Gambia to destroy 2 tonnes of cocaine worth US$1BN today

Gambian authorities will today publicly destroy the two tonnes of cocaine with a street value of over US$1B bound for Europe at the time of its seizure in June 2010 by personnel of the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) in collaboration with the United Kingdom’s Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

The Daily Observer has reliably learnt that the destruction exercise will take place at the National Health Laboratory along the Bertil Harding Highway – opposite Espace Garage – in Kotu on Monday 4th March at 11:30am. Several dignitaries including senior government officials and the United Kingdom high commissioner to The Gambia, David Morley, are expected to witness the burning exercise.

Gambia/Mauritania: Mauritania, Gambia Draw in Friendly

Mauritania and Gambia played to a barren draw in a friendly on Saturday (March 2nd) in Banjul, Maurifoot reported. The game was marked by the injury of Mourabitounes's captain Baghayogho Moussa, who was taken to the hospital, and the less serious injury of El Hacen Sidi.

The Mauritanian team was in Banjul since February 24th as part of their preparations for the World Cup and CHAN qualifiers. In another friendly last Thursday, they defeated Gambia 2-0.

Trip to Fathala Game Reserve in North Senegal

A drive to Banjul and across the river mouth on the ferry to Barra, the first town in the North of The Gambia. And then join our jeeps to the Gambia border town of ‘’Amdalai’’.

Have your passports stamped and then on to the Senegal border town of ‘’Karang’’, where the same process will be repeated, allowing you an entry visa into Senegal. A thirty minutes drive takes us to the Fathala Game Reserve that encloses 2000 hectares of Natural and Protected Forest.

Have the opportunity to visit the original stretch of the African Wilderness. Drive amongst herds of Antelopes crowned by the western Giant Eland – the rarest one. Drive up to Giraffes, Rhinos and Buffaloes. A sandwich pack in the game reserve coupled with ice cold drinks and water all day long.

Drive to the ‘’Kerr Saloum Hotel’’ where we stop for a light lunch and a swim in the pool. After an hour’s break in the hotel we then drive to Missirah Village, one of the most traditional villages in the Northern part of Senegal. It has a small population that live mainly on farming and fishing.

At Missirah, we visit a famous ‘’kaopack’’ cotton tree with the circumference of about forty meters. Seeing this thousand year old tree is the only way to believe the statistics. (Try to frame the whole tree in your view finder). It has provided many generations with shelter and protection from evil spirit and witches.

A drive back to The Gambian border and then to Barra where we board the ferry to Banjul, and a drive back to our respective hotels.

Arch Tours Fathala Game Reserve Trip

Arch-tours: Traveller Reviews on Trip Adviser February 2013

We booked three trips via the the internet through the owner Abdul. We did the 4 in 1, lazy river and North Senegal. All of these were an amazing experience.

Abdul and his guides are very knowledgeable and friendly and it is really great to be with them on the tours. Also the drivers drove very safe and had a good eye on what was happening on the road. All three days we had different guides/drivers and all of them were great company and very customer oriented.

When we come back to the Gambia for sure we will do some other trips with them.

Abdul, Armstrong, Amy, Tom, Ali, Bob, MSK, Modou, Solomon...thank you all and see you again!



Just back from two weeks in Gambia. We did roots tour, creek fishing & Senegal North with Abdul from Arch Tours. The guides were extremely knowledgable, fun to be with and very helpful.
We had a trip booked for the Sunday but i couldnt make it due to nasty mosquito bites on my leg, Abdul was more than happy to change our date and even sent one of his staff to get me some lotion to put on my bites. Then we wanted to do something different and Abdul arranged a guide and a taxi for us to visit Serrukunda, Batik factory & croc pool. Bob was such a fantastic guide and we used Ja Ja the taxi driver again that evening for a meal at Luigis ( which is a must an amazing italian resturant) Thankyou to Arch Tours, Dont go with bumsters off the street, especially if they refuse to pick you up from hotel or will not go through police check points, they have no insurance and will rip you off.. keep away from a guy called Sherriff. Will be using again when we re visit Gambia.

