10 June 2010 - The Gambia Experience - Press Office
Specialist tour operator, The Gambia Experience launches its November 2010 – October 2011 brochure next week. The new-look brochure now incorporates sister company, The Senegal Experience, due to increased interest in twin-centre holidays between the two destinations.
With 23 years experience of organising holidays to West Africa, The Gambia Experience and The Senegal Experience offer the widest range of flight and accommodation options to the UK market.
A variety of hotels are featured with descriptions of each property’s suitability for certain clientele, with ‘Personal Experiences’ from customers, staff and the media added to enhance this content.
Each destination contains its own Luxury Collection, much of which is exclusive and some of which now include spa facilities.
Flight Update: New Stansted departure to Banjul / Twin Centres with Cape Verde
The Gambia Experience offers twice weekly and year-round London Gatwick departures direct to Banjul and exclusively offers the opportunity to upgrade to a Premium Class flight service.
The tour operator is pleased to announce a new departure point to Banjul for 2010/11: Stansted. The Stansted – Banjul route will operate on a Tuesday between December 2010 – March 2011, and with the flight via Boa Vista on the outbound, twin-centre holidays with Cape Verde will become possible. A Bristol – Banjul route will operate during the same period on a Friday, but via Boa Vista on the inbound, also allowing twin-centre holidays with Cape Verde. Twice-weekly Manchester and weekly Birmingham departures direct to Banjul will operate during the winter season.
The Senegal Experience offers twice-weekly scheduled flights with Brussels Airlines to Dakar from five UK airports - including London Heathrow – all via Brussels.
Multi-Centre Holidays – Inspiring Hotel Combinations
For the first time, The Gambia Experience has presented sample hotel combinations within its brochure to provide inspiration as to the scope of twin or multi-centre holidays. This can be within The Gambia or Senegal or combining the two countries. Suggested themed breaks include: Gambian Coast & Wilderness; Gambian Lodges; Discover The Real Africa; and the Luxurious Spas of The Gambia and Senegal. Courtesy of the new Boa Vista routes, Cape Verde may also be incorporated. The Senegal Experience also offers private Tours of Senegal with a driver / guide.
All-Inclusive Update
As from January 2010, all-inclusive holidays became available in The Gambia at the 5* Sheraton Gambia Hotel in Brufut. This new option has been well received and has attracted new clientele to the country. All-inclusive holidays are also available in Senegal at the 4* Royal Decameron Baobab Resort, as well as at two hotels within The Cape Verde Experience, Boa Vista collection. Alternatively, a ‘Wine & Dine’ package has since been introduced at the 5* Kairaba Hotel in Kololi and the 4* Kombo Beach Hotel in Kotu now offers a ‘Dine-Around’ package.
Birdwatching with Chris Packham
BBC presenter Chris Packham returns to The Gambia in February 2011 to lead Birdwatching Tours for Gambia Experience customers. There is a choice of a three-day tour, as well as a three-night option with accommodation incorporated at the award-winning Mandina Lodges at Makasutu. Full itineraries and prices are available by visiting www.gambia.co.uk/chrispackham
New for 2010/11, The Gambia Experience is offering three additional Birdwatching Tours with Malick Suso - Chris Packham’s choice of local guide. For more information, visit www.gambia.co.uk/birdwatching
Sustainable Tourism Update
The Gambia Experience is accredited with 5-star AITO (Association of Independent Tour Operators) Sustainable Tourism status - the highest level possible. The Gambia Experience’s School Development Fund will be re-launched this summer with a new website and will aim to raise additional money for two building projects in The Gambia. For more information visit www.gambia.co.uk/schools
Early Booking Offers
A number of Early Booking Offers are available, valid for holidays booked by 10 July 2010. These include savings of up to £180 per person, 4 nights for the price of 3, and 11 nights for the price of 7. This season, The Gambia Experience offers 7-night holidays from £495 per person; The Senegal Experience from £879 per person. Luxury Collection holidays start from £789 (Gambia) and £1098 (Senegal) - all including flights & transfers. For more information, please call The Gambia Experience Reservations Dept on 0845 330 2087 or visit www.gambia.co.uk or call The Senegal Experience Reservations Dept on 0845 338 8706 or visit www.senegal.co.uk
