At The Gambia Experience, we truly believe that the best advice comes from first-hand experience. That’s why our team regularly travels to The Gambia on educational trips.
Our educational trips are not just to meet our local partners and inspect hotels, but to experience the destination exactly as our customers do. On a recent work trip, Karen, our Product Manager for The Gambia, found time between meetings to briefly enjoy some of those very experiences we recommend to our guests. From wildlife encounters to beautiful beach moments and unforgettable sunsets, here’s a glimpse of The Gambia through expert eyes.
Sunshine, sea breezes and perfect evenings
The weather couldn’t have been better. At this time of year, The Gambia brings hot, sunny days without the humidity. Cooler, comfortable evenings make it an ideal time for al-fresco dining and sunset drinks. It’s the kind of climate that lets you fully relax into the rhythm of the destination.
Beach life: pure relaxation
The Gambian coastline never disappoints. Long stretches of golden sand, gently swaying palm trees and the constant soundtrack of the Atlantic waves make it hard not to slow down and switch off. While the sea and pools were a little cooler than earlier in the season, the water was wonderfully refreshing, just perfect after a day in the sun (or meetings in this case!)
Discover a beach holiday in The Gambia.
Wildlife moments you don’t forget.
One of the most memorable experiences was the vulture feeding event at the Senegambia area. Taking place daily at 11.30 am, it’s a fascinating (and free) display as vultures gather alongside hawks, swooping in to take food on the wing. As if that wasn’t enough, a visiting troop of Red Colobus monkeys from nearby Bijilo Forest made a surprise appearance, adding even more magic to the moment.
Another highlight was a peaceful boat trip through the mangrove-lined creeks. With the river completely to ourselves apart from the odd fisherman, we spotted crocodiles basking on the banks, a mongoose darting through the undergrowth, and an incredible variety of birdlife, including pied kingfishers, osprey, pelicans, herons and wading birds.
The trip ended with a freshly prepared lunch, quite literally caught that morning! There was a slight delay while the fish was unloaded from the boat, but it was well worth the wait: fish, lobster and tiger prawns cooked to perfection.
On the return journey, we stopped at Tanji village just as the sun began to set. Watching the organised chaos of the fish market, boats arriving, buckets balanced on heads and carried through the waves, was a powerful and unforgettable insight into daily Gambian life.
Find out more about our excursions and wildlife experiences.
Sunset at Tanji Fishing Village.
A boat trip on a River Pirogue
A variety of hotel experiences
Experiencing a range of accommodation is a vital part of our educational trips, and this visit offered several standout stays, along with visits to several properties, including checking out the new swim-up rooms at Kombo Beach Hotel and the fabulous, new-look Palm Beach Hotel, due to open shortly:
Ngala Lodge – Stunning, ocean views and total comfort from a Macondo Suite, paired with excellent service and fine dining.
The Kairaba – Set within beautiful, tranquil gardens just steps from the bustling resort of Kololi, making it a fantastic base. Breakfasts were a highlight, with freshly cooked pancakes and omelettes each morning.
Kololi Sands – A contemporary apartment complex with a pool terrace facing the ocean, ideal for a sundowner while watching the sunset. Its location made it easy to stroll out for dinner in the evening.
View from the Macondo Suite at Ngala Lodge.
Sunset over the pool and beach at African Princess Beach Hotel.
Dining out: from fine dining to family kitchens
The Gambia continues to impress when it comes to food. From elegant meals at Ngala Lodge to relaxed, open-air dining at favourites like El Sol and Scala restaurants in Kololi, the quality and value were consistently excellent.
One particularly special evening was spent with a local Gambian family, enjoying an authentic home-cooked menu of shrimps in garlic and chicken domoda, a rich, comforting peanut-based stew that’s a national favourite.
Flying Star Class: A holiday feeling from the start
The week ended in style, flying in Star Class, where both the food and service really elevate the flying experience. A delicious superfood and roasted vegetable salad was followed by a rich beef curry, rounded off perfectly with a chocolate brownie garnished with figs and Chinese gooseberry. All enjoyed, of course, with a glass (or two!) of complimentary Prosecco. Whilst the outbound flight in economy also saw good service with an included light meal and soft drinks, Star Class really offers a relaxed, comfortable experience which is highly recommended.
Find out more about our flights with Ascend Airways.
Star Gold meal with Ascend Airways.
Why we love The Gambia
As Karen puts it:
“It was great to be back in The Gambia — my first but not last trip of 2026. I can never get enough of the fabulous wildlife, climate and great value restaurants, along with the warm welcome that always greets me. And nothing beats an African sunset with a G&T in hand!”
This is exactly why we’re so passionate about The Gambia. We don’t just sell holidays here, we know the destination, the people and the experiences because we’ve lived them ourselves. When you book a package holiday to The Gambia with us, you’re benefiting from genuine expertise, personal insight and a true love for this incredible country.
