Poised high above a quiet and scenic cove, on a series of burnished cliffs overlooking the expanse of the Atlantic Ocean, adult-only Ngala Lodge is a unique and alluring boutique hotel.
Our Guest's Opinion
"Friendliness of staff, quality of rooms, quirky character of beautiful gardens. Stunning cliff top location. Peace and quiet. Five stars with a homely feel."
- Mrs French
What we love
- Everything! This hotel repeatedly wins the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award, consistently ranking as the number one place to stay in The Gambia.
- The eclectic mix of art and sculpture, found within the suites, along with models of cows, penguins and hippos in the garden!
Good to know
- If you’re celebrating a special occasion, these are easily catered for, be it a romantic dinner in the gardens or a celebratory cake. Ngala Lodge is also currently offering a free Romantic Package that includes a dinner for two, a bottle of sparkling wine and two 30-minute massages (call to book).
- A mobile phone is provided for internal use in all the suites.
Discover tranquillity throughout the grounds
Blessed by attentive yet relaxed service, along with impressive individuality and wonderful features waiting to be discovered throughout the hotel grounds, it’s impossible not to fall in love with this remarkable oasis of serenity and beauty. Award-winning Ngala Lodge is situated between the coastal resorts of Bakau and Fajara, and over the years, it has gained a well-deserved reputation for excellent standards and service. As a child-free property, the palm-filled tropical gardens remain peaceful throughout the day, with ample space to find your own secluded spot in which to enjoy a relaxing drink and your favourite book. Plus, you’ll discover several bird feeding points dotted throughout the grounds, to ensure that local wildlife can also easily be enjoyed.
Further to the stunning gardens, allow yourself to be enticed by the beachside decking area or the two inviting swimming pools, including an infinity pool that seems to merge with the Atlantic Ocean, providing the perfect place for a refreshing dip in the afternoon sunshine.
The perfect night’s sleep
You’ll soon discover that each Suite at Ngala is unique, cool and spacious, with several impressive room options available, most boasting superb ocean views across the gently sloping lawns.
The main building of Ngala Lodge was formerly a colonial mansion and houses the 10 original Suites over two floors, some having their own private garden area. Peter, the proud owner, has gradually added a variety of different Suites to provide holiday-makers with even more choice and luxury, however retaining the sense of space and intimacy. Every suite is completely unique, extremely comfortable and spacious, with many individual features, such as a small library of reading material, designed to make guests feel very much at home. A range of beauty treatments and massages can be arranged in the comfort of your suite on request.
The most recent Suite additions are the Macondo sea view Suites, three complete with private plunge pool to rival the best rooms in The Gambia; these were added in 2015, along with the stunning infinity pool which they overlook, when Ngala celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Soak up the sunshine from a sandy cove
The tidal beach at Ngala is an attractive, sandy cove which can be reached via steep steps - a great spot for fishing or for enjoying a romantic stroll at low tide. A raised wooden decking area, complete with sunloungers and parasols, allows guests to enjoy the beachfront location at high tide too - ideal for soaking up the warm African sunshine and enjoying the sound of the waves hitting the golden sand. This is also a wonderful spot to enjoy a romantic evening drink whilst watching the sun set on the Atlantic horizon.
An exceptional dining experience awaits
One of the most enticing features of any stay at Ngala Lodge can be found in sampling the delicious dishes dreamt up by the chef team in the renowned on-site restaurant. The elevated restaurant, led by Head Chef, Assan, and developed by English chef, Jonathan Groves, serves excellent food with daily specials, along with an extensive wine list to complement your meal.
With its new cocktail bar making the most of the stunning vistas, sunsets here can be experienced as never before, and within the restaurant itself you can now observe the chefs at work as your meal is prepared. In addition to the breath-taking setting, low-key entertainment, including a weekly African night with dancers, creates an inviting atmosphere.
Due to the quality and range of dishes on offer, a high proportion of our clients choose to stay on a half board basis, which constitutes a table d'hôte menu with the option to eat à la carte (a small number of dishes will be at a supplement).
Ngala Lodge continues to deserve its well-established reputation for high standards and excellent, friendly service. It’s a property that is extremely popular with returning guests (so early booking is recommended) and continues to score very highly on our customer questionnaires and with FEEFO, an independent review body. Ideally suited to couples looking for peace and quiet or a romantic break, this 'piece of paradise' also serves as a memorable honeymoon destination, and is also perfect when combined with one or more of our unique properties.
Official local hotel rating: 5 star
