CONTENTS

PAGE

1. Introduction to Gold Forum 2

2. General Introduction to The Gambia 4

3. President’s Award 6

4. Possible Projects 8

5. Itinerary / Timeline 12

6. Activities 14

7. Home Stay 19

8. Things to do 24

9. Hotels 27

10. Money 29

11. Risk Assessment 31

12. Contacts 32

1
THE LONDON GOLD AWARD FORUM
The London Gold Award Forum is a group consisting of 14 Gold participants (all at
different stages of the award) from across London. Established in November 2005 we
are the first year to take part, in what hopes to be come a permanent forum with a
change in committee every year.

Our ages range from 17-24 and we provide a broad representation of young people in
terms of gender, ethnicity, culture and socio-economic background. It provides us with
a fantastic opportunity to get young people opinions heard, and to input into a variety
of issues which affect young people.

The forum assists in the planning and development of the Award at both a national
and regional level. The purpose of the award is to make the award accessible to
young people and to give young people doing the award a voice. The forum can also
act as a consultation point for Award staff and partner organizations. So far we have
consulted on the Governments ‘Youth Matters’ paper, met HRH Earl of Wessex, been
involved in the London Arts Project, and various 50th anniversary events. We have
even been to Head Office and spoke to Peter Westgarth and several other Regional
Directors. Much emphasis is placed on young people having a say in the design and
decision-making process for the programmes and provisions that they are involved in.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Part of the role of the forum is also to plan for 5 international projects over the next 5
years, with The Gambia being the first. The aim is to establish links and programmes
for future groups in 5 different countries to enable London Operating Authorities,
Schools and Youth Groups to Access affordable international ventures without the
need for commercial providers, and thereby offering young people the opportunity to
participate in an international volunteering experience at an affordable price.

Each forum will look to design future projects, and produce a final report detailing what
can be done in conjunction with sister Duke of Edinburgh organizations in other
countries.

In order to enable a full understanding of the needs of countries young people,, each
forum will look to travel to the country to participate in project deign and to carry out in-
depth research into ‘joined up projects’ with a view to establishing links and
programmes for future groups

2
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The first international project was planned for The Gambia, West Africa.

Before heading out to The Gambia we came up with a few objectives:

1. to establish links between D of E and the Presidents Award

2. research activities / projects which can be done
3. learn more / appreciate The Gambia
4. to come up with a report
5. to encourage others to take part / experience new things

3
 INTRODUCTION TO THE GAMBIA

The Gambia is on the west coast of Africa

and although it is one of Africa’s smallest
countries it still has plenty to offer.

KEY FACTS
• Full name: Republic of The Gambia
• Capital: Banjul
• Population: 1,400,000
• Languages: English (official)
Mandinka (other - tribal)
Wolof (other - tribal)
Fula (other - tribal)
• There are nine tribes: Wolof, Mandinka, Jola
Fula, Serrer, Sarakuli, Manjako, Karolinka.

• Religion: Muslim (90%), Christian (9%), indigenous beliefs (1%)

• Currency: Dalasi (100 D = £2)
• Time Zone: GMT
• Gained its independence from Britain in
1965.
• The Gambia is one of the poorest countries
in the world.
• Flying from London to the Gambia takes
about 6 hours.

Things you need to know

• Vaccinations: some are necessary and some are advised for example yellow fever
isn’t a requirement but is strongly advised by doctors. Typhoid, Tetanus and Hepatitis
A are compulsory. Malaria is a danger but can be avoided by the proper precautions.
There are three different types of medication; Malarone, Lariam and doxycycline. No
tablets are completely effective and they all have side effects but the chances of these
causing you more harm than a bout of Malaria are extremely small.

• Mosquito repellent is advised especially in the rainy season (around July).

4
• It is recommended to be aware of the water in The Gambia, therefore, bottled water is
suggested. Bad water is the principle cause of diarrhoea. Both the water and the food
may cause stomach aches but this should not be for more than a day.

Cultural do’s and don’ts

The majority of the population in The Gambia is Muslim and so there are bound to be
some cultural difference which you may be need to be aware of. Most notably the
dress; it is deemed offensive for a woman to show her shoulders, stomach or legs in
public unless in a very touristy area so respectful to cover up at all times. Men also
have to be aware that it is seen as offensive to walk round bare-chested.

Other cultural hints are:

• Greetings are a very big part of the Gambian way so don’t be surprised by how
friendly everyone is out there.

• Don’t be put off by apparent shiftiness in eye-contact, it is common for those you are
talking to, to avoid direct looks.

• Traditionally the left hand is reserved for unhygienic acts, so never use your left hand
when eating from a communal bowl, or as an offer of greeting.

• Hissing is an ordinary way of getting a persons attention in the Gambia so don’t be

shocked if you hear this.

• If you are invited to a Gambian house, it is normal to take your host a gift.

• Anticipate delays as the Gambian way of life is more relaxed and therefore
timekeeping is less precise.

• If photographing people in The Gambia, don’t be surprised if they ask you to send the
pictures to them, and it is deemed offensive not to follow this. Also it is seen as
respectful to ask permission beforehand.

5
 INTRODUCTION TO THE PRESIDENTS AWARD
The Presidents Award is the Gambian equivalent to the Duke of Edinburgh’s
Award. In May 1988 the Duke of Edinburgh's Award - International
Association was formally constituted to act as a means for discussion and
communication between members. In which nearly a 100 countries are
included (the program runs under many names).

