Latest Gambia News

Gambia Luxury Villas: Holiday Villas To Rent In Gambia

2011-03-11T05:17:00.000-08:00

Luxury Holiday Villa To Rent In Gambia from only £75 per person per week*

Situated at Gunjur only 30 minutes from Banjul Airport and a short walk from the beach, Arijaana Villa provides an idyllic location for a relaxed holiday break.

This beautiful Villa was completed in 2007 to a high specification, has its own private pool, beautifully maintained gardens and sleeps six persons in spacious comfort.

Arijaana Villa is eco friendly using solar energy to provide the power for its modern facilities including satellite TV and wet room, fresh water comes direct from the borehole.

Many interesting activities and places are accessible from Arijaana Villa and there is a variety of dining available locally. There is a helpful management team available from the local village where the renowned friendly local Gambian welcome awaits.

Included is a car and driver to take care of your inclusive airport transfers and is available for further hire at reasonable cost for trips/tours etc.
*Based on full occupancy.

Arijaana Villa was comfortable and well equipped, the staff were very helpful and friendly without being intrusive in any way. The garden was lovely with flowers, fruit trees and a swimming pool and the Villa was in a quiet area with the true Gambia around it.

Arijaana Villa is available at prices starting from £450 per week, one third deposit is required on booking, with the balance payable six weeks prior to reservation date.

To reserve, or for any further information on holiday accommodation or property investments contact -

info@gambianvillas.net
T +44 (0)1458 250828
M +44 (0)7760588637

Gambia Property Investments For Sale

2011-01-31T05:04:00.000-08:00

Gambia Property Investment and Development Opportunities For Sale

The dramatic Sahel Beach Front Residence at Bijilo Beach in The Gambia is a new development of luxury apartments, townhouses and villas nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, a 137 acre rain forest nature reserve and the exclusive, luxury, 5 star Coco Ocean Hotel, Spa.& Holiday Resort.

The residential complex affords stunning 10-30m panoramic views of the Atlantic from every unit, a commanding hillside location, high quality European specs and a host of extra features. All residences include large balconys and 3,5m ceiling height. Luxury three-to-five bedroom residences range in size from approximately 220sqm to 440sqm of living space, all enjoying constant sea breezes.

This is a unique property development for the Gambia with a hillside location, high spec luxurious European design and exceptional and breathtaking sunset views views over the Atlantic Ocean. Buying into this unique rainforest residence is far less expensive than comparable holiday homes in the usual holiday sun destinations in Europe or more exotic long haul tourist sun spots in The Carribean or the Far East

Follow the link for more Gambia Property Investments For Sale

Tourism Stakeholders Storm Gambia for ATA Congress

2010-05-14T04:28:00.000-07:00

As the Africa Travel Association's (ATA) 35th Annual World Congress holds in Gambia next week, stakeholders across the tourism spectrum in the West African country are gearing up for ATA's hallmark event.

More than 200 tourism and travel professionals from around the world are expected to attend the four_day event, which will be held at the Sheraton Hotel Resort and Spa in Gambia.

According to Alieu Secka, Chair of the Gambia Hotel Association (GHA) and head of the Congress Host Committee, "Gambian tourism stakeholders are thrilled by this opportunity to share with the participants the legendary Gambian hospitality, which has evolved and been refined over the years."

The congress will engage international delegates in discussions on a broad range of industry topics, such as marketing and branding, niche markets and emerging trends, African Diaspora travel to Africa, hotel standards, responsible tourism, sustainable travel, and hospitality education.

WORLD CUP: Mexico to face Gambia in warmup

2010-05-13T04:30:00.000-07:00

Mexico will meet Gambia in its penultimate World Cup tuneup May 30 at Hans-Walter-Wild Stadium in Bayreuth, Germany.

El Tri was originally scheduled to play Portugal that night, but negotiations broke down over Portugal's insistence that Mexico turn over its training base in South Africa, the Thaba Ya Batswana hotel outside Johannesburg, to the Portuguese.

Mexico refused and Portugal, which will be based in South Africa at the Valley Lodge in Gauteng, scrapped the friendly.

By replacing Portugal with Gambia on its four-game series of European exhibitions, Mexico is taking a huge step down in class -- Portugal is ranked third in the latest FIFA rankings, Gambia is 93rd. But the new matchup gives Mexico a chance to test itself against a team that plays an African style, important since Mexico opens the World Cup on June 11 against South Africa.

Seaview Gardens Hotel:Gambia

2010-05-11T02:19:00.000-07:00

Luxury Hotel, Conference & Wedding Venue in The Gambia

The Seaview Hotel is a privately owned and managed bespoke, four star hotel in Gambia. Furnished to a high standard The Seaview Hotel offers a wide range of rooms & accommodation for short term, long term or overnight guests.

