Gambia & Senegal - Bird Watching

7/31/2019 Gambia & Senegal - Bird Watching

1/30

The Gambia& Senegal - West Africa

November 2012 - October 2013

1987~2012

YEARS25

SERVING THE GAMBIA


2/30

INRODUCION

4 For more advice or to book call the experts on 0845 330 4567

Welcometo Te Gambia ExperienceNobody knows West Arica like we do. We have been arranging holidaysto The Gambia or 25 years, earning a reputation as the specialist to the

destination and we have more recently extended our experience within the

region to Senegal and the islands o Cape Verde.

The range o holidays we oer gives you the best choice

o accommodation and fights to suit all budgets and we

realise the importance o matching each individual to the

right hotel it can make the dierence between a good

holiday and an unorgettable experience! But you dont

need to take our word or it, 89%* o our customers

would recommend us to their riends.

Sta with rst-hand experienceAll our reservations sta have visited The Gambia at

least once and each year return to ensure they have

up-to-date inormation on the country and hotels.

The vast majority have also been to Senegal, so when

booking your holiday you can speak with someone who

has been to the region and knows the properties well.

Theyll be happy to share this knowledge with you to

ensure you book the perect location or your holiday.

In act, in the last year our sta spent over 200 nights in

West Arica, ensuring that we are the experts.

Honeymoon and wedding plannersLooking or something dierent to the large all-inclusive

resorts o the Caribbean? The Gambia is something

dierent and exotic, and an increasingly popular wedding

and honeymoon destination. For some suggestions on

our avourite locations in both The Gambia and Senegal

please go to page 72.

Dedicated groups departmentWe have an experienced groups team in the UK who

can help with arrangements to take the stress away

as well as negotiate the best possible price or your

requirements. For more inormation on ree places

and the service we provide, please see page 73.

Biggest and best resort team

We realise our service to you does not stop themoment you step on the plane. In The Gambia we

have a team based permanently in the country, which

is headed up by our British resort manager, Joyce,

who has worked in The Gambia since 1985, and or

us or the last 15 years. We actively recruit Gambian

representatives, many o whom have been with us or

10 years or longer. They are keen to share their love or

their country, providing useul local inormation to help

you make the most o your stay. They will meet you at

the airport and make regular visits to your hotel, inviting

you to a welcome meeting to pass on their top tips or a

perect holiday. How much you decide to use our service

is up to you. In Senegal we work closely with a local

handling agent to look ater our customers in resort.

Unbeatable holiday choice to The GambiaWe oer the widest range o holidays, rom boutique

hotels to value or money properties, along with direct,

daytime fights and upgraded fying options; with our

experience we can help you select your perect trip.

Unbeatable holiday choice to SenegalThe Senegal Experience oers a wide range o quality

accommodation in careully selected river and beachlocations or why not choose one o our private tours?

You can enjoy this beautiul, French-speaking country

either by scheduled fights into Dakar rom a choice o 5

dierent UK airports, or via Banjul in The Gambia.

*Figure rom winter 2011/12 holiday questionnaires.


3/30Contact your Local ravel Agent or book at Gambia.co.uk

INRODUCION

Here is a sample o the holiday options we can oer

or your next winter sun holiday, but dont orget thatwe fy to both destinations throughout the year.

See page 78 or inormation on summer holidays in West Arica.

Whats new?Chimp Rehabilitation Project Camp is back in our programme with the

opportunity to visit the chimps in their natural habitat and other amazing

wildlie including hippos in the River Gambia National Park

Game shing and other organised shing trips based at Sitanunku Lodge,

or as day trips rom other Gambia hotels

Private 3 to 7 night tours into Senegal departing rom The Gambia

Lamantin Beach Hotel in Saly has reopened with its very own beach club

The luxury experienceThe best boutique properties, spa hotels and unique lodges in The Gambia

and Senegal are exclusively available through us. Premium Class fights rom

Gatwick to Banjul and private transers are also available to enhance your

holiday experience.

All-inclusive holidaysThis year we eature 4 hotels on all-inclusive, with alternative dining packages

available at a wide range o hotels (see page 17).

Multi-centre holidays

Your holiday in The Gambia and beyond can be as relaxing or as adventuroas you wish. I you want to split your holiday between a luxury lodge and

beach hotel, an eco-property and a spa hotel, or venture urther aeld to

Senegal then we can help you choose and make it all happen as smoothly a

possible. Some ideas o our avourite combinations can be ound on pages

68-69.

BirdwatchingYou dont have to be an avid twitcher to enjoy the variety o birdlie on oe

this region, whether it be wandering around the grounds o your hotel or o

an organised birdwatching tour. We are delighted to be working once again

with Chris Packham see pages 70 & 71 or inormation on his 2013 tours

More online Gambia.co.uk & Senegal.co.ukVisit our comprehensive websites where you can book securely online 24

hours a day and view more in-depth inormation about the countries and

all our careully selected accommodation including maps, hints and tips,

customer, sta and press reviews, online chat acility, plus extensive photo

galleries and videos.

The Serenity serviceBoth The Gambia Experience and The Senegal Experience are part o Sere

Holidays Ltd, an independent, ully bonded tour operator which prides itsel

the quality o its holidays and the personal service provided to customers.

25 years experience o organising holidays to West Arica

In-depth knowledge o the destinations

FREE Gambia/Senegal Guide with money o vouchers or holidaymake

staying in The Gambia

Loyalty discounts or repeat customers

5* AITO sustainable tourism status

Brochure priced holidays include in-fight meals and transers plus 20kg

luggage allowance

Fully bonded to ensure customers have complete nancial security

The Gambia Experience as a

company provided everything I needed.

Sta in the UK were able to answer

questions helpully and with real

knowledge.

MR WESLAND

London


4/306 For more advice or to book call the experts on 0845 330 4567

INRODUCION

Why Choose...Te Gambia or Senegal, or perhaps bothThe neighbouring West Arican countries o

The Gambia and Senegal share a lot o similarities

in their traditions, landscapes, climate and culture

but there are also many dierences.

Primarily, The Gambia is an easier option both in terms o travel and

communication as it is English speaking and serviced with direct fights rom

the UK, with resort areas being easily accessible. Senegal requires a little

more eort but or more adventurous travellers this will be well rewarded.

Both countries benet rom:

Fantastic winter sun, rom November until June

Uncrowded sandy beaches

Same time zone, so no jet lag

Varied birdlie, wildlie and shing

Exotic, vibrant cultures

Here we try to highlight the main dierences to help you make your decision

but i you need any more help do not hesitate to call us or visit our very

detailed websites, incorporating an online chat acility.



INRODUCION

The Gambia The smiling coast o AricaThe Gambia is the perect, sae introduction to Arica. I youre a rst time

traveller to this area or to The Gambia itsel you need to be prepared or

visiting a developing country but also to all in love with the place; we have

and so too have many o our customers, in act last winter 53%* o those

travelling with us had been to The Gambia beore. As well as the many

attractions o the country and its people, its hard to nd another winter

sun destination that enables you to leave the cold o England on a winters

morning and be at your hotel in 30C sunshine by the aternoon. But there

are many more reasons to visit The Gambia including:

Excellent, uncrowded beaches o golden sand

Direct fights approximately 6 hours and transers are short

English speaking and locals are very riendly

Outside the Euro zone, oering good value or money

Wide range o quality accommodation and restaurants

Unspoilt and uncommercialised

River, bush and beach excursions to experience the wildlie and people

Permanent team o European and Gambian sta oering expert support

* Figure rom winter 2011/12 holiday questionnaires

Senegal The French coast o AricaSenegal remains a relatively undiscovered destination or British

holidaymakers, although it has long been a avourite destination or the

French and Belgians. There are many reasons why a growing number o o

customers are choosing to venture to Senegal, many opting to combine it

with a visit to The Gambia, here are just a ew:

Clear blue water and abulous beaches

Interesting tourist sites: le de Gore, Le Lac Rose

Extensive birdlie, wildlie and animal reserves

Activities including watersports, sailing, horse-riding and gol

World class ocean and river shing

Exotic, riendly people and excellent cuisine

The Gambia and Senegal share many

attractions: a sun-bathed tropical coastline, lush

riverine landscapes teeming with birds and monkeys,

the inectious exuberance o the people but they

also oer a very dierent type o experience.

PHILIP BRIGGS

Author of Insight Guide to Gambia & Senegal



HE GAMBIA

What to expect...Te smiling coast of AfricaFor a winter sun holiday and an introduction to

Arica, The Gambia is hard to beat the climate,

riendly people and short fight times all add to its

appeal; summer oers a quiet alternative to the

busier resorts o Europe.