There are a few differences between the Award in

Britain and in The Gambia, though this is due to
environmental reasons; for example in Britain, gold
expeditions are done is wild terrain (mountains and
hills etc) and in The Gambia, the terrain is relatively
flat, and there for Gambian participants can not hike
up mountains. Not forgetting that the temperature is
so hot there, that there is no requirement for
waterproof clothing, as there is over here in
England.

However the ethos and credo of the Award remains the same throughout – youth
empowerment, encouraging self belief, confidence, independence, responsibility and
communication. In The Gambia people hold a high profile of the Award, with three out
of five people completing the Award.

The Presidents Award, funny enough is named after the Gambian President Yahya
Jammeh, as he is a firm supporter of the Award. The President’s Award’s national
office is based in Bakal. On the same site they have a skills centre. It is large with
space for expansion. They have 14 rooms to let, a hall which they also rent out, a
dinning room, and many classrooms. At the skills centre they learn marketable skills –
we were told that former participants make a living from the skills that they have learnt
at the centre. Some skills that are taught there are: secretarial, I.T, sowing and
dressmaking, carpentry, metal fabrication, mechanics and electrical installation. They
also offer summer classes to the local residents that are not participants of the Award.

What we plan to do is what a group from Scotland have

already accomplished which is to form links and to have
completed development projects - they called this project
‘GAMSCOT’.

The name GAMSCOT derives from the start of Gambia

and the start of Scotland. The Scottish Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award group which is involved is based in
Dumfries. The gold participants from Scotland came and
helped build a wall to the left of the compound. This since
has progressed to the building of the entire centre, all of

6
which was built by the Scottish and Gambian gold participants working together.

Since then, the GAMSCOT project has bought in 17 computers and 3 laptops. These
have enabled the President’s Award to teach computing as part of crucial skills which
will benefit the Gambian participants for life. A spokesman for the President’s Award
said: “We welcome you, as the Dumfries project did so much for us, we hope you will
too.” GAMSCOT achieved so much from the building of a wall to the creation of an
entire award centre in the Gambia proving that it can be done.

7
 Gambia Project 2007
The purpose of our trip was to gain a better understanding on how the President’s
Award works in The Gambia and whether we can help the Award in the future. We
found that there are a number of projects; the main one, and most urgent, is the
complete renovation of one of the classroom blocks in the President’s Award
compound. The details for the project are outlined below.

What needs to be done?

The classroom block needs to have five classrooms,

two offices and two toilets at the end of the
refurbishment. However, first off, the removal of an
asbestos roof is paramount as is its replacement.
New ceilings, windows, doors all need to be
provided not to mention that the entire block needs
to be rewired, repainted and furnished.

Who pays for this?

We are hoping for a total of five groups of about fifteen people to go out to The
Gambia during 2007 to complete different stages of this project. This would
involve raising £1000 towards the project – a princely sum of around £66.60 per
person, which is certainly not impossible.

What is the duration spent on the project?

The total time for the project is about 3 to 4 weeks for the basics. To furniture and give
the place a lick of paint will take a while longer. For each group it is estimated that
they spend a total of one week on the project, perhaps spending another week touring
The Gambia doing some of activities in this project and more! This could work out as
one day on the project, one day around The Gambia, depending on how long your trip
is.

Do the groups get any help?

The groups will be working hand in hand with Gambian counterparts. These
counterparts are learned in different skills, such as carpentry and metal work, and all
the groups need to do is provide the money for materials and the counterparts can
make the furniture needed. As you can imagine this saves a lot of money in the long
run.

This gives a brief overview of the local prices for materials and equipment needed:

8
 D194,315.00

Also:

5 Litre of paint D500

20 Litre of wall paint D70
Paintbrush 5mm D25
Roller D100
Sandpaper size 3 D100
Polyfiller D150
Mosquito Nets (1 metre) D100

9
 Gambia Project 2008

This Project is for the newest of the classroom blocks.

• This new classroom block needs its old wooden frame replaced with a metal one
(as the termites are munching their way slowly but surly through it)

• New classroom block – has sandy floor and needs a cemented floor

• A general refurbishment of the block needed as well

• This project – a classroom block (4 classrooms) will last approximately a week for
10 – 15 young people. And will cost again, approximately £5000

10
 Gambia Project 2009
This project will be the establishment of another skills centre in the Gambia. The
proposed site will be in Kerewn. The President’s Award already own the land. They
just need the resources and they are ready to build.

Kerewen is an hour drive away and a 30 minute ferry crossing

The building will comprise of 3 classrooms, 1 office, 1 store room

Blue Prints of the

future skills centre
of Kerwen.