You can book your tour through the Gambia Tour Operator Website

Gambia January Holidays in Travel Supermarket

Brits would prefer to receive a holiday than a gadget this Christmas.

TravelSupermarket has found that over a quarter (27 per cent) of Brits would like to receive a holiday as a gift this Christmas, second only to a wish for money and vouchers (31 per cent).

Although retailers have said 2012 will be the “Tablet Christmas,” a poll of over 1,000 visitors to the site shows that in fact, the gift of a holiday ranks above both gadgets (8 per cent) and jewellery (7 per cent) as the most desired gift.

This follows research from MoneySupermarket claiming that Brits will be spending £22 billion this year on Christmas, splashing out an average of £445 per person during this festive period.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert at TravelSupermarket said: “After what has been a tough year for many, it is unsurprising a break away is front of mind for one in four of us. The prospect of spending time with friends or loves ones, experiencing something new and also having something to look forward to is, without doubt, very appealing.

For £445 or less you could get away in January on one of the following holidays through TravelSupermarket:

Canary Islands, Tenerife - for 7 nights departing Saturday 12th January 2013. Staying at the 4* Apartments Pez Azul on a self-catering basis in a studio room. Flights depart from London Stansted. Holiday from ontheBeach.co.uk via TravelSupermarket - £336.00pp

Gambia, Kotu - for 7 nights departing Thursday 10th January 2013. Staying at the 2* Palm Beach Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis in a standard room. Flights depart from London Gatwick. Holiday from Airtours via TravelSupermarket - £432.00pp

Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh - for 7 nights departing Thursday 11th January 2013. Staying at the 3* Amar Sina Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis in a standard room. Flights depart from London Gatwick. Holiday from easyJet Holidays via TravelSupermarket - £285.00pp

Morocco, Tangier - for 7 nights departing on Thursday 10th January 2013. Staying at the 3* Ibis Tanger Free Zone in a standard room. Flights depart from London Heathrow. Holiday from Expedia.co.uk via TravelSupermarket - £363.00pp

A Great Day For Gambia

Gambia: President Jammeh to launch Africa Coast to Europe submarine cable

Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable - The Gambian leader Yahya Jammeh will on Wednesday launch the Africa Coast to Europe (ACE) submarine cable in the West African country. The launch at Sukuta in the West Coast region will be attended by some 500 people, including representatives from the World Bank, African Union, various governments, international policy makers, regulators, operators, vendors and service providers from across the world.

The ACE consortium, which is led by France Telecom-Orange, is made up of 16 members from Africa and Europe, a media release from the Ministry of Information, Communication and Infrastructure, said on Tuesday in Banjul.

The cable will extend over 17,000 km from Brittany in France to Cape Town in South Africa at depths close to 6,000 metres below sea level, linking Europe to Africa with high-capacity broadband connectivity.

The release said the ACE would give countries in Africa the opportunity to access international broadband network at a low cost.

According to the release this will increase high-speed Internet in Africa, thus reducing the digital divide and triggering social and economic development.

Countries such as the Gambia, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Mauritania, Sao Tome & Principe and Sierra Leone will have access to a submarine cable for the first time.

ACE will broaden their opportunities in terms of connectivity, data-sharing and information sharing with the rest of the world. It will also promote better network reliability as well as greater flexibility.

Landlocked countries such as Mali and Niger will also have access to the ACE cable system and will therefore benefit from the same increase in connectivity as the countries with a coastal access, release said.

Recycling Prescription Spectacles In West Africa

Optimax currently perform 1,400 laser eye surgery operations every month and of the 100,000 laser eye treatments carried out in the UK in 2002, 30% of these operations were conducted at Optimax eye clinics.

We regularly receive hundreds of letters from patients, which describe how laser eye treatment at Optimax has changed or enhanced their lives.

The spectacles that our patients are thrilled to leave behind in our clinics after laser eye treatment go on to enhance the lives of others in the developing world.