Previous visitors agree with us: over 50%* o people who travelled in winter

2011/12 with The Gambia Experience have been beore and many return

time and time again. (*Figure rom winter 2011/12 holiday questionnaires)

Some background inormationThe Gambia is a ormer British colony; Gambians within the resort areas all

speak English so communication within your hotel, in restaurants and whilst

out and about is very easy. It is one o the smallest countries in Arica, situated

on approximately the same latitude as Barbados. Mostly fat, the country is

dominated by the impressive River Gambia rom which it takes its name.

Experience something dierentAlthough when lying on the beach or relaxing by the pool you could be in

any tropical destination, it is also easy to experience the local culture and eel

as though youve truly arrived in Arica. Travel to rural villages to watch palm

wine tappers, drive through the Arican bush to hear the monkeys chattering

and watch focks o colourul birds fy overhead; even rom the comort

o your hotel you can listen to the drums o local entertainers and watch

incredible energetic dancing. For rst time visitors to Arica, The Gambia

is a good introduction as it is English speaking, fights are around six hours

and the hotels are all airly close to the airport so transers are also short

compared to some destinations.

However, The Gambia isnt right or everyone and it is important to know

what to expect and to choose the right location thats where we can help.

People travelling to a developing country or the rst time can nd it a

culture shock there is poverty and begging but there is also genuine

hospitality and you will meet some o the riendliest people on Earth.

Outside the hotels and on the beaches there are Gambians selling ruit,

nuts and handicrats but it is the ones trying to work as unocial guides or

bumsters that can become a nuisance, although numbers are decreasing.

Again, we try to prepare everyone with advice in our guide book and

welcome meetings on the best way to deal with them you will soon realise

that theres no need to worry.

The population o The Gambia is mostly Muslim, although there is a small

number o Christians who live alongside them in peace even intermarrying.

Other cultures are accepted and alcohol is served in the hotels, restaurants

and shops the country even has its own brewery. Although tolerant, we do

ask customers to adopt a modest standard o dress when outside the hotels,

particularly in more rural areas. The estival o Ramadan lasts or one month

rom 9th July 2013.



Value or moneyThe Gambia is outside the Euro zone and oers better value or money

than many other popular tourist destinations, both when in resort and in

the cost o your holiday, particularly The Luxury Collection and Unique

Collection hotels. The Gambias currency is the dalasi and in the last year

the exchange rate was between 45 and 47 dalasi to the pound.

No language barrierThe ocial language in The Gambia is English and this is widely spoken;

newspapers and road signs are also printed in English so youll immediately

eel at ease. Gambians are educated in English but there are several tribal

languages including Mandinka, Wolo and Jola so most Gambians are at

least bilingual.

Hotel standardsAs a developing country, hotel service levels and gradings in The Gambia

cannot be compared to those in European destinations, although there

is some excellent quality accommodation on oer. As a destination it is

not over-developed with no high-rise hotels, and there are a number o

internationally recognised sustainable tourism projects i this is something

that interests you, consider staying at Mandina Lodges, Sitanunku Lodge or

Sandele Eco-Retreat or read more online at Gambia.co.uk/ST

In February 2010 hotels in The Gambia received ocial ratings or the rs

time, awarded by the Gambia Tourism Board. The ratings were awarded

largely due to acilities provided rather than service levels so we continue

use our own rating system, which is represented with a hibiscus fower an

based on the views o our customers and our own 25 years o experiencThe GTBs ocial ratings are in brackets where dierent to our own:

5 / Boutique hotels Coco Ocean, The Kairaba, Ngala Lodge

4 hotels Sheraton (5), Ocean Bay (5), Laico Atlantic

3.5 / 3 hotels Kombo Beach (4), Senegambia (3), Sunbeach (4),

Bijilo Beach, Bungalow Beach, Sunset Beach, Bakotu (1)

2.5 / 2 hotels Palma Rima, Arican Village, Cape Point (3), Sarges Hot

Bakotu, by some quirk o the system, received only a single star, however

we are condent that it deserves its 3 rating and customer eedback tell

us this is accurate. Some properties, such as Mandina Lodges and Sitanun

Lodge, have not been assessed under the system o classication; we too

consider these to be unique properties which oer quality accommodatioand personal service but do not sit perectly within The Luxury Collection

HE GAMBIA

Activities and excursionsFor many guests, relaxing in the sunshine ollowed by a rereshing swim is

as much activity as they re looking or on their holiday, but i you want a lit

more to do, there is plenty to choose rom. There are excellent spa acilit

at Coco Ocean and The Sheraton hotels, good shing and birdwatching

opportunities, an 18-hole sand gol course at Fajara, as well as sports acili

within some hotels. We also oer a range o organised excursions which

include travelling through the Arican bush in a 4-wheel drive truck and

cruising the waterways by catamaran or Arican pirogue, or we can sugge

a host o things to do or the more independent holidaymaker. For more

suggestions on memorable days out see pages 14-15 and 70-71 or visit

Gambia.co.uk/Excursions



There are magnifcent beaches, bustling markets and a magical

atmosphere that will entice you to return again and again. But travel with

someone who knows what they are doing and is as sympathetic to the country

as it is to the needs o the visitor. That is where The Gambia Experience wins

over any other tour operator.DIARMUID MACDONAGH

Dorset Society

A antastic climate

An ideal winter sun destination, The Gambia enjoys almost

uninterrupted sunshine and high daytime temperatures rom November

to June, and rainall is virtually unheard o. It is less known as a summer

destination but many customers preer this quieter time when the

landscape is transormed into lush green with colourul fowering trees.

= London Averages

HE GAMBIA

MedicationWe strongly suggest you consult your doctor beore booking. Although

no inoculations are compulsory or entry rom the EU, certain medication,

including anti-malarial tablets, will be recommended. Up-to-date advice is

available rom the World Health Organisation atwww.who.int/ith and

the Department o Health leafet (Re T7.1) Health Advice or Travellers

is available rom your GP, travel agent or can be downloaded at Dh.gov.uk

The Gambia is one o many countries where the risk o contracting malaria

is very real but this is an avoidable illness provided precautions are taken.

We suggest using an eective insect repellent to avoid being bitten and

ensuring you complete the ull course o anti-malarial medication prescribed.

Get out and see the real Gambia

I you want to travel independently in The Gambia most hotels have a taxi

rank nearby. However, although they are regulated, most wouldnt pass a

UK MOT test. Bush taxis and local buses cover the main routes and are

overcrowded with people and animals, but are a cheap way o getting

around and absorbing the local favour. There is a ully lit tarmac road romthe airport to the hotel areas but o the main highways road suraces can be

a little bumpy, to say the least! The Banjul to Barra erry is another way to see

the everyday lives o locals it is a hectic, colourul, noisy experience taking

you across the river to the north bank and this is also the route to Senegal.

Laid back nightlieThe appeal o The Gambia is how quickly you unwind and leave behind

the stress o the UK. For most o our guests evening entertainment usually

involves a nice meal, a ew drinks and perhaps watching a local band.

There is a good selection o bars and restaurants, particularly in Kololi and

Kotu, either within walking distance or a short taxi ride rom your hotel.

There are also a ew nightclubs, two small casinos and most hotels oersome entertainment rom a single kora player to an Arican dance troupe.

FamiliesAdventurous children will nd a holiday in The Gambia a memorable

experience; visiting a school and meeting Gambian children is very

educational and seeing a monkey or monitor lizard in its natural habitat

or the rst time is an experience at any age. And then there are the

uncrowded, sandy beaches to explore and enjoy. The majority o hotels

oer child discounts and, although there are no organised kids clubs,

several have ad hoc activities and acilities or children and separate childrens

pools our sta would be happy to oer specic advice.

Sunshine hours (Average)

2 1 1 6 5 3672 4 5 6

10 7 6 21 19 1422207 10 1 3 17

8 9 9 6 6 86910 10 10 10

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar MayApr Jun July Aug Sep Oct

Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar MayApr Jun July Aug Sep Oct

32 31 31 29 31 32303232 34 33 32

Temperature

O

C(Average maximum)



EAING OU

Eating outA wide range of cuisine to choose from

I never get bored o eating out in The Gambia every year there are new restaurants to try out or

our Gambia Guide. It is hard to single one out but why not try a hotel restaurant or that special occasion?

Amongst my avourites are the Thai menu at Coco Ocean in Bijilo with its extensive, reshly prepared dishes,

along with Ngala Restaurant in Bakau, oering an equally delicious international menu. But or a more relaxed

alternative, head or Gayas Art Ca or great tapas and baked cheesecake with a choice o toppings including

my avourite, butterscotch and walnut!

A personal experience

JOYCE SAVROULAKIS, Resort Manager, Te Gambia Experience

Ngala LodgeFine dining in a cli top setting

Clay OvenPopular Indian cuisine

ShirazHome-cooked Lebanese ood

Boss LadyGambian open-air restaurant/ca

ScalaFamily-run restaurant with an extensive

international menu and good steaks

Jo Jos Bistro & Wine BarSmall but tasteul menu with

daily specials

Captains TableInternational cuisine in Kotu

Al BashaLebanese cuisine

Tao RestaurantAsian restaurant in Kololi

El SolMexican tapas, specialities and

cocktails

Here are some examples o restaurants and cuisineto be ound close to resort areas:

The Gambia has a good choice o restaurants serving

a range o cuisine both within the hotels and resorts,

which have attracted a number o international ches

who now live and work in the country.