11
 ITINERARY
The itinerary of our week in the Gambia.

Tuesday 4th July

• All met at London Gatwick Airport

• Checked in
• Flight left at 9:15 am
• Flight arrived at 2:15 pm at Banjul International Airport in The Gambia
• Picked up by The Gambia Experience Coach and taken to Senegambia Beach
Hotel in Senegambia
• Booked into Hotel, unpacked and familiarize ourselves with the Hotel
• Dinner at Ali Baba

Wednesday 5th July

• Breakfast
• Bus to the Presidents Award Scheme and Skills Centre in Bakau
Met staff and tour of the PAS Site and Skills Centre
• Bus from PAS centre to Kachically Crocodile Pool and Museum
• Returned to Hotel by Bus
• Free time (Pool or Beach or Diary Time)
• Dinner at Ali Baba

Thursday 6th July

• Breakfast
• Bus to the PAS Centre
Another tour of the PAS Site and the listing of the necessary materials needed
to develop the site
• Bus from PAS centre to Serekunda Market in Serekunda
• Bus from Serekunda Market to Awa’s House
• Met Gold and Silver Smiths man
• Return to Hotel by Bus
• Free time
• Dinner at Le Paradise Restaurant

Friday 7th July

• Breakfast
• Bus to the PAS Centre
Met Counterparts at PAS for ‘Home Stay’
• Returned to Hotel by Taxi

12
• Dinner at Ali Baba

Saturday 8th July

• Breakfast
• Bus to Bungalow Beach in Kololi to meet Counterparts
Had lunch at Bungalow Beach with Counterparts
• Returned to Hotel by Bus
• Free time
• Dinner at La Paradise Restaurant

Sunday 9th July

• Early Breakfast and Roots Tour

• Returned to Hotel by Coach
• Dinner at La paradise Restaurant

Monday 10th July

• Breakfast
• Bus to PAS to meet counterparts
Visit to Presentation Girls Vocational School, Independent Arch and Albert
market with Counterparts
• Returned to Hotel
• Free time (Start Packing)
• Dinner at Ali Baba with Counterparts

Tuesday 11th July

• Breakfast (Finish Packing)

• Checked out of Hotel
• Taken to Banjul International Airport by The Gambia Experience Coach
• Checked in
• Flight left at 4:00 pm
• Flight arrives at 11:00 pm in London Gatwick Airport
• Pick-Up from Airport

13
 Activities
Some of the interesting things to do…

Serrekunda Market

Serrekunda Market is a colourful market packed with local people, authentic Gambian
ingredients, pots and pans and trinkets…

If you are someone that does not like small places, and likes to be left alone for a quiet
browse, then an early warning, Serrekunda market is not for you! It’s hectic
atmosphere can get you annoyed very easily along with the constant hassling from the
local people, asking all sorts of questions. You may well get befriended by a local
man who will follow you and walk with you through the market, and finally persuade
you to come to his shop, or the batik-shop of his sister’s. No matter how many times
you say no, you will
most probably end up
going to “just look” at
the crafts in his shop
with no obligation to
buy anything, unless
you are firm enough to
say NO completely.
The main thing one
has to remember is
that if you do not want
something then do
NOT feel obliged to get
anything. Do NOT take
pictures in the market,
as local people think that you will put their images on postcards, and may ask for
money for it- others may just ask you to marry them!

You may enter a building consisting of narrow corridors, with stalls either side of you
just less than a metre apart. Again, if you are someone that feels claustrophobic, then
don’t bother entering. Because the passage way is not only very narrow, but
crammed with people moving through it, and the vendors themselves, hassling you
and putting necklaces and bracelets on you. As everything is quite crammed in here,
make sure you keep an eye on all your personal belongings.

14
Prices at Serrekunda market are very reasonable. Here is a brief list of the prices we
were able to haggle down to. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t have to pay may much
more than this (unless you want to), but you may also find yourself paying less(!):

Necklaces – 20D
Small craft key rings – 10D
Sand paintings (sold on the beach) – 100D
Wooden bowl (medium size) – 150D
Batiks (depending on size), 1.5m – 80
Bracelets (x6 beaded ones) – 60D
Silver bracelets (x3) – 60D
Beach towels (x3) – 150D

Albert Market

Albert Market, Banjul, mainly has souvenirs that tourists like to buy, such as crafts,
paintings, and batiks. It is most certainly more spacious that Serrekunda market, and
less local people follow you around or cling to you. Again, prices here are very
reasonable depending on how good you are at haggling. Most of the shops sell the
same things, so if you don’t get a low price, don’t worry, just move on to the next store
where you will most probably find the same thing! (Also – watch out for the stripy
coloured watering cans!)

15
ROOTS TOUR

The Roots tour is one of the most famous tours

in the Gambia which can be organised directly
with the Gambia Experience.

Roots was a book which was written on a real

life story by Alex Hayley who wrote about his
predecessors and their trials and tribulations of
the slave trade in North America.

The book is based around stories he heard as

a child from his Grandma as a young boy and
went travelling to the Gambia to find out about Kunta Kinteh who was captured in
1767.

In Gambia, Alex Hayley met Bintah Kinteh who was one of the seven generations of
the Kinteh family who passed away three years ago.

As part of the tour, you are taken via ferry (Lawrence of Arabia) from Banjul Port to
Juffreh and James Island. You will be taken into a smaller boat mid-way through the
trip to go to James Island as it is no longer big enough to port a larger boat.

History

Europeans and Americans used to voyage to Africa for trading purposes and to
spread Christianity in 1455. Originally, white people in the Caribbean (West Indies),
North and South America who were criminals were used to work on the plantations.
However there weren’t enough of them so black people from Africa were enslaved and
used instead. Black people were obtained and abducted from farms, their homes and
forests and the local chiefs sold their own people as slaves. 25% of slaves were
obtained from the Senegambia which is the combination of Senegal and Gambia. The
transport chain was from the Gambia, through Senegal to America.

The French bought in slave rights known as ‘Code Naire’ including rights to the owner
in court but free white creoles ignored the sections to law which they found
inconvenient. New World slavery lasted for over 378 years and there was a rebellion
in 1799 in Santo Domingo (Haiti) where slaves were liberated and established a free
state.

