The Gambia Tourist Traps

  Like Well trained seals(just not as...
by rob-craig
 
  • Like Well trained seals(just not as cute!)
      Like Well trained seals(just not as...
    by rob-craig
  • Friendly youngsters
      Friendly youngsters
    by grets
  • Beach with salesmen
      Beach with salesmen
    by grets
  • engine problems.
      engine problems.
    by johanl
  • Audience participation
      Audience participation
    by grets
 
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"Friendly" children

by grets

All over The Gambia you will be approached by friendly children practicing their English. "Hello", "What's your name", "Where are you from", "Your first time in Gambia", "How you like my country?" "I give you my address, you send me gift" so on and so forth. We chatted with most of the children who approached us, being friendly but saying a firm no when it came to exchanging addresses and giving presents. Mostly they accepted this and would still carry on chatting for the fun of it, but there were some very persistent little buggers who made it very unpleasant for everyone. The alternative is to either totally ignore these children, which would be a shame as an interaction with them can enrich your experience of the Gambia. Of course, some people found the hassle so much that they never ventured outside their beach hotel after the first day!

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crocks

by nathicka

Went 2 see "Charlie" when I was in Gambia. The danger of this trip is not to play whit. The crocks are walking around and then you get to say Hello to "Charlie" the friendly crock :-). This are wild animals! Be careful! Be carefull!!!!!! Their are so many other things to do in the Gambia.

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Bumster Alert!!

by johnsteel1967

Beware of the guys that hang around the outside of Hotels offering services. They are just on the make. A firm but polite NO THANKS will usually se them off. The Gambian government is trying to clamp down of these guys by introducing registered tourist guides.

Give your money to the people

by David&Pauline

The biggest tourist trap has to be the one set by the international tour operators who get you into their welcome meetings before you can talk to the locals. The fill your mind with doubt and uncertainty putting you into a nervous state of mind so that you sign up for their overpriced tours of the Gambia. Don't commit yourself to any of these, take a walk down to the local bush taxi (that's the yellow and green ones that aren't allowed near your hotel) and ask a driver how much he'll charge for a trip across the Barra ferry to Juffure. That guy doesn't own that cab, he has to pay the owner a monthly fee for using it, put some money in his pocket not into the coffers of some German tour operator. Okay, so your going to be followed by one of the boys outside the hotel gate so be it, ask the driver should you trust this boy? Like as not he'll not want to share his tip with someone else and...

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bargaining is the game

by johanl

Whenever you buy something make sure you only pay 1/3 of the price that is asked. Always compare in different shops or markets.Look around for a while and do not buy stuff too quick. You'll be sorry afterwards Do discuss prices. Euro's or Dollars can be changed in the streets. You will get the best rate then. First inform at the official banks to see what the rate is like and than hit the streets. Youngsters will come over to your car and discuss a good rate. Get about 2 to 3 dalasi (local currency) more per Euro or Dollar more than the official rate.

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This was my first trip to West...

by AndreasK

This was my first trip to West Africa. We loved the country but were a little annoyed by the permanent hassle of the young local people, called Bumster, who will not let you walk alone on the beach or in the city. They will always offer their services, e.g. shopping or tour guidance.

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A lot of people make problems...

by dedeckerm.

A lot of people make problems about the 'bumsters'. These are young people and they don't let you for one minute alone. If you walk for 2, 3, 5 or more km. - well they walk and talk to you.Even if you are sitting on the beach, well there are them!But for me and my husband : no problem. Because before we went to the Gambia, I read about this 'phenomenon'. So we like it but for others it is maybe a problem. Stay inside :-))

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Some hotel guests had been out...

by jill_archer

Some hotel guests had been out fishing and caught this beautiful Stingray fish (I think that is what it is called) the local fishermen hung it up and it was over an hour before the poor thing died.

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We were out walking one day...

by jill_archer

We were out walking one day when we were stopped by a young guy and asked if we would like to see a new born baby just around the corner, we went with him and he took us down back alleys way off the main road, When we got to the house the 'new' baby was about 6 months old-what they wanted was us to give them some money, which we did to politely get away.

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The worst tourist trap has to...

by simonforrest

The worst tourist trap has to be to spend all your money on 'tourist' activities rather than on local things. Is it not better to give a local driver/guide your money than give a tour firm/hotel/big business extra profit ? Sure you must be careful but isn't that part of the fun and stress of holidays.

Tourist Attractions in The Gambia

Top 3 Hotels in The Gambia

Kombo Beach Hotel  Banjul

 1 Review and 333 Opinions  The Kombo Beach is the only hotel we have been to in The Gambia, we stayed here the first time and... 

 Hotels in Banjul

Kairaba Beach Hotel  Kololi

 2 Reviews and 283 Opinions  well such an extraordinarily well run venue in Gambia. German influence, very efficient. What... 

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Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort & Spa  Serekunda

 371 Opinions

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9 Hotels in The Gambia
 
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Tourist Traps: Cities in The Gambia
  1. Kololi Tourist Traps
  2. Banjul Tourist Traps
  3. Serekunda Tourist Traps
  4. Kotu Tourist Traps

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Popular Regions in The Gambia

Western Division Tourist Traps  City of Banjul Tourist Traps 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Hi, we are going to Gambia on the 22nd Feb and our GP has given us a private prescription for Malarone. It's quite expensive and I... 

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A: It's not cheap anywhere as it is a relatively new and very effective anti-malarial drug, but is encumbered by patents, so there is only a single manufacturer, hence the... 

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