You can choose between Chinese, Indian, Thai, Lebanese, Italian, English

and o course Gambian cuisine, to name just a ew. The standard is generally

good and prices are a little lower than in the UK a 3 course meal in one o

the countrys top restaurants costs around 30 per person excluding drinks

whilst a simple meal and a beer can cost around 10.

O particular note is the abundance o reshly caught seaood including

ladysh, barracuda, captain sh, snapper, buttersh, lobster and huge

Atlantic prawns. Vegetarians are increasingly well catered or and many

hotels will oer a vegetarian dish or cook something to order.

Restaurant guide and discount vouchersAll o our package holidaymakers receive a complimentary Gambia Guide

with their tickets, which includes a restaurant guide with descriptions o the

restaurants, the type o cuisine they serve and their locations. Better still,

there are discount vouchers o up to 10%, valid in the eatured restaurants

to save you money whilst on holiday. To get a favour o the excellentcuisine you can expect beore you book visit our online restaurant guide

Gambia.co.uk/Restaurants. For those who preer to budget or their holiday

in advance, all-inclusive holidays and dining packages are now available at a

selection o hotels, please see page 17 or urther details.

Whilst most o our hotels are based on bed and breakast or all-inclusive it is

possible to book hal board i you preer. Mandina Lodges, Sitanunku Lodge

and Sandele Eco-Retreat are based on hal board due to their locations

and provide an opportunity to sample resh local produce, oten cooked to

order. A stay at Chimp Rehabilitation Camp will be on a ull board basis.


10/30



RESOR AREAS

Kololi The Gambias liveliest resort

Stay here i you want the convenience o everything on your doorstep.

This is by ar the most established resort in The Gambia; known locally

as The Strip it consists o three streets o bars, restaurants and nightclubs

which cater or tourists, locals and the ex-pat community. In total there are

over 30 restaurants, 2 casinos, a crat market, banks, internet cas and

shops. The sandy beach here does suer rom erosion so the size does vary

but it is still possible to lie on a sun lounger on the beach outside your hotel.

Hotels in Kololi: The Kairaba, Senegambia and Sarges Hotel.

Transfer time:25 minutes

Kotu A beachside cluster of hotels, small bars and restaurants

This area provides a quieter, more low-key alternative to Kololi and there is a

small selection o beach bars and restaurants, most within hotels. It is a good

choice or amilies as the beach is fat and sandy, and the area is also popular

with birdwatchers. Other acilities include a taxi rank, exchange bureau, small

mini-market, telephone centre and a crat market.

Hotels in Kotu: Kombo Beach, Bungalow Beach, Bakotu and Sunset Beach.

Transfer time: 30 minutes

Bakau A working African town

Bakau is a bustling little town with a maze o small dirt roads and is an ideal

area to experience the real Arica watch boats bringing in their catches at

the shing port or wander around the market where Gambians shop every

day or their essentials. You will nd a ew restaurants serving traditional

Gambian dishes, as well as banks, a small supermarket, post oce and the

popular Kachikally crocodile pool.

Hotels in Bakau:Arican Village. Ngala Lodge is just outside Bakau.


Bijilo For peaceful relaxing holidays

The beauty o Bijilo is that there is very little here although it is only a

5-minute drive to the lively resort o Kololi. It is slowly developing but there

are no nightclubs to disturb the peace, just a ew hotels and beach bars on a

long stretch o beach with very ew people on it.

Hotels in Bijilo: Coco Ocean and Bijilo Beach.


Cape Point Quieter area with fantastic beach

The number o tourists in this area has increased in recent years and ther

are now a ew restaurants as well as a small crat market, mini-market and

exchange bureau plus bustling Bakau is only a 10-minute walk away.

The highlight is the beach which is one o the best in the country.

Hotels in Cape Point: Ocean Bay, Sunbeach and Cape Point.


Brufut Cliff top residential area

A popular residential area approximately 8 kilometres south o Kololi.

There is a long stretch o unspoilt beach.

Hotels in Brufut: Sheraton and Hibiscus House (inland).


Banjul The Gambias capital

The capital is mainly an administrative centre with little a imed at tourists

although there is one museum, the Arch 22 and a ew restaurants servinglunch. There is also a large market where Gambians barter or their

everyday needs. The beach is one o the largest in The Gambia.

Hotels in Banjul: Laico Atlantic Beach.


South Kotu For a more informal atmosphere

There are a number o small restaurants and bars on the road leading dow

to the beach which is sandy with only a couple o buildings beside it.

Hotels in South Kotu: Palma Rima.



12/30

UNIQUEOU & ABOU

10 memorable daysOut & about in Te GambiaThe Gambia oers an easy and sae opportunity to experience the

untamed, raw culture o West Arica.

The Gambia may not have the big game saaris or large attractions o some other Arican countries, but

what it does have are genuine cultural experiences, not articial purpose-built tourist attractions.

It is a small country, the coastline is a mere 80 kilometres long, so it is easy to get out and explore the

region. Here are our top 10 experiences which can either be part o an organised excursion or,

or the more independent, can be explored alone.

The highlight o my break to The Gambia has

to be watching the locals land their aternoon catchat Bakau fsh market. The colours, smells and hive

o activity gave me an appreciation o everyday lie.

Certainly an experience that my wie and I will

never orget.

PAUL KENNY

Commercial Manager

Spot some o the 540 species o birdYou dont have to be a serious birdwatcher to enjoy the colour and sheer

number o birds in The Gambia - even in the hotel gardens youll spot many

dierent species. However i you are one o the many who want to take

things a little more seriously, we recommend one o the birdwatching tours

led by TV presenter Chris Packham or his guide in The Gambia, Malick Suso

(see pages 70-71 or more inormation).

Cruise on a catamaran to Sitanunku LodgeSpend a leisurely couple o hours on board a catamaran travelling across

the impressive River Gambia and through its tributaries to Sitanunku Lodge

on the north bank. En route theres the chance to spot dolphins who oten

play in the wash o the boat or just lay back and enjoy the sunshine. And on

arrival at Sitanunku theres the opportunity to venture out in a kayak, cool o

in the plunge pool and enjoy lunch al resco beside the river.

14 For more advice or to book call the experts on 0845 330 4567

Visit a local schoolThe teachers and children o schools welcome visitors, oten with

demonstrations o their singing and methods o teaching. This is an excellent

way to learn about everyday lie in The Gambia but be warned, it can be a

very emotional and humbling experience. We recommend taking donations

o pens, exercise books or ootballs with you which you can buy at markets

in The Gambia.

Spend a day on an unspoilt secluded beachMany o the beaches directly outside the hotels are sandy and uncrowded

but travel just a short distance and you can nd some virtually empty, unspoilt

beaches. I you preer some acilities we suggest a visit to Sanyang in the south

where youll nd a beach bar, a ew sunbeds and hammocks but little else! You

may even be lucky enough to catch some local wrestling matches on Sundays.

1 3

2 4


13/30

OU & ABOU

Contact your Local ravel Agent or book at Gambia.co.uk

Support the local industryHead to any o the local crat markets or the chance to try your hand at

bartering and pick up some souvenirs. Bakau crat market is one o the best

places or woodcarvings and the tie-dye actory in Serrekunda is also worth

visiting to see how the abrics are made.

Home cooking course with IdaExperience a day in the lie o a Gambian on this ascinating home cookery

course. Ida will escort you to the local market to take in the hustle and bustleo shopping or ingredients beore returning to her home to prepare and eat

a traditional Gambian dish.

Watch local shermen bring in their catchThe shing markets at Tanji and Bakau are ull o colour, sounds and smells

as the men bring in the catch and the women and children help to unload

and prepare the sh. A great way to experience local favour and get some

colourul photographs (just dont orget to ask permission rst).

Get up close with a crocodileKachikally crocodile pool in Bakau is one o the most amous tourist spots in

The Gambia and has been attracting visitors or years. The pool has around

100 crocodiles including the most well-known, Charlie who is an impressive

two-metres long. You can get some great photographs o the crocs basking

in the sun, and learn more about traditional belies that the pool has special

ertility and healing powers. I you preer to keep your distance, enjoy lunch

or a drink at Calypso bar in Cape Point which overlooks a natural sea lake

where you might also spot a crocodile.

Watch a local ootball matchGambians love ootball and youll see international ootball shirts and local

asking you which team you support. I you get the chance to attend a loca

match its a great way o experiencing the passion or the sport it can be

very noisy though with cheering, singing and drumming.

