Must-see hotels in The Gambia

  • Ngala Lodge

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Much loved and fussed over by its owner, the Ngala Lodge has 24 bright, spacious handsomely furnished suites, the best of which have original artwork and…

  • Footsteps Eco Lodge

    The Gambia

    This beautiful ecofriendly property on the south coast has nine cheerfully decorated en-suite roundhouses which surround a freshwater swimming pool, along…

  • Luigi's

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    This impressive family-run complex has a mix of B&B rooms and self-catering apartments, with attractively designed lodgings set with modern furnishings…

  • Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project Camp

    The Gambia

    Listen to the hoots of the chimpanzees from across the water in this remarkable camp. Accommodation is decidedly flashpacker, in comfy South African–style…

  • Mandina River Lodge

    The Gambia

    If you feel like a treat, you can stay in the forest at this exclusive and very stunning eco-retreat, an elegant marriage of lavishness and respect for…

  • One World Village

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Run by a Swedish-Gambian couple, One World offers great value for its simple but pleasantly furnished rooms. The grounds in front contain a garden and a…

  • Leo's

    The Gambia

    Perched on a cliff behind Brufut beach, Austrian-run Leo's has five bright, well-appointed rooms and one suite, all attractively furnished. Rooms have…

  • Roc Heights Lodge

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    This three-storey villa sits in a quiet garden that makes the bustle of Bakau suddenly seem very far away. Self-catering apartments, with a decor of…

  • Leybato

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    This lush, oceanside property has a fantastic location, though the aging accommodation is in need of an update. Thatch-roof bungalows vary in quality and…

  • Ocean Bay

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    This massive, 195-room property in Bakau has bright, handsomely furnished rooms and suites with all the mod cons – air-con, in-room safe, flat-screen TVs…

  • Balaba Nature Camp

    The Gambia

    Set amid a pristine swath of Gambian forest, this locally run, ecofriendly option has rustic thatched-roof accommodation with mosquito nets and shared…

  • Tanji Village Museum

    The Gambia

    On the grounds of the Tanji Village Museum, guests can get a taste of the simple life by overnighting in a simple bungalow. It's bare-bones but clean,…

  • Kajamor

    The Gambia

    This friendly place makes a great base for taking in Sanyang, with simple, reasonably priced accommodation just steps from the sun-kissed beach. There's a…

  • Hibiscus House

    The Gambia

    Although it's 2km from the beach, this delightful guesthouse in the village has earned many admirers for its warm welcome, great food and sparkling pool…

  • Smiling Coast

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Although it's not on the coast, this friendly low-key spot has six well-equipped rooms, each painted in different light shades (think powder blue, pink,…

  • Basse Guest Inn

    The Gambia

    The pick of lodging in town, Basse Guest Inn is a well-run spot that has clean, modern rooms with nice extras (including a fridge). Meals can be arranged.

  • African Village Hotel

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Like a scruffy, slightly bored little sister to the glitzy holiday clubs, this fills a gap somewhere between the bottom of the barrel and lofty palaces…

  • Janjanbureh Camp

    The Gambia

    On the north side of the river, Janjanbureh Camp has small African roundhouses on a vast terrain between forest and water. It's a good base for exploring…

  • Tendaba Camp

    Baobolong Wetland Reserve & Kiang West National Park

    Located on the south bank of the Gambia River, this place is well past its prime, with battered lodging and run-down facilities. However, it's one of the…

  • Coco Ocean Resort & Spa

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    With its full-service spa, Moroccan architecture and endless chalk-white structures sprawling across vast tropical gardens, this is five-star pampering at…

  • Sukuta Camping

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Although it's off the beaten track, this well-organised campsite earns rave reviews from travellers. Aside from shaded campsites, it offers simple rooms…

  • Tunbung Arts Village lodging

    The Gambia

    The arts centre also offers a few rooms in mud houses, decorated with the bright colours and Ndow's whimsical style. At research time, the guesthouse was…

  • Bendula Bed & Breakfast

    The Gambia

    Located between Tanji and Tujereng, in the small village of Batokunku, Bendula Bed & Breakfast offers a clutch of no-frills, colourful huts huddled on…

  • Nyanya's Beach Lodge

    The Gambia

    Nyanya's Beach Lodge has ageing bungalows in a leafy garden on the bank of a Gambia River branch. Although the lodging is basic, it's hard to beat the…

  • Baobolong Camp

    The Gambia

    A popular base for birdwatchers, Baobolong has bare-bones fan-cooled rooms in a tranquil setting south of the village. Despite its setting near the…

  • Princess Diana Hotel

    Banjul

    This is slightly better than most Banjul dosshouses, simply because it has doors that lock plus occasional live music in the bar.

  • Mama's

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    Better known for its restaurant below, Mama's also rents out a handful of clean and tidy fan-cooled rooms. Great value.

  • Praia Hotel

    Serekunda & Atlantic Coast Resorts

    This bare-bones guesthouse offers simple rooms and friendly service, making it a good deal for budget travellers.

More destinations you need to see