Follow the link for more information on holiday hotels in Gambia

The Gambia Jumps Three Places up in Latest FIFA Rankings

2010-03-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Gambia has moved three places up in the latest Fifa/Coca Cola world ranking for March reports Gambia Now.

The country moved from 98 in the world to 95, but still maintains its last month’s continental record at 22, a single spot behind neighbours Senegal in both levels.

Senegal, which still remains in the same position in Africa as in February dropped from 91 to 94 this month at the global stage.

African Champions Egypt, have dropped out of the top ten in the world. The Pharaohs dropped seven places to 17th on the list and it means there is no African team among Fifa’s top 15.

However, Egypt remains the highest placed African country in the rankings.

Cameroon is next in 20th place, followed by Nigeria in 21st and Ivory Coast in 22nd.

The majority of changes in this month’s rankings are due to the devaluation of results from last year and the fact that the final of the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations final was played in February and not January like this year.

More movement can be expected in the next edition of the rankings, as considerable number of matches was played on 3 March. This was a date reserved for friendly matches in the international match calendar.

It is an opportunity for many teams not just those who have qualified for South Africa 2010, to make progress in the rankings.

South Africa presently is the only team representing Africa at the World Cup that remains outside the continent’s top ten. They are placed 16th in Africa and 81st overall.

Spain continues to occupy the top spot in the world rankings ahead of Brazil and the Netherlands.

US Embassy Celebrates Black History Month

2010-02-23T07:35:00.000-08:00

The United States Embassy on Friday organized an event marking this year's Black History Month. The Black History Month, celebrated every February is dedicated to recount the achievements of African-Americans who stood up against slavery.

Speaking at the event held at the US Embassy, the envoy of the United States to The Gambia, His Excellency, Mr. Barry Wells said "February is significant in American calendar, as it is the month set aside in honor of transformational achievements by African Americans in all walks of American life, from Martin Luther King Jr. an icon of the Civil Rights Movement to the historic election and inauguration of the first African American president of the United States of America Barack H. Obama.

According to him, though blacks have reached the highest pedestal of achievement, there are hundreds of thousands of African Americans whose contributions have never been acknowledged and are lost in the history of the United States. “It is for them we celebrate,” he remarked.

Speaking further, the American ambassador said that February was chosen because of the historical events that had taken place in the month such as the 15th Amendment which gave Blacks the right to vote, and also the birthdays of former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglas.

He hailed Alex Hailey's contribution for the awakening of 'Diasporans' to the horror of slavery.

“Alex Hailey's epic book 'Roots' has served over the last thirty years as a symbol of the slave trade and the suffering endured by many Africans who were enslaved during that time” he said, adding that through Hailey's work many Black Americans know about the history of The Gambia and have dreamt of paying homage to the country and witness a part of their own history.

“I myself have been moved during my trip to Juffereh by the memories that remain in that village and on James Island. Many lives were lost during the slave trade and places like Juffereh, James Island, Albreda and Georgetown have significant memorial sites dedicated to their memories.

Today

Gambia Celebrates 45th Year of Independence

2010-02-20T05:07:00.000-08:00

Gambians from all works of life gathered at the July 22nd Square in Banjul for celebrations marking the country's 45th Independence anniversary. President Yahya Jammeh used his traditional message to the nation to hit back at his critics.

“Today, we have more than 600 graduates here in The Gambia, 50 medical doctors, in 15 years, trained by the Gambia government. Today we are accused of bad governance,” the president told hundreds of supporters.

“Let nobody fool you. We are seeing the difference between the Gambia 400 years under British rule and Gambia 30 years after Independence and 15 years after the July 22nd Revolution,” he stressed.

But the president also had some words of encouragement for Gambians.

“We must be ready to work harder and for longer hours with the little salary that our country can afford now until such time that the Gambia is wealthy enough to pay fat salary,” he stated. And he added ‘‘this is what the Japanese, Chinese and Singaporeans had to do before becoming economic giants.’’

As a tradition, the Gambian leader highlighted a series of development projects his government undertook within the past one and half decade – education, energy, health, etc.

As far as President Yahya Jammeh is concerned non but Gambians themselves can develop the nation.

“Nobody is going to develop our country for us. Only we Gambians working together and pulling our efforts can make this country into an economic super power,” he said.