All prescription spectacles donated at the Optimax clinics in the UK are collected at the head office in London for shipment directly to the Optical Unit at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul, The Gambia.

The Gambia is widely acknowledged to have one of the most forward-thinking policies on eye sight problems on the African continent.

Optimax believes that by supporting the development of centres for eye care staff training, real value can be added to the process of recycling prescription eye glasses in the Third World.

Gambia Holiday News

Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital, Banjul, The Gambia


Built in 1853 by the Government of Great Britain, the Royal Victoria Hospital was officially handed over to the Gambian Government in 1953.

RVH has recently become a teaching hospital for the newly created University of The Gambia Medical School located in Banjul.

It champions the cause for both optometrists and patients and strives for an eye care dispensation that will best serve their needs.

In addition to practising optometrists, dispensing opticians, and students in eye care related professions, the hospital also has the following departments: internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, and gynecology / obstetrics.

RVH is a tertiary health care institution and the central referral point for all health centers and hospitals throughout the Gambia.

The Bakau Health Center
The Serrekunda Health Center
District Health Team - Farafenni
The Banjuluding Health Center
The Brikama Health Center
The Sibanor Health Center
The Women’s Health Clinic
The Mansakonko Health Center
District Health Team - Kanfing

“Allied specialty units” located within the RVH include: pathology; radiology; dentistry; ear, nose, and throat; orthopedics; and laproscopic gynecology and a department specialising in laboratory and clinical research.

The Hospital is always looking to recruit skilful and willing ophthalmic surgeons, nurses and technichians, opticians, biochemists, and anaesthesiologists who want to volunteer their time and knowledge for the betterment of ophthalmic care in Africa.

Computer Recycling in The Gambia; Kololi Internet Cafe

Gambia Holiday News is a supporter of the Fight Against Social and Economic Exclusion. In Gambia there are only three computers for every 1000 people and increasingly employers are demanding computer skills as a condition for employment. Gambians are eager to learn about computers, information systems and the Internet and want to be able to improve their lives in whatever way possible. Computer access and training improves their opportunity for employment, increases their access to information and brings the power of networking with others.











The Gambia Holiday News Telecentre and Internet Cafe in Kololi has evolved into a multi purpose business centre from simply offering public access to telecommunications such as telephone, fax, e-mail, Internet and business support services such as word processing, photocopying and printing.

Three jobs have been created in the refurbishment of the computer hardware and the experience gained in setting up the centre has opened other hardware and network maintenance opportunities. The centre also offers free technical support to help evaluate local IT needs and requirements.

"Computer & Internet Training Workshops" are the key components of a particularly effective educational program recently launched in The Gambia aiming to help bridge an ever-widening gap in computer and Internet utilisation between African and Western nations. Staff at the centre give early hands-on training and exposure to IT through regular workshops and classes that are open to all.












Telecentres and Internet Cafes in Gambia.

Telecenters are one of the most rapidly growing applications of IT in the developing world fulfilling the need for a practical and cost-effective way to bring the community of Africa into contact with itself and with the world.

Shared-access to refurbished computers and telephone systems allows the provision of a wide range of services to more users at lower cost than privately-owned home or office computers which are often out of the financial reach of the poorer people.

The definition of a telecenter is as varied as the activities that such a center can offer. Smaller telecenters usually include access to fax, phone, and photocopying, the larger ones may also include a basic internet service.


Others may include targeted activities in education and training, health, e-commerce, e-government services and more. The physical composition of telecenters also varies widely.

Common models include kiosks, school computer labs made available to the public after hours, multipurpose community telecenters, and mobile telecenters.

