the gambia - Serenity Holidays

Transcription

THE GAMBIA
November 2015 - October 2016
WEB BROCHURE: VERSION 3
Date of issue: 11/12/15
Contents
A Warm Welcome
6-7
AITO quality charter
80
Mandina Lodges
36-37
Why visit The Gambia?
8-11
FAQs
81
Ngala Lodge
26-27
Flight information including
Star Service
82-83
Ocean Bay Hotel
50-51
Palm Beach Hotel
63
Holiday insurance
83
Sandele Eco-Retreat
42
Gambia package prices
84-85
Sarge’s Hotel
61
Senegal package prices
86
Senegambia Hotel
52-53
How to book
86
Sunset Beach Hotel
60
Fair trading charter
87
Tanji Bird Reserve Eco-Lodge
43
White Horse Residence
32-33
THE GAMBIA
Gambia resort areas
12-13
10 memorable days
14-15
Cuisine
16-17
Find your perfect holiday
18-19
Travel upgrades
20
Choosing the right hotel
21
The Luxury Collection
22-33
gambia hotels a-z
The Unique Collection
34-43
African Village Hotel
62
The Mid-Range & Value
Collections
44-62
Bakotu Hotel
54-55
Bijilo Beach Hotel
58
More online
63
Bungalow Beach Aparthotel
59
Cape Point Hotel
63
Chimp Rehabilitation Project Camp
40-41
Coco Ocean Resort & Spa
24-25
Fathala Wildlife Reserve
38-39
SENEGAL
Discover Senegal
64-65
Senegal Tours
65
Hotels in Senegal
66-69
FURTHER INFORMATION
70-71
Gambia Coral Beach Hotel
& Spa
46-47
Tailormade holidays
Birdwatching holidays
72-73
Gunjur Project Lodge
63
Special occasions
74
Hibiscus House
63
Group travel
75
Kairaba Beach Hotel
28-29
Sustainability
76-77
Kombo Beach Hotel
48-49
A-Z Things to know before you go
78-80
Lemon Creek Hotel
56-57
Leo’s Beach Hotel
30-31
They say every cloud has a silver
lining – but this was difficult to see at the
beginning of last winter season, with the threat
of Ebola dominating the media and hanging over
West Africa, plus Monarch, our main airline for
the last 27 years being sold and withdrawing
from the charter market. Dark days indeed.
But the second half of the winter season saw
tourists (some of whom had earlier cancelled
holidays) being drawn back by the allure of The Gambia, and in fact from January onwards
our aircraft were fuller than the previous year –
confidence had returned.
And now I’m delighted to announce that for
Winter 15/16 our Gatwick flying will be with
the prestigious Titan Airways, offering modern,
comfortable seating throughout plus our new
Star Service. We have been working with Titan
through our sister company, Corsican Places, for
over five years and customer satisfaction levels are
the highest of any airline we work with. Further
details of our flying can be found on pages 82-83.
Our Luxury Collection continues to improve,
with the Macondo suites, a new infinity pool plus
larger restaurant at Ngala Lodge; a beautifully
located beach terrace restaurant at Coco Ocean;
and after an excellent first year, White Horse
Residence has moved from our Unique Collection
to sit proudly next to our other luxury hotels.
The future now looks as bright as the
Gambian sunshine.
Chris Rowles
Managing Director
Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed in this brochure. Please ask us to confirm
what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not
be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those
parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about
financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate. Our ATOL number is 1866.
We are also members of ABTA and AITO, the AITO quality charter is on page 80.
Serenity Holidays Ltd, Registered in the UK number 01744872. Atlantic House, 3600 Parkway, Solent Business Park,
Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7AN
Thanks to: Photography: Jon Banfield Photography, Piers Golden Photography
Design: Serenity Design Studio Print: Linney Group
Copyright ©2015 Serenity Holidays. All rights reserved.
Cover: Macondo Pool, Ngala Lodge, pages 4-5: Mandina Lodges
This page: Ngala Lodge, back cover Sicily image: © K.Roy Zerloch / Shutterstock
Bijilo beach
6
For more information or to book online visit Gambia.co.uk
A Warm Welcome
Nobody knows The Gambia as we do. We have been arranging holidays to this unspoilt
area of West Africa for 28 years, and are proud of the reputation we have earned
as the specialist to the destination.
Welcome to The Gambia Experience
We offer the widest range of accommodation and flight options to The Gambia to suit all budgets and we realise the importance of matching
each individual to the right hotel – it can make the difference between a good
holiday and an unforgettable experience! But you don’t need to take our word
for it, 87%* of our customers would recommend us to their friends and many
of our customers choose to holiday with us year after year. We have also used
our experience to establish successful programmes to Senegal and the islands
of Cape Verde.
UK staff with first-hand experience
All our reservations staff have visited The Gambia, the majority having also
visited Senegal, and many return each year to ensure they have up-to-date
knowledge of the country and all of our carefully selected properties.
They’ll be happy to share their enthusiasm and expertise with you to ensure
you book the perfect holiday.
Biggest and best resort team
We realise that our service to you does not stop the moment you step on
the plane and that a professional and personal approach by our resort team
during your holiday can make all the difference. We have the only team based
permanently in the country, which is headed up by our British resort manager,
Joyce, who has worked for us for almost 20 years.
We actively recruit Gambian representatives, all of whom have been with us
for 10 years or longer. They are keen to share their love for their country,
providing useful local information to help you make the most of your stay.
They will meet you at the airport and make regular visits to most hotels,
inviting you to a welcome meeting to pass on their top tips for a memorable
holiday – some of our favourites can also be found in our ‘10 memorable
days’ section. In Senegal we work closely with hotel owners to look after our
customers in resort.
* Figure from winter 2014/15 holiday questionnaires.
Contact your Local Travel Agent or call our experts on 0845 330 4567
Honeymoon and wedding planners
Looking for something different to the large all-inclusive resorts of the
Caribbean? The Gambia offers an unspoilt, exotic alternative for that special
occasion, and our Wedding Organisers are on hand to advise on the perfect
location and to assist you with arrangements, both in the UK and in resort.
For some suggestions on our favourite properties please go to page 74 or
download our Weddings and Honeymoons brochure online.
Dedicated groups department
We recognise that organising a group visit is a big responsibility, so we have
developed an experienced team who can help with arrangements to take the
stress away as well as negotiate the best possible price for your requirements.
We handle a growing number of groups ranging from educational visits and
conferences to large family holidays. For more information on free places and
the service we provide please see page 75.
The Serenity service
Both The Gambia Experience and The Senegal Experience are part of
Serenity Holidays, an independent, fully bonded tour operator, which prides
itself on the quality of its holidays and the personal service provided to
customers. We offer:
•Almost 30 years’ experience of organising holidays to The Gambia
•In-depth, first-hand knowledge of the destinations
•FREE Gambia / Senegal Guide, with discount vouchers for holidaymakers
staying in The Gambia
•Loyalty discounts for repeat customers
•In-flight meals and transfers plus 20kg luggage allowance included in
brochure priced holidays
•Fully bonded holidays to ensure customers have complete financial security
more online – gambia.co.uk & senegal.co.uk
Visit our comprehensive websites where you can book securely 24 hours a
day and view more in-depth information about the countries and our carefully
selected accommodation – including maps, tips, customer, staff and press
reviews, online chat facility, plus extensive photo galleries and videos.
7
Why visit
The Gambia?
For a winter sun holiday and a safe introduction to Africa, The Gambia is hard to beat – the climate, friendly people and short flight times all add to its appeal; summer offers a
quiet alternative to the busier resorts of Europe.
THE SMILING COAST
It’s a challenge to find another winter sun destination that enables you to
leave the cold of England on a winter’s morning and be at your hotel in
30°C sunshine by the afternoon. If you’re a first time traveller to this area
or to The Gambia itself, you need Loumpouf
to be prepared for visiting a developing
country but also to fall in love with the many attractions of the destination
and with its welcoming people; we have, and so too have many of our
customers who choose to return year after year.
Ten reasons to visit
• Excellent, uncrowded beaches of golden sand
Our experienced UK staff will be happy to share their first-hand knowledge
with you so you are well-prepared for what to expect.
• Permanent team of European and Gambian staff offering expert advice
and support
• Fantastic winter sun with average temperatures of 32˚C
• Direct, year round flights – approximately six hours long
• Same time zone, so no jet lag
• English-speaking locals who are very welcoming
• Wide range of quality accommodation with options in neighbouring Senegal
Mbacke
Thies
DAKAR
• Great value for money in resort
Reservewith
Sylvo a wide variety of restaurants
Diourbel
• Varied
Colobane
Sindia
La Somone
Saly
Mbour
0
SCALE
Km
25
0
Miles
15
Mbar
NORTH SENEGAL
Palmarin
Sokone
Parc
National
du Delta
du Saloum
Barra
Kotu
Kololi BANJUL
RIV
Gunjur
Kartong
8
Koungheul
Mabo
Bird Island
Chimpanzee
Rehabilitation
Project
Janjangbureh
THE GAMBIA
Brufut
Juffure
ER
GA
Tanji
Kemoto Sindola
MB I
A
Batokunku Makasutu
Sanyang
Kunte Kinteh Island
Reserve Sylvo
Pastorale
du Sine-Saloum
Kaffrine
Toubakouta
Fathala
Djinak
Cape Point
Bijilo
• River, bush and beach excursions to experience the wildlife, culture and
Reserve Sylvo
people
of The
Pastorale
de Gambia
Mbengue
Fimela
ATLANTIC
OCEAN
Pastorale de Doli
birdlife, wildlife and fishing
Soma
Fatoto
Senoba
Basse
SOUTH SENEGAL
NGALA LODGE
Some background information
The Gambia is a former 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 of the smallest countries in Africa, situated
on approximately the same latitude as Barbados. Mostly flat, the country is
dominated by the impressive River Gambia from which it takes its name.
Value for money
The Gambia offers better value in resort than many other popular tourist
destinations. The Gambia’s currency is the dalasi and since January 2015
the exchange rate has fluctuated between 68 and 71 dalasi to the pound.
Luxury and Unique Collection holidays can offer particular value compared
to other equivalent hotels overseas, especially during summer.
Experience something Different
Although 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 feel
as though you’ve truly arrived in Africa. Travel to rural villages to watch palm
wine tappers and witness the locals going about their daily lives. Even from
the comfort of your hotel you can enjoy a wide variety of wildlife and exotic
birds, or listen to the drums of local entertainers and watch incredible,
energetic dancing. However, The Gambia isn’t right for everyone and it is
important to know what to expect and to choose the right location – that’s
where we can help. People travelling to a developing country for the first
time can find it a culture shock – there is poverty and begging but there is
also genuine hospitality and you will meet some of the friendliest people on
Earth. Outside the hotels and on the beaches there are Gambians selling
fruit, nuts and handicrafts but it is the ones trying to work as unofficial guides
or 'bumsters' that can become a nuisance, although numbers are decreasing.
Again, we try to prepare everyone with advice in our guides and welcome
meetings on the best way to deal with them – you will soon realise that
there’s no need to worry.
No Language barrier
The official language in The Gambia is English and this is widely spoken;
newspapers and road signs are also printed in English so you’ll immediately
feel at ease. Gambians are educated in English but there are several tribal
languages including Mandinka, Wolof and Jola so most Gambians are at least bilingual.
9
Laid-Back nightlife
The appeal of The Gambia is how quickly you unwind and leave behind
the stress of the UK. For most of our guests evening entertainment usually
involves a nice meal, a few drinks and perhaps watching a local band. There
is a good selection of bars and restaurants, particularly in Kololi and Kotu,
either within walking distance or a short taxi ride from your hotel. There are
also a few nightclubs and most hotels offer some entertainment – from a
single kora player to an African dance troupe.