Sites to see as part of the Roots tour

Juffreh

16
 At Juffreh, you have to go and
meet the village chief before
passing through who at the
moment is a woman. This is
unusual but this is under a new
presidential ruling to give women
equal roles in society. As part of
her role is to obtain taxes from
the people on the Island.

The Freedom pole- this is said to

be where slaves were told to
swim over from James Island to
Juffreh and touch the pole to gain their freedom.

Juffreh Museum- Things to see

• Statues and pictures of the
possible treatment of
slaves
• Maps which show the
occurrence of slave trade
in African trade in African
countries
• Representations of actions
occurring during the slave
trade
• Pictures and contributions
of black heroes including Malcolm X, Alex Haley, Martin Luther King Jr. etc. )

At Juffreh, you will also be taken to a small arts market which has various tradition
Gambian souvenirs. Be aware that as you are tourists, you will feel obligated to buy
but haggle all the way!

James Island

James Island is the slave fort where slaves who were captured, were kept to be built
up in body. The Island is now quite small by size due to erosion. The slaves were fed
kidney beans once a day to fatten them up and were normally kept at James Island for
15 days.

Disobedient slaves were kept in a dark dug out but the extent on their punishment
depended on their severity of their disobedience.

17
 The slaves were given a 10
foot area to sit in with more
than 30 slaves were kept there
at any one time. Male and
female slaves were kept
separately.

The English built the actual

fort on the Island and fought
with the French for the Island
itself.

Things to be aware

• At Juffreh, beware of children as they will overwhelm you by talking to you and
holding your hand. It might be a nice thing to give out sweets but be aware that
there are a sheer
number of them and
it would be hard to
give them all sweets
• The Ferry does
come provided with
Sangriah and tuna
sandwiches. For
lunch there was a
buffet with Beef
Banellini with salad
and bread. Soft
Drinks are D25 and
can be paid via a
tab.
• For the whole trip,
comfortable shoes have to be worn as there is a transfer into a smaller boat
(Dinge) to visit James Island
• Precautions should be taken for seasickness and against sun burn
• Top deck of the ferry is a good place to sit as they pull over a shade and there
is a nice breeze too.
• At the arts market, be prepared to haggle and they can be persistent so make
sure no means no!

18
 HOME STAY
During our time in The Gambia, we, in groups of two, had the opportunity to spend the
day with a President’s Award participant, visiting their homes, eating a typical
Gambian meal and being extensively dipped into Gambian culture! We had a number
of different experiences, which you can read about below, and the overall feeling
about the day was that it was certainly worthwhile.

Priya and Amanda

We spent our homestay with Mai who took us to a

bustling local market where we bought a coconut.
We then took a bus to her compound in Setuka.
Her family were really friendly and welcoming
especially the children who drew pictures for us.
The time just flew by as we were having so much
fun getting our hair braided, watching Nigerian
movies, drinking green tea and playing with the
children. At first we were nervous about our stay
but by the end of it we did not want to leave. After taking group photos and
exchanging email addresses we said our goodbyes and returned to the hotel.
Nykki and Neha

We went to stay with Amie. She lives in

Serakunda with her extended family; grandmother,
2 uncles, each with 2 wives and their children.
They live together in 2 compounds. While we were
there we looked at some pictures of her family, her
school and expeditions. We ate benachin (rice) ,
fish, cabage, cassava and rangha which is green,
made from leaves and has a bitter taste.
Neha played ludo with some of the kids, while
Nykki was getting her hair braided by Amie. We
also played cards with them. We talked to the
family and found that some of them go to school,
some of them don't; they are all muslims; some of them speak english while some
speak only wolof. The family are quiet well off compared to some others.

Aoife and Alex

As we arrived we walked into Kumba’s

sisters’ house and were shocked by the
amount of people and especially young
children. To tell the truth we were a bit

19
surprised by the difference from this house to the only other one we had seen as it
had a TV, DVD player and the like. After being introduced to the family we went
outside and played card games and gave the children a football which they loved.
Dinner was a bit confusing because although we had expected to eat out of a
communal bowl, we were given many dishes with different foods to taste. Thinking we
had finished, we were then taken outside to eat from the main food bowl with 20 boys
which was different to anything we had done before. Later on we went to Kumba’s
house where we met her mother and her brother who was a huge Rio Ferdinand fan.
After looking at many photos and spending time with her family we headed back to the
hotel having had a fantastic and rewarding experience.

Nathan and Sanoobar

We stayed with Omar Conteh. We met his

family, including his many brothers and sisters
and were shown around his house. We were
told that one of the daughters, Fatima aged 9
was born in America but was bought back to
The Gambia to learn about her African
heritage, customs and traditions. She will be
sent back when she turns 18.

Omar told us about Gambian life and the many

tribes that the country has. He taught us some
of his tribal languages including Wolof and
Mandinka. We spoke for a while about the
similarities and differences with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the President’s
Award, then went to the mosque for Friday prayer and were later given African names
- Abdullah and Nehi. After we ate Kaldu (made of rice, fish, yam and cambage) which
was lovely! We shared a bowl with three other people.

We were given a tour of the area in which Omar lives as well as being introduced to
his extended family and some of his friends - it was a great day!

