Celluloid Diaries: Gambia day 1: Boat trips, forest walks, and eco-lodges

Friday, November 7, 2014

Gambia day 1: Boat trips, forest walks, and eco-lodges

african street art

If there’s one country that took my breath away this year, it was The Gambia. As soon as I left the airport of Banjul, my eyes were darting everywhere, from the colorfully-dressed locals selling fruit and vegetables on decrepit outdoor tables to the many goats and stray dogs that roam the Gambian streets as they please. All houses seem abandoned. Everyone lives and works on the dusty roads.

kembujeh
baobab cultural center
children in gambia
stray dog in gambia
mandina bolong boat trip
swimming children

Boat trip

My first day in The Gambia started in the Baobab Cultural Centre in Kembujeh from where we started the exploration of the tropical 1000-acre reserve Makasutu.

A dugout canoe took us along the river Mandina Bolong. Of all the excursions I’ve done in The Gambia, this boat trip was one of my favorites. Surrounded by mangroves, locals come here for fishing and collecting oysters. If you look well, you can still spot the oysters glued to the branches just above the water. From here, they are transported to oyster camps for processing.

The canoe took us to Base Camp where we had a drink near the elephant-shaped swimming pool, and climbed the lookout point offering an impressive view over the Mandina Bolong. Every Wednesday and Saturday, locals entertain the tourists with drumming and dancing.

makasutu base camp
makasutu base camp
makasutu cultural forest
goats

Forest walk

Starting at Base Camp, we went for a trek through the Makasutu Cultural Forest where our guide told us about the history of the area and the medicinal properties of the local trees.

Halfway across the forest, we met a local palm reader who lives in a small hut and dresses like Jay Z. His fortune telling skills were a bit dubious, but it was definitely a funny experience. He studied my palm through a mirror and babbled in a local dialect that was then translated by our guide. It went like this: “I can see that you are not married.” (I don’t wear a ring), “I can see that you are a foreigner and that you are here with a group.” (Evidently the palm reader can see through those Jay Z sunglasses), “Everything is very easy for you and you immediately get what you want.” (I wish), “There is no darkness in your life and you will live long and be very happy.” You get the picture.

mandina river lodges
mandina river lodges gambia
mandina lodges
mandina lodges gambia

Mandina Lodges

After the forest walk, we had lunch at the world-famous Mandina River Lodges. Either built on stilts or floating on water, the lodges offer breathtaking views on the mangroves and the Mandina Bolong. They are definitely a must-see. Even the inside of the lodges are amongst the most superb and chic you’ll find in The Gambia. If you’re lucky, you’ll also spot a few baboons here and there. The Mandina Lodges were mentioned in the book 1001 Escapes To Make Before You Die, a guide for those in search of the world’s most unusual and beautiful places.

baboons in gambia

Baboons

Later, as we were winding our way through the forest towards our next destination, the Tumani Tenda Camp, we came across a large troop of baboons. Some were sitting in the trees, but most were foraging the forest floor or grooming each other to eliminate insects and dead skin. Baboons can cause quite some havoc in hotels as they love to steal anything from shampoo to food, but in their natural habitat they were rather quiet and easily approachable.

tumani tenda camp
tumani tenda camp
jolla village
jolla village gambia
tumani tenda village

Tumani Tenda Camp

A few minutes later, we arrived at Tumani Tenda Camp, named after the peanut picker Tumani and the Tenda riverbank.

If you want to experience the authentic African way of life, then Tumani Tenda Camp is the place to be. The lodges offered for rent are entirely made with local materials and workmen and are extremely primitive – small, with no decoration whatsoever, and only a handmade bed and cupboard to fulfill the most basic of all needs. Both shower and toilet are communal. Comfort is a far cry in the Tumani Tenda Camp, but you’ll have a good idea of what it’s like to live rural Gambian style. Luckily, various activities are on offer, including fishing lessons, bird watching, boat trips, oyster collection, a history talk, beekeeping, tree planting, and more.

However, the greatest thing about Tumani Tenda Camp is that the profit from staying in these lodges will go back to the community (the Jolla village with approximately 300 inhabitants). The idea is to be responsible and self-sustainable, to escape the extreme poverty that reigns over The Gambia. The villagers that don't work in the lodges provide food through farming and fishing.

lamin lodge
lamin lodge boats
lamin creek gambia
lamin bolong gambia
lamin bolong

Lamin Lodge 

Our next stop was the Lamin Lodge, a three-storey structure built on poles at the head of Lamin Bolong. We started with a drink at the top level of the lodge, from where we had an excellent view over the nearby creek.

