Gambia Fishing Trip

Richard Sheard went Gambia fishing with the purpose of cataloguing the sport fish available in the fresh water reaches of the McCarthy island area and he was accompanied by the expert Gambia Sport Fishing team.

Trip Highlights

After hiring a skipper from the local fish market they set out in a rickety old boat to a spot above a shallow sandbar where they dropped bait all around and within two minutes both left and right hand rods were hit hard - Tigerfish.

Moving on to a different spot close to the bank soon had the rods dancing to what turned out to be Vundu catfish which have been known to grow to 100 lbs plus in other African rivers.


Fishing from the jetty proved to be equally successful with an elephant fish (when you see this fish you will know why they call it that) taking the bait and then a 20 lbs catfish which caused hysteria amongst the locals because it was one of the biggest fish they have ever seen.

Richard thinks that there are a lot of large fish of various species in the river but the locals just don't have the equipment to catch them.

All the nets he saw were ragged and filled with holes and the skippers couldn't afford an anchor line longer than 6 feet which meant that 80% of the river was unfishable by them.


The fish species available at the small fish market were Talapia, the three catfish they had caught the previous evening, elephant fish, freshwater sole, a bream-like fish with an elongated body, a pike-like fish with huge teeth, scaled eel, Captain fish {with the clear nose}, Joto, and Ninebones.

Gambia Fishing Tips and Recommendations:
The state of the roads here away from the coastline are not very good with potholes being the order of the day and the donkey/ox/horse carts can make a driving experience pretty stressful. It is relatively cheap to hire a taxi to get where you are going especially if you can share the fare between a group.


The currency here is called Dalasis and it is weak compared to all the major currencies which makes most things pretty affordable but you will pay a little more around the hotels. You can use sterling in shops and restaurants but don't expect a good rate.

Contact details and Reservations: 
Luigis Complex for the best Gambian self-catering apartments, serviced flats, beachside accommodation, bed and breakfast, restaurant and eco-tourism excursions.
Relax and enjoy your Gambia Holidays with us!
info@luigiscomplex.com
www.luigis.gm/
Tel +220 4460280

Bird Watching in The Gambia

Julian Hughes and his wife went on a Gambia birding trip and it was their first experience of Africa. They were not disappointed with many wonderful sightings of birds and the chance to meet some great people and get some insight into rural Africa. The Gambia is definitely on their list for a return visit.

Trip HighlightsContact details and Reservations:
They managed to see 264 different species of bird in their two week stay even though they didn't go birding every day and didn't make use of the guides that are available. Another group which did arrange a guide for the same period and visited most of the same sites came up with a tally of 300 species.


The photo hide on the south side of the orphanage compound in the Abuku Forest which overlooks a concrete drinking pool was one of the best spots as they had close-up views of the African paradise flycatcher, levaillantís cuckoo and western bluebill and a pair of displaying African pygmy kingfishers was particularly memorable.


There are a number of parks that you can visit where you will have a good chance of spotting birds including Bijilo Forest Park, Tanji beach, Brufut Woods and Yundum Woods to name just a few.


If you have the time, a four day trip inland is really worthwhile as this was responsible for most of the memorable moments and birds of Julian's whole trip.


Gambia Birding Tips and Recommendations:
Have a few pounds ready for when you arrive at the airport because this is the preferred currency for the porters that ply their trade there. Using a porter is not something you choose as one of them will simply pick up your bags, ask where you are going and demand you follow them.


You can avoid falling victim to the dreaded "banjul belly" here by taking the simple precautions for eating that apply in any tropical country. Avoid ice cream, ice in drinks and unpeeled food and be wary of buying anything from a street vendor to eat.


Contact details and Reservations: 
Luigis Complex for the best Gambian self-catering apartments, serviced flats, beachside accommodation, bed and breakfast, restaurant and eco-tourism excursions.
Relax and enjoy your Gambia Holidays with us!
info@luigiscomplex.com
www.luigis.gm/
Tel +220 4460280

Gambia Four Wheel Drive Adventures

Gambia four wheel drive adventure is a great opportunity to see and experience the real Gambia.

This excursion will take you off the beaten track, either in a 4x4 Safari truck or Land Rover following the coastline stopping at villages along the way where you will meet the villagers and visit a local school.

Pens and books are always welcome gifts to the schools, please give any donations to the head teacher Please do not bring sweets.

Next stop , the palm wine tappers, you can sample the freshly tapped wine and learn more about how it’s produced. Lunch is served on one of the most naturally beautiful beaches in the South of the country and there will be a chance to swim and sunbathe .