Steff and Suzanne

The homestay was, on the whole, a very

enjoyable experience for both of us. For the
majority of the day we sat outside watching the
children playing games, the obvious favourite
being hopscotch - using sharp stones, they
would sketch an outline of the stepping stones
onto the ground. Watching Suzanne join in was
rather amusing, and the kids loved it too,
especially as she had to be reminded of how to
play the game a few times. Every time we tried
to take a photo of them, they went berserk!

20
They loved seeing the picture of themselves on the camera screen and they would
crowd around us to view all the photos we had taken so far. Another highlight of the
day was visiting the local market, where Steff bought some kabba fruit - she got 4 for
D10, which amounted to the equivalent of 5p per fruit. We both purchased patterned
plastic kettles which the Gambians use for washing – we’re probably going to find a
different use for them however! Finally, eating lunch was a new experience for us; the
whole family shared a single bowl of rice, using their hands to pick it up. Never done
that before!

However, one thing we were not expecting was the toilet to be a hole in the ground...
just be aware! But taking part in the homestay certainly opened our eyes to everyday
Gambian life, and we very glad that we did so.

Izzy and Sheeza

The Home stay was an amazing experience; it really

opened our eyes to see how different people in
Africa live compared to us in England who take little
things for granted. We went to Isa's home, to meet
her family and then meet her relatives and friends. It
was really cool trying the homemade African food,
and just walking around the local area with all of
Isatoa’s friends and family. Everyone was really
friendly and welcoming to their homes. They
showed us their photos about a lady's graduation
and party, and their model photos. We all shared
the bowl of white rice with fish and sweet potato in
tomato curry - it was nice.

We both got to watch a monthly street performance,

consisting of a dance and music (with drums) and
we saw a scary dancer! It was such a wicked atmosphere, all the kids and local
neighbours were out and about enjoying themselves. From our home stay we learnt
that The Gambia is the smallest part of Africa, and is known as the smiling coast. we
would defenitely say that being on the trip and staying with Isatoa and her family for
the day made The Gambia live up to its well known expectations.

Caz and Sarah

We had our homestay with Awa, one of the President

Awards project officers, and her family. After we left the
President’s Award site we piled into a Gambian taxi and
headed to the market. It was incredible being with
someone who knew what was going on, what to buy
and more importantly how to barter! We watched in

21
amazement, it was so different to England and there was so much going on at one
time. After that it was back to Awa’s home. This consisted of a stone building with 3
bedrooms, a toilet/show (with no light) and a sitting room crammed full with furniture
and ornaments. The kitchen was a separate building out the back in the yard and they
were also building another separate room.

It was interesting to seeing the separation in duties within the family. While Awa had to
stay and do some washing and prepare lunch for everyone we headed off with her
brother. After going to see where he played football we spent the next couple of hours
sat on a bench under a tree on the street. Gradually more and more of his friends
turned up, all of whom could speak amazing English. Then it was back for lunch – a
fantastic meal of Fish Benachin (rice with various flavours and fried fish). After a bit of
football with the boys Awa was done with her various chores and she proceeded to
take us around the whole neighbourhood meeting friends and family – it was
incredible how many people she knew! The whole neighbourhood seemed so friendly
and by the end we had a gaggle of children with us who we didn’t want to leave, but
with the promise of cakes from Awa we headed back into Senegambia market before
returning back to the hotel. It was a really good day and is recommended to anyone
who visits the Gambia – it was one of Caz’s best days in The Gambia!

As you can see, we all enjoyed our visits very much and can only recommend that you
go on a homestay yourself so that you can have your own enjoyable Gambian
adventure!

22
 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE GAMBIA

CROCODILE POOL
Location: Bakau
Description: The sacred crocodile pool is home to more than 100 relatively tame
crocodiles, who prefer the taste of fish to meat. The friendliest crocodile is named
Charlie. There is also a museum which has on display old items used by the
native people of Bakau hundreds of years ago. The whole area surrounding the
pool and the museum is a forest of beautiful trees, plants and wildlife.
Cost: D250 (£5) per person

BATIK FACTORY
Location: Serrekunda
Description: Here you get the chance to see how process of dyeing materials and textile work are done, and buy
the materials at a very good price. A wide variety of designs and colours can be found.

WOOD CARVING MARKET

Location: Brikama
Description: Brikama has the largest gathering of wood carvers in the country. At the market, tourists have the
opportunity to browse through the numerous styles of woodcraft and buy some to take home.

PARADISE BEACH
Location: Sanyang
Description: This beach is perfect for sunbathing, relaxing, and swimming in the sea.
Compared to the other beaches along the Gambian coastline, it is very quiet and
hassle-free. There is also a Gambia Tours hut where it is possible to buy food and drink.

FISHING VILLAGE
Location: Tanji
Description: Tanji is a busy fishing village where nothing is put on for the tourists. When the fishing boats come in
it's a hive of activity along the beach; women and children can be seen dragging fish up the beach in buckets. Just
across from the beach is a camel stable and you can go for a trek along the shoreline. There are a few cafes dotted
around too. However, the area can be quite smelly as the fish are left out to dry and others are left on the beach
near the port.

FISH HARBOUR
Location: Bakau
Description: This is the busiest harbour in the town where you can see fishermen offloading the fish from the
boats and the women gathering and cleaning the catch of the day. The variety of fish caught always differs from
day to day; it is a way of living in West Africa that some fish are to be sold and others are caught to feed the
families of the fishermen.