Africa news

Fakebbeh Drammeh ; The Gambian Tiger Woods

2010-01-21T03:04:00.000-08:00

Introduced to the game by Alhagie Drammeh, Fakebba grew from a novice, carrying golf kits in the shrubs of the Fajara club to become champion of the course, standing tall above members from home and abroad. By the time he turned professional, Fakebba's captivating skills have won him not only a collection of trophies but also, the admiration of not just his compatriots but the entire expatriate community members of the club, who fittingly compared him only to the world best player, hence the name Tiger Woods. And like his name shake, Fakebba did not disappoint fans and club members, by winning almost everything that was ever staged as a professional prize at home in addition to reputable outings on international courses. Well Tiger, has been missing at the home course for a while prompting his fans to ask what he is up to particularly at a time when solid movements are being done back home to popularise the game.

Gambia News : Gambia Red Cross Creates a Family Links Website on Haiti

2010-01-21T02:25:00.000-08:00

The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) in Banjul on Wednesday disclosed the creation a family links website on Haiti to accelerate the process of restoring contacts between separated family members.
According to a press release from the GRCS, "As a result of the earthquake which hit Haiti on 12th January 2010, thousands of people within Haiti and abroad have lost contact with their loved ones. The Red Cross movement has created a family links website to accelerate the process of restoring contacts between separated family members. This website offers the possibilities for persons in Haiti and abroad to publish their own names and the names of their relatives with whom they are striving to restore contact.

"The ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) has deployed two Restoring Family Link (RFL) specialists and within less than 24 hours, 6,000 persons were registered as being sought for by their relatives or have confirmed being safe and well,” the release said.

The release went on to urged members of the general public to contact the Gambia Red Cross Society Tracing Services for any RFL needs to restore contact with loved ones with whom contact is lost, listing some telephone numbers.

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Iran and Gambia Vow Closer Cooperation

2010-01-19T02:52:00.001-08:00

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Iran and Gambia Vow Closer Cooperation

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Gambia Legal Year Opened

2010-01-19T02:52:00.000-08:00

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Gambia Legal Year Opened

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Kenya 'expels hate cleric Abdullah al-Faisal to Gambia'

2010-01-19T02:51:00.002-08:00

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Kenya 'expels hate cleric Abdullah al-Faisal to Gambia'

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Tunisia 1-2 Gambia: Carthage Eagles Stung By Scorpions In AFCON Prep Match

2010-01-19T02:51:00.001-08:00

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Tunisia 1-2 Gambia: Carthage Eagles Stung By Scorpions In AFCON Prep Match

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Gambia Radio and Television Services Gets $3million Boost

2010-01-19T02:51:00.000-08:00

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Gambia Radio and Television Services Gets $3million Boost

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Avon Fire and Rescue Recieve insignia of Commander of the National Order of the Re

2010-01-19T02:50:00.000-08:00

Gambia News; Living in Gambia, Holiday in Gambia, Buying in Gambia: Avon Fire and Rescue Recieve insignia of Commander of the National Order of the Republic of The Gambia

Gambia Electricity Tariff Reduction

2010-01-19T02:23:00.000-08:00

The Energy Ministry in Banjul has on Wednesday announced an unprecedented reduction in electricity tariffs for all consumers in The Gambia.

According to the announcement, the reduction, which is to take immediate effect, constitutes a 10 percent reduction in commercial and industrial tariffs. The tariff for domestic consumers has also been similarly reduced by 5 percent.

It is to be noted that earlier this month, President Yahya Jammeh presided over a retreat of ministries and policy makers in his home village of Kanilai at which a critical review was made of the government’s Vision 2020 blueprint, to appraise the progress made half way through its implementation.

One of the factors recognised as a deterrent to the successful implementation of Vision 2020 and the country’s Poverty Reduction Strategic Paper is high electricity tariffs.

In Wednesday’s announcement, it was stated that President Jammeh was the one who gave the directive for the tariff reductions to be effected.

Gambia News : Gambia Tourism Employers to Vouch for Employees

2010-01-12T02:49:00.000-08:00

Employers of labour in the Tourism industry in The Gambia have been asked to attest to the good character of their employees before they will have their licences renewed in 2010.

The warning was given here by The Gambia Tourism Authority (GTA), PANA reported Wednesday.

'This mode of registration is the first of its kind in the history of the GTA," a press release from tourism officials said.

They said that those needing attestation were tourist taxi drivers (newly employed), fruit sellers, hairdressers, staff of beach bar owners, food vendors, bicycle rentals, and horse riders, among others.

They are required to produce a Certificate of Charter from the Gambia Police Headquarters in Banjul on or before 8 January in order to be issued Operational Licences by the GTA.