Pamper yoursel at Coco Oceans world-class spaThe boutique hotel has a 1800m2 spa acility with thalasso pool, small gym

Finnish sauna, Moroccan Hammam and ull range o beauty treatments.

For more ideas o places to see enabling you to experience more o this

wonderul country, its wildlie and its people, and or a ull list o organisedexcursions, visit Gambia.co.uk/Excursions or speak to our representative.

It was time or the part I had been looking

orward to the most the school visit. Everyone was

so welcoming and excited and within minutes

I ound mysel sat behind a little desk surrounded by

smiling aces exactly how a school should be

ull o lie and un.

LAURA CARLEDGE

etc magazine

5

9

6

10

7

8



BirdwatchingFishing

OHER HOLIDAYS

BirdwatchingThe Gambia packs a great deal into a compact space not least the sheer number and variety o birds (some 540 species!). I youll allow us to get technical

or a moment, The Gambia sits right at the centre o something called a transition zone, which means or a relatively small country it supports a huge variety

o habitats, including orest-savannah environments and drier woodland ones, marine systems and, o course, the lie-giving River Gambia with its estuary

mudats and the intricate mangrove tributaries o the interior. In short, with

all these habitats in a relatively small area, The Gambia is a antastic destination

or birdlie!

The Gambia thereore, provides an amazing opportunity or birdwatching

and, with everything being in relatively close proximity, you dont have to

travel ar to see some amazing things youll even fnd a whole host o

exotic species in your hotel gardens. So whether youre a frst timer, a

keen amateur or an enthusiast looking or particular species, we guarantee

youll fnd something to amaze and inspire you.

FishingThe Gambia and Senegal are well-known destinations or both salt and

reshwater fshing, oering world-class angling opportunities; the waters

close to Sitanunku Lodge are particularly renowned. These 2 countries

harbour Marlin, Sailfsh and Dorado as well as Tigerfsh and a number o

other noted hard-fghting reshwater fsh plus a host o localised species. The

Gambia River is a totally unspoilt, huge stretch o resh water, untouched by

commercialism whilst the o-shore waters o the Senegal coast oer some

antastic opportunities or big game fshing.

For those with a casual interest, a day s fshing can be booked through yourrepresentative or hotel reception on arrival in The Gambia or Senegal. We

also work with World Sport Fishing to oer proessional o-shore trips on

new sport fshing boats, available rom Sitanunku Lodge or other selected

Gambian resort hotels.

For more details please visit Gambia.co.uk/Fishing or contact World Sport

Fishing on 01480 403 293 or at Worldsportfshing.com

Malicks knowledge o birds is nothing short

o breathtaking... Whats more, he can pick up

the slightest tweet, warble or whistle and instantly

identiy the bird making the sound. Within just a ew

hours, I was in awe o the man.

RON OF

TeravelEditor.com - talking about the Malick Suso our



OHER HOLIDAY

The ultimate birdwatching trip to The Gambia: spend 3 days accompanying

BBC presenter Chris Packham in The Gambia searching or a wide variety

o species, both on land and water. With a maximum o 17 people on the

trip there will be plenty o opportunity to learn

rom Chriss extensive knowledge o wildlie as

well as photography.

The supplement or this 3 day trip is 425*.

Chris then moves on to Mandina Lodges at

Makasutu Forest to explore the orest and

river and help you discover the abundance o

wildlie that they harbour.

A 3 night stay at Mandina Lodges rom 19th

February 2013 can be booked alone or addedto the above tour, costing 649 or 3 nights

including accommodation or twin occupancy

on a hal board basis (excluding ights). For

more details visit Gambia.co.uk/ChrisPackham

Ive kind o lost count o how many

times Ive been to The Gambia, but its more

than 15 and I still think o it as one o the

best birding destinations in the world. Maybe its the place

where all good birders go when they lay down their binocularsand complete their lie-lists! I led two very successul tours in

2012 and am delighted to repeat them in February 2013.

When Im asked why I love The Gambia so much, as a

country and a birding destination, I say its a mix o things: the

wonderul locals, the excellent hotels and ood, the eeling o

saety when out and about and o course the accessibility and

abundance o incredible birdlie, which never ceases to amaze

me. I am also excited that visits to the chimp sanctuary

upriver will again be available, where the wildlie and birdingopportunities during my visit in 2008 so impressed me.

Theres also much to be said or the extraordinary knowledge

o the local bird guides, especially my good riend Malick Suso,

and I love the eeling o never truly knowing what I might see

when out in the feld. Bring on 2013 come and join us!

CHRIS PACKHAM, BBC Presenter

Birdwatching with Chris Packham15th & 22nd February 2013

More birdwatching toursMalick Suso... the next best thing

When Chris Packham is in The Gambia he uses a local guide, Malick Suso

a man he has described as one o the very best bird guides in the whole

o The Gambia - to help him fnd the best locations or spotting particular

species and he admits this local knowledge is invaluable.

This year we are once again oering 3 day birdwatching tours led by Mali

himsel; he will take groups (maximum o 10 people) to a variety o habita

including the ollowing: Kotu stream where youll see all kinds o waders a

kingfshers and, i youre lucky, the elusive bittern; Abuko Nature Reserve

with its amazing pool where all sorts o species congregate, rom Arican

darters to hammerkops; Tanji shore and fshing village which is home to a

mix o shore and sea birds as well as the rare golden-tailed woodpecker;

and also the community project at Bruut woods, where the local experts

will lead you to the white-aced scops owl and the impossibly camouage

long-tailed nightjar.

For uther inormation and departure dates please check with our

reservations team or online at Gambia.co.uk/Birdwatching

The supplement or this tour is 195*. Alternatively, Malick may be availab

or private day trips on request, please contact our reservations departme

or uther inormation.

* in addition to the cost o the hotel and flight

Fully escorted birdwatching holidays are also available with:

Birdfnders.co.uk Limosaholidays.co.uk

Naturetrek.co.uk Ornitholidays.co.uk

3nights from

425per person



CRUISE HOLIDAY

Rivers of West AfricaCruise and stay holidayEnjoy a harmonious balance between conventional cruising and private

yachting, along with an exciting voyage o discovery, unravelling the wonders

o West Arica. Ater spending 2 nights in a Dakar hotel and enjoying the

sights o the city, this amazing cruise will set sail rom Dakar stopping at

Djiere in Senegal beore entering the Saloum River and sailing upstream

250 nautical miles into the Gambia River. Throughout the cruise there is a

varied, optional excursion programme enabling you to explore this ascinating

region. As a shorter option, you can also y to The Gambia and join the boat

in Banjul or 5 nights o cruising combined with 2 nights in a coastal hotel.

The combined 9-night cruise and Dakar stay will

depart on Wednesdays from 19th December

10th April 2013, whilst the combined 7-night cruise

and Banjul stay will depart on Fridays from

21st December 12th April 2013.

Whats included

In Senegal:

Flights to Dakar with transers to/rom the airport, hotel and the port

2 nights accommodation in a 4 hotel in Dakar on Bed & Breakast

Fully guided day tour o Gore Island and Dakar

In The Gambia:

Flights to Banjul with transers to/rom the airport, hotel and the port

2 nights accommodation in a 4 coastal hotel on Bed & Breakast

On board the MY Pegasus:

7 or 5 nights accommodation in double or twin cabins with private

shower, WC and air-conditioning

Full board: American buet breakast and two main meals daily

Complimentary regular (flter) coee, tea and water throughout the day

Use o fshing equipment

English speaking Cruise Escort

Port charges

The Mega Yacht PegasusThe twin-hulled Pegasus, built in 1990 and completely reftted in the

winter o 2009/10, accommodates up to 46 guests in a relaxed, congenia

atmosphere. On board, you will enjoy magnifcent sea/river views as you

stroll the 240m2 o open deck urnished with comortable deck chairs or

enjoy a delightul meal al resco. You can relax with riends in the handsom

appointed lounge, browse in the well-stocked library or enjoy ocean/rive

view dining in the convivial and spacious restaurant area. A platorm on th

Pegasus stern enables you to swim when weather and anchorage conditio

permit. The spacious sundeck is the ideal place to bask under the sun, rea

a good book or just gaze at the scenery. Service on board is provided by

your captain and his experienced marine and hotel crew members. It will

be attentive or unobtrusive according to your requirements and priorityis always given to the saety and comort o passengers. The 23 cabins o

the Pegasus are available in 3 categories over 4 decks. They are large and

comortable, decorated with sot, coloured abrics and equipped with twin

queen size beds. They all have large windows (except or the 2 cabins on

lower deck which have portholes) and all cabins oer en-suite bathrooms

with shower, TV/VCR units, music channels, hairdryers, individually

controlled A/C and saety deposit boxes.

