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leokat
United Kingdom
123 Posts |
 Posted - 05 Nov 2008 : 10:38:53
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quote:
Originally posted by turk
West africa does not have good beaches unlike east africa. I heard Tanzania have very good beach and country side and cheaper.
Tanzania cheaper than West Africa? who do I book with |
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 05 Nov 2008 : 20:16:34
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leo
I am not sure what are the options from uk. personally i don't like package tours. I would get a flight. Get some info about accommodation from the internet. In gambia staying one place may make sense as it is small country. but tanzania is huge. I would consider renting car or staying different places. backbag/budget tourism is the best option. British air, klm, emirates, swiss fly to there. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2008 : 04:11:58
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Tanzania cheaper than the more expencive Gambia ummm interesting and I bet you dont get penalised on the flight if you want to stay for an exstended periode not like gambia
Thats the way I do it as well Turk |
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leokat
United Kingdom
123 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2008 : 11:26:39
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Thanks Turk.
For some reason I always thought Tanzania was an expensive African option but having done a bit of research I can see I was wrong. The flights seem very cheap.
I had been considering Kenya but have heard that most of the organised stuff is pretty comercialised.
I have no probs putting my own itinerary together and only go 'package' to The Gambia because of The Gambia Experience's monopoly which means that packages from the UK are normally much cheaper than 'flight only', though I have had some success in the past.
Yes The Gambia can be an expensive option. Especially if one is not prepared to haggle. It can also be very difficult for first time visitors to put money into the local economy as many of the hotels and restaurants are owned by 'outsiders.' If one makes friends or takes on a guide/driver one will inevitably be directed to the restaurants and gift shops etc owned by friends of your friends, not neccessarily the ones serving the best/ most authentic food or best prices.
Now that I have become a regular visitor to The Gambia I find it a very cheap option. My friends all know that I am not well off (though I think not all believe it). They know that I expect them to shop for me at the markets and get local prices. I always get them to buy my water and soft drinks at the local price and agree in advance how much is fair for them to cream off me in profit. I eat at the homes of my friends or in local eateries. I could stay with any one of several families but usually choose either a reasonably priced hotel or a cheap apartment (£40 per week would get me a pretty good one in a good location).
Then there's the free stuff: the free reggae night every Sunday, the fruit, juice, and meals the rastas share with me at the beach. My friends also text me regularly, write to me and send me jewelery and other small gifts. One of my daughter's friends even memorably travelled from Banjul to Kotu on election day in September 2006 (no easy feat) in order to give me a gift she'd had made for my daughter.
Yes of course we do what we can in return, and sometimes it feels like the demands on our resources are too great. But hey I cannot think of another place on earth where I would be so warmly welcomed or feel so totally myself. |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2008 : 14:37:54
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leokat, thank you for your words they made me smile, it can be cheap once you get there and have your own little group of friends. Asyou say" they know you are not rich" but to bring gifts each trip helps.
I have not met up with the rastas in Gambia yet, my main contact was my friend Jay who has sadly passed, but I have heard that it is a chilled out evening.
AH SMILE  
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turk
USA
3356 Posts |
Posted - 06 Nov 2008 : 22:01:19
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quote:
I had been considering Kenya but have heard that most of the organised stuff is pretty comercialised.
Gambia is becaming same. Going to senegambia and around is not much attractive anymore. Beach is below avarage. No natural beauty. No historical value. No safari type of setting. It is culture and people that attracks people. However, that is going away to as increasing number of bumsters and the treatement of tourists as $$$ in touristic areas not so much attractive to go gambia for ordinary tourist. The only option going to country side or east.
I heard tanzania is unexpored and not so much touristy. Beaches are much better. They speak english too. It would be different experience. Real taste of africa.
I heard Zanzibar is more tourist place but as tanzania is too big you have more alternatives. |
diaspora! Too many Chiefs and Very Few Indians.
Halifa Salah: PDOIS is however realistic. It is fully aware that the Gambian voters are yet to reach a level of political consciousness that they rely on to vote on the basis of Principles, policies and programmes and practices. |
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 07 Nov 2008 : 21:21:28
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| Tanzania is very popular with European travelers. |
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admin
130 Posts |
Posted - 24 Nov 2008 : 21:38:35
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Reply author: snuggels
Replied on: 14 Nov 2008 18:55:58
Message:
HIZ
"I only pay £25 per week for an appartment"
Snuggles there are many places to stay at those prices even cheaper. I am not an estate agent. I suggest if people are genuinely interested in cheaper alternatives they either Google or use similar search engines or do what and many other travellers do get off our butts and seek out better options.
Theres a newish build almost opposite the strip a 2 beds £35 a week for long stays theres loads of places near Palma rima."
HIZ
If i could find a place at the prices you quote I WOULD DEFINATELY stay longer So if would kindly or any body else please supply the contact information for the appartments at Senegambia at the prices as quoted or in Kololi Kuto,Fagara I would appriciate it. Cos I cant find anything on Google Thanks in advance
Reply author: snuggels
Replied on: 22 Nov 2008 16:50:15
Message:
HIZ
"Theres a newish build almost opposite the strip a 2 beds £35 a week for long stays theres loads of places near Palma rima.
I find it hard to believe that a returnee would have problems seeking either apartments or compounds at realistic prices."
Maybe Im doing something wrong. But I have spent hours on the net and cant find anywhere at the prices that you have quoted or cheaper. All I can find are the major hotels. Which for long term is not pratical.
Could you be more specific as to where these appartments are opposite the strip are they dead opposite the strip or are they to the right near the English Bar or to the left just down the road to Kololi on the right where the taxi,s park. Thanks
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Hiz Princess
United Kingdom
464 Posts |
Posted - 06 Dec 2008 : 21:31:14
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Snuggles did you not see Sonyas offers on GambiaZone?? she has some great deals why not contact her.
The apartments are across the road from the strip along the right past a bar that has barbecues at the weekend cant remember its name. Theres now some new penthouses built on the left just before the strip they have studio flats cheaper for longer lets and a communal pool
Contact Amsterdam dolphin they've to places in the compound next door again really cheap. Theres loads of compounds in Lamin. Google big tree houses I think its called they start @ £35 a week high season for a two bed. |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 10 Dec 2008 : 10:56:26
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Thanks for the info Hiz.
As I could,nt find anything on the net I had friends in Gambia find a place for me So Im going back for 10 weeks in February.
At the moment Im in Thailand until then.
I got caught up with the canceled flights to Bangkok and as I had accomodation booked for 10 weeks I had to make my own way here. So I flew to Kuwait then to Manilla in the phillipeans then on to Karla Lumpu Im Malaysia then a 10 hour taxi drive to the Thai border then a 12 hour bus ride to Bangkok From check in at Heathrow I was traveling for 60 What a trip!!! |
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