Gambia Holidays

The President of Gambia officiates the new tourism Logo

admin — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:21:26 +0000

The president of the Republic, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh the other day afternoon presented at State House in Banjul, The Gambia’s new Brand Identity logo for the tourism sector, with restored calls from him for more innovation, creativity as well as
outlay in the sector with a view to harnessing it’s advancement and development.

The innovative logo, in a quicker and more attractive design, represents typical characteristics of The Gambia such as the River Gambia waters, the national colours red, blue, green the country’s unique biodiversity , and so on. The logo also has a vivid statement “Go, Discover the Cheerful Coast”, which is meant to lure in tourists to uncover precisely what the country has to offer in terms of tourism. This move by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture in collaboration with other stakeholders is intended to rebrand the country as a genuine tourism
destination with good life.

President Jammeh in his remarks emphasized the demand for re-outlay, creativity and diversification of the country’s tourism items and facilities. He voiced the need to create the tourism sector more interesting, and also for the country’s endowed natural attributes such as
the River Gambia along with the Islands to be explored and made use of so as to create the sector more appealing and interesting.

“In many instances we have taken issues for granted because tourism in this country has always been routine. As a matter of truth, if you go to the tourism spot, you discover the same troupes executing the same art. Sometimes you also find the similar hotel build; and this is not
attractive. The tourism industry is a dynamic one and it is not at standstill,” the president stated.
He remarked that it is the group responsibility of both the community and private sectors to work hand-in-glove to make certain that the sector moves forward. This motivated him to re-stress the need for more development and creativity in the sector, pointing out that a lot of beautiful natural attributes of the country could be discovered for tourism advancement in the country.

“We have lots of facilities that most of the major tourism spots do not have. One property we have is the peace and protection, and that is why I will not give up for security given that the country?s growth depends on how peaceful and secured we are. This is one thing that we have most countries do not have. But we have less volume of tourists, less quality of tourists than those destinations that don’t have a lot of things that we really have in this country,” he asserted. He added: “Have we made use of the River Gambia? No! The River Gambia is a gold
mine. We have some of the most gorgeous islands but we are not even advertising our islands. Do you know that we have more than 200 islands in this country? We don’t even have river transport,” he stated.

He then urged the private industry to change its approach, saying that import and retail is what most of them are doing. He stated that one cannot be a prosperous businessman if the person doesn’t want to take risk, lamenting that it is a sad reality in this country that no Gambian businessman wants to take risk. “What is wrong with Gambian business owners coming collectively to put on the River Gambia something that will bring a distinction. However tourism is around Greater Banjul Area along the Atlantic Coast. What do you see, a couple of birds and a lot of bumsters? Go away from the coast where you will not have this bumpster nuisance. If we are not inventive, there is no matter what facilities we have, you can never maximise the benefits from those facilities,” he told the tourism stakeholders.

The Gambian leader reported the tourism in this country might have flourished a long time ago, and expresseddismay that Gambians were banking on foreign investors, the Europeans for that matter. He mentioned that should be only of recent that Gambians are venturing into the field to
build hotels.

Ballabu Conservation Project

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:49:01 +0000

The initial plan that was made for this conservation project was to ensure the it covers 14 villages where by each village is selected to have a community forest reserve to up hold including some eco-industries for example lodges, skills centers local craft and many others. The main intention of this project however was to establish a nature reserves the cover about 85sq.Km. In the end nature reserves were situated strategically in a way that a natural band of land was created to permit free movement of the animals around those villages.

Prevention of poverty was also another reason as to why Ballabu project was formed, it had been noticed that through the formation these projects, poverty among the local people would be overcome and that is through the sustainable development plans.

In order to ease the movement of animals around the villages, the project aimed at providing a deliberate link up among the forest reserves since every village will be having a community forest park. The initial plan was form an 85sq Kilometer conservation area.

Water lilies

The project aimed at making each village self-sufficient in order to reduce on the rates of poverty among the local members. All the facilities offered to the villages will be improved for example education, health services, water sources and many others. This is because all the project profits will be forwarded towards development since the projects will be 100% owned by the villages.

Lawrence Williams and James English are the two main mentors in the project and they were actually the initiators of Makasutu. These people aim at strengthening the support for this project in and out side Gambia.

Through that relationship with comparable schemes from all over the world, the project will provide guidance to the Ballabu Conservation Project specifically on areas to do with conservation, reforestation, and social enterprise and will also highlight the work of Ballabu through an exciting exhibit within the Rainforest Biome.

Bijilo Forest Park Gambia

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:45:12 +0000

Introduction:

Bijilo forest park occupies about 126 acres of Gambia’s land, previously it was an ancient forest but in 1991 it was declared open to the public and now visitor would enter at any time of their choice. As we talk now, the park can host around 23,000 people per annum.

Wildlife:

This forest is a habitat to various bird species like the Grey Hornbill, Prinia, and many more types of birds, in fact they are about 133 species.