INDEPENDENT ARCH
Location: Banjul
Description: Built to commemorate the military takeover on 22nd July 1994 (led by
Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh, now The Gambia's president), Arch 22 is by far the
tallest building in The Gambia. The arch provides excellent views over the city and
it's open to the public daily. It also has a small museum.
FERRY TERMINAL
Location: Banjul
Description: The Gambia is divided North and South by the river Gambia, which is the country’s main trading
route. There are a number of ferries but the most important is the one between Banjul and Barra on the northern
bank. There are two roll-on roll-off ferry boats that make the trip each hour, though there are often delays.
Alongside the terminal at both ends are much smaller canoe-like boats called pirogues which make the trip much
faster; but you normally have to wade through the water to get on and off!
Cost: D3 (300?) each way for foot passengers

AFRICAN HERITAGE CENTRE

Location: Bakau

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Description: This is a restaurant and art gallery with an open balcony overlooking the port. It was founded in 1986
and is a joint Danish/Gambian venture. It is a museum of African Art, but sells all of the exhibits and replaces them
with new ones - supporting the local people’s arts and crafts industry. There is a large range of products on display,
which tends to be art rather than tourist souvenirs.

BUSH AND BEACH SAFARI/SOUTH GAMBIA

Location: Various
Description: Full day tour using 4-wheel drive land rovers or mini-trucks. You can visit small fishing villages and
experience life in the rural areas. This is a good opportunity to see monkeys and the rich bird life of The Gambia.
Several hours can be spent on the beach where a picnic lunch is taken before returning. It is possible to visit an
alcohol distillation factory and go on a camel safari too.
Cost: varies depending on the tour operator

ABUKO NATURE RESERVE

Location: Just outside Lamin in the Kombo North District
Opening hours: 8am – 6pm
Description: 105ha of land on which there are many types of preserved habitats
and thus many species of wildlife; over 270 species of bird have been spotted in
the Abuko Nature Reserve. The pools in the Northeast end of the reserve hold a
substantial population of Nile crocodiles, and attract a wide variety of birds and
mammals, especially during the dry season. The pools also contain quite a variety
of fish species. There is also an education centre which overlooks the crocodile
pool and houses an environmental education programme. Furthermore, there is animal
orphanage where you get the opportunity to view some examples of Gambian wildlife up
close (spotted hyena, bush buck) as well as lions, now said to be extinct in the Gambia,
apart from the rare vagrants in the east of the country. The orphanage is also a temporary
home to animals and birds that had been held in captivity. Available are two refreshment
kiosks and a souvenir shop.
Cost: D30 per person; D50 to book the photo hide at the Orphanage

LAMIN LODGE
Location: Lamin village
Description: Lamin Lodge is a three-story wooden construction on stilts, overlooking the mangroves of the river
Gambia. It is basically a restaurant, but it is also the point of departure for many excursions. Lamin Lodge offers an
extended range of both European and African dishes. It is also one of the only restaurants in the Gambia which
serves the mangrove oysters, freshly picked from the river Gambia every morning.
Cost: D200 for a buffet meal; D110 onwards for an ‘a la carte’ meal

BOAT TRIP: ‘BIRDS AND BREAKFAST’ EXCUSRION

Location: Leaves from and returns to Lamin Lodge
Description: Half day excursion which is scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. After a quick
coffee in Lamin Lodge, you enter a dugout canoe which will take you through the vast labyrinth of creeks that
surround the village of Lamin, where more then 70 different species of water birds have been recorded. Two hours
later you return to Lamin Lodge where you enjoy a breakfast buffet. After breakfast you continue your search for
morning birds in the gardens of the neighbouring village of Abuko.
Cost: D650 per person

BOAT TRIP: ‘SUNSET CRUISE’

Location: Leaves from Denton Bridge and arrives at Lamin Lodge
Description: Short excursion which is scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 4.30 pm.
After a welcome drink on board you cruise for 1.5 hours through the mangroves of the River Gambia. A small band
plays traditional kora music during the sunset. Upon arrival at Lamin Lodge you eat a buffet while watching a
performance of Mandinka dancers and drummers.
Cost: D850 per person

MAKASUTU DAY TRIP

Location: Makasutu
Description: Makasutu is a palm forest situated on the banks of a meandering
tributary of the River Gambia (Madina Bolon), encompassing many different
ecosystems including dense forest, savannah and mangrove regions. The day trip
starts early (you will be picked up from your hotel at 8am), and upon arrival at
Makasutu you have the chance for a tea or coffee. A walk to the wildlife museum

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then follows where a small talk is given on the work this particular museum is trying to do for the wildlife of the
Gambia. Then, you take a trip down the river on dugout canoes while drifting down the waters seeing wildlife,
fishermen and women collecting oysters from the mangrove. After the boat trip there is the opportunity to go on a
"bush walk" where you can see some of the flora and fauna of the area. For lunch, a drive back to base camp then
follows where food is waiting for you. Lunch consists of some of the best African dishes in this region. While eating
food you watch traditional dancers and drum troupes perform on the natural stage, under the Baobab tree. While at
base camp there is also the opportunity to participate in or just observe pottery, African cooking, furniture making,
carving and dancing and drumming.