Afterwards, a dugout canoe rowed us through the mangroves to watch the sunset and to spot the many Gambian birds.

We ended our first day in The Gambia with a visit of the Ocean Bay Hotel & Resort, a five-star luxury hotel located in the heart of Cape Point-Bakau. The best parts of Ocean Bay: the photographic view of the Atlantic Ocean and the River Gambia, its excellent dining facilities, and many recreational activities and services.

Disclaimer: This trip was sponsored by Visit The Gambia, Bamboo Hotel, and SN Brussels Airlines. The opinions are my own.
 

38 comments:

  1. Wow, what an adventure! That lodge is impressive. Like the lookout tower. That really was an elephant-shaped pool.

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  2. Fantastic pictures. Looks like an amazing place to visit.

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  3. Wow this must have been so amazing!! I would love to visit Gambia someday :)

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  4. This trip was truly a feast for the eyes. I had to look at all the photos. You must have had a great time.

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  5. Oh wow, such amazing pictures! This sounds like quite a trip, and experience. And the palm reader sounds like a hoot :)

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  6. Oh, wow! What amazing pictures of what had to be an amazing adventure!

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  7. Yes, indeed, wonderful compositions to remember! Beautiful photos with the colors of Africa!

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  8. Yes, indeed, wonderful compositions to remember! Beautiful photos with the colors of Africa!

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  9. You took fabulous pictures! One of the things living in an African country has taught me is a different pace of life. Everything's slow and easy...especially slow. lol

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  10. An amazing trip! Looking forward to your next post and more photos! You mention stray dogs but you KNOW my next question . . . .

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  11. Each photo is breathtaking, in and of itself. You captured the spirit and emotions of the scenes. I'm embarrassed to say that I'd never heard of The Gambia. All the more reason I'm glad for this post. Thank you. It looks a bit like Costa Rica - beautiful terrain and people.

    Be well, Vanessa.
    You're so sweet and generous to have sent me treats. =) xo

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  12. What a cool trip to take. Interesting life experience. Funny on the fortune teller. Following you on GFC.

    Deedee

    http://madeupgirl-madeupgirl.blogspot.com/

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  13. Goh, wat een heerlijke trip heb jij gehad, en wat en schitterende foto's bracht je er van mee... bedankt om dit met ons te delen, heerlijk...

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  14. Hi Vanessa - that's great and what a wonderful opportunity - the trip sounds amazing and as you say so vibrant ... I love the emotions you've capture on people's faces or the groups - as well as all the images ...

    Reminds me somewhat of Southern Africa ... and the Okavango Basin ... that I was very lucky to visit a few times ... Namibia is so colourful too ... cheers Hilary

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  15. That is quite a trip and you have documented well!

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  16. Wow, what an adventure. Your photos are excellent and tell a story. I enjoyed thes post very much.

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  17. Oh wow!!! I absolutely love these photos! Just stunning!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  18. Afrika, een mooi continent. In dit land ben ik nog niet geweest. Ben blij hier mee te kunnen genieten van je prachtige trip.

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  19. This is goooorgeous. I love all your photos! How amazing to go to Gambia though. ^-^ I've been to China and realised I really quite adore travelling...although, I love my own bed so so much. Hehe. Still! The experience! Amazing.
    Thanks for stopping by @ Notebook Sisters!

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  20. Oh wow! I've always wanted to visit Africa (particularly Kenya) but I definitely think I need to add The Gambia onto that as well haha! It sounds absolutely amazing and I'm so glad you shared all your favourite places and tips too!
    Have a great week!
    xo April

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  21. Lovely photos girl!! Amazing post!
    Thanks for dropping by my blog!
    I followed you on G+ and GFC. Keep in touch!! xx

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  22. Wow, what an amazing trip and what amazing pictures! Thank you for sharing all of this!

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  23. Wat een mooi reisverslag, Vanessa. We zijn helemaal verliefd op de geitjes...én de waarzegger...MOL :D Op naar dag 2. Tot zo :) <3

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