In all the beautiful parks and game reserves, there are posts of regulations and rules and one of the rules is that the monkey should not be given any thing to eat by the guests because through that, the monkeys tend to get used to people and Do away with fear. The main problem there is that the monkeys may end up being stolen and that would also distract their Natural behavior.

Travel Directions:

You can either move in straight direction southwards to and get to the main entrance, or you may head straight to through Senegambia beach area and get to the Bijilo forest.

Abuko Nature Reserve Gambia

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:44:18 +0000

Abuko has always been counted among the best reserves in the nation of Gambia due to the fact that it is seen to be the first reserve that existed in this country. Way back like in 1916, the main source to the Lamin River was enclosed and the intention was to create a water collection point hence the Abuko reserve was partially agreed a figure of the ‘protected status’

Eddie Brewer the wild life officer who was acting in 1967 after being alerted by some farmer (Kalilu) that the leopard was eating all their pigs illegally, he was escorted by his daughter to that site to shoot the leopard and here he got an opportunity to evidence the purpose of the conservation of that river crossing through Abuko after viewing the beautiful wealth that is in Gambia’s wild life from where the government made a declaration of a nature reserve after this officer had made an alarm to the government that this reserve needed protection and in 1968

Abuko nature reserve is in a rectangle form and it was put in a fence that is 2.5 meters since its size had been increased to 259 from 188 acres in 1978. This was all with the help of WWF and this so far among the most protected wildlife parks. In an act of preventing encroachment by these local people, very many trees were planted during the development of this reserve.

Abuko has got a strategic location, it is accessible by the Europeans and that is the reason as to why this reserve it seen to be the best source tourist attraction year per year. .

Habitats:

The total area is occupied partially by the ever green forest and they are next to the lamin River. There a lot of effort that have been put forward in prevention local encroachment for example, to avoid the of the local people and cattle, boundaries were established and has so far brought about protect in the area.

In case one wants to view the crocodiles easily, one can may stand in and along the fresh water pond that is located in the reserve.

Travel Guide.

Those who are interested in bird watching, the best time is early morning and may be late in the afternoon because during this time the sites are not so crowded like in the late morning and early in the after noon. In case there is no Tour guide available, you may opt for a bush taxi of reasonable costs and it will take you from Westfield junction and join the village of Lamin and the taxi will put you at the entrance.

In case one is with a tour operator, for a day tour the entrance fee will be around D100 and in case one needs a fully guided tour, it will cost £20 including transfers of the hotel.

Travelers are advised to put on very strong and thick boots on coming this side and to always carry their mosquito nets, in repellents.

Gambia Quad Biking

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:43:21 +0000

In Kotu, Brufut, bijilo and kololi, you find numerous cases of hiring quad biking apparatus by the tour operators from all over Gambia.

Quest Quad Trekking is considered to be among the most outstanding hire companies and you can easily locate it as you are heading from Palma Rima junction towards the beach.

In case a traveler prefers traveling independently with a self drive, that is also available. Sessions available go from 1 hour, half-day, full-day and even more. Food is provided and bush travel instructor on usual basis.

Through that one can easily travel around and discover the greatness of this area by viewing the untouched bushes, the splendid beach, and here the bike can easily cross through the rocky, steep inclines.

Banjul Holidays Gambia

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:41:22 +0000

BANJUL

Banjul, the chief city of Gambia and it is among the tiniest towns on the continent. This town is multi- purpose because it serves as the government seat of this country, it is the managerial city. It is found just near Rive Gambia.

Sites to view:

Albert market is one place where one can go shopping and take a luxury walk from one end to the other. There are a variety of commodities from example silver Jewellery, fruits, food, clothes and all other necessities. You will find other things like craft and they are all sold at low price. You may as well do window shopping as you plan for purchasing and remember bargaining may always take place so feel free about that.

African heritage Centre is also one other place one can view displays of various commodities and it is one of the finest shopping centers in Gambia.

People usually come to Gambia to view monuments like the Museum which is situated just next to the independence drive and there are even many other places that would be worth a visit at the same spot, for example the July 22 Arch. Here you can be in place to view various areas of the coast.

TRAVEL INFORMATION:

As you are going to the chief city, you can board a taxi and that will cost you some little money of which it will take you like about 20 minutes to reach Kololi and Kotu.

Gambia National Parks

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:35:06 +0000

National Parks

Gambia’s total land area is occupied by national parks, nature reserves, and many other things. These occupy about 3.5% of the total land which is 38,000 ha. Out of the one and the 7 nature reserves and national parks, the following are the most protected sites; Kiang West National reserve (1987), Nuimi National Park {1986) Baobolon national park (1996), Abuko Nature Reserve, River Gambia National Reserve and many others. However, Abuko Nature Reserve, Tanji, and Kiang are the only ones open to the public and this is due to the fact that management wants to protect the biodiversity of these sites.