For more inormation, a detailed itinerary and optional excursion

programme, please see our website Senegal.co.uk/Cruise or

Gambia.co.uk/Cruise

For the third winter running we are pleased to

introduce, in collaboration with Variety Cruises, our

Rivers o West Arica cruise aboard the MY Pegasus.

Sailing rom Dakar or rom Banjul, this cruise will

give you a real opportunity to experience what this

area o Arica has to oer.

9 nights from

2499per person

7nights from

1619per person


17/30Contact your Local ravel Agent or book at Senegal.co.uk

OURS

For a antastic holiday away rom the beach why not

get up close and personal in this incredible country

and experience the true sights and sounds o Senegal.

Our choice o 3 & 7 night private

tours give you a real insight into

Senegal and Arica by venturing

into the heart o traditional villages,

colonial towns, countryside and

through stunning natural parks. As a

private tour, you can choose when to

stop to take photos or explore areas

that interest you, unlike on mass

organised tours.

With our proessional English

speaking guides you will travel along

diverse routes by boat, 4x4 and even

on oot. Stay in charming hotels,

enchanting village camps, or sleep

under canvas beneath starry skies,

sampling traditional, local cuisine.From the busy capital, Dakar, and the

poignant history o Gore Island, to

the natural beauty o the Pink Lake

and the Sine Saloum Delta, to the

splendour o the old, colonial town

o Saint-Louis, to the magnifcent

scenery across the ochre dunes

o the Lompoul Desert, there is

Grand Coast Adventure*

- Saharan Camp in the Lompoul desert

- Djoudj Park or the Langue de Barbarie National Park

- Fishermen at Kayar

- Saint-Louis

- Pink Lake

3 nt

per 5

Sahel Adventure

- Domaine de Bango

- Djoudj Park or the Langue de Barbarie National Park

- Saint-Louis

- Journey through the bush and Lake Guiers

- Visit to This and Richard Toll

3 nt

per 6

Senegal Panorama*

- Saint-Louis and Sine Saloum Delta

- Missirah, deserted beaches o Djinack

- Djoudj Park or Langue de Barbarie National Park

- Grand Mosque o Touba

- Shell Island and Bandia Nature Reserve

7 nt

per 1

Eastern Senegal & The Gambia*

- Saari in Niokolo Koba National Park

- Bedik & Malink villages

- Dindlo waterall

- Kedougou market

- Colonial Janjangbureh

7 nt

per 1

Nuances o Senegal*

- Dakar city tour & Gore Island

- Pink Lake

- Saint-Louis and Langue de Barbarie National Park

- Saharan Camp in the Lompoul desert

- Joal/Fadiouth & Mar Lodj Island

7 nt

per 5

Senegal toursGet up close in this amazing country

Prices based on 2 sharing, excluding flights. *Tours also available rom The

so much to take in. You can also

combine a tour with an extended

stay at the hotel o your choice in

Senegal or even The Gambia.

New or this winter, we can nowoer a variety o Senegal tours rom

The Gambia. Flying in and out o

Banjul and combined with a stay in

one o our Gambian hotels, choose

rom the ollowing:

Senegal Panorama

Grand Coast Adventure

Nuances o Senegal

Eastern Senegal & The Gambia

Also shorter tours to Saint-Louis;

the Sine Saloum Delta & the Island

o Dionewar; the resort o Saly.

For urther details on all our tours

rom Dakar or Banjul, please visit

Senegal.co.uk/Toursor call our

reservations team and we will

help choose the perect tour or

you tour prices include transers,

accommodation, all meals and

excursions as detailed in the itinerary,

local guides and an English-speaking

guide/driver who will accompany

you throughout the whole o your

tour. Get ready or an unorgettable

adventure...



MULI-CENRE

Multi-centre holidaysExperience the diversity of West Africa

You do not have to be an adventurous traveller

to combine stays in two or more dierent hotels

or locations. This extremely sae region o West

Arica has a lot to oer and those that venture a

little urther afeld experience more o the true

personality o the countries and their people.

Twin and multi-centre holidays are becoming increasingly popular within

The Gambia and the small distances involved add to the appeal; alternatively

why not consider travelling into Senegal or a chance to discover a dierent

culture and landscapes? We arrange transers or all tailor-made holidays.

2 luxury hotels to experience the 2 countries in sumptuous

surroundings, or or a special occasion

e.g. Coco Ocean Resort & Spa in The Gambia & Lamantin Beach Hotel

in Senegal

Properties offering unique experiences o the surrounding area,

the people and wildlie

e.g. Sitanunku Lodge, The Gambia & Keur Saloum, Senegal

2 all-inclusive properties, both in excellent beachront locations

e.g. Royal Decameron Baobab Resort, Senegal & Sheraton Gambia Hotel,

The Gambia

Twin centres between The Gambia and SenegalYou can choose to y in and out o Banjul or start your holiday with

a ight to Dakar and travel through Senegal to end in The Gambia.

Transers are generally via the Barra erry which is a way to experience

the real Arica in its own right, however i you choose Sitanunku Lodge

as one o your properties, which is situated on the north bank o the

River Gambia and reached by ast boat rom Mandina Lodges, it is only

a 35 kilometre road transer rom the lodge to the Senegalese border.

Here are some suggestions but we are happy to tailor-make holidays

between the 2 countries and can advise you on distances and travel

times involved.

Holidays within The Gambia and SenegalIt is possible to combine virtually any combination o hotels in

The Gambia or Senegal usually with a minimum o 3 nights in any one

place, however our Unique Collection properties and boutique hotels

lend themselves particularly well to a multi-centre holiday.

To the right are some o our avourite combinations. Call us i you

would like to discuss your ideas at most properties room upgrades

and dierent board bases will be available so the trips can be tailored

to suit your taste and budget.

A coastal hotelwith a more remote, peaceul add-on, either on the

beach or in the Arican bush

e.g. The Kairaba & Sandele Eco-Retreat or Mandina Lodges

2 boutique hotels or an opportunity to sample the best o

The Gambia

e.g. Ngala Lodge & Coco Ocean Resort & Spa

2 or 3 Unique Collection properties to experience more o the

real Gambia

e.g. Mandina Lodges, Chimp Rehabilitation Project and Sitanunku Lodge



MULI-CENRE

Cruise and hotel twin centreOur Rivers o West Arica cruise proved to be very popular last winter, with

very positive eedback once again, especially the shorter 5 night option starting

in The Gambia which can be coupled with a stay in a hotel o your choice.

This cruise operated by Variety Cruises, will allow you to join the boat in

either Dakar or Banjul and cruise up the majestic River Gambia on board the

riendly and comortable MY Pegasus with a maximum o 46 guests.

Optional excursions available along the way enable you to explore the

natural beauty o this region o West Arica. For urther inormation on the

boat, acilities on board and the itinerary please see page 53 or visit

Gambia.co.uk/Cruise orSenegal.co.uk/Cruise

Tours o Senegal - now also rom The GambiaWe also arrange tours o Senegal with a private driver/guide. In addition this

year we can oer customers ying into Banjul the opportunity to experience

more o Senegal on one o our customised 3 to 7 night tour itineraries.

For more inormation on all options see page 67.

For more inormation about multi-centre holidays and to discuss your ideas

call 0845 330 4567 or 0845 338 8700, email [email protected] or

[email protected] or visit Gambia.co.uk/Multicentre

The scope o places to stay in The Gambia illustrates

how this country oers so much more than just traditional

winter sun. Varying your hotel base introduces you to more o

the locals who are among the most riendly and welcoming

people in the world. I have enjoyed multi-centre stays in

The Gambia most recently combining Ngala and Sitanunku

Lodges. Ngala Lodge is a colonial mansion which has been

turned into a wonderul place to stay. There is nowhere else

quite like it. It is discreet, intimate with a warm and welcoming

atmosphere, in a perect position overlooking the mighty

Atlantic Ocean. Sitanunku Lodge is a joy to retreat to and you

have the river on your doorstep. You can canoe or fsh, go bird-

watching or explore the local village. And there is a plunge pool

with abulous views as well as reshly cooked ood. For a holiday

like no other head or Sitanunku. A unique river experience.

Combining these two delightul properties really opened my

eyes to how easy it is to travel around The Gambia and

enhance your experience by choosing contrasting hotels

and locations.DEREK JAMES

Norwich Evening News

A personal

experience



A special holidayWeddings, honeymoons & special occasions

OCCASIONS

Weddings

The Gambia is a antastic choice or a wedding and oers excellent value

or money, enabling you and your guests to enjoy an unorgettable day

without the expense o a wedding in the UK or other destinations abroad.