TREASURE ISLAND
Location: ‘Treasure Island’ Jinnack
Description: Full day excursion which takes you through the countryside of The Gambia and neighbouring
Senegal. The day starts early with a short journey to the ferry port at Banjul where you board the ferry for the 45
minute ferry crossing to Barra on the northern bank of the River Gambia. Ferry times can be erratic and crowded.
After a quick breakfast stop, the journey continues to the border of Senegal where you have your passport checked
and stamped before continuing through the Senegalese countryside to the village of Bakindikotu. A 30-45 minute
boat trip brings you to the island of Jinnack and then after a 30 minute walk across the island you reach a deserted
beach where a picnic is waiting. After lunch there is time to relax and swim before setting back across the island by
foot to catch the boat for the return journey. Arrive back at your hotel between 6pm and 8pm.
Cost: D2000 (£36) per person through the Gambia Experience tour operator

GAMBIAN REPTILE FARM

Location: 4km past Gunjur on the road towards Kartung about 35km from the holiday resorts that surround
Serrekunda.
Opening hours: 8am – 6pm
Description: This is not so much a farm but more a living museum and place to see and learn about the reptiles
and snakes that are found in The Gambia. It is an hour visit and especially well worth it if the French owner is there
conducting the tour; he is not only very knowledgeable, but also very entertaining. Most of the exhibits are live and
not at all dangerous, and the centre serves a purpose of making Gambians aware of which snakes are dangerous
and which are totally harmless. This is necessary as Gambians will kill any snake they see, dangerous or not.
Cost: D50 (£1) per person (if a tourist); less if not

KANINLAI
Location: Kaninlai
Description: The village of Kaninlai is the birthplace of the Gambian President Dr. Alhajie Yahya AJJ Jammeh.

TENDABA CAMP
Location: Kwinella
Description: This camp was originally built in the 1970s as a hunting camp, but it now attracts more birdwatchers
because it is situated opposite the Baobolong Wetlands – a Ramsar site of international importance for birds. It is
possible to take a boat trip through the mangrove creeks and spot many rare birds of The Gambia. There is also a
restaurant at the camp.

GEORGETOWN OVERNIGHT
Location: MacCarthy Island
Description: This excursion takes you over 300km into The Gambia and gives you a chance of seeing some very
old monuments. The journey to Georgetown takes about 4-5 hours when taking the ferry from Barra, but along the
way a stop is made at Farafenni Market (Lumo). Lumo is a busy market where local carvings, food and clothing can
be seen and bought. Along the way you pass a few villages and some unique sights. After the market a stop is
made at the Wassu stone circles where the guides explain the nature of the stone circles, their history and how
they came to exist. Then, there is a 307km drive to Jang Jang Burreh (Georgetown). Jang Jang Burreh is the
administrative headquarters for the Central River Division, which also has the office and residence of the
commissioner. Jang Jang Burreh also had a slave building, which is now converted into a warehouse. Here you
stay the night at Jang Jang Burreh Camp, and in the morning the excursion continues to include bird watching. A
boat trip to Sapu concludes the tour.

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 HOTELS IN THE GAMBIA
There is a wide selection of hotels you can stay at in The Gambia depending on the
size of your budget.

Great Value for Money Hotels

If you’re looking for a hotel that is simple, fun and friendly, why not stay at African
village hotel where one can experience the ‘real Africa.’ It is situated in the bustling
town of Bakau where many restaurants serve traditional Gambian dishes, there is a
thriving local market and which is home to the popular Kachikally crocodile pool.
Offering good value, this small hotel in the centre of Bakau is ideal for those who
prefer a more authentic African experience.

African Village Prices in £’s per person

Number of nights 7 10 14
1 may – 24 May 449 509 528
25 May – 31 May 474 530 552
1 June – 5 July 429 505 527
6 July – 19 July 478 532 563
20 July – 23 August 545 599 623
24 August – 30 August 524 572 588
31 August – 20 September 502 548 565
21 September – 4 October 507 555 569
5 October – 11 October 512 563 575
12 October – 31 October 519 582 598

Mid Range Hotels

Set in the busy resort of Kololi, the Senegambia Hotel is the ideal place to stay if you
want to have fun. Having stayed there myself, I would recommend it to anyone. The
hotel provides a full range of facilities and the staff are extremely friendly. For peace
and quiet why not try bird watching in the gardens, which attracts an amazing plethora
of birdlife. If you prefer something more lively, however, you can head for the beach
to play volleyball or go to the bar. Outside the hotel there is ‘the strip’ as it is known
locally, consisting of many restaurants, bars and nightclubs visited by many tourists
and locals alike. The hotel has an amazing atmosphere and I would definitely stay
there again.

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 Senegambia Prices in £’s per person

Number of nights 7 10 14

1 may – 24 May 503 557 584

25 May – 31 May 515 569 597
1 June – 5 July 489 539 578
6 July – 19 July 517 571 599
20 July – 23 August 579 649 666

24 August – 30 August 562 620 640

31 August – 20 September 528 598 617

21 September – 4 October 539 609 629

5 October – 11 October 547 617 639
12 October – 31 October 568 629 655

Excellent Quality Hotels

If however you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing holiday, Bijilo beach hotel may be
more suited for you. It is a small and quiet hotel with breathtaking views, situated on
an unspoilt stretch of beach. The beauty of Bijilo is that there are no bars, clubs or
restaurants to disturb the peace, just a long stretch of beach with very few people on
it. The hotel offers evening entertainment in the form of local bands and cultural
shows and bars, restaurants and clubs are only a 5 minute taxi ride away.