Background:

Way back in 1916 Abuko was offered government protection and declared a nature reserve and a water catchment. There protection system dates from then.

In order to expand the general area covered by the managed forests to at least 30%, and to put 200,000 of land under community forest management after developing about 17,000 ha. Of the forest park, there was an establishment of a fresh forestry policy from 1995 to 2005 under the department of parks. Here they ensured that at least 75% of the forests are in the protection line of Forest management principles.

Gambia Restaurants

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:14:15 +0000

Local Restaurants

The country’s most concentration is put on the country resorts where people go for refreshment and then put some thing in there stomachs, this may after along tour or even one just decides to go out there for a worm up. The most famous resorts in Gambia are Cape point, Kololi, Bakau, kotu and many other areas. Most of these nice restaurants ant resorts are however found in the capital city (Banjul).

Here by supporting the local based resorts and restaurants it brings about development in the country because the money that is got from the tourists can always be brought back in the home economy and besides that one can really take good pleasure in the Gambian dishes offered plus all the other international meals.

Recommendation for eating out :

Remember whenever you go to any diplomatic restaurant, you are always ushered by a member of staff of that restaurant and then you are greeted so please endeavor to respond.

Some times it is due to the fact people always in a hurry that they do not even enjoy the meals and end up in a state where they do not find the value of their expenditure. . Here the attendants will always ask for preference, whether you want the meals to be parked or eat from there.

When you go to the restaurants, you are expected to polite to the attendant since they are also human and Understanding, there are some times when people expose ignorance by hissing, shouting “Boy” and this is really lack of etiquette.

Just in case you a lady or gentleman of class and you happen to bump in to a partner who does any of the above mentioned symptoms of ignorance, just find your way out and save your self from embarrassments.

You can always get all types of food like Buffet from restaurants in the likes of “Al Amir” and “Mama’s” as you also get exposed to a variety both local and international dishes.

It is usually fine to ask for any thing as many times as you can because you will not be called a glutton..

Kololi Holidays Gambia

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:57:09 +0000

Unlike today when Kololi is one of the best sources of tourist attraction, it has ever been a very silent resort back in the days. It is situated just some kilometers before the coast. In the 1970’s, this place was really hidden out and so un heard of but as we talk it is a very charming and lively spot one would wish check out. During the months of October and April it usually so busy because they are the tourist months in Gambia.

Street lights where put in place after a very long process. Routes along the coastal high way had suffered long time darkness up to 2006. They so this as a very great achievement.

Craft Market:

We all know that most the tourists who come to Africa take pleasure in the craft; this may include the mask, Djembe, drums and many others like tie and dye. Craft is sold almost every where especially outside hotels.

Kololi Village Art Gallery:

This is owned by an individual who arranges various performances where people come up and display there works and exposes their talents, they sell pictures both the local and international artists, and they usually sell craft which is like by most of the tourists and not forgetting statues of different types.

Away From the Scene:

There are always rentals ranging from high to middle class income earners. There is a variety of tourist companies on the sandy tracks or on the main road.

Kololi activities:

The managers of the Senegambia’ hotels ensured the maintance of the big gardens and this was aimed to impress the domestic birds. This that place a very good place for bad watching and due to the fact that it is close to the Bijilo park, many bird species can be attracted in here.

Kololi travel information;
When heading to this resort as you come from the airport, you have to drive eastwards direct to the round about and after that you will have to drive to northern direction past Bijilo as you head for a 4km drive.

Kololi Beach Area
The In 2004 the resort’s beach was nourished with 1 million cubic meters of sand over 1.5km of its length with a width of 120 meters. This was done to reverse previous coastal erosion that had seriously compromised the Senegambia resort area’s ability to continue to attract large numbers of tourists.

The day-time temperatures are simply too much for tourists to lie out in the open sand for extended periods of time. This is where the huts provide essential respite with their thatched, woven palm roofs and canopies.

Fresh fruit stalls also dot the coastline and are inspected and regulated by the Tourism Authority to ensure they conform to certain hygiene standards.

Camel Riding in Gambia

admin — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:53:30 +0000

There is a variety of things to take pleasure in, this may include beach barbecue, one may decide to hire a camel and ride it individually along the beach and this would really be memorable and fancy. Most of these camels are however got from countries like Senegal. In case of personal wish, one can hire a camel and is usually for one or half an hour.

The captain of the Joven Antonio is the Spaniard and he makes arrangements of the rides. He is found in Pepe’s camel safari in Tanje. He makes preparations that one camel takes two people at a time and booking are made there.

Directions:

After taking a taxi, it takes you as far as the bridge and you will actually cross it as you go to Tanje and then get to the sign post which is on the left hand side of the road.

NOTE:

Children who are below 8 years of age are not allowed to ride camels and pregnant mothers because this would harm their health. Others who are not allowed are those who have neck and back complications.