Hotel standards
As a developing country, hotels, service levels and gradings in The Gambia
cannot be compared to those in European destinations, although there
is some excellent quality accommodation on offer. As a destination it is
not over-developed with no high-rise hotels, and there are a number of
internationally recognised sustainable tourism projects – if this is something
that interests you, consider staying at Mandina Lodges, Leo’s Beach Hotel or
Sandele Eco-Retreat or read more online at Gambia.co.uk/ST
We continue to use our own rating system, which is represented with a
hibiscus flower and based on the views of our customers and our own 28 years of experience.
5 / Boutique hotels – Coco Ocean, Ngala Lodge, The Kairaba,
Leo’s, White Horse Residence
4½
/4
Hotels – Ocean Bay, Gambia Coral Beach Hotel & Spa
3½ / 3 Hotels – Kombo Beach, Senegambia, Sunset Beach, Bakotu,
Bijilo Beach, Bungalow Beach, Lemon Creek, Hibiscus House
2½
/2
Hotels – Sarge’s, African Village, Palm Beach, Cape Point
Properties within our Unique Collection do not have a grading attributed to
them. We consider these to have unique features and so are hard to classify
despite offering quality accommodation. We provide detailed information
on our hotel pages with further details on the website to help you make the
right choice.
10
Activities and excursions
For many guests, relaxing in the sunshine followed by a refreshing swim
is as much activity as they’re looking for on their holiday, but if you want
a little more to do, there is plenty to choose from. There are excellent
spa facilities at Coco Ocean and Gambia Coral Beach hotels, good fishing
and birdwatching opportunities, an 18-hole sand golf course at Fajara
as well as sports facilities within some hotels. We also offer a range of
organised excursions including a new residential cookery course, such as
travelling through the African bush in a 4-wheel drive truck and cruising
the waterways by boat or African pirogue. Alternatively, we can suggest
a host of things to do for the more independent holidaymaker. For more
suggestions on memorable days out see pages 14-15 or visit Gambia.co.uk/
Excursions
Get out and see the real gambia
If you want to travel independently in The Gambia most hotels have a taxi
rank nearby. However, although they are regulated, most wouldn’t 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 of getting
around and absorbing the local flavour. There is a fully lit tarmac road from
the airport to the hotel areas but off the main highways road surfaces can be
a little bumpy, to say the least! It is best to avoid travelling outside resort areas
during Set Settal when only official excursions are permitted. This is a ‘Tidy up
of The Gambia’ campaign and usually occurs every other Saturday.
Religion
The population of The Gambia is mostly Muslim, although there is a
small number of 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 of
dress when outside the hotels, particularly in more rural areas. The festival
of Ramadan lasts for one month from 6th June 2016.
Families
Adventurous children will find 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
for the first time is an experience at any age. And then there are the
uncrowded, sandy beaches to explore and enjoy. The majority of hotels
offer child discounts and, although there are no organised kids’ clubs, several have activities and facilities for children and separate children’s pools – our staff would be happy to offer specific advice.
Medication
We strongly suggest you consult your doctor before booking. Although
no inoculations are compulsory for entry from the EU, certain medication,
including anti-malarial tablets, will be recommended. Up-to-date advice is
available from the World Health Organisation at www.who.int/ith and the
Department of Health leaflet (Ref T7.1) “Health Advice for Travellers” is
available from your GP, travel agent or online.
The Gambia is one of many countries where the risk of contracting malaria
is very real but this is an avoidable illness provided precautions are taken.
We suggest using an effective insect repellent to avoid being bitten and
ensuring you complete the full course of anti-malarial medication prescribed.
You may be required to show a yellow fever certificate when passing
between The Gambia and Senegal.
A fantastic climate
An ideal winter sun destination, The Gambia enjoys almost uninterrupted
sunshine and rainfall is virtually unheard of from November to June, with
year-round high daytime temperatures. It is less known as a summer
destination but many customers prefer this quieter time when the landscape
is transformed into lush green with colourful flowering trees.
sUNSHINE HOURS (AVERAGE)
Nov
Nov
8
8
Dec
Dec
9
9
Jan
Jan
9
9
Feb
Feb
10
10
Mar
Mar
10
10
Apr
Apr
10
10
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
4
4
5
5
May
May
10
10
6
6
Jun
Jun
9
9
July
July
6
6
Aug
Aug
6
6
Sep
Sep
6
6
Oct
Oct
8
8
7
7
6
6
6
6
5
5
3
3
Oct
Oct
32
32
temperature ºC (AVERAGE MAXIMUM)
Nov
Nov
32
32
Dec
Dec
31
31
Jan
Jan
31
31
Feb
Feb
32
32
Mar
Mar
34
34
Apr
Apr
33
33
May
May
32
32
Jun
Jun
32
32
July
July
30
30
Aug
Aug
29
29
Sep
Sep
31
31
10
10
7
7
6
6
7
7
10
10
13
13
17
17
20
20
22
22
21
21
19
19
London Averages =
14
14
Cape point beach
11
Resort Areas
Which resort to choose? The Gambia offers a good choice of resort areas of different
sizes and atmospheres, however it is easy to visit other resorts if you wish to explore
further afield, and transfer times are short.
Although not overdeveloped like some tourist destinations, most resorts
have a taxi rank, bank, telephone centre, supermarket, craft market, bars
and restaurants. All areas are busier during winter and a number of the
bars and restaurants will close in summer so it’s best to check with us for
the most up-to-date information. Here are brief details to help you select
the ideal location for your holiday but call us if you would like more advice
as all of our staff have visited each of the resorts. All transfer times are
approximate from Banjul airport.
Some assume that on holiday in The Gambia people are confined to their
hotels but this really isn’t the case at all. Whilst some customers do choose a
hotel-based holiday, the coastal area is only small so it is fairly quick to travel
from one resort to another, and to / from the airport; it is possible to stay in
a quiet area but still enjoy the attractions of a busier resort – for example it
takes around 20 minutes in a taxi from Cape Point to Kololi, depending on
traffic. Alternatively, why not choose a twin-centre with one of our more
remote unique properties to enjoy the best of both worlds?
ATLANTIC OCEAN
African Village
Ngala Lodge
0
SCALE
Km
0
Miles
BAKAU
Bungalow Beach
Bakotu
Kombo Beach
Sunset Beach
5
Golf
Course
Palm Beach
3
Senegambia
The Kairaba
KEY
Villages
Properties
Coco Ocean
Bijilo Beach
Lemon Creek
BARRA
Cape Point
Ocean Bay
FAJARA
KOTU
KOLOLI
Sarge’s Hotel
ESSAU
Oyster
Creek
OLD
JESWANG
BUNIADU
Ferry to
North Bank
& Senegal
SERREKUNDA
BANJUL
Bijilo
National
Park
BIJILO
and other Senegal hotels
CAPE POINT
SUKUTA
Leo’s Beach
ATLANTIC OCEAN
Gambia Coral Beach
Tanji Bird Reserve
Eco-Lodge
GHANA
TOWN
Abuko
Nature
Reserve
Hibiscus House
BRUFUT
THE RIVER GAMBIA
LAMIN
OLD
YUNDUM
MANDINARI
JEREH
KUNGOTO
DOG ISLAND
TANJI
YUNDUM
White Horse
Residence
BATOKUNKU
TUJURING
JAMBUR
Banjul
International
Airport
Mandina Lodges
Chimpanzee
Rehabilitation
Project Camp
Gunjur Project Lodge
Sandele Eco-Retreat
12
kotu beach
Kololi – The Gambia’s liveliest resort
Stay here if you want the convenience of everything on your doorstep. This is by far the most established resort in The Gambia; known locally
as ‘The Strip’ it consists of three streets of bars, restaurants and nightclubs
which cater for tourists, locals and the ex-pat community. In total there are
over 20 restaurants, a craft market, banks, and shops. The sandy beach here
is suffering from erosion so the size does vary.
Hotels in Kololi: The Kairaba, Senegambia and Sarge’s 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 (just 5 minutes
away) and there is a small selection of beach bars and restaurants, most within
hotels. It is a good choice for families as the beach is flat and sandy, and the
area is also popular with birdwatchers. Other facilities include a taxi rank,
exchange bureau, small mini-market, telephone centre and a craft market.
Hotels in Kotu: Kombo Beach, Bungalow Beach, Bakotu, Sunset Beach and
Palm Beach.
Bakau – A working African town
Bakau is a bustling little town with a maze of small dirt roads and is an ideal
area to experience the real Africa – watch boats bring in their catches at the
fishing port or wander around the market where Gambians shop every day
for their essentials. You will find a few local restaurants serving traditional
Gambian dishes, as well as banks, a small supermarket, post office and the
popular Kachikally crocodile pool.
Hotels in Bakau: African Village. Ngala Lodge is just outside Bakau.
Bijilo – For peaceful, relaxing holidays
The beauty of Bijilo is that there is very little here although it is only a
5-minute drive to the lively resort of Kololi. It is slowly developing but as
yet there are no nightclubs to disturb the peace, just a few hotels and beach
bars on a long stretch of beach with very few people on it.
Hotels in Bijilo: Coco Ocean, Bijilo Beach and Lemon Creek.
Cape Point – Quieter area with fantastic beach
The highlight of Cape Point is the beach which is one of the best in the
country. There are also a few restaurants as well as a small craft market,
mini-market and exchange bureau plus bustling Bakau is only a 10-minute
walk away. Crocodiles can be spotted near Calypso bar / restaurant.
Hotels in Cape Point: Ocean Bay and Cape Point.
Banjul – The Gambia’s capital
The capital is mainly an administrative centre with little aimed at tourists
although there is one museum, the Arch 22, and a few restaurants serving
lunch. There is also a large market where Gambians barter for their
everyday needs. The beach is one of the largest in The Gambia.
OTHER PROPERTY LOCATIONS
Tanji, Batokunku, Kartong and Gunjur lie to the south of other resort areas
but are still easily accessible; they are traditional Gambian villages with little
or no tourist infrastructure outside the hotels we feature there. Makasutu
Forest, home to Mandina Lodges, offers a unique setting in the heart of the
African bush whilst the Chimp Rehabilitation Project Camp is located in the
River Gambia National Park. Fathala Wildlife Reserve lies just over the River
Gambia and the Senegalese border. Please see individual property pages for
transfer times.
Brufut – Cliff top residential area
A popular residential area approximately 8 kilometres south of Kololi. There is a long stretch of unspoilt beach.
Hotels in Brufut: Gambia Coral Beach Hotel & Spa, Leo’s and Hibiscus
House (inland).
13
10 Memorable Days
The Gambia offers an easy and safe opportunity to experience the untamed,
raw culture of West Africa.
The Gambia may not have the big game safaris or large attractions of some
other African countries, although there is some opportunity in Senegal, but what it does have are genuine cultural experiences, not artificial
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 of an organised excursion
or, for the more independent, can be explored alone.
Spend a day on an unspoilt secluded beach
Many of the beaches directly outside the hotels are sandy and uncrowded
but travel just a short distance and you can find some virtually empty,
unspoilt beaches. If you prefer some facilities we suggest a visit to Sanyang
in the south where you’ll find a beach bar, a few sunbeds and hammocks
but little else! You may even be lucky enough to catch some local wrestling
matches on Sundays.
Visit a local school
The teachers and children of schools welcome visitors, often with
demonstrations of their singing and methods of teaching. This is an excellent
way to learn about everyday life in The Gambia but be warned, it can be a
very emotional and humbling experience. We recommend taking donations
of pens, exercise books or footballs with you which you can buy at markets
in The Gambia.