Senegal Presidential State Visit to Gambia

2010-01-07T02:43:00.000-08:00

The Senegalese leader Abdoulaye Wade, left the Gambian capital, Banjul on Wednesday afternoon at the end of his two-day working visit here.

Since his arrival on Tuesday, he and his host, President Yahya Jammeh, have been engaged in a flurry of activities including a tete- a-tete at the State House in Banjul, a state banquet at the Kairaba Beach Hotel and the signing of a joint communiqué following official discussions.

Relations between the two countries have suffered in recent years and this visit following a number of special emissaries from the Senegalese leader to President Jammeh is aimed at further cementing the existing bilateral relations between the two states.

On Tuesday, at a meeting with the Senegalese community at Jerma Beach Hotel, where he lodged, President Wade advised the large Senegalese community to desist from any activities that would make their stay difficult in The Gambia.

He also said they should be law abiding and to fully respect the laws of the country, stressing on the fruitful bilateral and deep cultural ties between Senegal and The Gambia.

“There is no difference between The Gambia and Senegal since we are the countries that share borders and the two countries have a good relationship which will be nurtured and continued,” he stated.

He saluted the Gambian leader and people for the hospitality and warm welcome given to his delegation and to the Senegalese community in The Gambia. He said Senegal would continue to work assiduously towards cementing the exemplary bilateral relations between their two states.

Gambia Golf Association

2009-12-02T08:03:00.000-08:00

Gambia News; Gambia Golf Association Formed!

The Gambia Golf Association (GGA) was formed in 2009 and is the Governing Body for Golf in The Republic of The Gambia. It is overseen by an Executive Committee under the General Authority of the National Sports Council, of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The GGA Sanction the Gambia Open and Pro-Am.

The GGA is a non-profit making organization with the following main objectives:

To promote golf throughout The Gambia by striving to increase its popularity, raising general standards and twinning with other sports associations.

To ensure strict adherence to the rules of golf as provided by the Royal and Ancient Club of St Andrews, United States and African Associations without prejudice to local rules as they may apply from club to club.

To protect the interest of golf and increase public awareness of the requirements for its development in The Gambia.

To work closely with the appropriate Gambia Government bodies on matters relating to the development of golf within and outside The Gambia.

To promote and/or sponsor within the limits of its means and capacity, the training of young Gambians through golf clinics.

To increase the participation of Gambians in International Golf Competitions, including Pro-Ams and PGA tournaments.

In the name of the Gambia to assume membership of regional and international golf bodies and to comply with their constitutions and regulations.

To acquire, lease or otherwise any land, premises or property anywhere in The Gambia for use as driving ranges or golf courses.

Smoking Ban Reaches The Gambia

2009-04-21T02:47:00.000-07:00

The Gambian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has banned smoking in all public places in accordance with a nation-wide regional consultation on the Prohibition of Smoking Act of 1998.

A statement from the ministry urged all heads of institutions, organisations, and other public places to comply with the provisions of the act, which takes effect Friday, as smoking would be allowed only in clearly labelled designated smoking areas.

“Any person who contravenes the provision of the Act commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a range of fines or to a term of imprisonment of not more than three months or to both fine and imprisonment,” the health ministry stated.

The statement also noted that smoking in public places was prohibited by an act of parliament, under the Prohibition of smoking (public places) Act of 1998.

It pointed out that the act was assented to by President Yahya Jammeh on 23 September 2008, thereby making public smoking unlawful and punishable by law.

“The Act defines public places to include all government premises, all work places, hospitals or health facilities, private premises, vehicles and shops to which the public have access,” the statement explained.

Holiday Apartments in The Gambia: Lamundo Holiday Lodge, Kololi

2009-01-10T18:23:00.000-08:00

The Lamundo Holiday Lodge is a Gambian owned and manged holiday apartment development consisting of 6 one bedroom and 4 double bedroom holiday apartments.

All holiday aprtments are fully furnished with shower, living room, kitchen and verandah overlooking a central courtyard. The apartments have 24 hour electricity, water and security.

Built in 1992 the holiday apartments are ideally situated behind the Kololi Clinic and The Car Wash in Kololi. It is a short walk to the local mini market, pharmacy, internet cafe, and local bars and restaurants. The are offers good local and international cuisine available closeby. One can eat plassas from Sierra Leone, unto from Guinea, fou fou from Nigeria, Gambian domada and afra . There are also Turkish, Iranian and Chinese restaurants within walking distance.

Lamundo is 50 metres from the main Kololi Highway and is on the main Serra Kunda to Palma Rima to Sene Gambia tanka tanka route Any journey on this route is 6 dalssis.