We have arranged over 100 weddings in The Gambia, everything rom a

simple service just or the couple, to large unctions or parties o over50 people. Whatever your budget and party size we can fnd a location

that will make your occasion truly special. You could take your vows

overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at the stunning Coco Ocean Resort &

Spa, hire Ngala Lodge exclusively or your wedding party or have a simple

ceremony in the exotic gardens o the Senegambia Hotel. Our wedding

planners have visited all the hotels and know them well; they will be

happy to assist you in choosing the right location or you. For more

inormation and to download a brochure visit Gambia.co.uk/Weddingsor

email our wedding co-ordinators [email protected]

Atlantic Suite at Ngala Lodge The Gambia, pages 22-23

Relax and unwind with your own private hot tub on the terrace overlooking

the gardens and ocean.

Floating Lodge at Mandina Lodges The Gambia, pages 28-29

Stay in a our-poster bed in a unique lodge oating on the river in the hearto the Arican bush.

Beach House at Coco Ocean The Gambia, pages 20-21

Celebrate in style with relaxing spa treatments, la carte cuisine and

luxurious surroundings beside the beach.

Sitanunku Lodge The Gambia, pages 30-31

Enjoy relaxation and privacy in this romantic, waterront hideaway and dine

under the breathtaking, uninterrupted night sky.

Ocean Front Room at Royal Decameron Baobab Resort

Senegal, pages 64-65

Step directly out o your room onto the white sandy beach at this

all-inclusive hotel in a breathtaking location at La Somone.

Royale Suite at Le Royal Lodge Senegal, page 58

Enjoy your own private plunge pool and luxurious suite overlooking the sea

at this stunning hotel on the outskirts o the Saloum Delta National Park.

For more ideas and help with planning your honeymoon call our

reservations team on 0845 330 4567 or 0845 338 8700.

HoneymoonsBoth The Gambia and Senegal are exotic honeymoon destinations with

accommodation to suit all tastes whether youre looking or complete

luxury and relaxation, or a unique cultural experience you wont orget.

More adventurous newly-weds may wish to see the contrasts between

these two neighbouring countries on a twin or multi-centre honeymoon,

see pages 68-69 or ideas. Listed below are some o our avourite

honeymoon locations.

Special occasionsAre you looking to book a special holiday or yoursel or a loved

one to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion?

Whatever the celebration, we have selected the best hotels in the

best locations and have many upgraded rooms that are not available

through other operators. We can also arrange private transers,

upgraded ights, owers, champagne, cakes and other extra touches

to make the event truly special.

eymoon cal

338 8700.

330 4567 or 084



GROUP RAVEL

Group travelSchools, sport teams, musicians, conferences...We have assisted many groups over the years

travelling to West Arica including educational

groups, sports teams, extended amilies, musicians

and conerences, with and without accommodation

in act, in the last year alone, we have organised

trips or over 60 groups.

I you are considering taking a group to The Gambia or Senegal, our

dedicated group co-ordinators can advise and assist you. With 25 yearso experience we have the knowledge and expertise to tailor-make your

perect itinerary and our ofce sta in resort can also oer help and

support during your stay. Our service to group leaders includes:

Free places year-round rom 1 ree or every 6 paying passengers

Dedicated group co-ordinators in the UK to make arrangements

Subsidised leader amiliarisation trips

Group leader pack contains useul inormation and tips

Free private in-resort transers or groups o 15+ passengers

Free places on excursions (i confrmed beore departure)

Free Gambia/Senegal guides including money o vouchers or

restaurants (Gambia restaurants only).

We can also suggest suitable conerence acilities, book meeting rooms,

arrange transport, reserve restaurants and much more. For more details

o what we can oer and to receive an indication o ree places available

or your preerred travel dates visit Gambia.co.uk/Groups or

Senegal.co.uk/Groups or call our groups team on 0845 330 2116.

Let me start by extending my deepest

gratitude to you and all the sta at The Gambia

Experience or your hard work, on many

occasions at such short notice, in providingThe Royal Gibraltar Regiment with such

an outstanding service, time and time again.

Your hard work is much appreciated.

From all ranks o the Regiment, thank you.

HE ROYAL GIBRALAR REGIMEN



INFORMAION

A-ZWhat is includedThere are no hidden extras to add to ourbrochure prices, which include a luggageallowance, all taxes, transers and meals onoutbound and inbound fights. The brochured

holiday price includes:

Return fight between the UK and Banjul/

Dakar with in-fight catering o a hot meal

Luggage allowance of: economy flights

to Banjul 20kgs (30kg i you purchase our

Gold Package), Premium Class 30kgs.

The luggage allowance on fights into Dakar

with Brussels Airlines is a very generous

46kgs (2 pieces o 23kg), Business Class

64kgs (2 pieces o 32kg)

Transportation between the airport and your

accommodation

Accommodation based on 2 sharing and

meal basis is as detailed on your booking

conrmation invoice

The services of our resort staff and localoce please note that our representatives

do not visit any o our Unique Collection

properties or Hibiscus House in The

Gambia or hotels in the Sine Saloum Delta,

Senegal (except Royal Lodge) where

a 24 hour contact number is provided

Welcome meeting (excluding above hotels)

Airport departure taxes from both the UK

and The Gambia/Senegal

CAA ATOL protection contribution

UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) 65

(Premium Class/Business Class 130)

5 Gambian Government tourism tax

(or Banjul fights)

Banjul Airport Development Fee (ADF) of20

Welcome drink on arrival in Banjul/Dakar

A Gambia Guide and/or Senegal Guide for

package holidays

Resort map for Gambia holidays

Christmas and New Year Gala dinners

In order to help you plan your visit we have compiled a short A-Z o

useul inormation about our holidays to The Gambia and Senegal.

You will find a wealth of further information relating to these and other

subjects on our websites or alternatively call one o our reservations

team and use their rst-hand knowledge.

Airport hotels,car parking

and loungesWe can oer a range o hotels with or without

parking to suit all budgets located at or near

the airport o your choice. For your convenience

we can also arrange business lounges at all o

our UK airports and the air-conditioned First

Class Lounge in Banjul Airport on certain days.

Conveniently located car parks are available at

all airports, which oer a ree 24 hour transer

service to and rom the airport terminal. To make

a booking please visit Gambia.co.uk/Holidayextras

orSenegal.co.uk/Holidayextras or call Holiday

Extras on 0871 360 1367.

Book with condenceThe Gambia Experience and The Senegal

Experience are trade names o Serenity Holidays

Limited. Most o the holidays and fights in this

brochure are ATOL protected by the Civil

Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 1866.

Please see page 3 or our Fair Trading Charter or

more inormation.

We are also members o ABTA and AITO. AITO

is the Association or independent and specialistholiday companies. Member companies, usually

owner-managed, strive to create overseas

holidays with high levels o proessionalism and a

shared concern or quality and personal service

as well as sustainable tourism. The Association

encourages the highest standards in all aspects o

tour operating. See page 79 or the AITO charter.

Child and inant discountsTo qualiy or a child discount, children must be

between 2 and 15 years old on return to the UKi travelling to The Gambia (2 and 11 years old to

Senegal). They must share a room with 2 adults

paying brochure price. Inants under 2 years on

return to the UK are charged a ee o 45 to

cover administration costs but are not allocated

a luggage allowance (except Monarch Airlines at

10kgs) or a seat on the aircrat.

Tings to know

before you go



INFORMAION

Check-in

For all fights to Dakar and Banjul rom Gatwick

please ensure that you check in at least 2 hours

prior to the departure time shown on your t ickets

(3 hours rom Banjul) except when travelling in

Premium Class, which is 90 minutes. For regional

fights to Banjul check-in is also 90 minutes prior

to departure time. Our airport representative will

be at the check-in desk to assist with any queries

that may arise. I you are collecting a ticket on

departure, please ensure you allocate sucient

time to pick up your documents.

Currency

The Gambias currency is the Dalasi (45 Dalasi

to 1 in April 2012). Credit cards may also be

accepted, although conversion to US dollars is

now used; please check with individual hotels

(surcharges will apply). Use o debit cards is

restricted. The currency in Senegal is the West

Arican CFA Franc but Euros are also accepted in

hotels (xed rate o1 = 656 CFA Franc).

Excess luggageAirlines are very strict about luggage allowance

and only consider limited requests or an

increased allowance rom registered charities.

I you are carrying more than your allocated

amount you will have to pay an excess luggage

charge at check-in (approximately 15/kg) and

we cannot guarantee that the airline will accept

all your luggage. I you do have a large amount o

luggage, we can advise on sending it by reight.

Flight delays

Occasionally, despite the best eorts o all

concerned, fights are delayed or reasons

beyond our control. In the event that such a

delay occurs, we will always do our best to

provide a snack or meal when appropriate

and in the case o an overnight delay, provide

accommodation, although this may not be your

holiday accommodation. Should there be an

extended delay to your homeward fight we will

endeavour to delay your departure rom your

holiday accommodation.

Foreign Oce travel advice

We are working with the Foreign and

Commonwealth Oce to do all that we

can to help British travellers stay sae overseas.

Their website at Fco.gov.uk/KnowBeforeYouGo

is packed with essential tips, travel advice and

up-to-date country specic inormation.