Spot some of the 540 species of bird
You don’t have to be a serious birdwatcher to enjoy the colour and sheer
number of birds in The Gambia – even in the hotel gardens you’ll spot
many different species. However if you are one of the many who want to
take things a little more seriously, we recommend one of the birdwatching
tours led by TV presenter Chris Packham or his guide in The Gambia,
Malick Suso (see pages 72-73 for more information).
14
Visit a Gambian family compound
Whether this is as part of an organised excursion or privately arranged,
Gambians will be happy to welcome you into their homes, especially the
children who are very inquisitive and endearing. The sense of community
will hit you as everyone works together to provide for the extended family
(including multiple wives!), often in very primitive and basic conditions. Why not consider donating a low-energy stove, details can be found on our website Gambia.co.uk/Stoves
Support the local industry
Head to any of the local craft markets for the chance to try your hand at
bartering and pick up some souvenirs. Bakau craft market is one of the best
places for woodcarvings and the tie-dye factory in Serrekunda is also worth
visiting to see how the fabrics are made.
Watch a local football match
Gambians love football and you’ll see international football shirts and find
locals asking you which team you support. If you get the chance to attend a
local match it’s a great way of experiencing the passion for the sport – it can
be very noisy though with cheering, singing and drumming.
Pamper yourself at Coco Ocean’s world-class spa
The boutique hotel has a 1800m² spa facility with thalasso pool, Finnish
sauna, Moroccan Hammam and full range of beauty treatments.
For more ideas of places to see enabling you to experience more of this
wonderful country, its wildlife and its people, and for a full list of organised
excursions, visit Gambia.co.uk/Excursions or speak to your representative.
Home cooking course with Ida
Experience cooking as a Gambian does on this fascinating home cookery
course, available as a day trip or residential course. Ida will escort you to
the local market to take in the hustle and bustle of shopping for ingredients
before returning to her home to prepare and eat a traditional Gambian dish.
Watch local fishermen bring in their catch
The fishing markets at Tanji and Bakau are full of colour, sounds and smells
as the men bring in the catch and the women and children help to unload
and prepare the fish. A great way to experience local flavour and get some
colourful photographs (just don’t forget to ask permission first).
Get up close with a crocodile
Kachikally crocodile pool in Bakau is one of the most famous tourist spots
in The Gambia and has been attracting visitors for 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 of
the crocs basking in the sun, and learn more about traditional beliefs that
the pool has special fertility and healing powers. If you prefer 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.
15
Cuisine
The Gambia has an excellent choice of good restaurants serving a range of cuisine both
within the hotels and in the resort areas, which have attracted a number of international
chefs who now live and work in the country.
Hotel dining
If you prefer to budget for your holiday but don’t wish to stay in an all-inclusive
hotel, traditional half board is available at a supplement in most hotels,
generally served as a buffet, or a table d’hôte menu at smaller properties
or during the quieter summer months. It is worth noting that several of our
Luxury Collection properties, such as Ngala Lodge and Coco Ocean Resort
& Spa, offer excellent quality à la carte dining within the half board package
at no additional cost. Most of our unique properties are based on half or
full board due to their locations and provide an opportunity to sample fresh
local produce.
All-inclusive
All-inclusive holidays remain popular in The Gambia. Although the hotels
don’t offer a 24 hour all-inclusive service, with the majority of your food,
local drinks and activities included in the price, these holidays still offer you
an excellent value-for-money option. Please note, all-inclusive packages do
not include excursions but for details of what is included see the individual
hotel pages with further details on the website:
Eating out
If you enjoy sampling the local cuisine whilst on holiday, The Gambia as a
destination will not disappoint.
You can choose between Chinese, Indian, Lebanese, Italian, Mexican, English
and of course Gambian cuisine, to name just a few. The standard is generally
good and prices are currently lower than in the UK, a three-course meal in
one of the country’s top restaurants costs around £25 per person excluding
drinks whilst a simple meal and a beer can cost well under £10.
Of particular note is the abundance of freshly caught seafood including
ladyfish, barracuda, captain fish, snapper, butterfish, lobster and huge Atlantic
prawns. In beach bars in the south of the country you can order the ‘catch
of the day’ and the staff will go to the local fishing village and purchase some
freshly caught fish for you. Vegetarians are increasingly well catered for and
many hotels will offer a vegetarian dish or cook something to order.
There are four main traditional Gambian dishes:
Benechin – rice cooked with meat or fish, vegetables and tomatoes
Domada – meat stewed in peanet puree, served with rice
Superkanja – okra, fish / meat, palm oil, onions and pepper boiled together
Chicken Yassa – chicken cooked with fresh lime, onions and ground pepper
Gambia Coral Beach Hotel & SPA
See pages 46-47
This property offers quality accommodation and
a small spa with stunning views on an unspoilt
stretch of beach in Brufut. Enjoy extensive
buffets plus local alcoholic, hot and soft drinks.
Ocean Bay Hotel
See pages 50-51
An all-inclusive light option is available at
this beachfront hotel in Cape Point. For a
supplement you can enjoy three buffet meals
each day with complimentary hot and soft
drinks as well as five alcoholic beverages daily.
16
OUR EXPERT OPINION...
I guess you could say we’re spoilt for choice when it
comes to dining in The Gambia! From hotel buffets
and à la carte menus to the ever-increasing number
of restaurants in the resorts, you could easily dine
at a different restaurant every night of your holiday.
And don’t forget the discount vouchers in our Gambia
Guide too! Those preferring an all-inclusive holiday
are also well catered for – so really there’s something
to suit everyone. Needless to say it’s pretty impossible
not to gain a few pounds when here on holiday!
JOYCE
RESORT
MANAGER
Mandina Lodges
Restaurant guide and discount vouchers
All our package holidaymakers receive a complimentary Gambia Guide with
their tickets which includes an extensive restaurant guide. Better still, there
are discount vouchers of up to 10%, valid in the featured restaurants, to
save you money whilst on holiday. To get a flavour of the excellent cuisine
you can expect, visit our online restaurant guide Gambia.co.uk/Restaurants
Ngala Lodge - Fine dining in a
cliff top setting.
Clay Oven - Popular Indian cuisine.
Sea shells - Friendly atmosphere
with lobster thermidor as a favourite special.
Boss Lady - Gambian open-air
restaurant / café in Kotu.
Calypso at the Cape Beachside dining and crocodile
watching.
Scala - Family-run restaurant with
an extensive international menu and
good steaks.
Captain’s table - International
cuisine with shrimp specials in Kotu.
Al Rawshe - Lebanese cuisine
with open-air terrace in Kololi.
El Sol - Mexican cuisine & cocktails.
tao restaurant - Asian
restaurant in Kololi.
the brasserie - International
menu overlooking the beach at Kotu.
Coco Ocean
17
Find your
perfect holiday
We believe The Gambia offers something
for everyone, and provides a gentle
introduction to Africa as well as being a
fantastic winter sun destination. To make
finding that perfect holiday a little easier,
these pages introduce some holiday ideas
for you to consider, whether you are a
first-time visitor or searching for something
different for your next trip.
Beach holidays – most of our hotels lie on or close to a long stretch of
golden sand, making The Gambia perfect for a relaxing, winter sun holiday.
Some properties offer stunning views with unforgettable sunsets, others are
more lively with beach activities such as volleyball on offer.
The luxury experience – the best boutique properties and spa
hotels in The Gambia are available through us. Upgraded flights from
Gatwick to Banjul and private transfers are also available to enhance your
holiday experience.
Unique lodges – a diverse mix of individual properties offering a
unique experience of this wonderful country, its people and wildlife – most
within easy reach of main resort areas. Several also offer an insight into
sustainable tourism through links with the local community.
All-inclusive holidays – these are becoming increasingly popular
for those wanting to budget for their holiday. However, there remains a
good selection of properties offering more traditional bed and breakfast
holidays, to enable you to sample some of the excellent cuisine on offer.
SPA holidays – whether you want to spend a whole week pampering
yourself or are looking for just one or two treatments during your stay,
there are some fantastic spa hotels in The Gambia, such as Coco Ocean
Resort and Spa on pages 24-25. Smaller luxury properties without their
own spa facilities are often able to arrange for you to receive a massage or
other treatment in the comfort of your own room. Alternatively, many of
the hotels have a beauty salon on site – see individual hotel pages for further information.
Summer holidays – why not consider a visit during the Green Season
when beaches are uncrowded and the country is alive with vibrant colours?
Spectacular tropical storms tend to take place at night or are generally
short-lived, the dramatic clouds quickly giving way to blue skies and high
temperatures. Luxury properties can offer excellent value for money
compared to those in the Mediterranean at this time of year.
mandina lodges
18
Tailormade itineraries – ideal if you cannot choose between
properties or wish to venture slightly further afield and experience the real
Africa with a 3 or 4 night stay at one of our Unique Collection properties,
or why not venture into neighbouring Senegal? Our knowledgeable UK staff
have the expertise necessary to advise on your perfect tailormade holiday –
with transfers arranged for you this really is a safe and easy way to explore
this exciting region of West Africa. Some ideas of our favourite combinations
can be found on pages 70-71.
Couples, families or groups – certain boutique properties cater
for adults only if you are looking for an exclusive experience or celebrating
a special occasion; others are more lively, providing daytime activities and
evening entertainment for couples and families alike. Many of our larger
hotels welcome groups and our dedicated Groups department will be
happy to assist.
Birdwatching – you don’t have to be an avid twitcher to enjoy the
variety of birdlife on offer in this region, whether it be wandering around
the grounds of your hotel or on an organised birdwatching tour. We are
delighted to be working once again with Chris Packham – see pages 72-73
for information on his 2016 Gambia tours.
Cultural experienceS – if lying in the sun all day every day is not
for you, we offer a wide range of optional excursions to enable you to
explore and understand more about the local way of life. Or for the more
independent traveller, our reps can advise on some memorable days out in
the vicinity of your hotel – please see pages 14-15 for some ideas.
kotu beach
Fishing – the waters around The Gambia and Senegal are renowned
for both beach and bluewater fishing opportunities. For those with a casual
interest, a day’s fishing can be booked in resort. We also work with World
Sport Fishing to offer professional off-shore trips on sport fishing boats and
six separate wreck sites have now been identified within easy reach of
their base in Tanji. For more details contact them on 01480 403 293 or at
Worldsportfishing.com
19
Travel
Upgrades
In addition to a wide choice of
accommodation, we can arrange travel
benefits such as an upgraded flight service
and private transfers to enhance your
holiday experience and to make your
journey more comfortable.
We are delighted to once again offer you the only direct upgraded flight
service from London to Banjul, this year with Titan Airways, one of the UK’s
most prestigious charter airlines. We can also pre-book additional extras to
ensure you are relaxed at every stage of your holiday. Availability on these
exclusive services is limited so we would recommend booking early.
Introducing our star service
A new Star Service will be operated this winter by
the award-winning Titan Airways and is available on
all Gatwick flights throughout winter. It offers a wide
range of benefits both at the airport and on board
which are not enjoyed by passengers travelling in
economy. Airport lounges at both Gatwick and Banjul
are included, along with a 30kg luggage allowance, a dedicated check-in
and priority boarding. Once on board you can benefit from new-style,
comfortable seating which is converted into a popular 2-2 configuration and
located at the front of the aircraft, while enjoying complimentary drinks, an
upgraded meal service and high-tech personal entertainment.
Return supplement from £249, or from £150 one way.
Star Plus
On our Gatwick service, seats in the front row of the aircraft are exit seats
and enjoy greater legroom along with other benefits in addition to the
standard Star Service. These can be secured for an additional charge – book
early to avoid disappointment.
banjul airport first class lounge
Exit seats
A limited number of exit seats are available to pre-book at a supplement
from all airports.
Return supplement from £50 (from £100 on Gatwick flights).
