13 January 2009 - allaboutyou.com - Fiona Cullinan
Eco-luxury on a budget - The Gambia
A six-hour flight (and no time difference) brings you to The Gambia, a river-based strip of land and former British colony surrounded on three sides by Senegal. At around 30°C, it's a winter-sun package-holiday favourite. Expect gorgeous Atlantic surf and sunsets, drum and dance nights amid mangroves, sacred crocodile pools and nature reserves. Though there is still hassle by local ‘bumsters', in the last two years, The Gambia has had a deluxe upgrade with its first five-star hotel (Sheraton Gambia), new hotel spas and gourmet restaurants. Responsible tourism is also taking off, particularly in Makasutu Cultural Forest and Kartong in the south.
Getting there: The Gambia Experience offers seven nights at the Mandina Lodges at Makasutu from £1,035 per person, staying in a Floating Lodge and including return flights from London Gatwick. A budget option is a seven-night B&B holiday at the African Village Hotel from £349 per person. (0845 330 2087, www.gambia.co.uk).
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