Senegambia – Melting Point of Fun, Entertainment in the Gambia

Daily Independent (Lagos)

Emeka Umejei

28 April 2011

analysis

Lagos — The Gambia, a country that prides itself as the smiling coast of Africa is one of the tourist destinations in Africa that attracts a huge number of foreigners annually.

For a first time visitor to the Gambia, a lot of tourism attractions are on offer but the area known as Senegambia is regarded as a melting point of fun and entertainment.

The Senegambia strip is the road leading from the Senegambia Hotel which is packed with restaurants, night clubs, bars and bureau de change.

It is also the liveliest area during the high season. The strip was named after the first major tourist hotel in Kololi which was the Senegambia next to the Kairaba Hotel.

Senegambia is centrally located in Kololi about 20 minutes drive from Sheraton Hotel in Brufut and five minutes drive from Coco Ocean Hotel.

Prior the mid 1970’s the Kololi holiday resort area was a quiet Gambian village located several kilometres from the coast and of no great tourist importance. However, Kololi is now at the very heart of the country’s tourism industry. During the tourist season, from October to April, the area comes to life and is buzzing with tourists, night life and hustlers.

Kololi Village has now grown right up to the coastal road and can expand no further. On arrival at Senegambia, the liveliness of the entire vicinity brings to life the essence of Tourism. Musical interludes resonate in the street as they are churned out from various night clubs that adorn the entire strip.

Complementing the musical tempo on offer in Senegambia are ladies of the night who are as friendly as any tourists would desire. The ladies come in different shapes and shades with complementing physical attributes. The ladies adorn the length and breadth of the entire street and clubs in Senegambia. Their friendliness is perhaps a prelude to commencing business transaction for the night for those who may need company.

More interestingly is the fact that the most of the ladies that people Senegambia are not just Gambians; they come from all over Africa to savour the dividends of tourism. Their wares are within range and they appear considerate. Their price tags range from 500 to 1000 Dalasi (1Dallasi exchanges for N5) depending the bargaining power of the client but they are always willing to go with visitors.

On accessing one of the many night clubs, the rampaging Naija musical rhymes catches the fancy of any Nigerian visitors. It leaves one with the impression that Nigeria is truly the giant of Africa.

Another hotspot in Senegambia is Alibaba Garden,a serene environment replete with a life band that churns out evergreen tunes intermittently. Located on an expansive land with open air sitting, Alibaba garden redefines leisure and hospitality. The conviviality of the attendants and quality of foods on offer make Alibaba garden a hotspot for most visitors to Senegambia. Another factor that makes Senegambia attractive is that it is alive till dawn and security operatives are on hand to arrest any misconduct by perceived miscreants. Hence, security is guaranteed.

The afro tunes emanating from the band stand complemented the serenity of the environment. During the high season from April to October the presence of white people in the area is a common place and Alibaba is one of those centres where foreigners feel at home.

The area within the Senegambia’s hotels is also a good bird watching area as the managers have maintained the large garden area with one of the aims to attract local birds. The other area that is very close to the hotel is Bijilo Forest Park is only a 5 minute walk and is teaming with many bird species and various types of Vervet monkeys

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