Private transfers
On arrival at Banjul Airport, avoid the crowds and get whisked away to
your hotel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. For more details visit
Gambia.co.uk/Luxury
Prices from £40 per car each way.
UK AIRPORT LoungeS
We are able to pre-book lounges at all our airports where you can enjoy a complimentary light breakfast and soft / hot drinks in comfort prior to boarding your flight.
Prices from £20 (£25 at London Gatwick, included for Star passengers)
First Class Lounge
The air-conditioned airport lounge in Banjul can be purchased either in
advance or locally, however availability is limited so we recommend booking
prior to travel.
Price £15 (included for Star passengers)
Return supplement from £349, or from £200 one way.
20
Choosing
the right hotel
Since we began travelling to The Gambia in 1987 the standard and choice
of accommodation in the country has improved dramatically. We believe we
work with the best properties The Gambia has to offer and our brochure
and website feature a wide range to suit all travellers, from luxurious
boutique hotels, all-inclusive resorts, relaxing spas right through to simple,
African-style hotels and unique river lodges.
As a specialist we’ve learnt just how important it is to match the right hotel
to each individual – it can make the difference between a good holiday and
an unforgettable experience; to help you, hotel descriptions have been
written by members of our team who have visited the hotels and know
them well. They accurately list their facilities, locations and the ambience
you can expect, with further information on our website to help you narrow
down your choice of holiday. If you are still finding it difficult to choose, why
not give our knowledgeable staff a call or even visit two or more properties!
The Luxury Collection
The best beachfront and sea-facing hotels The Gambia has to offer, now
including the intimate yet friendly White Horse Residence. Coco Ocean
is visually stunning with service and cuisine levels to match, Ngala Lodge
is a smaller boutique-style, cliff-top hotel with very personal yet relaxed
service and excellent customer reviews whilst Leo’s Beach Hotel is a small,
contemporary alternative. The larger but tranquil Kairaba Hotel is a well-established favourite right in the heart of Kololi.
Leo’s beach hotel
The Unique Collection
An exciting collection of lodges, each offering a truly unique holiday experience,
which can be combined with one another or a larger resort hotel for a twincentre stay. Some provide many of the characteristics of the Luxury Collection
but with a more laid-back atmosphere, conveying a sense of relaxed indulgence.
Others may be more simple but are individually styled, and each property
promises friendly service and freshly prepared cuisine. Located away from the
main tourist areas, memorable settings such as the Makasutu Forest surrounding
Mandina Lodges, provide a stunning African backdrop, while a visit to see the
Chimpanzees upriver promises to be an unforgettable experience.
The mid-range & value Collections
grade properties, all carefully selected by us,
A wide selection of 2- 4½
which may be suitable for couples, families or groups. Here you will find
something to suit all budgets, from all-inclusive properties to more traditional
bed & breakfast options, all with a pool and either on or a short walk from
a sandy beach. Whether you are looking for a lively holiday experience with
daytime activities and a full entertainment programme during winter, or a small
property full of character offering a relaxed atmosphere, there is sure to be
something that will appeal.
You will also find many photographs, video clips and more information and
reviews online to help you select your ideal holiday at Gambia.co.uk/Hotels
Coco ocean
21
Birdwatching
Holidays
The Gambia packs a great deal into a compact space – not least the
sheer number and variety of birds, some 540 species!
It’s all about its location which is right at the centre of something called a
transition zone, which means, for a relatively small country, it supports a
huge variety of habitats. These include forest-savannah environments and
drier woodland ones, marine systems and, of course, the life-giving River
Gambia with its estuary mudflats and the intricate mangrove tributaries of
the interior. In short, with all these habitats in a relatively small area, The Gambia is a fantastic destination for birdlife!
The Gambia therefore, provides an amazing opportunity for birdwatching
and, with everything being in relatively close proximity, you don’t have to
travel far to see some amazing things – you’ll even find a whole host of
exotic species in your hotel gardens. So whether you’re a first timer, a keen
amateur or an enthusiast looking for particular species, we guarantee you’ll
find something to amaze and inspire you.
BIRDWATCHING WITH MALIcK SUSO
We can arrange half or full day birdwatching tours led by local expert guide
Malick Suso – a man Chris Packham has described as one of the very best
bird guides in the whole of The Gambia and whose local knowledge is
invaluable. The options for excellent bird sightings are endless with a variety
of habitats to be found in close proximity to resort areas: for example, Kotu
stream where you’ll see all kinds of waders and kingfishers and, if you’re
lucky, the elusive bittern; Abuko Nature Reserve with its amazing pool
where all sorts of species congregate, from African darters to hammerkopfs;
Tanji shore and fishing village which is home to a mix of shore and sea birds
as well as the rare golden-tailed woodpecker; and also the community
project at Brufut woods, where the local experts will lead you to the whitefaced scops owl and the impossibly camouflaged long-tailed nightjar.
Private half day birding trips will cost from £35 per person, and from £65
per person for a full day, based on a minimum of two birders. For further
information please go online at Gambia.co.uk/Birdwatching or to check
availability and to book please call our reservations team or chat with them online.
Malick’s knowledge of birds is nothing short of
breathtaking... What’s more, he can pick up the
slightest tweet, warble or whistle and instantly identify
the bird making the sound. Within just a few hours,
I was in awe of the man.
RON TOFT – The TravelEditor.com
talking about Malick Suso
72
birdwAtCHinG witH CHriS pACKHAm
The ultimate birdwatching trip to The Gambia: spend 3 days accompanying
BBC presenter Chris Packham and local guide Malick Suso in The Gambia
searching for a wide variety of species, both on land and water. With a
maximum of 17 people on the trip there will be plenty of opportunity to
learn from Chris’s extensive knowledge of wildlife as well as photography.
The supplement for this 3 day trip based in Kotu is £449 (excluding flights).
Chris then moves on to Mandina Lodges at Makasutu Forest to explore
the forest and river and help you discover the abundance of wildlife that
they harbour. A 3 night stay at Mandina Lodges from 23rd February 2016
can be booked alone or added to the above tour, costing from £649 for
3 nights including accommodation for twin occupancy on half board
(excluding flights). For more details visit Gambia.co.uk/ChrisPackham
Tours led by Chris Packham depart on 19th, 23rd & 26th February 2016,
this year with a revised itinerary.
expert opinion...
The Gambia is an ornithological nirvana, with 170
species regularly seen in three leisurely days birding
on the coast alone, and four hundred more waiting
to be discovered further afield. Exotic species such
as Rollers, Kingfishers and Bee eaters are spangled
spectacles whilst the dynamic array of raptors are
truly impressive. Many others are simply tamer
and more easily approached than in the UK so
keen photographers always return home with a few
‘trophies’!
CHriS
pACKHAm
preSenter
I am still drawn by The Gambia, even after 20 years
– I find myself returning once again to the small,
quiet and simply superb Bakotu Hotel. I am also
visiting the wildlife haven that is Makasutu Forest
which surrounds the beautiful lodges at Mandina
with their luxurious pool, amazing food and tranquil
river setting. I hope you will choose to join me in
The Gambia!
reCommended HoteLS
Hotels we would particularly recommend for birdwatching are the small
lodge at Tanji Bird Reserve, Bakotu and Senegambia hotels as well as
Mandina Lodges at Makasutu Forest, or why not consider a twin-centre for
the best chance to spot a wide variety of birds? All our featured hotels in
Senegal are ideally located to attract a wide variety of birdlife.
otHer birdwAtCHinG toUrS
Fully escorted birdwatching holidays are also available with:
Birdfinders.co.uk
Limosaholidays.co.uk
Naturetrek.co.uk Ornitholidays.co.uk
Contact your Local travel Agent or call our experts on 0845 330 4567
73
A-Z
Things to know
before you go....
Airport hotels, car parking and
lounges
We can offer a range of airport hotels with or
without parking to suit all budgets. We can also
arrange business lounges at all of our UK airports
and the air-conditioned First Class Lounge in
Banjul Airport. Conveniently located car parks are
available at all airports, which offer a free 24-hour
transfer service to and from the airport terminal.
To make a booking please call our staff or visit
Gambia.co.uk/HolidayExtras or Senegal.co.uk/
HolidayExtras
Book with confidence
The Gambia Experience and The Senegal
Experience are trade names of Serenity Holidays
Limited. Most of the holidays and flights 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 for
more information.
In order to help you plan your visit we have compiled
a short A-Z of useful information 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 use the first-hand knowledge of
our staff.
We are also members of ABTA, ABTOT and
AITO. AITO is the Association for independent and
specialist holiday companies. Member companies,
usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas
holidays with high levels of professionalism and a
shared concern for quality and personal service
as well as sustainable tourism. The Association
encourages the highest standards in all aspects of
tour operating. See page 80 for the AITO charter.
Child and infant discounts
To qualify for a child discount, children must be
between two and 12 years old on return to
the UK. They must share a room with 2 adults
paying brochure price. Air Passenger Duty of
£71 per child aged 11 or under willl now be
deducted from the price of your holiday. Infants
under two years on return to the UK are charged
a fee of £45 to cover administration costs but are
generally not allocated a luggage allowance or a
seat on the aircraft (some airlines offer 10kg).
Check-in
For all flights to Banjul from Gatwick please check
in at least two hours prior to the departure time
shown on your tickets (three hours from Banjul)
except when travelling in our Star Service during
winter, which is 90 minutes. For regional flights
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. If you are collecting a ticket on
departure, please allow sufficient time to pick up
your documents.
Currency
The Gambia’s currency is the Dalasi (70 Dalasi
to £1 in March 2015). Travellers’ cheques are
no longer accepted, credit cards may be and
conversion to US dollars is now used; please
check with individual hotels (surcharges will
apply). Visa debit cards may be accepted at
ATMs. The currency in Senegal is the West
African CFA Franc but Euros are also accepted in
hotels (fixed rate of €1 = 656 CFA Franc).
Excess luggage
Airlines are very strict about luggage allowance
and only consider limited requests for an
increased allowance from registered charities.
If you are carrying more than your allocated
amount you will have to pay an excess luggage
charge at check-in (approximately £15 per kg)
and we cannot guarantee that the airline will
accept all your luggage. If you do have a large
amount of luggage, we can advise on sending it
by freight.
78
Flight delays
Occasionally, despite the best efforts of all
concerned, flights are delayed for 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 of an overnight delay, provide
accommodation, although this may not be your
holiday accommodation. Should there be an
extended delay to your homeward flight we will
endeavour to delay your departure from your
holiday accommodation.
Foreign Office travel advice
We are working with the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office to do all that we can to
help British travellers stay safe overseas. Their
website at Gov.uk/Foreign-travel-advice is packed
with essential tips, travel advice and up-to-date
country specific information.
Gambia Tourism Board
92 Ledbury Road, London W11 2AH
Telephone: 0207 229 9633
Holiday questionnaire
To help us improve our service and ensure
standards are maintained, we should be most
grateful if you would complete our questionnaire
in resort and return it to our resort staff prior to
your departure, or complete it online on your
return. Your feedback will influence the ratings
displayed online for each property, as will FEEFO
(an independent review body) survey results. We
will also donate £10 to The Gambia Experience
School Development Fund for every 100
completed questionnaires received.
Language
The official language in The Gambia is English
and in Senegal it is French. In both countries
tribal languages are also spoken, these include
Mandinka and Wolof.
Medication
No inoculations are compulsory if travelling
from the EU although you may be required to
show a yellow fever certificate when passing
between The Gambia and Senegal. You should
consult your doctor before booking, who will
recommend certain medication especially for
malaria prevention. All medicines should be
carried in hand luggage.
