Bakotu Hotel

   Classic Collection

The Gambia  |  Kotu

Lowest price package
Sun 12 Jan 2025

£940(from/pp) SAVE £145pp

Book This  7 nights | based on 2 sharing
Mon 16 Dec 2024
Next departure

£1069(from/pp) SAVE £20pp

Book This  7 nights | based on 2 sharing
 

Bakotu is a delightful, family-run small hotel which is particularly popular with ornithologists and nature lovers. Megan McCubbin will be leading a group based here in January 2025 - call for further information or visit our birdwatching page.



Our Expert Opinion

"Bakotu provides a tranquil haven, great for relaxation, and is only a short walk to the beach. The perfect option for birdwatchers with the viewing platform overlooking Kotu stream."

- Paige, Reservations

 

What we love

  • The nature walk and bird deck that overlooks Kotu stream.
  • The variety of food and restaurants, from simple Gambian cuisine at Boss Lady, to à la carte dining experiences at Captain’s Table.

Good to know

  • Recent renovations include the reception area, the main Baobab restaurant and one-bedroom apartments.
  • A safe, fan or fridge can be pre-booked on request for a supplement.

 

Wildlife on your doorstep

Defined by its tranquillity and friendly atmosphere, Bakotu Hotel is a firm favourite, offering a haven in the heart of bustling Kotu. While the hotel is a well-kept secret to many, Chris Packham has certainly discovered the serenity of Bakotu Hotel and stays here whenever he visits The Gambia.

The emphasis at Bakotu Hotel is on relaxation, so you won’t find any loud music or organised pool games here. It's set back from Kotu Beach, which is easily accessible, but still enjoys beautiful natural surroundings. At the back of the hotel, a large decked area set beneath towering trees overlooks Kotu Stream, where you can observe green monkeys, monitor lizards and over 50 species of bird.

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Guest rooms amongst the gardens

The simply furnished yet comfortable rooms are located in largely single-storey bungalows throughout the tropical gardens. A limited number of standard rooms have air-conditioning which is available at a supplement; these can be booked in advance, exclusively by Gambia Experience guests, to ensure availability.

Dining at Bakotu

Captain's Table, the hotel's à la carte restaurant, enjoys a good reputation for evening dining. There's also a pool bar, plus a second restaurant adding to the increased choice of places to eat in the area. For those booking half board, the package is flexible with the option to dine at Boss Lady, serving Gambian specials, plus a weekly meal at Captain’s Table in addition to the standard buffet dinners.

Explore the local area

Kombo Beach and Bungalow Beach hotel restaurants are nearby, plus a couple of further beach bars, and although Kotu is becoming a busier area, it remains quiet in comparison to the nearby resort of Kololi. There’s a small craft market across the road selling traditional handmade souvenirs, which also leads through to the sandy beach.

How about some birdwatching?

This hotel is the base for our celebrity birding tours. You can book a private day out spotting a host of bird life with our recommended local guide - find out more about our Birdwatching Holidays.

 

Hotel facilities

  • Swimming pool with sun terrace
  • Attractive tropical gardens with nature walk
  • Minimarket
  • Pool bar 
  • Wi-Fi in bar, reception and pool areas (connection may be erratic)
  • Beauty parlour (payable locally)
  • *Limited safety deposit boxes in reception (payable locally)
  • Birdwatching deck
  • 80 rooms
  • Please note that pool towels are not provided

Room Facilities

  • Twins and doubles
  • Two and/or three-pin sockets
  • *Fridge - on request (payable locally)
  • *Fans (payable locally)
  • Terrace
  • Air-conditioned and family rooms (available at a supplement)

* It's possible to book and pay for these items in advance directly with the hotel to ensure availability - requests are not guaranteed due to limited supply.

Activities

  • The hotel provides a peaceful sanctuary for those looking for a relaxing holiday; there's no loud music or organised pool games, with perhaps only the occasional visit by local cultural entertainers.

Cuisine Information

  • Baobab Restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and table d'hôte dinner  
  • Continental breakfast served to your table or a hot breakfast dish
  • Snacks, brunch and lunch at pool bar
  • Captain's Table à la carte restaurant
  • Boss Lady traditional Gambian restaurant (currently closed) 
  • Room Service: Available
  • Flexible half board package: based in the Baobab Restaurant, guests can choose lunch or dinner or swap to eat at Boss Lady

​Location

  • Beach: 100m
  • Restaurants: Resort of Kotu
  • Transfers: 45 minutes

Rooms at Bakotu Hotel

Standard Room

From £940pp

Sleeps up to 3 

   

  More Information

Air Conditioned Room

From £996pp

Sleeps up to 3 

   

  More Information

Family Room

From £940pp

Sleeps up to 5 (3 adults)

   

  More Information

One Bedroom Apartment

From £1,129pp

Sleeps up to 4 

   

  More Information

Hotel & Local Restaurants

Opening dates are subject to change and beyond our control.

Hotel

Tempting dishes at Bakotu restaurants

Baobab Restaurant

Gambian/International Cuisine

OPEN END OCT - APR

More information

Hotel

One of the restaurants at Bakotu Hotel

Boss Lady

Gambian Restaurant/Café

OPEN NOV - APR

More information

Hotel

Captain's Table a la carte restaurant, Hotel Bakotu

Captain's Table

International Cuisine

OPEN NOV - APR

More information

South Kotu

Luigi's

Italian Cuisine

OPEN AUG - MAY

More information

South Kotu

Shiraz

Lebanese Cuisine

OPEN YEAR ROUND
(excluding Sundays)

More information

 

About the Local Area (Kotu)

This is a resort area that has developed over the past few years with some new bars and restaurants now open in winter, in addition to hotel restaurants which are open to the public.

Kotu boasts some popular hotels, with Kombo Beach dominating the beachfront. There is also the quieter charm of Bakotu and the beautiful gardens of Bungalow Beach Aparthotel. The area also has a busy and boisterous craft market in which you can find batiks and all manner of superb wood carvings. Kotu has a number of good restaurants including the excellent Sailor's local restaurant which is along the beach. There is also a golf course nearby.

Beaches

A wide, sandy beach which is fairly flat and ideal for families, although not a very deep beach in terms of distance to the ocean. The area outside the Sunset Beach can change quite dramatically depending on the direction of the Kotu stream.