Travelling In Gambia by River: Boat, Ferry & Canoe

The River Gambia is the main artery that runs through the entire length of the country, and is navigable throughout the year by smaller vessels up to 300 kilometres Large ocean-going vessels can travel upstream as far as Kuntaur, about 190 kilometres from Banjul. Several ferries are operated along the river; the main ones being Banjul to Barra and the river crossing at Farafenni on the busy Trans-Gambia highway. Vehicle and passenger ferries between Banjul’s commercial port and the town facing it across the river mouth, Barra, run at least once an hour in each direction until late evening. The Government maintains a policy of upgrading these ferries, and procuring new ones when needed. Ferry operations are under the management of the Gambia Ports Authority (GPA), a public enterprise in the transport industry. There are nearly a dozen other places where travellers can cross the River Gambia by boat or local dug out cannoe. Arch Tourss run adventure and fishing trips using small motor boats or large converted pirogues, and offer day cruises along the river with lunch or dinner and a live band. Gambia Holiday News

Trip Advisor Review for Arch Tours in The Gambia

We recently travelled to the Gambia and had searched for trips we wished to embark on while there, Arch tours are very well spoke of so decided to book our 4 tours in one day with them. It was superb the guides were excellent all very well informed and gave us all a very happy day, I will certainly be travelling back and would most definitely go again with them. Thanks so much to JJ our guide and Solomon Top driver!! See you again soon many thanks to all of you..... Trip Advisor

Holiday World - Guide to the best holiday destinations

THE world's most famous tour operator Thomas Cook has launched in Ireland and taken the Panorama and Sunworld brands under its umbrella.

The new company Thomas Cook Ireland features all the same accommodation as the other two companies previously offered and
also has Direct Holidays, Club 18-30 and Thomas Cook Cruises, Weddings and Sport in its brand.

The new branding also coincided with the launch of the group's latest offering for 2012. Thomas Cook Far and Away features far flung destinations such as Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Gambia and Goa.

Alongside cruises to the Galapagos Islands and Alaska, they have a wide range of escorted tours, including the Rocky Mountains by rail and the safari parks of South Africa.

Launch deals for Far and Away include 11 nights in the 4-star Laico Atlantic in Banjul Beach in Gambia next March, all-inclusive from €849, while 14 nights over Christmas and New Year in Goa in the 3-star Colonia Santa Maria at Baga Beach, also all inclusive, is on offer from €1789, departing December 20.

Posted via email from gambia's posterous

Luxury Rental Property in Kololi : Gambia Property For Rent

Kololi Luxury House To Let - Kololi £174
£9032 per year
£9032 per year
Property Reference: Propertyshop To Let Kololi 2

Status: To Let

REDUCED FROM ,000 to ,000. Newly built, exceptionally spacious 5 bedroom house situated on a large plot. This property offers 5 generous sized bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms, European standard fitted kitchen, store, dining area, 2 lounges, 3 balcony terraces on the 1st floor and one on the ground floor. Plus store room and guest bathroom. With garage, generator room, reserve water tank and borehole. Electricity connected. Gardens & parking. Must be viewed to appreciate.

Posted via email from gambia's posterous

Kairaba Avenue Residence for Rent : Gambia Property For Rent

Kairaba Avenue Residence for Rent - Kairaba Avenue £237

Property Reference: Propertyshop To Let Kairaba Avenue

Status: To Let

Spacious family residence with 3 large bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large kitchen, dining area, lounge and balcony terraces overlooking beautiful front and rear gardens with long driveway, double garage, staff quarters, store, water tank and generator room. Unfurnished 14,000 euros / Furnished 15,000 euros

Posted via email from gambia's posterous

Gambia import export, import export, shipping, trading, sales, distribution, buyers, sellers, suppliers

Import Export in the Gambia - Business & Trade Investments in West Africa

West Africa has a potential market of over 270 million consumers, and offers real business opportunities for manufacturing and exporting companies wishing to build a market share in the emerging markets of Africa.

The Gambia is blessed with a long and glorious tradition of trade. It is strategically situated at the African end of the Atlantic Trade Triangle, a trade route dating back into centuries between Africa, Europe and the USA, Central and Latin America.