What’s Included
There are no hidden extras to add to our
brochure prices, which include a luggage
allowance, all taxes, transfers and meals on
outbound and inbound flights. The brochure
holiday price includes:
•Return flight between the UK and Banjul with
in-flight catering of a hot meal
•Luggage allowance of: economy flights to Banjul
20kgs, Star Service 30kgs, Star Plus 40kgs.
•UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) £71
•Airport departure taxes from both the UK and
The Gambia
•£10 Gambian Government tourism tax
•Banjul Airport Development Fee (ADF) of €20
•Welcome drink on arrival in Banjul
•Transportation between the airport and your
accommodation
Prices and surcharges
Our prices are based on the cost of fuel as of 10th
March 2015. If the cost of fuel does rise, we may
be forced to introduce a fuel surcharge to cover
the increased costs to us. In the event of any other
security costs or taxes being levied, there may also
be an increase in prices printed in this brochure,
please see section 11 of our Fair Trading Charter
on page 87 for more details. The publication date
of this brochure is 27th March 2015; prices will
be superseded by any subsequent editions of
this brochure.
•Accommodation based on two sharing and meal
basis as detailed on your booking confirmation
invoice
•The services of our resort staff and local office
– please note that our representatives do not
visit any of our Unique Collection properties,
Leo’s Beach Hotel, White Horse Residence or
Hibiscus House in The Gambia or hotels in the
Sine Saloum Delta, Senegal where a 24-hour
contact number is provided
•Welcome meeting (excluding above hotels)
•A Gambia Guide with discount vouchers and /
or Senegal Guide for package holidays
•Resort map for Gambia holidays
•Christmas and New Year Gala dinners
•CAA ATOL protection contribution
79
Passports and visas
A full, valid British passport is required for entry
into The Gambia and Senegal, valid for the
duration of your stay in The Gambia, and for
Senegal, this should be valid for at least three
months on return to the UK. If you need to apply
for a passport, do so at least 12 weeks before
departure. For other nationalities, call our office
for details. For long stay holidays in The Gambia,
travellers must have their passport stamped by
the Immigration Office every 28 days. Senegal
introduced a biometric visa on 1st July 2013 and from 1st July 2015 you will need to apply for a visa
online at VisaSenegal.sn at a cost of €50 per person.
Private transfers
Unfortunately we are unable to include private
transfers as standard within any of our holiday
packages due to a shortage of suitable vehicles
in The Gambia. However, on request we can
organise private transfers to your accommodation
in either air-conditioned cars or minibuses for £40
per car each way to / from the airport (maximum
four). There is a supplement for Unique Collection
private transfers, however standard transfers for
these hotels usually operate direct and with small
numbers. For prices in Senegal please contact us.
Requests
If you have any requests for your accommodation
or flights, please ensure they are requested at the
time of booking. We shall be pleased to pass your
request to the airline or hotel, however we cannot
guarantee that they will be met.
Room check-in and out times
The standard international practice is to let rooms
from 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 of departure.
Senegal Embassy
39 Marloes Road, London W8 6LA
Telephone: 0207 938 4048
Tickets
These can be expected two weeks prior to your
date of travel together with your accommodation
voucher, luggage labels and our ‘Gambia Guide’ or
‘Senegal Guide’ for clients taking accommodation,
which we hope you find useful. Your actual flight
timings will be those shown on your tickets; please
check them carefully as soon as you receive them.
In addition, please check your return flight details
with your representative or our resort office.
Quality Charter
5113
EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP
AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and
quality which must be satisfied before new companies
are admitted to membership. All members are required
to adhere to a Code of Business Practice which
encourages high operational standards and conduct.
FINANCIAL SECURITY
An AITO member is required to arrange financial protection for all holidays and other
arrangements (including accommodation only) booked by customers with the member
under the AITO logo. This financial protection applies to customers who are resident in
the UK at the time of booking and to most overseas customers who have booked directly
with the member. In doing so, the member must comply with UK government regulations.
Members are required to submit details of their financial protection arrangements to AITO
on a regular basis.
ACCURATE BROCHURES & WEB SITES
All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications, print
or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE & CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS
All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and thorough
training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays.
They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.
MONITORING STANDARDS
AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a
post-holiday questionnaire the results of which are scrutinised by the Association.
80
Time difference
No difference in time except April – October
when the UK is one hour ahead, due to British
Summer Time.
Transfers
Transfers will be in coaches, mini-buses or 4x4
vehicles and may not be direct to your hotel,
however please contact us if you would like to
arrange a private transfer for your party. Transfer
times from the airport to your hotel in The
Gambia are generally short and you can reach
most hotels in under 30 minutes, however these
do vary depending on the hotel and route taken.
For more details see page 13. The transfer to
Senegal from Banjul will also include a crossing on
the Barra Ferry, which may be on foot (escorted)
to avoid traffic queues. Some of the journey to
hotels in the Sine Saloum Delta will be along a
bumpy track. For transfer times see hotel pages.
Weather
The climate in The Gambia and Senegal is very
similar which is pleasantly tropical with year-round
average temperatures between 29˚C and 34˚C
and uninterrupted sunshine from November to
June. There is a green season between July and
October where spectacular short rainstorms can punctuate the hot sun.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
All members acknowledge the importance of AITO’s Sustainable tourism ethos, which
recognises the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating.
CUSTOMER RELATIONS
All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise.
In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be
settled amicably, AITO’s low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called
upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion.
Serenity Holidays is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators.
To contact the association, visit www.aito.com or call 020 8744 9280.
ABTOT
The Association of bonded travel organisers trust Limited (ABTOT)
provides financial protection under the Package travel, Package Holidays
and Package tours regulations 1992 for Serenity Holidays and in the
event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following:
1. non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK;
2. non-flight packages commencing and returning to a country other
than the UK; and
3. flight inclusive packages that commence outside of the UK, which
are sold to customers outside of the UK.
1, 2 and 3 provides for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled.
1 and 3 provides for repatriation. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only
protected by ABTOT when purchased directly with Serenity Holidays.
FAQs
Frequently
Asked Questions
As a specialist tour operator, we have
compiled an extensive list of regular
questions to ensure you make the most
of your holiday and know what to expect.
Please see online at Gambia.co.uk/FAQs
but here are answers to some of the
most common.
Q. What are the beaches like?
The Gambia is renowned for its uncrowded,
sandy beaches and there are beautiful, wide
stretches of sand in most resorts. Kololi suffers
from ongoing erosion from the strong Atlantic
currents, however it remains a popular resort for
holidaymakers. In Senegal, the hotels are mostly
located by rivers, each with their own swimming
pool, whilst away from the hotels the Sine Saloum
Delta’s riverine landscape is also dotted with
small, sandy beaches.
Q. Is it safe?
Crime in The Gambia and Senegal against tourists
is low so venturing outside the hotels is safe. In The Gambia you will experience ‘bumsters’,
locals who try to make a living selling private
excursions, handicrafts and working as unofficial
guides. They can be persistent to the point of
nuisance and although the Gambia Tourism Board
has successfully reduced the number of 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 off
valuables, as in any foreign country.
Q. Will one of your representatives
visit our hotel?
In The Gambia we have a large, year-round
resort team and our representatives visit the
hotels every day except Sunday to help guests
make the most of their holiday. Our reps do
not currently visit any of our Unique Collection
properties, Leo’s Beach Hotel, White Horse
Residence or Hibiscus House as these all offer
their own very personal service. In Senegal, the
hotel staff look after our guests and telephone
numbers will be provided in case we can assist in any way.
Q. Can I eat outside the hotel?
The Gambia is fortunate to have a wide selection
of excellent quality, good value restaurants,
including Lebanese, Thai, Indian and traditional
Gambian cuisine. Many are within walking
distance of the hotels but it is also possible to
book a taxi with waiting time for a special evening
out. Our Gambia Guide includes money off
vouchers at many restaurants.
mandina lodges
Q. How do I book excursions?
We offer a wide range of excursions from
4-wheel drive tours to relaxing boat trips on
the river. The easiest way to find out more and
to book is by attending the welcome meeting
held by our representatives, although a couple
of excursions such as Ida’s home cooking
experience and private birdwatching trips can also
be booked in the UK to avoid disappointment.
Some of the smaller, more remote unique
properties, which our representatives do not
visit, offer their own excursion programme on
request, enabling you to immerse yourself in the local culture and wildlife.
Q. Will I find Wi-Fi in my hotel?
A growing number of hotels do now have Wi-Fi access either in public areas or rooms,
and some have internet cafés; we can advise on
which properties are best suited to your needs.
However, please note that the connection can be very erratic and slow.
81
Flights & Upgrades
The Gambia Experience offers the widest choice of year-round flights to
The Gambia. We operate from three different airports during winter with a
new and upgraded flight service from London Gatwick.
tITAN AIRWAYS
We are delighted to be partnering with awardwinning charter airline Titan Airways on our
London to Banjul route for Winter 2015/16. They pride themselves on their high standards of customer service and
punctuality and have gained an excellent reputation within the industry and
with customers over the last 26 years. Titan have operated our Corsica
flights for the last six years and customer feedback has been the highest of
any of our carriers, past and present. The aircraft we are using will offer
comfortable modern seating throughout and an on-board experience that
Titan describe as ‘flying as it used to be’, driven by service not sales.
Gambia Flight only tickets
For flight only prices, including one ways, flexible tickets and long duration
flights, please visit Gambiaflights.co.uk. Flexible ticket holders and Star
Service passengers will receive an increased luggage allowance of 30kg.
Introducing our star service
Our new Star Service offers additional benefits
both at the airport and on board, and is
available on all Gatwick flights during winter.
Below is a comprehensive summary of what
you can expect, however our reservations team
would be happy to provide further information
on this new service, or visit our website at Gambia.co.uk/FlightUpgrades
Supplement from £249 return, or from £150 one way.
S TA R S E R V I C E
•Pre-bookable seats
•Dedicated check-in & priority boarding – UK & Banjul
•Executive lounge at Gatwick and First Class lounge in Banjul
•Increased luggage allowance of 30kg
•Separate area at front of aircraft
•Modern leather seats that are innovatively designed to convert to
a comfortable 2-2 configuration throughout, giving more personal
comfort and space
•Individual entertainment system
•Complimentary bar service (excluding champagne)
•Enhanced meal service
82
Winter 2015/16
•Tuesday and Friday direct, daytime flights from Gatwick (weekend breaks,
10 & 11 nights and longer duration holidays available)
•Monday direct flight from Gatwick (Christmas to February)
•Wednesday and Saturday flights from Manchester (10 & 11 nights and
longer duration holidays available)
•Tuesday flight from Birmingham
•NEW Star Service upgrades available from Gatwick (see below)
•Exit seats from all airports available at a supplement
•90 minute regional and Star Service check-in from UK
•Customers visiting Senegal will fly in and out of Banjul
Summer 2016
•Direct London to Banjul weekly flights (long duration holidays available)
•Exit seats are available at a supplement
Exit seats
Exit seats are available as an upgrade on all our flights with prices from £25
one way.
Star Plus
Seats in the front row of the aircraft enjoy additional legroom.
Other benefits of Star Plus are 40kg luggage allowance and champagne
on boarding. For further details please visit Gambia.co.uk/FlightUpgrades
Star Plus supplement from £349 return, or from £200 one way.
Christmas & New Year additional Star supplements apply to each sector as follows:
From UK: 18 Dec £50, 21/22 Dec £80, 25 Dec £50, 28/29 Dec £80
From Banjul: 28/29 Dec £50, 1 Jan £80, 4/5 Jan £80, 8 Jan £50
Star Service
winter 2015/16 FLiGHt detAiLS to bAnJUL internAtionAL Airport
Programmed flights operate from November to April and are non-stop.
Additional Christmas flights may be added, please call for details.