Local taxis are available and Town Trip rates are from 50 D to Senegambia, 100 D to Cape Point, 200 D to Banjul and 500 D to Yumdum Airport.

It is a 10 minute walk and the Palma Rima Hotel with the biggest swimming pool in The Gambia and The Palma Rima beach is a further 5 minutes.

Holiday and Long Term Lettings

The one bedroom holiday apartments are available for short term rental at 400 D a night

The one bedroom holiday apartments are available long term rental at 300 D a night

The two bedroom holiday apartments are available for short term rental at 800 D a night

The two bedroom holiday apartments are available long term rental at 700 D a night

Contact Details

Alkali Mendy - 00220 9981340 or 00220 7047555

YaYa Tamba - 00220 9902378 or 00220 7828113

24 Hour Reception - 00220 4460766

Cheap Golf Holidays in The Gambia, West Africa

2009-01-09T16:46:00.000-08:00

As a cheap golfing holiday destination the Gambia is relatively unknown but offers great value for money.

An 18-holes Fajara golf course is a beautifully laid out course running between the creeks and grasslands along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean.

The course is challenging, the caddies are excelent and the greens are called browns. The browns are made from a mixture of sand and diesel oil to produce a beautiful putting surface which is then smoothed out by the caddy's assistant dragging a smoothing iron from the ball to the hole.

You can be a member of the Fajara Golf club in the Gambia for just one day.

You can rent clubs for a small amount of money and there is a course with 9 Par 4, 7 Par 3 and 2 Par 5 holes at your disposal.

You are welcome every day, but on Saturday afternoons they play competition matches. Then you can see the best golfers in the ountry in action or enjoy the facilities of the clubhouse.

Arch Tours: Eco Tourism and Ethical Holiday Tour Operators in Gambia

2009-01-03T17:57:00.000-08:00

Arch Tours have become one of the leading eco tour operators in the Gambia / Senegal region. They are very sensitive about the environment and many of our Gambian eco tours, trips and excursions are designed to give visitors to Gambia another experience of The Gambia - different from that generally offered to tourists.

Arch Tours also aims to add value to the eco tourism process by also delivering the information and training needed to develop and sustain ethical tourism enterprises and create long term employment opportunities.

Their eco tourism program has combined inspiration with innovation and they hope to bring the very greatest returns to the ethical and community focussed projects that we support in The Gambia. check out this link for information about Arch Tours in Dutch

Beach Bar For Rent in Gambia - £12,000 p,a,

2008-12-20T18:48:00.000-08:00

Have you ever dreamt of escaping the humdrum of everyday life and runing a beach bar and restaurant in the sun?

If you are just a little tired of the European winter and the credit crunch, then consider this successful tropical beach bar business to rent in the Gambia, West Africa.

The beach bar is ideally located amongst mature gardens which leads directly down to the beautiful white sand Bijilo Bach and the Atlantic Ocean.

This very nice and very successful beach bar, restaurant and lounge is is situated in a prime position between the newly opened five star hotel, The Coconut Ocean and the well known Bijilo Beach Hotel.

A perfect frontline beachside restaurant and bar with full license, trained staff and an established clientelle is considered one of the best bars in The Gambia

The beach bar itself consists of a lounge, bar, kitchen, verandah and roof terrace .

This established and successfull beach bar and restaurant offers a turn-key business opportunity for any enterprising bar manager or restauranteur looking for a great beach side location combined with a fantastic revenue stream.

The business is available for rent on a 12 month contract with possibility to renew. A complete inventory of all of the furniture, equipment and assets of the bar can be sent to any qualified person who is interested in running a successful beach bar.

Contact Gambia Property Sales

Russian Tour Operators In The Gambia

2008-12-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

The Observer reports that the 15 Russian tour operators and journalists who arrived in The Gambia about two weeks ago have expressed their delight with the tourism prospects of the country.

Speaking to reporters at the departure hall of the Gambia International Airport on Thursday, last week, Olga Barkhortina, one of the group members said: “What we have seen is very unusual, exotic and exciting compared to other parts of Africa that we have visited. We have seen a lot of interesting things, they are different from what you can see anywhere in the world.”

The group said they are very satisfied with what they have seen and are ready to begin operations in earnest. “The Gambia is a destination we would be very pleased to sell to our customers so that everybody will come to enjoy the good tourism facilities that are available in this destination,” Olga noted.

The group plans to run a ‘Week of The Gambia’ upon their arrival in Russia. Farimang Manneh, the executive director of G-Travel in Russia - who led the group to The Gambia, has revealed that the first Russian tourists flight will be due in the Gambia in the month of January 2009.