Is Gambia safe to holiday with in Gambia?

[charlie82]

I'm looking at booking a holiday to Serrekunda, Gambia in January. Has anyone been there on holiday and did it feel safe? We have two young children. Any advice on going? Are the Taxis safe etc.

Thanks for you help.

[237SJ]

Yes, Gambia is safe (as far as anywhere else is in Africa anyway). I went with a female friend many years ago. We were hounded by the men. I remember my friend said she felt like we were a couple of trapped rabbits! If you have a man and kids with you though, you shouldn`t have a problem. I had a very intersting time there. We went to Juffure (the village that Alex Haley traced his ancestors to). We also went to the caves where the slave traders held the slaves before they were transported across the Atlantic to America. There is a lot of history there. There are two police authorities there, the normal police and the tourist police. You can pay a tourist policeman to take you around and show you the sights. I wouldn recommend that because you will see so much more of the country than you will ever see as a tourist.

[Buenchico]

From the Foreign & Commonwealth Office:
http://www.fco.gov.uk...ran-africa/gambia-the

[237SJ]

Buenchico, first rule of travel. Don`t listen to anyone whether it be the foreign office or anyone else. If I listened to the FCO I would never go anywhere else and I would just stay at home in my living room!

[boxtops]

Each to their own though - some people's travel insurance will be invalidated if they are travelling against Government advice.

[237SJ]

charlie - another thing I did in the Gambia was go to the Croccodile Pool. I must have been mad but I climbed down the side of a rock into a pool where crocs were. They weren`t really bothered about me to be honest. They just slid under the water when they saw me. They did come out for a photoshoot and I got my picture taken with them. That is what I like about West Africa and Gambia in particular. Everything is understated. I would say, go there. You will have a very intersting holiday.

[theshedman]

My sister went to the Gambia 2 years ago. She liked it but said that there were a lot of beggars and whenever they were on the beach the hotel supplied security guards to keep the beggars away from them. She didn't say she felt in danger at any time but spent most of the time close to the hotel area.

[maclarencat]

We went a few years ago and it was awful. A lovely country but a lot of hassle and begging and when you said no they were aggressive. the travel company recommended taking a local with you when you went out of the hotel to avoid hassle but when I am on holiday I dont actually want a stranger with me the entire time! I am not a niave traveller and have been to many countries (India Brazil Thailnd Malaysia Indonesia Tunisia egypt Morrocco etc etc) but Gambia is the only place I would not return to. This is only my opinion and others may not agree with me but I can only tell you what we found.