W I N T E R 2 015 /16 F L I G H T S
From
day
depart
UK
depart
UK
Arrive
Flight
Supplements
Available
Upgrades
to 10/12
11/12 to 31/12
from 01/01
Gatwick
Tuesday
0900
2230
nil
nil
nil
Star / Exit
Gatwick
Friday
0900
2230
£10
£30
£20
Star / Exit
Gatwick
Monday
0900
2230
nil
£30
nil
Star / Exit
Manchester
Wednesday
0655
2100
£30
£70
£40
Exit
Manchester
Saturday
0940 / 1405
2345 / 0410*
£40
£90
£50
Exit
Birmingham
Tuesday
0800
2200
£30
£90
£40
Exit
†
‡
‡
Carriers are: Titan Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines. Flight schedules are subject to change. *Flight arrives the following day.
†
Operating 21 Dec 15 to 22 Feb 16. ‡ Early schedule operates until 12 Dec 15.
Holiday Insurance
Our customers should be adequately insured ahead of their holiday, and we are pleased to offer travel insurance through t&g, including ZERO EXCESS on claims
made on both single trip and annual policies (excluding personal liability) where usually this would be £50 or more. This policy is tailormade to the specific needs of
our customers travelling to The Gambia & Senegal and includes additional areas of cover, such as delays or cancellation due to snow, sandstorms or volcanic ash.
premiUmS per perSon (inCLUdinG 20% inSUrAnCe premiUm tAx)
Single trip
Up to 10 days
Up to 17 days
Up to 24 days
Adult 18-65
£36.50
£42.80
£47
Adult 66-79
£73.40
£87.50
£97
Child 2-17
£21.80
£24.90
£27
Longer durations, couples, family and worldwide annual policies (excluding US, and including 17 days winter sports cover) are also available.
Annual multi-trip
1 year from date of purchase
Adult 18-65
£88
Couple
£153
Family
£169
SUmmAry oF Cover - Key pointS
•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 effects – £2,500 (£400 single item limit)
•Personal liability – £2,000,000 (£250 excess applies)
•Legal expenses – £15,000
(All maximum limits per person)
Contact your Local travel Agent or call our experts on 0845 330 4567
Full details of the policy will be
sent with your confirmation
invoice. There is a 14 day
cooling off period from the date
of sale wherein the policy may
be cancelled without charge.
The policy does not cover any
pre-existing health conditions of
the persons travelling and others
upon whose health the trip may
depend unless a health check
has been carried out by calling
0845 408 0585, and cover is
confirmed in writing.
83
Prices are in £s per person on stated board basis and room choice from Gatwick on a Tuesday and include
£71 APD (refunded for children aged 2-11), €20 ADF and £40 of other known taxes and charges. For all flight supplements see pages 82-83. All supplements and room upgrades shown are per person per night (unless otherwise stated) based on twin occupancy.
WINTER 2015-16 PRICES
Summer pricing - call 0845 330 4567 or go online
1-Nov
15-Nov
18-dec
24-dec
25-dec
31-dec
1-jan
10-jan
11-jan
7-feb
8-feb
18-feb
19-feb
28-Feb
29-Feb
24-mar
25-mar
31-Mar
1222 120611941613167012671258133212451220 1336
1517 150317472046193215631552164715341513 1664
14 1778 175720652404211518291805183517931774 1902
10
Ngala Lodge
Pg 26
10
The Kairaba Beach Hotel
pg 28
10
Leo’s Beach Hotel
pg 30
10
White Horse Residence
pg 32
10
pg 38
11-dec
17-dec
7
Coco Ocean Resort & Spa
pg 24
Mandina Lodges
pg 36
16-Nov
10-DEc
1158 112910961577161512211218129612101176 1298
1399 139015491957184315201511157814571452 1574
14 1635 159319582246199917121697173516811648 1812
7
1016 998 10991457148210991088117510741053 1238
1238 122514681823172013351309141313081269 1455
14 1362 136717952036182515111499153614821451 1558
7
1018 1012 999 1477150510911068115710511028 1139
1214 119013591796167312901281134812471209 1333
14 1355 133317382032176414271402143513861355 1527
7
1038 1019 984 14171465108110651187107610481119
1254 1230137916861623131012911378127712491368
14 1415 1377171818991774146714461515145613971475
7
3* 349 349325349475399425449425399 425
7
1275 126212361725173813761367146213681341 1445
3*
449 449449499499459459479449449479
1184 1175115913181326119411941248118511851244
7
Sandele Eco-Retreat
pg 42
3* 349 325325299395349325375349299 375
Tanji Bird Reserve Eco-Lodge
pg 43
3* 149 125 99 125199149149175149125 149
Gambia Coral Beach
Hotel & Spa pg 46
Kombo Beach Hotel
pg 48
7
1209 119511711552157112331225128812191196 1277
7
734 720698930954758747823748729 822
7
1257 123511991640168212791265135012681249 1358
10 1584 156817042098196016171608167915901563 1721
14 1882 185721662461222618981884192318851866 2005
748 739 72211281160805794 890 798769 874
7 10/11 880 8529881369
12589499359879118821021
14 914 898120714741286995 9831028990 945 1085
Ocean Bay Hotel
pg 50
790 785 77912571284855824 908 826807 906
7 898 874 1076146113641034 953 999 932 916 1034
10 983 968 13601683143710731032106510381013 1125
14 Senegambia Hotel
pg 52
7 798 790 76911811233844825 900 826804 920
10/11 932 916111814501295995 9691018973 938 1087
14 995 973 13431606137410531032107710301009 1159
Bakotu Hotel
pg 54
7 739 728 72010021020771754 863 774745 832
10/11 837 8209231160
1094868864950868844 973
14 877 858 105112301103 917 898 962 916 887 1009
Lemon Creek Hotel
pg 56
7 743 735 72010531091770756 833 754745 807
10/11 845 826 96011981151875867 931 850832 933
889 874108412891137918900 948 896892 971
14 Bijilo Beach Hotel
pg 58
765 750 74110671095811799 875 784763 865
7 900 8819961228
11779409239829198941007
10/11 929 916 110713091170 973 958 994 965 935 1051
14 Bungalow Beach Aparthotel
pg 59
773 760 74710381066795789 866 779764 837
7 924 909 110212551140 948 932 973 924 915 1008
14 Sunset Beach Hotel
pg 60
763 749 73710431080779768 853 774758 827
7 909 894110412791137918909 958 911899 981
14 Sarge’s Hotel
pg 61
7 709 698687943959733727798725704 817
14 823 812101011441027854846 880 839822 968
African Village
pg 62
664 655599878907696690776695683 756
7 749 7359181086942780777802774760 877
14 84
For other hotels, longer durations and summer
0845 330 4567
1-apr
10-apr
11-apr
30-apr
BOARD
BASIS
AIRConditioning
GAMBIA.CO.UK
SINGLE ROOM
3RD PERSON
SHARING
CHILD SHARING
(2-12YRS)
LOCAL TR AVEL AGENTS
CUISINE Choice
ROOM CHOICE
1336 1187
1664 1471
1886 1744
B&B
included
£32
-£25
-£25
half board
£30
1298 1095
1574 1326
1795 1593
B&B
included
£65
n/a
n/a
half board
£28
1238 885
1455 1038
1537 1126
B&B
included
£32
-£8
-£18
half board
bon appetit (per week)
£18
£72
1139 998
1333 1152
1499 1315
B&B
included
from £25
-£22
n/a
half board
£19
1119 948
13681095
14611242
half board
n/a
£20
n/a
-£15
half board
included
425 375
1445 1314
half board
n/a
£75
-£40
(10+ years only)
-£40
half board
included
479449
12291176
B&B
included
£40
n/a
-£30
half board
payable
locally
375 299
1277 1164
half board
n/a
£20
-£25
-£25
half board
full board
included
£10
149 125
822 725
B&B
n/a
£6
n/a
-£5
half board
payable
locally
1358 1214
1721 1536
1989 1778
all-inclusive
included
from £25
-£10
-£25
(on all-inclusive)
half board
bed & breakfast
n/a
-£30
Flights
deluxe suite
£18
superior suite
£24
club villa
from £34
beach house
£60
prices based on junior suite
suite 10 / the penthouse
£19
manor suite
£25
atlantic suite
£39
macondo suite
from £45
prices based on standard suite
superior deluxe
premium suite
standard room
prices based on deluxe room
one-bedroom suite
prices based on standard suite
£9
£9
-£10
£11
Direct to Banjul
Direct to Banjul
Direct to Banjul
Direct to Banjul
Direct to Banjul
mangrove / floating lodge £9 / £19
£39
stilted lodge
prices based on jungle lodge
guest room
prices based on suite
-£10
Direct to Banjul.
*3 night add on
prices do not
include flights but
do include
transfers. Longer
durations also
available – please
call for prices.
beach baobab
£14
sunset palm
£18
beach palm
£24
prices based on standard baobab room
Direct to Banjul
Direct to Banjul
874 695
1021804
1072 830
B&B
included
£16
-£5
-£20
half board
£14
superior room
premium room
studio
suite
prices based on standard room
906 778
1034 872
1108 967
B&B
included
£20
-£6
-£10
half board
all-inclusive light
£20
£37
deluxe
from £8
premium suite
from £18
Direct to Banjul
920 789
1087 890
1145 975
B&B
included
from £13
-£9
-£12
half board
£13
superior room
studio
kololi apartment
£7
£11
£30
Direct to Banjul
832 699
973 810
996 841
B&B
£8.50
from £20
-£5
-£6
half board
£10
family room
nil
807 699
933 808
959 830
B&B
£5.50
£16
-£5
-£7
half board
£14
studio
£5
865 738
1007845
1038 892
B&B
included
£25
-£5
-£12
half board
£11
one-bedroom apartment
£6
837 718
994 821
self-catering
payable locally
£15
-£7
-£16
half board
£10
smaller single studio
nil
sea view / deluxe apartment £5 / £16
prices based on standard apartment
Direct to Banjul
827 719
972 850
B&B
included
£15
-£3
-£6
half board
£12
apartment
£13
Direct to Banjul
817 690
956 809
B&B
payable locally
£7
-£4
-£4
half board
n/a
deluxe room
£14
Direct to Banjul
756 655
864 739
B&B
payable locally
£8
-£4
-£5
half board
£8.50
nil
£5
Direct to Banjul
prices call 0845 330 4567 or visit Gambia.co.uk
smaller single room
sea view
£6
£9
£12
£13
Direct to Banjul
Direct to Banjul
Direct to Banjul
85
Prices are in £s per person on stated board basis and room choice from Gatwick on a Tuesday and include
£71 APD (refunded for children aged 2-11), €20 ADF and £40 of other known taxes and charges. For all flight
supplements see pages 82-83. All supplements and room upgrades shown are per person per night based on
twin occupancy for November to April. Please call or visit Senegal.co.uk for longer durations, May to October
prices and supplements.
WINTER 2015-16 PRICES
Keur Saloum
Pg 66
3
7
10
1-NOV
15-NOV
16-NOV
10-DEC
11-DEC
17-DEC
18-DEC
24-DEC
25-DEC
31-DEC
1-JAN
7-FEB
08-FEB
18-FEB
19-FEB
24-MAR
25-MAR
31-MAR
1-APR
10-APR
11-APR
30-APR
279
928
1009
279
915
997
279
899
984
319
1054
1146
319
1069
1157
289
936
1026
299
994
1075
279
925
1017
299
979
1074
299
964
1059
279
918
1007
Air-conditioning included, single room £11, 3rd person sharing -£8, child sharing (2-11yrs) -£12, full board £13, suite upgrade £17. Prices based on half board
and in a standard room. 3 night add on prices do not include flights but do include transfers.
