Hotels Near Kartong Bird Watching Observatory in Kombo South

Stayed at the Senegambia Hotel early March 2020 for two weeks (booked through Tui). Arrived at the hotel late in the evening (after a horrible flight in a Tui sardine can!), and was quickly and efficiently showed to our room which was a Superior double room. There was nothing 'superior' about it (although having seen some of the standard rooms, I suppose it was). It was tatty and felt dirty, the fridge was rusting and the front door didn't even close properly. This room was situated opposite the 'quiet pool' (room 105) and had a small terrace. We immediately went back to reception who then showed us a different room on the first floor of a more modern block which was so much better! Please note: The Tui brochure described the rooms as all having either a terrace or balcony. As we were on the first floor we had a balcony - but this is not a private balcony but a communal corridor! Other guests are constantly walking by, therefore there is no privacy meaning the curtains need to be closed all the time, so not able to enjoy the beautiful view. Also we had chain smokers next door which meant that we could not sit outside as there was not a totally separating wall. We would not have booked this hotel had we known this. Breakfast was minimal, enough to keep you happy I suppose, but was very little choice, especially for vegetarians. Fruit consisted of melons or papaya (sometimes bananas). Fruit juices (x2), cereals, egg station, minimal cooked selection (mostly meat products), and cold section (mainly meat products). The hotel itself was tired looking and run down (partly due to being closed through the Covid period), but survives on it's location. The grounds were superb, full of wildlife (birds, monkeys, reptiles) and were kept in good condition. There was vulture feeding every day and you could arrange a bird guide tour of the grounds in the evening (for a fee). The beach was clean and stretched for miles in each direction, but swimming was often 'red flagged' because of the conditions. I had cause to use the Mens toilets in the Reception area (I always think these should be the best in a hotel as they are 'front of house' and set a good impression). They were horrible! Dirty, rusting doors and on one occasion were so disgusting I couldn't go in there! So, would I recommend this hotel? For the location - definitely. Otherwise, not so sure. On the whole, a good holiday, but probably would not visit Gambia again as their environmental issues need to be addressed, such as their tendency to dump all their rubbish and plastic in the countryside, or take it to a massive landsite and just openly burn it (giving off huge plumes of toxic waste - and this within a couple of miles of the hotel!).

The hotel is very comfortable and comfortable, the apartments on the road side are a little more noisy but the apartments that give the pool are very quiet. The hotel is very comfortable and comfortable, both the receptionists (specially Amido) and the garbage and ladies of the cleaning.