Gambia Tourism Board57 Kensington Court, London W8 5DG

Telephone: 0207 376 0093

Holiday questionnaireTo help us improve our service and ensure

standards are maintained, we should be

most grateul i you would take the time to

complete our questionnaire in resort and

return it to our resort sta prior to your

departure. Your feedback will now influence the

ratings displayed online or each property.

We will also donate 10 to The GambiaExperience School Development Fund or every

100 completed questionnaires received.

LanguageThe ocial language in The Gambia is English

and in Senegal it is French. In both countries

tribal languages are also spoken, these include

Mandinka and Wolo.

MedicationNo inoculations are compulsory i travelling rom

EU although you may be required to show a yel

ever certicate when passing between The Gam

and Senegal. You should consult your doctor befo

booking, who will recommend certain medicatio

especially or malaria prevention. All medicines

should be carried in hand luggage.

Passports and visas

A ull British 10 year passport is required or en

into The Gambia or Senegal, valid or at least 3

months ater you get back to the UK. I you ne

to apply or a passport, do so at least 12 week

beore departure. For other nationalities please

call our oce or details. For long stay holidays

The Gambia, travellers must have their passpo

stamped by the Immigration Oce every 28 d

British passport holders on our transers do no

require a visa or entry to Senegal.

Prices and surchargesOur prices are based on the cost o uel as o

4th May 2012. I the cost o uel does rise, we

may be orced to introduce a uel surcharge to

cover the increased costs to us. In the event o

any other security costs or taxes being levied,

there may also be an increase in prices printed

in this brochure, please see section 11 o our

Fair Trading Charter on page 83 or more deta

The publication date o this brochure is 11th

May 2012; prices will be superseded by any

subsequent editions o this brochure.

Private transersUnortunately we are unable to include private

transers as standard within any o our holiday

packages due to a shortage o suitable vehicles

in The Gambia. However, on request we can

organise private transers to your accommodat

in either air-conditioned cars or minibuses or

per car each way to/rom the airport (maximum

4). There is a supplement or Unique Collectio

private transers, however standard transers othese hotels usually operate direct and with sm

numbers. For prices in Senegal please contact

Requests

I you have any requests or your holiday

accommodation or fights, please ensure that

they are requested at the time o booking.

We shall be pleased to pass on your request

to the airline or hotel, however we cannot

guarantee that they will be met.



INFORMAIONINFORMAION

Room check-in and out timesThe standard international practice is to let

rooms rom midday to midday, however times

do vary. Check-in times are usually between

2pm and 3pm, check-out times between 11am

and 12 noon on the day o departure.

Senegal Embassy39 Marloes Road, London W8 6LA

Telephone: 0207 938 4048

TicketsThese can be expected 2 weeks prior to your

date o travel together with your accommodation

voucher, luggage labels and our Gambia

Guide or Senegal Guide or clients taking

accommodation, which we hope you nd

useful. Your actual flight timings will be those

shown on your tickets; please check them

careully as soon as you receive them. In addition,

please check your return fight details with your

representative or our resort oce.

Time dierence

No dierence in time except April October

when the UK is one hour ahead, due to British

Summer Time.

TransersTransers will be in coaches, mini-buses or 4x4

vehicles and may not be direct to your hotel,

however please contact us i you would like

to arrange a private transer or your party.

Transer times rom the airport to your hotel in

The Gambia vary rom 25 to over 50 minutes

depending on the hotel and route taken. For

more details see pages 12-13. Transer times in

Senegal can be anything rom 2 hours to

4 hours. The transer to Senegal rom Banjul

will also include a crossing on the Barra Ferry,

which may be on oot (escorted) to avoidtrac queues. Some o the journey to hotels

in the Sine Saloum Delta will be along an unlit

bumpy track. For transer times see hotel pages.

Summer holidaysIn Te Gambia & SenegalAlthough The Gambia & Senegal are oten thought o as purely winter sun destinations, some o our customerspreer to travel in the green season when the beaches are virtually empty and the resorts are quieter.

July and August holidays oer great value, especially in luxury hotels, when it is high season in the busier Mediterranean resorts. Throughout the summer

the average temperature remains at 30C; May and June are particularly good months to travel as the weather is much the same as during winter. From July

to October humidity is higher and there are short spectacular tropical storms, however these normally occur at night. We fy to The Gambia throughout the

summer rom Gatwick, and to Senegal rom 5 UK airports. Not all hotels, restaurants and acilities will operate during summer so i you have any queries or

to request a summer pricing supplement, please contact our reservations team on 0845 330 4567 or 0845 338 8700. For details o additional hotels open

during summer and any special oers visit our website.

Ngala Lodge

Boutique Hotel

See Gambia pages 22-23

Coco Ocean Resort & Spa

Boutique Hotel


Sunset Beach Hotel

See Gambia page 49

Sheraton Gambia Hotel


The Kairaba Beach Hotel


Royal Decameron Baobab

See Senegal pages 64-65



INFORMAION

FAQs

Q. What are the beaches like?The coastline o The Gambia can suer rom

erosion due to strong Atlantic currents. The

beaches were replenished at the end o 2003

and there are wide sandy beaches at Kotu, Bijilo,

Bruut, Cape Point and Banjul. Kololi has since

suered again but still has a sandy beach with

sunbathing areas. In Senegal, both Saly and La

Somone have glorious white sandy beaches. Set

in bays, the waters are calm and clear, ideal or

swimming and watersports. In the Sine Saloum

Delta most o the hotels are set on rivers,

although there are still small sandy beaches.

Q. Is it sae?

Crime in The Gambia and Senegal against tourists

is low. In The Gambia you will experience

bumsters, locals who try to make a living selling

private excursions, handicrats and working as

unocial guides. They can be persistent to the

point o nuisance; although the Gambia Tourism

Board has successully reduced the number

o bumsters, there is still more work to do.

You will experience less hassle in Senegal. In

both countries we would advise you to exercise

caution and not show o valuables, as in any

oreign country.

Q. Will one o your representatives

visit our hotel?

In The Gambia we have a large resort team and

our representatives visit the hotels every day

except Sunday to help guests make the most o

their holiday. Our reps do not currently visit any

o our Unique Collection properties or Hibiscus

House as these all oer their own very personal

service. In Senegal a representative will visit the

hotels in Saly, La Somone and Royal Lodge in the

Sine Saloum Delta. In other hotels the hotel sta

will look ater our guests and telephone numbers

will be provided in case we can assist in any way.

Q. Will I fnd Wi-Fi in my hotel?

A number o hotels do now have Wi-Fi access

either in public areas or rooms, and some have

internet cas; we can advise on which properties

are best suited to your needs. However, please

note that the connection may be erratic.

Q. How much are children

catered or?There are no kids clubs or waterparks but

The Gambia and Senegal oer exotic holiday

destinations or amilies and ascinating cultural

experiences. Some hotels have separate

childrens pools and play areas with activities

arranged depending on numbers. Please contact

our reservations team or hotels and rooms types

particularly suited to amilies: or 2 adults, plus a

child and/or a cot many standard rooms will be

cramped so we may recommend an upgrade.

Frequently asked questions

As a specialist tour operator, we know The Gambia and Senegal well and

would like to share that knowledge with our customers. More detailedinformation is provided in our Things To Know Before You Go section

on pages 76-78 and we produce our own guide books which will be

sent with your tickets. The ollowing are just a ew o the most common

questions we are asked, however there are more extensive lists online at

Gambia.co.uk/Faqs and Senegal.co.uk/Faqs

Quality CharterEXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIPAITO sets criteria regarding ownership, nance andquality which must be satised beore new companieadmitted to membership. All members are required adhere to a Code o Business Practice which encourahigh operational standards and conduct.

FINANCIAL SECURITYAn AITO member is required to arrange nancialprotection or all holidays and other arrangements(including accommodation only) booked by customewith the member under the AITO logo. This nanciaprotection applies to customers who are resident inthe UK at the time o booking and to most overseascustomers who have booked directly w ith the memb

In doing so, the member must comply with UKgovernment regulations. Members are required tosubmit details o their nancial protection arrangemento AITO on a regular basis.

As a member o the Association o Independent TourOperators Trust Limited (AITOT) Serenity Holidayshave provided a bond to meet the requirements o tPackage Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours

Regulations 1992. In the evento Serenity Holidays insolvency,protection is provided or non-fpackages commencing in andreturning to the UK and other

non-fight packages excluding pre arranged travel to arom your destination. Please note that packages boooutside the UK are only protected when purchaseddirectly with Serenity Holidays.

In the above circumstances, i you have not yet traveyou may claim a reund, or i you have already travell

you may be able to continue your holiday or claimrepatriation to the starting point o your non-fightpackage.