Domaine les Palétuviers
Pg 67
3
7
10
349
1039
1179
349
1027
1168
349
1009
1159
399
1178
1339
399
1197
1354
359
1034
1159
379
1105
1246
349
1013
1147
379
1066
1215
379
1052
1199
349
1005
1158
Air-conditioning included, single room £12, 3rd person sharing -£10, child sharing (2-11yrs) -£16, full board £14, family rooms available, please call for details.
Prices based on half board and in a standard room. 3 night add on prices do not include flights but do include transfers.
Souimanga Lodge
Pg 68
3
7
10
489
1167
1369
489
1158
1366
489
1139
1347
539
1324
1526
539
1336
1542
499
1179
1379
519
1242
1443
489
1167
1368
519
1226
1425
519
1215
1418
489
1159
1367
499
1185
1378
469
1144
1335
Air-conditioning included, single room from £31, 3rd / 4th person sharing a suite £13, lagune lodge upgrade £10, suite upgrade £95.
Prices based on half board and in a standard jardin lodge. 3 night add on prices do not include flights but do include transfers.
Les Collines de Niassam
Pg 69
3
7
10
469
1145
1333
469
1132
1324
469
1119
1315
519
1324
1532
519
1338
1556
479
1167
1365
499
1218
1395
469
1154
1337
499
1199
1389
Single room from £31, 3rd person sharing -£13, child sharing (2-11yrs) -£33, full board £12, water house upgrade £15, bungalow upgrade £3, family room
upgrade -£15. Prices based on half board and in a tree house. 3 night add on prices do not include flights but do include transfers.
HOW TO BOOK
CALL OR CHAT ONLINE WITH OUR EXPERT TEAM
Our reservations staff will be happy to share their knowledge of the
countries and help you plan your holiday. Our office opening hours are:
9am – 7pm Monday to Friday
9am – 5pm Saturday 10am – 4pm Sunday
The office may be closed during national and bank holidays.
Calls may be recorded for training purposes.
LOYALTY DISCOUNT
Valued clients who have previously travelled with The Gambia Experience
or The Senegal Experience in the last three years will qualify for a discount of
£35 per person, a reduced deposit of £75 and a 10% discount on insurance
premiums. The discount must be claimed at time of booking and is available
throughout the year on hotel-inclusive holidays only, booked at the full
brochure price and cannot be used in conjunction with a group discount.
VISIT YOUR LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT
If you obtained this brochure through a travel agent, you will be able to
book with them.
VISIT GAMBIA.CO.UK
You can check availability, prices and book your holiday or flight 24 hours
a day online at Gambia.co.uk, Gambiaflights.co.uk or Senegal.co.uk
86
BOOKING CHECKLIST
• Deposit – only £125 per person
• Make sure you have adequate insurance
• Seek travel health advice from GP
• Check your confirmation invoice
• Pay balance eight weeks prior to
departure
• Payment by bank transfer, online, debit
card or credit card (2% charge)
• Complete Additional Passenger
Information (API) online
RING THE GAMBIA EXPERIENCE
ON
0845 330 4567
OR THE SENEGAL EXPERIENCE
ON
0845 338 8700
The Gambia Experience and The Senegal Experience is operated by Serenity Holidays (Serenity
Holidays Ltd). We are committed to a policy of fair trading and make every effort to ensure that
you have an enjoyable holiday with us. Our terms of trade have been formulated as a result
of our responsibilities under law and in no way affect your statutory rights as a consumer. We
accept responsibility for the quality of the holidays we provide and the excursions booked with
our local representatives. Please read this carefully and keep with you on holiday as it sets out
the basis of the contract between you and Serenity Holidays Ltd.
We are a member of ABTA, membership number V5963. We are obliged to maintain a high
standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. We can also offer you an arbitration
scheme for the resolution of disputes arising out of, or in connection with this contract. Further
information on the Code and arbitration can be found at http://www.abta.com
DATA PROTECTION When you make an enquiry or booking with us, information about you
is collected. This refers to information such as your name, contact details, travel preferences
and any special needs/disabilities or dietary requirements. By giving us these details, you
consent for these to be used as necessary in processing your booking and complying with legal
requirements (e.g. forwarding passenger lists to airlines). We may also use your details to send
you future holiday brochures or advise of special offers from ourselves - should you NOT want
to receive these, please tell us. Some of your information may be considered “sensitive personal
data” under the Data Protection Act 1998, which will only be used when it is necessary for us
to communicate your needs to a hotel or airline. For more information – please refer to our
‘Privacy Statement’ shown on our websites Gambia.co.uk or Senegal.co.uk
We sell the following arrangements:
Package Holiday
A “package holiday” is a combination of at least two of the following services (a) transport, (b)
accommodation or (c) other tourist services (not ancillary to any transport or accommodation
and forming a significant part of the arrangements) where booked through us at an inclusive price.
Accommodation or Flight only
If you book accommodation or flight only through us, we will accept responsibility for your
booking in accordance with the terms set out in the relevant sections below. As this is a single
component, the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 do
not apply.
FINANCIAL SECURITY:
If you book a package holiday through us the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package
Tours Regulations 1992 require us to provide security for the monies that you pay for the
package holidays booked from this broczhure. For packages that include flights we provide this
security by way of an ATOL (number 1866) administered by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Note: Any amendment or cancellation fees you incur in terms of other arrangements you have
made with other providers under separate contracts are not claimable from us.
Package Holiday & Flight only:
A change of airline, aircraft type, overseas airport of destination, travel timings by 12 hours
or less and accommodation of a similar or higher standard in the same resort or region are
classed as minor changes which do not entitle you to cancel or change to another holiday /
flight without paying our normal administration charges, and for which no compensation or
refund is due.
In accordance with EU Regulation 2111/2005 we are required to advise you of the actual
carrier operating your flight/connecting flight/transfer. We do this by listing carriers to be used
or likely to be used as follows: Titan Airways, Thomas Cook Airlines, Small Planet Airlines and
Germania. Any changes to the actual airline after you have received your tickets will be notified
to you as soon as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding gate. The carrier may
occasionally have to change the type of aircraft used on a particular flight without advance
warning. In such circumstances where you have booked and paid an additional seat supplement
and such seat cannot be provided, then you will receive only a refund of the supplement paid.
Occasionally, we have to make major changes to your travel arrangements or accommodation.
A major change is a change made before departure, which, on the basis of the information given
to us by you at the time of booking we can reasonably expect will have a major effect on your
holiday. The following changes are examples of major changes: changing travel times by over 12
hours, your UK departure airport (excluding London airports), your holiday region, a change to
a lower standard or type of accommodation or reducing the number of days’ holiday.
If we have to make a major change or cancel your holiday we will tell you as soon as possible.
Where possible, we will offer the following options: you can either a) accept the changed
arrangements b) purchase another holiday/flight from us at the advertised current selling price or
c) cancel your booking upon which we will refund your monies in full and final settlement.
If you have booked a Package Holiday, subject to the note below, irrespective of whether you
choose a), b) or c) we will pay compensation to passengers who paid the full brochure price
as follows:
No of days before departure
Amount for each full fare paying adult
More than 56 days
29 - 56 days
15 - 28 days
8 - 14 days
Less than 8 days
Nil
£15
£25
£35
£50
When you buy an ATOL protected air holiday package, or flight only arrangements, you will
receive a confirmation invoice from us (or via your travel agent through which you booked)
confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence
number [1866]. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not
stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any money you have paid to us for an advance
booking. If we are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an
alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel
Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree
that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims
which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services,
including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable).
You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has
paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme. For further information visit the ATOL
website at www.atol.org.uk. The price of our air holiday packages includes the ATOL Protection
Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices.
Accommodation only:
If we make a change to your accommodation and you don’t want to accept it, you can take
any alternative we are able to offer you (you will pay the increase in cost if the replacement is
advertised at a higher price than your original booking, or receive a refund of the difference if
it is less expensive) or a refund of the money you have paid to us. This does not apply where
the change is not material. Examples of non-material changes include, but are not limited to,
temporary withdrawal of facilities or seasonal unavailability of amenities. If we have to cancel
your accommodation, again we may be able to offer you an alternative. If you accept it, you
would pay the difference if it was advertised at a higher price than your original accommodation,
or receive a refund of the difference if it was advertised at a lower price. Or we will refund
the monies you have paid us for your accommodation. We will not be responsible to pay any
compensation following a change or a cancellation by us.
For packages that do not include flights, as a member of the Association of Bonded Travel
Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) Serenity Holidays Ltd has provided a bond to meet the
requirements of the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
In the event of Serenity Holidays’ insolvency, protection is provided for non-flight packages
commencing in and returning to the UK and other non-flight packages excluding pre-arranged
travel to and from your destination. Please note that packages booked outside the UK are only
protected when purchased directly with Serenity Holidays Ltd.
Note: If a change or cancellation occurs because of circumstances beyond our control, for
example war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, actual or threatened terrorist activity and its
consequences, industrial disputes, natural or nuclear disasters, fire, health risks, adverse weather
conditions, hurricanes, floods, unavoidable technical problems with transport, closure or congestion
of airports or ports, epidemic or pandemic illness and all similar situations we will have no liability
to you. No compensation payments, expenses or any other sums, including the cost of securing
alternative accommodation will be paid by us.
In the above circumstances, if you have not yet travelled you may claim a refund, or if you have
already travelled, you may claim repatriation to the starting point of your non-flight package.
Flight Only arrangements are protected by our ATOL (number 1866) as described above.
8. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLAINT In the unlikely event you have cause for complaint whilst
abroad, about the accommodation or about any other element of your holiday, you must refer
it immediately to our local representative. It is unreasonable for you to take little or no action
whilst on holiday and wait until you return to complain, and you must take reasonable steps to
minimise the consequences of the problem. If you fail to follow this simple procedure we will
have been deprived of the opportunity to investigate and rectify your complaint whilst you were
in resort and this may affect your rights under this contract. If a problem cannot be resolved
locally you should complete and sign a Guest Comment form in resort, setting out the details
of the problem. This should be handed to your representative who will give you a copy; it is
essential that you also report the problem to any supplier of the service you are complaining
about. Any complaint must also be followed by written confirmation of all the details, with any
supporting evidence, within 28 days of your return from holiday.
1. YOUR HOLIDAY BOOKING When making a booking you must be aged over 18 years
and have the authority to accept and do accept on behalf of your party the terms of these
booking conditions. All correspondence and documents are sent to the party leader who is
responsible to us for all payments in respect of the booking. The contract is made on the terms
of the information in this brochure, the details set out in the confirmation invoice. We agree
that the courts of England and Wales have jurisdiction and English Law applies (unless you live in
Scotland or Northern Ireland, in which case you can bring proceedings in your local court under
Scottish or Northern Irish law, as applicable). Our confirmation invoice is our acceptance of the
booking (as detailed therein), and the contract is made on its issue. We ask you to check the
details and any anomaly should be reported to us or your travel agent immediately otherwise
the details shown on the confirmation will be presumed to be correct. Verbal quotations should
not be considered binding until the first invoice confirmation is received. All holidays and offers
published in this brochure are subject to availability at the time of booking.
2. PAYMENT If you wish to confirm a booking you must pay the deposit of £125pp. Your final
payment will be detailed on your invoice and must be paid in full no later than 8 weeks before
your departure, or your booking may be deemed cancelled and your deposits retained. If
payment for your holiday is made by credit card a handling fee, currently 2% will be levied.
3. IF YOU WISH TO CANCEL YOUR BOOKING You will need to let us know as soon
as possible either by telephone or in writing (or must ensure your travel agent does so on
your behalf). Since we incur costs from the time we confirm your booking, the cancellation
charges set out below will apply, calculated from the date on which we receive your notice of
cancellation. You will then receive a cancellation invoice detailing any charges.
