Bakau Holidays

Bakau Holidays - Things to see

City Sights: A visit to the capital city, Banjul, to experience the hustle and bustle of the main market and learn about the local batik art and tie-dye crafts.

Southern Gambia: This is a great way to experience the real Gambia taking a trip aboard Swiss army trucks, heading south towards the border with Senegal. A real forage through the bush, passing local villages where children will welcome you with songs from the past. After lunch there is chance to swim from a deserted beach before visiting the largest fishing project in the area.

Cape Point: A small resort on the West coast, Cape Point's key attraction is a long golden beach. Visit the local market and pick up a bargain or two and if you travel a little further then you will com to the Botanical Gardens - created in colonial times and ideal for wildlife spotting.

Kotu: This tranquil resort boasts a lovely sandy beach with relaxing bars to while away the day. Kololi is just a short taxi ride away if you want more choice of bars and restaurants.

Things to do on a Holiday in Bakau

Your holiday can be a memorable one from river cruising, fishing, village tours, to African wrestling, bird watching, trekking, horse and camel riding, and adventure trips. Musical events, evening entertainment, cultural orientation, and sporting events.

Bakau Holidays - Excursions

Back to Roots: A step back in time, a historic day retracing the events of the slave trade. Visit the home of Kunteh Kinteh and meet the only Female African chief.

A Taste of Africa: An exciting adventure spotting Hippos whilst sailing the river Gambia and an overnight stay in a traditional African village.

Monster Truck Safari: Travel in a Swiss army truck into the bush to explore villages, schools, beaches and sample the local brews ! A fun filled day.

Lazy Day Cruise: Sip cocktails whilst cruising along the creek taking in the breathtaking scenery and lapping up the sun, total relaxation.

Walk on the wild Side: Nature at its best Join in the dawn chorus amidst the 550 species of birds in the Gambia paddling up the creek as the sunrises, followed by a blissful walk in Abuko Nature reserve. Early morning bliss.

Rhythms of the Jungle: Spend an evening in the enchanted forest of Makasutu with a spectacular cultural show and a traditional Gambian meal whilst the wild Baboons play all around you.

Senegal Sights: An exciting opportunity to visit Senegal stay overnight in an idyllic camp and spot Giraffes, rhinos and Zebra in Fathala reserve. An unmissable adventure.

Gambian Highlights: A unique opportunity to see the highlights of the Gambia in one day, discovering Banjul, crafts, culture, people and wildlife of the Gambia. A colourful and cultural day.

These are just a few of the exciting days and nights out available from you representative. We strongly advise you to confirm your place at the Welcome Get Together on the day after arrival, as places are limited.

Eating/Drinking During Bakau Holidays

Eating and Drinking: A noticeable change over the last few years has been the increase in the number of restaurants offering quality dining for excellent value and The Gambia is gaining an international reputation with more quality chefs from around the world now living and working in the country. There is a wide variety of restaurants in The Gambia ranging from casual beach bars to formal gourmet dining, serving a range of cuisine from Italian to Lebanese.

The dress code in most restaurants is casual, but in the evening gentlemen are usually required to wear long trousers. Depending on your hotel, some of the restaurants may be a taxi ride away but these can be pre-booked with waiting time until you are ready to return to your hotel.

Of particular note is the abundance of freshly caught seafood including ladyfish, barracuda, snapper, butterfish, lobster and huge Atlantic prawns. Vegetarians are increasingly catered for, many hotels and restaurants will offer a vegetarian dish and some will accommodate with dishes made to order.

Gambian Dishes to look out for:

• Benachin - Rice cooked with meat or fish and vegetables and tomatoes.
• Domoda - Meat stewed in peanut puree and served with rice.
• Superkanja - A mix of okra, fish or meat, palm oil, onions and pepper boiled together.
• Chicken Yassa - Chicken cooked with fresh lime, onions and ground black pepper.

Nightlife: In the evenings, guests have the choice of staying within their hotel or enjoying dinner and drinks in the wide range of restaurants and bars either nearby or a short taxi ride away. Most hotels offer some form of evening entertainment, varying from a single kora player to a lively stage show or an African dance troupe. Las Vegas it isn't, but there is a casino and there are a number of bars and clubs that stay open until the early hours - these are located mainly in Kololi.

Bakau Holidays Shopping

Souvenirs can be bought in Banjul at the craft market across from MacCarthy Square and at Bengali. One of the most popular purchases is the Gambit, made of printed and embroidered cotton cloth, mostly in bright colours. Some of the souvenirs are gaudy, others exceedingly attractive. Woodcarvings, beaded belts, silver and gold jewellery and ladies' handbags are also popular items. Other West African handicrafts made of straw, beads, leather, cloth or metal can be purchased here.

Shopping hours: Mon-Thu 0900-1200 and 1430-1800, Fri-Sat 0900-1300. Some shops may stay open until 2200.

Weather and climate information

Located midway between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator, The Gambia enjoys virtually uninterrupted sunshine and high daytime temperatures with almost no rainfall from November to June. On the coast, The Gambia experiences only small fluctuations in temperature from winter to summer.