Flights & Accommodation

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FLIGHTS & ACCOMMODATION

Getting to The Gambia

Getting to The Gambia from Europe is easy, with many companies offering package holidays. And, with the recent increase in the number of flight only deals on offer, it is now easier (and cheaper) than ever to book a flight and arrange your own accommodation giving you far greater flexibility and independence.

Charter flights from the UK are available from Gambia Experience (all year round), Thomas Cook and First Choice (peak season only). You can fly from Manchester, Bristol and East Midlands (in peak season) and Gatwick (all year round). In addition you can book package holidays through Airtours, Cosmos, Manos, My Travel, Panorama, Thomson and Thomas Cook amongst others. NEW IN 2008 - My travel (UK) group are due to fly year-round to The Gambia, so here's to cheaper flights and package deals all round!!!!!

Charter flights from mainland Europe are also available from Vingresor, Spies, MyTravel, Olympia and Sunair and, we understand that flights are recommencing from Germany with Condor (well we've taken one of their pilots, co-pilots and navigators fishing in 2007, so....).

Schedule flights, although usually more expensive, are also available with SN Brussels and Slok Air linking The Gambia to Europe, the Middle East and America amongst other destinations.

The cheapest flights that we have seen advertised from the UK were just £120 in October 2008 for a 1 month return flight only and this was via the www.charterflights.co.uk website.

For those travelling from (or via) the UK http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/flights/Banjul/index.html is a great starting point for flight only deals, and either www.charterflights.co.uk or http://www.teletextholidays.co.uk for flights and package holidays.

Accommodation

There is a wide choice of accommodation available to suit all tastes and pockets in The Gambia. Most of the smaller hotels offer basic accommodation and guests pay extra for fans, air conditioning, fridges etc. on arrival, if required.

For a pretty exhaustive list of accommodation in The Gambia follow the links from: Hotels and Lodges in Gambia

You can pay anything from around 350 Dalasi per night to upwards of 10,000 Dalasi per night per room depending on where you stay, and most hotels will offer discounts to those wishing to stay for longer periods (i.e. over 2 weeks), repeat customers, or during off-peak travel.

We have stayed in, or visited, a number of the hotels in the main resort areas of Kololi, Kotu, Fajara and Cape Point. However, recent clients of Hooked On Gambia recommend the following: -

The African Village Hotel in Bakau (always our preferred choice prior to moving out here) where a very friendly welcome awaits. This small hotel is situated in Bakau and offers a taste of the real Gambia whilst still offering a swimming pool, a couple of bars, an a la carte restaurant and a basic standard of accommodation.

The African Heritage Centre in Bakau. This very small seafront Guest House has just 4 rooms and a double appartment. Prices as at November 2005 are 400 dalasi for the single room and 700 dalasi for the appartment (including a substantial breakfast), making it excellent value for money.

Bakau Lodge (opened in 2006) is a little haven in the centre of Bakau by the fishing jetty, complete with 6 self catering huts and a small swimming pool. Alan, the owner, is charging approx. 600 dalasis per night for each hut, but we do know that if you're planning to stay longer than 2 weeks he does reduce this rate. Alan can be contacted on tel. no. 00.220.9879313.

The Kombo Beach Hotel in Kotu - formerly known as the Novotel - has been recently refurbished and now offers a superb range of facilities, catering for all ages. PLUS the manager is Marcel, the former manager at African Village, who is just great!

The Sarge's Hotel (known as the Tafbel before changing hands) in Kololi offers a basic standard of accommodation at realistic prices, in the very heart of the Senegambia Beach resort area, although apparently the towels are taken away early in the morning and don't get replaced until late evening, so some of our customers have had to lock them in their suitcases to ensure that they had one to use after showering throughout the day .

FINALLY - we are pleased to announce that our friends Sue, Oliver and Ed opened their haven in Africa (after circa 5 years in construction) at the start of this year (2007) and it was well worth the wait! Hibiscus House can be found in Brufut only 15 minutes from the airport and 5 minutes from the beach. And, whilst it is a little off the beaten track, it is still only a 15 minute ride into the main tourist areas, should you ever tire of the peace and quiet, good food and drink, and excellent service (not to mention the added attraction of holistic therapies) on offer. For more information check out their website: www.hibiscushousegambia.com.

Tourism is on the increase in The Gambia and the number of hotels and self catering apartments being built or refurbished currently (such as Francisco's in Fajara), reflects this, so if you require further information please do not hesitate to Contact Us.

Once again, if you didn't find what you were looking for above, why not consult Hotels and Lodges in Gambia for a pretty exhaustive list of accommodation.