The Gambia Experience launches its new brochure this week marking its 32nd year of operation to West Africa. Offering the widest choice of UK flights, with a flying time of around 6 hours between London and Banjul, the operator presents an extensive collection of holidays and adventures enabling visitors to experience much more than its sunshine and golden sand beaches.

Catering for all tastes and budgets, accommodation ranges from great value beach hotels, all-inclusive and spa resorts to indulgent luxury hideaways, floating river lodges, wildlife and nature reserves within Luxury, Unique and Classic collections.

Boat trips, overland excursions and home cooking days in a typical Gambian household are among some experiences available through the company for both private parties and larger groups.

Key locations to observe many species of exotic birds and wildlife are included – from hotel gardens, nature reserves, along the river or deep in the African bush, a variety of guided tours can be tailored for a minimum of two people.

To further showcase the beauty of the region's myriad of waterways, The Gambia Experience has added a Rivers of West Africa mega yacht cruise, with four and seven-night itineraries departing early 2020 from Banjul.

For a memorable safari experience observing large game, the company presents Fathala Wildlife Reserve in neighbouring Senegal, offering both day trips and overnight or longer stays.

Featured hotels in beach resorts of north and south Senegal are now integrated within Gambia hotel collections and can provide a perfect add-on to a Gambia holiday or, as a stand-alone holiday with flights in and out of Dakar.

The Gambia Experience's product manager Karen Durham commented: “Capturing this colourful country through our collection of holidays, excursions and tours we can provide our customers with the perfect introduction to unspoilt Africa. We are thrilled to present some great multi-centre options alongside holiday extensions and excursion opportunities, including a “Rivers of West Africa Cruise” which adds another dimension to our exciting range of experiences”.

BROCHURE HIGHLIGHTS

Hotel Collections - Accommodation ranges from simple 2 grade to luxury boutique hotels & African lodges, much of which is exclusive to The Gambia Experience and is presented within: Luxury, Unique and Classic collections.

Beach Holidays – include the newly built African Princess Beach Hotel (opened December 2018) set by the golden sands of Kotu beach. With eight free form swimming pools and ground-floor rooms having direct water access with swim-up guest rooms – it's the first of its kind in the Gambia.

Adult-Only Luxury – includes boutique hotel Ngala Lodge and family-run Leo's Beach Hotel.

Family Holidays - include two 4 Grade all-inclusive resorts – Sunbeach Hotel and Labranda Coral Beach Resort.

Spa Escapes – include Coco Ocean Resort & Spa – a striking, luxury beachfront hotel with professional spa.

New - Rivers of West Africa Cruise – Four and seven-night itineraries aboard the mega yacht Harmony V have been introduced throughout January and February 2020 with a maximum of 49 guests.

Birdwatching Holidays & Tours  – Hotels presented for outstanding birdwatching include: Bakotu Hotel, a simple family-run property and a favourite of naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham, with tropical gardens beside Kotu stream, plus the Mandina Lodges, providing unique accommodation on and off the water at Makasutu Forest. Birdwatching tours include A Taste of African Birdlife – designed for amateurs, this two-day tour is priced from £275pp (including transport, lunches and specialist bird guide, based on two people). Private guided tours with The Gambia's renowned guide Malick Suso are available from £39 for a half day (minimum of two birders).

Wildlife Encounters – Chimp Rehabilitation Camp, Mandina Lodges and Fathala Wildlife Reserve are recommended for differing wildlife experiences from monkeys and baboons to chimps upriver through to hippos, giraffes, buffalo, rhino and more.

Multi-centre and tailor-made holidays and tours are offered within The Gambia along with Senegal add-ons.

South Senegal Holidays – Two hotels are offered within the Casamance region - an area of outstanding beauty characterised by deserted white sand beaches and dominated by the river and a wildlife-rich landscape: Esperanto Lodge in Kafountine and La Paillote Village Hotel in Cap Skirring.

North Senegal Holidays – Include three accommodation options within the Sine Saloum Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site just north of The Gambia and reached via a short ferry transfer: Keur Saloum and Les Palétuviers Boutique Hotel in Toubacouta, and nearby, Fathala Wildlife Reserve offering luxury, air-conditioned safari tents.
Further north, the beach resort of Saly and small resort of La Somone, accessed via Diass airport just east of Dakar, are presented with all-inclusive Royal Horizon Baobab Hotel (Unique collection) and Lamantin Beach Resort & Spa (Luxury Collection) along with a quality eco-lodge, Les Manguiers de Guéréo near the lagoon of La Somone.

Wide choice of flights – Twice-weekly flights from Gatwick during winter with weekly flights during summer.
Regional flying (winter only) from Manchester and Birmingham - twice-weekly departures/exit seat upgrades.

Exclusive Star service – Star Class and Star Plus flight upgrade options offered on The Gambia Experience flights with Titan Airways departing from Gatwick between November and April. Supplements from £172pp.

Sample package/Low deposits: Holidays are priced from £599pp - based on 7nts B&B at African Village Hotel – with low deposits set at £125pp.

Book early – With The Gambia's widening appeal from outside of the UK and additional flights from Europe next winter, The Gambia Experience advises early booking to secure a preferred holiday and is offering a collection of added extras to choose from for new holidays booked by 30th June 2019, using code PTBE to redeem. Among incentives are: Flight seat upgrades, UK airport lounge access, hotel room upgrades, and complimentary half day private Land Rover hire with a driver and guide.

Call 01489 866 939 or visit www.gambia.co.uk

ENDS

PRESS INFORMATION: For more information, images or press trip enquiries, call Louise Thomas on 01489 866 963 or email press-office@serenityholidays.co.uk. The Gambia Experience is a trade name of Serenity Holidays, an independent and fully bonded tour operator under ATOL 1866 and a member of ABTOT 5216, ABTA, IATA and AITO.