16 November 2006 - The Times - Tony Dawe
What is the appeal of The Gambia as a holiday destination? A tiny, flat country with no strong historical associations with Britain, wedged between war-torn West African nations, it seems an unlikely place to choose for a holiday.
Yet thousands of Britons head there every year and The Gambia Experience, the company that has done much to promote tourism to the country, has been so successful that it has swallowed up operators specialising in more familiar European hotspots. The reasons are simple: The Gambia is a six-hour flight away, in the same time zone with no jet lag, and offers temperatures averaging 31C all year round, vast golden beaches, friendly English-speaking locals and a vibrant African culture.
From next month, The Gambia will become even more accessible, with new weekly flights from Bournemouth and Leeds Bradford, to add to those from Gatwick and a half-dozen regional airports. Although regularly offering low-cost late deals, The Gambia Experience’s portfolio includes The Luxury Collection, with such new additions for the coming season as Jungle Lodges at the award-winning Makasutu and additional Atlantic Suites at the former colonial mansion, Ngala Lodge.
One of the current stars of this collection is The Kairaba, a hotel with excellent facilities, a relaxed atmosphere and a prime location beside Kololi Beach. Most of the rooms form a horseshoe with views towards the ocean and beach over the landscaped gardens and large pool.
Travelocity offers a week’s B&B at the five-star hotel from £599, with flights from Gatwick on November 24 and 28. The same deal with The Gambia Experience, with flights from Bristol and Nottingham East Midlands on December 1, is from £544.
The specialist company also has an early December offering to Ngala Lodge, on a clifftop overlooking a secluded beach, pool and gardens. A week’s B&B from December 8 costs from £634 with a flight from Gatwick. Among packages to three-star hotels is a week’s B&B from November 28 at Kombo Beach Hotel, beside the sea in the Kotu resort area. It costs from £445 with a flight from Gatwick on November 28 — and from £554 for a fortnight’s stay.
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