Banjul, Gambia: Holiday review

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My nightmare in Banjul
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Review by: Damien Strain

Weather

The weather was good.

Holiday

The holiday was ruined because of constant harassment of BUMSTERS. A head bumster would never leave us alone. I got drunk after the second day so I could just cope.

The holiday was for 2 weeks but on the 6th day we departed because we just could not stand the bumsters. Before we left, head bumster wanted clothes and money and during the 6 days, he got lunches, trip to zoo and a ride in the taxi to a place he knew where people were selling things and I felt forced to spend £100 on trinkets.

Head bumster insisted taking us to the airport and got £20 to get a couple of drinks while we waited to board the plane. Head bumster got one of the drinks and gave us no change.

Head bumster also stayed with us until we boarded the plane. Head bumster also got my email address and phone number.

Now and again he would leave phone messages and emails. I responded once to a phone call and email, but he kept this up for a year and a half. We no longer hear from him, so he eventually got the message. We wasted £5,000 on that trip and will never visit Africa again.

Recommend Banjul to others?

No
Our little hideaway
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Review by: Peter & Jane Newell

Weather

We have been visiting Gambia twice every year for the past three years.

November & March are very hot and there's not a cloud in the sky.

During November the evenings can be slightly chilly- that's because the days are so hot.

During March, the days and nights are great: hot sunny days, very comfortable evenings for those long night strolls or just sitting back watching the world go by.

Holiday

We have such a great time talking to the locals and generally relaxing.

Local restaurants are really good and the food is fantastic.

Recommend Banjul to others?

Yes
gambia is the place to go,my husband and i go twice a year.
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Review by: Clare Watson

Weather

We go to Gambia in November for a month and the weather is fantastic, there is not a cloud in the sky. The evenings are very sticky so try to get aircon if you are going in November or December time. The temperature drops a little at times, but is still blissfully hot in the daytime.

January is a little warmer than December and February, and March is the hottest time of the year, the evenings are warm and not sticky like in November.

If you are looking for winter sun, Gambia is the place to gom only known clouds are in December and January.

Holiday

FANTASTIC, we dont go any where else now as we dont think any where will match up to Gambia.

We have been to Sharm el Sheikh - Egypt, the weathers great but we got very bad upset tummies and locals could be quite aggressive.

Gambia is the friendliest place, you feel at home and very safe and welcome.

Recommend Banjul to others?

Yes
Our holiday in the Gambia
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Review by: Paul Bradshaw

Weather

What can you say about the weather apart from brilliant.

My wife and I have been going to the Gambia for the last 9 years between January and April and have never seen anything but blue skies, never mind any rain.

Just booked again for January 2011 for a 21 night stay at our regular hotel The Kombo Beach, in the resort of Kotu.

Holiday

Your holiday is what you make of it, some people like to stay in the hotel grounds but my advise to anybody going on holiday to the Gambia is to out & meet the locals & see how they live.

Jump in a green taxi and go and visit one of the compounds where they live. Believe me you will have a friend for life.

Apart from that there is so much to see & enjoy, from Charlie the Croc to the Monkey Sanctuary.

A must is a lazy days cruise on the river Gambia with your host Jane. Jane is a lady who lived in Middleton Manchester & moved out to the Gambia some 20 years ago to set up her own business. A day not to be missed.

Recommend Banjul to others?

Yes
What a great place (paradise)
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Review by: Janice Jordan

Weather

The weather was really good. Hot,hot,hot but with virtually no humidity.

Every day was really hot, the evenings do get a bit cool, but a light jumper or cardigan is enough, make sure you take plenty of suncream you will need it, or better still ask the locals for there own local sunscreen. It's very good.

Holiday

I have been twice so far, Feb 09 and April 09. I am going back again 4th November 09 - which is really quite a lot, but i have fallen in love with the people and the country.

There are so many things to do and see, the people are so friendly, they make you feel very welcome. Yes the bumsters can be a bit of a nuisance, but if you tell them, thanks but no thanks they will leave you alone. Most of the beaches are fabulous, and so many to choose from. Go anfd see for yourselves !!!.

Recommend Banjul to others?

Yes

Our holiday in Banjul
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Review by: Linda Hutchison

Weather

The weather in Banjul was absolutely beautiful every single day, all you need is thin cotton clothes, but in the evening I felt a bit chilly and there was a breeze, so I just put my shawl round my shoulders and I was fine. Hubby just had a short sleeve shirt on and was fine (macho).

Holiday

We stayed at the Ocean Bay Hotel, and had the best holiday we had ever had. The Hotel is beautiful, and all the staff are really friendly, we stayed in the hotel for all our meals because being the first time in the Gambia we weren't sure what eating out would be like. There is a market nearby and its very interesting, you will be mithered by the bumsters, but we had a laugh with them theres no harm in them. We visited the crocodile park, where we stroked an old croc named Charlie that was an experience. If you go take some excercise books and pencils and visit the local school its an eye opener, and they really appreciate your gift, and the kids are so cute. We had a sail on the river through the mangroves and visited the fish market but I found that too smelly. Once you've been to the Gambia your hooked, it definitely has a place in our hearts and we still email a couple of the locals. Try it and see for yourself (Fantastic) We're going again.

Recommend Banjul to others?

Yes