ACCURATE BROCHURES & WEB SITESAll members do their utmost to ensure that all theirbrochures and other publications, print or electronic,clearly and accurately describe the holidays and servicoered.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE & CONTINUALIMPROVEMENTSAll members are committed to high standards oservice and believe in regular and thorough training oemployees. Members continually seek to review andimprove their holidays. They listen to their customeand always welcome suggestions or improving stand

MONITORING STANDARDSAITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regulaAll customers should receive a post-holiday questionthe results o which are scrutinised by the Association

SUSTAINABLE TOURISMAll members acknowledge the importance o AITOsSustainable Tourism guidelines, which recognise thesocial, economic and environmental responsibilities otour operating. Those demonstrating their achievembeyond the pure acceptance o this principle arerecognised by the award o 2 to 5 star status.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSAll members endeavour to deal switly and airly withany issues their customers may raise. In the unlikelyevent that a dispute between an AITO member and customer cannot be settled amicably, AITOs low-coIndependent Dispute Settlement Service may be calleupon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy aacceptable conclusion.

5113

1135



FLIGHS

FlightsThe Gambia Winter 2012/13 Tuesday and Friday direct daytime fights rom Gatwick (weekend breaks,10 & 11 nights and longer duration holidays available)Wednesday and Saturday fights rom Manchester (10 & 11 nights andlonger duration holidays available)

Tuesday fights rom Birmingham

Premium upgrades and legroom seats at a supplement

90 minute regional and Premium Class check-in in UK

Airport Gold packages available including airport lounges

The Gambia Summer 2013 Direct, daytime fights rom Gatwick (long duration holidays available)

Legroom seats at a supplement

Airport Gold packages available

Flight only ticketsFor fight only prices, including one ways, fexible tickets and long duration

fights, please visit Gambiafights.co.uk

The Gambia Experience oers the widest

choice o year-round fights to The Gambia.

*Flight arrives the ollowing day. All fights operate via Brussels with Brussels Airlines (NB: transit time may be longer on return fights).

Flights also available rom Bristol and Newcastle. Flight schedules are subject to change. na - not available.

From Day UK UK Flight Available

Depart Depart Arrive Supplements Upgrades

Gatwick Tuesday 0900 2240 nil nil nil Legroom

Gatwick Friday 0915 2315 10 30 20 Premium/Exit

Manchester Wednesday 0810 2235 30 70 40

Manchester Saturday 0900 2305 40 90 50

Birmingham Tuesday 0900 2255 30 90 40

Winter 2012/13 Flight details to Lopold Sdar Senghor (Dakar) International Airport

Winter 2012/13 Flight details to Banjul (The Gambia) International Airport

to 10/12 11/12 to 31/12 rom 01/01

From Day UK Senegal Senegal UK Approximate Flight

Depart Depart Arrive Depart Arrive Transit Times Supplements

Heathrow Wed/Fri 1025 1945 2235 0925* 1h 55m nil/50

Manchester Wed/Fri 1025 1945 2235 1025* 1h 15m nil/50

Birmingham Wed/Fri 0935 1945 2235/na 0905*/na 2h 45m nil/50

THE

GAM

BIA

SENEGAL

Airport gold packageOn departure dates when Premium Class is not available we are able to oer an

enhanced service rom Gatwick Airport, exclusive to The Gambia Experience.

This package will include use o the business lounge in both the UK and in Banjul

on your return, an additional 10kg luggage allowance and a complimentary drink

on board the aircrat in each direction. Supplement rom 75pp.

TransersTransers times rom Banjul airport to our resort hotels range rom 25-55

minutes. See page 13 or more details.

Senegal fightsAll Senegal brochure prices are based on scheduled fights to and rom Dakar

(via Brussels), with the exception o the hotels Keur Saloum and Domaine

Les Paltuviers, which are based on fights to Banjul.

Wednesday and Friday fights rom Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham.

Bristol and Newcastle.

46kgs luggage allowance in economy class

Programmed fights operate rom November to April and are non-stop. Additional Christmas fights may be arranged, call or details.

Carriers are: Monarch Airlines and Thomas Cook Airlines. Flight schedules are subject to change.



FLY IN SYLE

Fly in stylePremium Class is available on

all our Friday Gatwick fightsthroughout winter. On our other

Gatwick fights legroom seats are

usually available, to the right are

details o the benets they oer:

Supplements Premium Legroom

Return 299 120

One way rom UK 190 60

One way rom Banjul 130 60

Premium Class fying includes increased Airpor t Passenger Duty

(Government tax) charges o 130 per person.

Christmas and New Year additional Premium Class supplements apply to

each sector as ollows:

From UK: 21 Dec 80, 25 Dec 50, 28 Dec 50

From Banjul: 28 Dec 50, 01 Jan 80, 04 Jan 80, 08 Jan 50

Travel InsuranceOur travelling customers should be adequately insured or their own well being, thereore we are again pleased to oer our

insurance policy withtagis, with no price increases and still include ZERO EXCESS on all claims or all types o policy (excluding

personal liability which is 250). Our policy is tailor-made to the specic needs o our customers and includes additional areas ocover, such as delays or cancellation due to heavy snow, sandstorms or volcanic ash.

Single Trip Adult 18-65 Adult 66-79 Child 2-17

Up to 8 days 35.60 71.35 21.30

Up to 17 days 41.80 85.30 24.40

Up to 24 days 45.90 94.50 26.50

Annual multi-trip Adult 18-65 Couple Family

83.60 144.90 160.20

Premiums per person (including 20% Insurance Premium ax)

Summary of Cover

Longer durations, couples, amily and worldwide annual policies (excluding US, and including 17 days winter sports cover)

are also available.

Cancellation or curtailment 5,000

Medical expenses including medical

emergency assistance 5,000,000

Missed departure 1,000

Missed connection 1,000

Personal accident 25,000

Personal possessions 2,500 (400 single item limit)

Personal liability 2,000,000

Legal expenses 15,000

(All maximum limits per person)

Full details o the policy

will be sent with yourconrmation invoice an

there is a 14 day coolingo period rom date o

sale wherein the policymay be cancelled witho

charge.

The policy does not

cover any pre-existinghealth conditions o

the people travellingand other people uponwhose health the trip

may depend, unless aHealth Check has been

carried out by calling0845 408 0585 and

cover is conrmedin writing.

Premium Legroom

Seat pitch 33 33

Pre-bookable seats

Dedicated check-ins in UK & Banjul

Executive lounge at Gatwick X

Priority boarding at Gatwick X

Baggage allowance 30kg 20kg

Separate cabin X

Individual entertainment system X

Enhanced meal service X

Complimentary bar service X

Comort kit X

First Class lounge in Banjul Airport XPriority boarding at Banjul Airport

Number o seats 50 Variable



Ring The Gambia Experienceon 0845 330 4567

or The Senegal Experienceon 0845 338 8700

How to

Book

Call ourExpert eamOur reservations sta will be happy to share their knowledge o the

countries and help you plan your holiday. Our oce opening hours are:

9am 7pm Monday to Friday

9am 5pm Saturday

10am 4pm Sunday

The oce may be closed during national and bank holidays.

Calls may be recorded or training purposes.

Loyalty discountValued clients who have previously travelled with The Gambia Experience

or The Senegal Experience in the last 3 years will qualiy or a discount o

35 per person, a reduced deposit o 50 and a 10% discount on insurance

premiums. The discount must be claimed at time o booking and is available

throughout the year on hotel-inclusive holidays only, booked at the ull

brochure price and cannot be used in conjunction with a group discount.

Visit your localravel AgentI you obtained this brochure through a travel

agent, you will be able to book with them.

Visit or chat online atGambia.co.uk

You can check availability, prices and book your holiday

or fight 24 hours a day online at Gambia.co.uk,

Gambiafights.co.ukorSenegal.co.uk

Making your bookingOnce you or your travel agent have conrmed your holiday reservation,

we will issue our conrmation invoice by the ollowing day. It is essential

you check that all the details are correct and advise us immediately i they

are not. Any changes at a later date may incur an amendment ee.

PaymentOn conrming your holiday we require a deposit o 95 per person

(50 or repeat customers), payable by debit or credit card. In addition,

i our insurance is taken this must also be paid or at this time. The balancemust be paid at least 8 weeks prior to departure, either online or by

telephone, by cheque, bank transer, debit or credit card. For bookings made

within 8 weeks o departure, ull payment is required at the time o booking.

I we do not receive the appropriate payment, we reserve the right to cancel

your booking and you will be liable or cancellation charges in accordance

with our Fair Trading Charter. Please make cheques payable to The Gambia

Experience/The Senegal Experience and send to Serenity Holidays,

Atlantic House, 3600 Parkway, Solent Business Park, Fareham, Hampshire,

PO15 7AN. Any monies paid by credit card are currently subject to a 2%

charge to cover costs levied by the providers (no charge or debit cards).

Deposit - 95 per person

Mak

Documents

Gambia & Senegal - Bird Watching