Bijilo beach Prices in £’s per person

Number of nights 7 10 14
1 may – 24 May 515 600 634
25 May – 31 May 537 622 651
1 June – 5 July 508 593 629
6 July – 19 July 533 625 654
20 July – 23 August 602 689 728
24 August – 30 August 577 661 700
31 August – 20 September 555 643 682
21 September – 4 October 566 652 685
5 October – 11 October 577 655 689
12 October – 31 October 593 672 705
Luxury Hotels

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Coconut residence is one of the best hotels in Gambia as it provides the ultimate in
pampered luxury. The accommodation is arranged in suites which vary in size. The
hotel has two swimming pools and the Avocado Restaurant, which is undoubtedly the
premier restaurant in the Gambia. The coconut residence is really in a class of its
own and has taken accommodation and level of service to new heights of luxury.

Coconut Residence Prices in £’s per person

Number of nights 7 10 14
1 may – 24 May 818 1017 1177
25 May – 31 May 844 1039 1188
809 809 1004 1167
6 July – 19 July 840 1035 1212
20 July – 23 August 867 1078 1235
24 August – 30 August 845 1059 1226
837 837 1045 1214
21 September – 4 October 849 1060 1209
5 October – 11 October 854 1069 1227
12 October – 31 October 868 1088 1245

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• The currency used in The Gambia is Dalasi
• The exchange rate in the UK is £2 = 100D
• The exchange rates vary but we found it was slightly higher to change money in
The Gambia
• We bought a large bottle of water each everyday which cost about 25D for
Naturalle water or 60D for Evian water
• Lunch costs no more than 200D but we found we didn’t need lunch every day
• We took spending money with us on days that we visited the market. This varied
from person to person but if you do take large amounts of money, it’s a good idea
to separate it up into different pockets, because if you are seen with lots of
money, you will be expected to pay more for things
• Generally we found that the majority of things was very cheap but as a tourist
expect to pay more than the locals
• Places such as the roots tour, touristy markets and in your hotel will be more
expensive overall
• Dinner prices vary depending on the restaurant you decide to visit. On average
we paid between 200 and 400 Dalasis per person.

Places to Eat…

Ali Baba Restrant (the one on the corner not the Garden)
Here is an E.g Of sum of the food’s you can buy for dinner…
You will need about 200-300 Dalasis a Night for Dinner

• Sandwiches cost between 50-135D

• Omlettes 125-160D
• Salads 75-125D
• Burgers 100-175D (includes Chips)
• Pizza 160D (for a big one +30 Per Extra Topping)
• Chicken (Hole Chicken/ Satay/ Half) 75-250D
• Meat Dishes (Curry/ Kebabs/ Steak) 95-300D
• African Dishes (Chicken Yassa/ Beef Dormata) 160-175D
• Fish Dishes 175-200D
• Pasta (Bolonase etc) 150D
• Veggie Stuff 75-150D
• Drinks Coke Etc. Bottle = 50D
• Glass Of Wine = 50D
• Soft Drinks = 40D

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This restaurant was suitable for big groups (we got a table for 16 really quickly)There
is also live music and entertainment.

Taxi’s…
When you go over to Gambia do NOT pre-book a coach unless you want to get KOnD
into paying loads of money… Just simply go there and on the day of your travel you
are guaranteed to get a little minibus (taxi) in which you will pay anything in between
400-800D for the whole group.

Things to buy…
Any shops around the hotel for gifts are going to be expensive. Your best bet is to buy
your gifts at Seracunda market, or one of the other markets.
But…
When you go you have to Barter (keep going until you get things cheaper – it’s a good
idea to maybe take someone who is Gambian with you… Like one of the Presence
award leaders….
Things you can get…

• Sand paintings =
• Drums = Medium Size Drum = original price 500D got it down to 125D
= 2x Medium Size Drums = original price 600 got it down to Both for
225D
• Beach Towels = 2x no more than 150D
• Postcards = 15D
• Stamps = 15D
• Water (1.5L) = Naturalle 25D
= Evian 60D

Prices of Project Equipment…

• 5 Litres of Paint = 500D
• 20 Litres of Water Paint (for the Walls) = 700D
• Paintbrush (size 5mm) = 25D
• Rowler = 100D
• Sandpaper (size 3) = 100D
• Polyfiller = 150D
• Cardboard for Roof = 250D
• Mosiquito Nets (comes in roll’s) 1Metre = 100D

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 Contacts

Name Involvement in Email

President’s Award
Ousainou Administration sarrousainou@hotmail.com
Officer
Awa Jarra Field Oficer Tel – 4461012
Mobile - 9884125
Amie Njies Field officer amiebnjies@yahoo.com
Saikou Ngassi Teacher (IT) shakes@yahoo.com
Lamin Sawo Adult Helper lfsawo@hotmail.com
Binta Student lfsawo@hotmail.com
Maimuna Student C/o Yankuba Touray, Custom,
Banjul, The Gambia
Omar Conteh Student Omarmama1@hotmail.com
Kumba Jeng Student Kumba@yahoo.com
Isatou Student lfsawo@yahoo.com
Peter Gomez Student simonpeterk2002@yahoo.com>

Name Profession Contact details

Maw Tourist taxi driver Tel - 9937199
Senegambia – vehicle
number: PJL9162D
Minty Tourist taxi driver Tel - 9912540
Senegambia

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