Applicable to Package Holiday, Accommodation or Flight only bookings:
9. OUR RESPONSIBILITY
Package Holiday:
If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly performed by us or our
suppliers we will pay you appropriate compensation if this has affected the enjoyment of your
travel arrangements. However, we will not be liable where any failure in the performance
of the contract is due to: you; or a third party unconnected with the provision of the travel
arrangements and where the failure is unforeseeable or unavoidable; or unusual and
unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have
been avoided even if all due care had been exercised; or an event which we or our suppliers,
even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall.
Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness, shall be limited to a maximum of [3]
times the cost of your travel arrangements. Our liability will also be limited in accordance with
and/or in an identical manner to:
No of days before departure
Cancellation charge
(a) The contractual terms of the companies that provide the transportation for your travel
arrangements. These terms are incorporated into this contract; and
More than 56 days
43 - 56 days
29 - 42 days
15 - 28 days
Less than 15 days
Loss of deposit
40%
65%
90%
100%
(b) Any relevant international convention, for example the Montreal Convention in respect of
travel by air, the Athens Convention in respect of travel by sea, the Berne Convention in respect
of travel by rail and the Paris Convention in respect of the provision of accommodation, which
limit the amount of compensation that you can claim for death, injury, delay to passengers and
loss, damage and delay to luggage. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation
of compensation contained in these or any conventions.
The charges above apply to your total holiday price excluding any insurance premiums,
amendment charges or charges for goods sold and dispatched. The conditions of your travel
insurance policy may allow a refund claim. Please note: if any members of your party cancel, but
the others still wish to travel, it may be necessary to re-calculate the cost per person based on
the new party size as the accommodation may now be under-occupied. This may result in an
increased amount per person payable to secure the original booking.
4. CHARGES FOR NON-INCLUSIVE HOTEL ITEMS AND DAMAGES You enter into a
separate contract with the hotel or residence for these items (e.g. parking, bar bills etc.), and
agree to pay locally for any charges for items or services used by your party and not included in
your holiday price. The accommodation we arrange for you can only be used by those people
named on your Invoice. You are not allowed to share the accommodation with anyone else or
let others stay there.
5. IF YOU REQUEST A CHANGE TO YOUR BOOKING All amendments to your booking,
e.g. name changes, dates of travel or accommodation, will incur a charge, the amount of which
will depend on the nature of the change and the time before the date of travel. Any changes
made within 8 weeks of departure may be treated as cancellations and re-bookings. The lead
name on a booking cannot be changed under any circumstances and this would also be classed
as a cancellation and re-booking.
6. IF YOU BOOK THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT we will assume that in dealing with us
the agent is acting on your behalf. All monies you pay to the travel agent are held by him on
our behalf at all times.
7. IF WE CHANGE YOUR HOLIDAY Although it is unlikely, we may occasionally have to
change your holiday arrangements and we reserve the right to change or cancel your booking.
Most changes are minor and we will always endeavour to advise you or your travel agent of any
such changes at the earliest possible date.
You can ask for copies of the transport companies’ contractual terms, or the international
conventions, from our offices: Serenity Holidays Ltd, Atlantic House, 3600 Parkway, Solent
Business Park, Fareham, Hampshire PO15 7AN.
We do not accept liability for happenings or actions outside our control, e.g. delays to travel
services, the temporary invasion of pests, the presence of indigenous animals or insects,
government action, industrial disputes, damage or inconvenience resulting from the weather (e.g.
drought conditions) or from acts of God, or your party’s negligence resulting in loss or accident.
If the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly performed as a result of
failures attributable to a third party unconnected with the provision of the services, or as a
result of failures due to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the
consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised,
or an event which we or our suppliers, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall,
and you suffer an injury or other material loss, we will offer you such prompt assistance as is
reasonable in the circumstances. If you have taken our recommended insurance cover, you
must make an insurance claim in respect of any legal fees incurred abroad for that purpose, and
if you have taken alternative insurance, you must do likewise under any Legal Expenses cover
provided by it. You must also provide us with the confirmation from the insurance company of
receipt of your notification to them of your claim.
Excursions or other tours that you may choose to book or pay for whilst you are on holiday are
not part of your package holiday provided by us. For any excursion or other tour that you book,
your contract will be with the operator of the excursion or tour and not with us. We are not
responsible for the provision of the excursion or tour or for anything that happens during the
course of its provision by the operator.
FAIR TRADING CHARTER
Accommodation only:
We have a duty to select the accommodation providers with reasonable skill and care. We
have no liability to you for the actual provision of the accommodation, except in cases where
it is proved that we have breached that duty and damage to you has been caused. Therefore,
providing we have selected the provider with reasonable care and skill, we will have no liability
to you for anything that happens at the accommodation or any acts or omissions of the provider
or others. We also have no liability in the following situations:
i. where the accommodation cannot be provided as booked due to circumstances beyond our
control (see the Note in clause 7)
ii. where you incur any loss or damage that could not have been foreseen at the time of your
booking, based on the information provided by you.
iii. where you incur any loss or damage that relates to any business activity.
iv. where any loss or damage relates to any services which do not form part of our contract
with you.
If we are found liable to you on any basis, we limit the amount we have to pay you to a
maximum of three times the cost of your accommodation. This limit does not apply to cases
involving death or injury.
10. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY You undertake to exercise due and reasonable care in respect
of your holiday accommodation and its contents, to leave it in a clean and complete condition,
to respect local and on-site regulations and bye-laws, to limit party numbers to those on your
confirmation, to remit payments as invoiced on or before the due dates, to indemnify us against
all loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from any act, default or omission of your party,
and not to exceed the published occupation capacity of the accommodation. Any serious abuse
of a property or its contents may render you liable to eviction without compensation.
11. PRICES AND SURCHARGES The price of your holiday was calculated using the exchange
rate of £1 = €1.35 on 20th February 2015. We reserve the right to increase or reduce prices,
and the current price of your holiday will be advised to you at the time of booking. Whilst
every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all the information and prices provided to you,
regrettably errors do occasionally occur. In the event that an incorrect price has been given in
error, any booking made based on this price, will not be valid. You will be advised of the mistake
at the earliest opportunity and you will then have the option either to pay the correct price for
the travel arrangements or to cancel and receive a full refund of any monies you may already
have paid. Once you have booked your holiday we reserve the right to surcharge for cost
increases due to government action such as changes in VAT or any other government imposed
charges, transportation costs (including the cost of fuel), taxes or fees chargeable for services
such as landing taxes, embarkation or disembarkation fees at airports, and exchange rates.
Package Holidays
There will be no charge within 30 days of your departure. We will absorb such increases up to
2% of your basic holiday price (excluding insurance premiums and any amendment charges).
If the surcharge is greater than 10% of your holiday price you have the option of changing to
another holiday that we offer (if we are able to offer an alternative you will not have to pay
more, but if it is of a lower quality you will be refunded the difference in price) or you have the
right to cancel (within 14 days of receiving surcharge notification), in which case we will refund
in full all monies paid to us except insurance premiums and any amendment charges. Should
the price of your holiday go down due to the changes mentioned above, by more than 2% of
your holiday cost, then any refund due will be paid to you. However, please note that travel
arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes will have
no impact on the price of your holiday due to contractual and other protection in place.
Accommodation and Flight only
We reserve the right to pass on all increases. If we ask you to pay us any increases in taxes,
similarly, if any taxes you have paid to us are reduced or abolished, you will be entitled to claim a
refund. Such right shall not apply in respect of any surcharge paid in respect of aviation fuel costs.
12. TRAVEL SERVICES When you travel by air the relevant carrier’s ‘Conditions of Carriage’
will apply to your journey, some of which may limit liability or exclude liability in accordance
with the relevant international conventions. Copies of the conditions are available for inspection
at any ABTA travel agent. Information given by us about such services is for guidance only and
the carriers concerned accept no responsibility for our brochures. It is your responsibility to
report promptly at the check-in times given by the carriers and with the appropriate valid travel
documents (e.g. passports), and we cannot be held responsible for any costs incurred by you
if you fail to do so. Occasionally there are times beyond our control when a flight is delayed.
We will work closely with the airline and our resort office to make sure any delay is as short
as possible and that your overseas transfer and accommodation arrangements are changed if
necessary. Our aim is to minimise the inconvenience of delays as far as possible.
Under EU law you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from
your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delays to flights. Full details of these
rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. Please note that
reimbursement in such cases is the responsibility of the airline and will not automatically entitle
you to a refund of your holiday cost from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from
us is set out in clause 7 ‘if we change your holiday’. . If your airline does not comply with these
rules you should complain to the Passengers Advice and Complaints team at the CAA (email:
[email protected] website www.caa.co.uk). In March 2006 the European
Commission published a list of airlines considered to be unsafe and which are therefore not
permitted to fly passengers or Cargo in the EU or operate within the European airspace.
This list is updated every three months and can be viewed by clicking on the website for the
European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/list_en.htm. Alternatively, should
you wish to be sent a copy of the list, please contact us either by telephone or in writing.
13. TRAVEL INSURANCE You agree to our requirement: at the time of booking your holiday
you either accept our travel insurance or you or your travel agent make immediate alternative
arrangements with cover at least equal to our own policy.
14. SWIMMING POOLS AND OTHER FACILITIES Where a swimming pool or other
facility is referred to as being available for use, such availability is at the hotelier’s discretion and
is understood to be conditional upon temporary or unavoidable closure necessitated by: the
hotels essential maintenance programme, accident, damage or malfunction of equipment, and
in the case of swimming pools: compliance with any water conservation regulations imposed in
times of drought, damage or malfunction of the mains water supply. The above are understood
to be a result of force majeure and not to reflect on our failure to deliver an advertised facility.
15. ARBITRATION In the unlikely event that a complaint cannot be settled amicably between
us, you may if you wish refer the matter to arbitration under a special scheme, which, though
devised by arrangement with ABTA is administered quite independently (details on request or
from the ABTA website www.abta.com). This is a simple method of arbitration on documents
alone with restricted cost liability to the customer. The rules of the scheme provide that the
application for arbitration must be made within eighteen months of the date of return from the
holiday but in special circumstances it may still be offered outside of this period. The scheme
does not apply to claims over £5,000 per person or £25,000 per booking, nor to claims mainly
or solely in respect of injury or illness or their consequences. Alternatively, AITO’s Independent
Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy
and amicable solution.
16. PASSPORT/VISA It is the responsibility of all customers to ensure they have a valid passport
and to check entry requirements such as passport validity and any required visa. In addition, you
must consult your GP for advice regarding recommended medication and anti-malarial drugs
before you book.
17. HOLIDAY PARTICIPATION Should anyone be refused admission to the flight or to the
destination country by the airline or government authority due to the correct documentation
not being in order then we are powerless to assist and cannot be held responsible. Any
passengers considered being unacceptably under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be
denied boarding to the aircraft or entry into the country. In these circumstances we shall
consider the customer as having given notice of cancellation and be under no liability for any
costs or charges incurred as a result of our doing so.
87
We are an independent company where emphasis is very much on quality and service.
We offer specialist holidays to other destinations and all provide excellent value and choice.
The Senegal Experience
0845 338 8700
Senegal.co.uk
The Cape Verde Experience
0845 330 2046
CapeVerde.co.uk
Great Escapes - Short Breaks
0845 330 3434
GreatEscapes.co.uk
Corsican Places
0845 330 2345
Corsica.co.uk
Sardinian Places
0845 330 2056
SardinianPlaces.co.uk
Sicilian Places
01489 866 994
SicilianPlaces.co.uk
TRAVEL AGENTS STAMP
gambia.co.uk
Call our reservations team on:
0845 330 4567
0845 330 2044 (administration)
[email protected]

the gambia - Serenity Holidays

Transcription

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