
Can be good value - eating out etc
There are some really good hotels and restaurants if you choose wisely
Gambian people are generally extremely friendly and smiley
It is a fascinating country and there are some great trips out to do
It is only six hours from the UK with no jet lag
Beautiful country with gorgeous beaches, nice beach bars
Crime rate overall is low - it is a safe country
Bird life is amazing - lots of multicoloured tropical birds.

Negatives:
No big animals such as lions or elephants - they went centuries ago.
You get quite a lot of hassle from 'bumsters' (unemployment is massively high for young men - they want to earn a crust by being your guide, selling you things etc), it is friendly hassle but can be persistent and irritating.
Malaria - this is a serious risk and you MUST take anti-malarials as advised by your travel clinic.
It is a very poor country - you will see poverty which can be shocking. Most Gambian people lead very basic, poor lives (but despite that are still warm and generous people)
It is a third world country - standards e.g. in some restaurants and some hotels are not the same as in Europe; there will be powercuts, and infrastructure is poor.

There are some amazing trips out you can do - to gorgeous beaches, to local markets and fishing villages, etc. Have a look on Tripadviser Gambia forum, and maybe join the facebook group The Gambia Forum.
I can suggest a really reliable and reasonable tour guide/driver - a lovely and knowledgeable Gambian man and his English wife, for trips out. Do message me if you want to know more.
I really enjoyed the Gambia, but I have travelled in India etc before and researched my trip well so knew what to expect. It's sometimes described as a 'marmite' country - you either love it or hate it. I am going back again next season, I must love it!

Sorry, the facebook group is called the Gambia Tourism Forum

You really don't have to be confined to the hotel. Getting out and exploring absolutely made my holiday!

I was thinking about going but a colleague who has been said the poverty is very hard to see and you can't miss it if you leave the hotel.

Someone I know recently opened a lodge on a beach in the Gambia. I've not been, but the photos she's posted on FB of the location have been stunning. Her partner is Gambian, she's a Brit. Google 'The Bee's Mouth, Gambia' to find them. (This feels uncomfortably like an ad - it isn't, I've not seen her for a couple of years, just seen her posts on FB, thought it may be of interest!).

I've been a couple of times, but was helping with the horse and donkey place inland on Sambel kunda.

It's an amazing place and I'd love to go back. The bumsters can be annoying, but hotel and restaurant staff will make sure you feel safe, and in our case offered to accompany us home.

It's a great place for bird watching, and a trip on the river is unforgettable.

Tourism is of great importance to the country, that's what will help the poverty situation.

FurryDogMother, just googled and had a look at the Bees Mouth, looks a bit rustic but great! It's in an amazing location, I've visited that beach. Good luck to them with it.
There is a wonderful eco lodge that I've stayed at nearby - Nemasu Eco Lodge. Heartily recommend it.

Thanks so much for the responses! I'm definitely going to look into it more. Getting out and about to see the local culture is important to me when I go away so it's good to hear all your experiences.

I loved it, but just a word of caution about the armed guards that seem to be everywhere. One came to sit with us while we were in a beach bar and was quite intimidating and didn't want to let us leave, another stopped our car on the way back from Senegambia and demanded money before we could get back into Banjul, and one at the airport wouldn't let me back through customs without giving him my mobile number. As a pair of mid-20s females we didn't feel very safe travelling outside of the resort without a local guide or rep.
Having said all that, it was an unforgettable experience and visiting the markets, beaches, restaurants, crocodile park and monkeys was well worth it. I'm not sure I'd be in a hurry to go back though.

Another pic to tempt you, BitchQueen

@SealSong it looks gorgeous. I went to Cape Verde a couple of years ago and the beaches look similar.