Volcanic Ash Disruption - update 9.00am, Monday 21st June 2010

All flights are now operating as scheduled.

We would like to thank our all our customers for their patience and understanding through-out this challenging period and hope that we have the pleasure of welcoming you back to The Gambia at some time in the future.

Customer Feedback

Below is some of the feedback we have received from guests who were affected by the Volcanic Ash disruption.

"Just a note to say a very big thank you for our superb holiday to Senegal and for looking after us so well during our 'extended stay'!! Finally arrived at Gatwick last night and have only praise for the way we were treated by your staff. Everyone from Jacko in Senegal, Yamar our guide on tour and finally Karamo in the Gambia were fantastic. Our unscheduled stay at Ngala lodge was very restful, especially during a time of uncertainty and much appreciated.
We shall certainly travel again with yourselves and will recommend you to others thinking of travelling to West Africa, hopefully next time volcanic ash will not be part of the itinerary! Thank you once again."

Robin and Sue Abraham

"There is no need to reply. But we have just returned after our holiday (Kairaba Hotel) was extended due to the volcano and we want to thank you for your care and attention. You provided us with first class accommodation and made sure we got back to the right airport (Manchester by bus) You obviously performed much better than many other tour operators and we will sing your praises. We were very impressed and grateful. Your rep Jatta managed to stay cheerful and helpful in spite of the problems. Thank you all."

Patricia Edney

"We stayed at Kombo Beach Hotel from 13 - 20 April (officially) but had to stay until 23rd due to the flight disruptions. I would like to congratulate you on the excellent way you handled this unprecedented situation - it was very professional and the rep (LT) was excellent at keeping us informed - the hotel was very hospitable and at no time did we feel abandoned. Well done we will certainly be recommending you to everyone we meet!!"

Lesley Miller

"This is just to say thank you for looking after us during the recent flight delays. We were already in The Gambia when the flights were grounded and our visit was seamlessly extended until Monarch was able to fly again. We were especially appreciative of the Gambia Experience staff in The Gambia who made us so welcome. Thank you also for refunding the Premium supplement so quickly as the rescue plane had no Premium accommodation. We very much enjoyed our trip. Please extend our appreciation to the Gambian Staff."

Kate & Jeff Phillips

"When the news broke on Thursday15th about the ash problem I was kept fully updated and constantly reassured that GE would cover hotel expenses. Your whole staff could not have been more helpful. On Tuesday 13 I was moved to Kombo Beach on full board , presumably to keep us all together and to reduce costs as you own the hotel. The transfer was handled wonderfully by Lamin. Within 75 minutes of being told of the move I was unpacking in my new room. Couldn't have been done better!! And a lovely hotel!! When flights resumed it quickly became obvious that Monarch were getting people back a lot better than Thomas Cook who I was booked with and yesterday Lamin broke the news to me that I would have to fly back to Gatwick as there was no confirmed Manchester flight. Forcible repatriation!! but something that was obviously the right decision. Again, handled brilliantly. Lamin rang me at about 11.15 to tell me this news (I had been offered it as an option earlier that morning but declined) and by 14.00 I was sitting in the outdoor cafe at the airport!! He even got me an extra leg room seat at no extra cost ( should I have told you that?? don't get him in trouble!). No coach transfer from Gatwick to Manchester late at night is going to be a pleasant experience but yet again it was handle extremely efficiently. Your rep at Gatwick told us we would be in Manchester at 04.30 and so we were."

Bob Mackenzie

"I just wanted to feedback how impressed my customers were with how they were treated by the Gambia Experience throughout the volcano problems. They were upgraded to full board and received some free drinks. Constantly informed with updates."

With thanks, Karen (Travel Agent, Sunshine Travel, Wiltshire)

"Thank you for all the information you put on your web site during the Volcano problems, we were due to return to The Gambia on 16th and have felt involved with all developments. Thanks and well done."

Susan Joof

"My wife and I have just returned from a holiday at the atlantic hotel. We were caught up in the travel disruption caused by the volcano in iceland and I felt I had to write to say how well we were looked after. From the start we were treated fairly and not only allowed to keep our room but also upgraded to half board. Our rep met us each day with updates and even contacted us on our mobile. After three days we were moved to a similar hotel (Kombo) and once again were provided with an excellent room overlooking the ocean and also transferred to full board. When we were finally able to get a flight the coach arrived at the promised time and all arrangements were very smooth. Thankyou Gambia Experience for making the hole experience so easy and also for giving us such a wonderful holiday we will have no hesitation in recommending your company and look forward to using you again in the future."

Kevin Emby