The first stop of the afternoon is Tanji Village museum. This is a unique chance to find out more about Gambian culture and tradition, the tour guides will be happy to show you around the mock village and explain about village life and how it is set up. On the tour you will be able to watch the weavers making hand woven cloth. In the gardens they have some wonderful unusual flora and fauna.

From the Museum we head for the Tanji fishing village, here you can see and smell the local fish smoking industry close by and a possible chance to see the fishermen bring their catches in. As we head back to the hotels we will make unscheduled stops to observe, monkeys, baboons and the many exotic and colourful birds on the way.

South Gambia Experience
Go beyond the routes of normal tourist excursions and visit the remote and isolated area of Southern Gambia combined with a cruise on the River which divides us from neighboring Senegal. As you drive through Savannah like hinterland, towards the border, you will experience an excellent view of our countryside.

On route you will visit the reptile farm where you can see many different species of snakes and lizards that reside in the Gambia, the next stop is at a local Art Gallery for drinks and snacks before proceeding to the peaceful Kartong beach where a traditional river craft is waiting to take you for a cruise around various inlets and islands of the Allahein River.

The scenery varies from mangroves to open mud flats where the banks are full of oyster. Monkeys and varied bird life can be spotted from this peaceful area. Local fishermen can often be seen digging for mussels in the mud or collecting oysters from the mangroves. After about two hours cruising we will stop for lunch.

On the return journey we will drive close to the beach before arriving at your various hotels.

Contact details and Reservations:

Luigis Complex for the best Gambian self-catering apartments, serviced flats, beachside accommodation, bed and breakfast, restaurant and eco-tourism excursions.
Relax and enjoy your Gambia Holidays with us!
info@luigiscomplex.com
www.luigis.gm/
Tel +220 4460280

Gambia Excursions

For the more adventurous, there is plenty to see and do! We have written about some of the available tours, and if you are travelling independently you can also book direct with the tour operator.

Excursions may differ, as each operator has their own version of these tours. For your safety, book your tour with a fully licensed and insured company.

The following companies are members of The TTAG which is your guarantee that they are fully insured and licensed: Gambia Tours, West African Tours, Gambia River Excursions, Jane’s Boats.

Orientation Tour
Is an all inclusive tour giving you a one day tour, touching on the life and culture of the Gambian people. The first stop of the day is at Katchikally Crocodile pool. You will visit the museum and have a chance to get really close up to these unique reptiles. And you can actually stroke these crocodiles if you dare!

Our next port of call is the Dye and Batik Factory in Serrekunda, see how the work is done and buy the materials at a very good price if you so wish! After visiting the Batik factory you will be driven through the busy Serrekunda market and on to a local school where you will meet the children in their classrooms and look at the educational system.

Next stop is the City of Banjul, the capital of The Gambia. Banjul is situated on St Marys Island, as you drive our guide will tell you some of the history of Banjul and the way independence was gained back in the 60's, you will pass by Arch 22, which is a symbol of the second republic of the Gambia.

You will stop for a short visit to the National Museum before proceeding on to the busiest markets in the country, Albert Market. Here you can visit the food, vegetable and fish market and also the material & craft market. This is a truly excellent experience as it gives you a blend of all the different aspects of Gambian life. Arts, crafts and materials can be bought at a very reasonable price if you are willing to bargain for it!

From here you will return to Denton bridge for a leisurely cruise along the oyster creek, on board a traditional style pirogue with a sundeck to Lamin Lodge. Lunch is served on board as you cruise, giving you a chance to relax and soak up some of the Gambian sun. Upon arrival at Lamin Lodge some tribal groups will entertain you with dancing and music and you can take some refreshments.

Our final port of call is Kim Kombo plantation and distillery, which produces liqueurs from the local fruits grown on the plantation. After a short guided tour you will have the chance to sample some of the liqueurs and you will be able to purchase the bottles of your choice, they make a great gift for friends and family back home. New for 2010, is a display of solar cooking and fruit drying.

Do remember to pack Liquids in your luggage and not in your hand bags.

• More Excursions to The Gambia
• Abuko Nature Reserve
• Banjul Highlights
• Circle Of Life
• Creek Fishing
• Four Wheel Drive
• Home Cooking Course
• Janjangbureh
• Lazy Day Cruise
• Makasutu By Night
• Makasutu Nature Forest
• Roots Heritage Tour
• Senegal Adventure
• South Gambia Experience
• A Taste of Kombo
• Wake Up With The Birds
  

Contact details and Reservations:Luigis Complex for the best Gambian self-catering apartments, serviced flats, beachside accommodation, bed and breakfast, restaurant and eco-tourism excursions.
Relax and enjoy your Gambia Holidays with us!
info@luigiscomplex.com
www.luigis.gm/
Tel +220 4460280