Banjul Beach Holidays

Banjul Beach Holidays - Destination Profile

Banjul was found by the British in 1816 and is the hub of Gambian economic activity. The area is Gambia's headquarters for the important peanut and fishing industries. Banjul is the home to the African Heritage Museum which houses a collection of African art, visitors can support the local economy by buying the works of art.

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Banjul Beach 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 Banjul Beach

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.

Jeep Safari: Not like any other jeep safari you might have been on. When all the pick-ups are done we depart for Sukuta (which means "new settlement" in Madinka) to see the local market and mosque. Your drive then takes you through farming areas and forest parks and a stop is made to walk through the forest, where monkeys maybe seen.

We then proceed to the beach for lunch where you can relax, soak up some of the sun and have a swim for a couple of hours. Driving back along the coast is a beautiful site and you pass by many fishing villages, one being Tanje one of the busiest in the area. Here you see the men taking in their daily catch and the women gathering and cleaning the fish.

3 Day Mini Safari: An early start begins with a drive to Makasutu Cultural forest. On this trip water birds, mud skippers, fiddler crabs, green velvet monkeys and women collecting oysters by the shore can all be seen while taking in the great views this part of Gambia has to offer. During your trip to Makasutu you have the option to visit the craft market, where carvings, sculptures, textiles and other African artifacts can be seen and purchased. The following day we proceed to Tendaba camp. On arrival a boat trip is organised on the "bolongs" which are the tributaries of the River Gambia. You then head back to Sindola Camp for relaxation and a chance to freshen up by the pool, and dinner is followed by a magnificent traditional Jola dance that will be one of the highlights of your trip.

Nature Explorer: Gambia is considered to be a paradise for birdwatchers. This is a trip which starts in the early hours of the morning and first takes us to Lamin Lodge, which is located on the famous Lamin Creek. After drinks we get into dug out canoes and silently paddle through the creeks, trying not to disturb the birds and surrounding nature. This is truly a relaxing and enjoyable trip as the water and creeks are so calm and peaceful at this time of the day. The trip on the creeks lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes, after which we head back to Lamin Lodge. Following breakfast we rejoin the coach and head to Abuko Nature Reserve. At the Nature Reserve you go on a forest walk and observation. You also visit a traditional educational centre, while passing an abundance of wildlife and plants.

Eating/Drinking During Banjul Beach 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.

Banjul Beach Holiday Weather

Banjul Beach Holidays Shopping

Souvenirs can be bought in Banjul at the craft market across from MacCarthy Square and at bengdulalu. One of the most popular purchases is the Gambishirt, made of printed and embroidered cotton cloth, mostly in bright colors. Some of the souvenirs are gaudy, others exceedingly attractive. Woodcarvings, beaded belts, silver and gold jewelry 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.