The Gambia has the nearest harbour on the African continent to both Europe and the Americas and within West African countries, Banjul Port in The Gambia is unrivalled, turning around vessels much faster than the regional competition. The Port of Banjul is also widely recognised for its safety, service reliability and unrivalled management system and has become the port of choice for the shipping, importation and distribution of products, goods and commodities to the whole of West Africa.

The Gambia has become an important West African investment & business centre and an ideal launch pad for trade with neighbouring West African countries Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau and Mauritania. and also further afield to import and export to English speaking Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia and to French speaking Benin, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger,and Togo and Portuguese speaking Cape Verde.

The Port of Banjul is continuously being upgraded and modernised to meet the needs of a growing trade sector stimulated by the Gambia Trade Gateway Project.

Posted via email from gambia's posterous

Winter holidays: follow the sun - Africa - Travel - The Independent

Alternative Africa

Egypt is not the sole option for African sunshine. A six-hour flight from London, Gambia is the leading West African beach hotspot for British travellers. There is not much of this narrow slice of a nation – the smallest country on the African continent, a thin wedge driven into the side of Senegal – but what there is comes dotted with unfussy retreats such as the four-star Ocean Bay Resort, near Banjul.

Posted via email from gambia's posterous

The Gambia Scorpions VS The Burkina Faso Stallions

Wrestling is the traditional national sport of The Gambia; however football (soccer) is clearly the most popular sport in The Gambia today. Gambians also enjoy cricket, golf, sailing, sport fishing, and surfing. Almost every school and village in The Gambia has a football pitch, and on most side streets you can find youths participating in an impromptu football game. On October 8th some friends came over to my house and we got ready to walk over to International Stadium (just two blocks from my house) for a game between the national football teams of The Gambia and Burkina Faso. The game was a qualifying match that was to determine whether The Gambia Scorpions would make it to The Africa Cup of Nations. Well the game was a draw with a final score of 1-1, so The Scorpions did not make it but we still had a good time. Here are some pictures from the game, click on the pictures to enlarge them...

Tickets to the game!

These guys are Burkina Faso Stallions fans.

Posted via email from gambia's posterous

President's Mother - I Want My Son to Go On a 'Thank You' Tour

The mother of the president of the Republic has said that she wants her son to go on a tour of the country to express gratitude to the electorate for giving him a five-year mandate to rule The Gambia.

Aja Ashombi Bojang was speaking during an interview with Kamakalorr, a GRTS Jola programme aired Wednesday evening. Speaking in Jola, Aja Ashombi said: "I am not saying he [President Jammeh] should campaign, but rather go on a 'thank you' tour in order to thank the electorate for giving him a five-year mandate."

Posted via email from gambia's posterous

Furnished Property With Pool To Rent : Gambia Property For Rent

Brusibi Furnished Rental Property with Swimming Pool for Rent - Brusubi £87
£4500 per year
£4500 per year
Property Reference: Propertyshop Brusibi To Let 2

Status: To Let

This partly furnished 3 bedroom property with swimming pool is located in a quiet area of Brusibi. The master bedroom, lounge and dining room are fully furnished. There is also a spacious roof terrace with gazebo.

 

Posted via email from gambia's posterous

Over 200 German tourists arrive in Banjul - The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia

The second batch of tourists for the 2010-2011 winter tourist season arrived in the country on Wednesday at 4a.m. local time.

The tourists numbering two hundred and twenty-eight (228) were brought by the Condor flight directly from Germany to The Gambia.

The acting-director of Tourism accompanied by senior officials from her department as well as journalists was at the foot of the aircraft to receive the holidaymakers.

Speaking to journalists, Fatou Biyai, director of Tourism, thanked all those who companied her to the airport to receive the second flight of tourists into the country.

She said the coming of the Condor flight has really increased the number of expected tourists for this year’s tourist season.

The senior tourism official noted that the Ministry of Tourism is looking at how to increase the number of tourist arrivals annually.

Madam Biyai said that over the years they have been having what they call the ‘back parkers’ coming to the country but they have also been encouraging more newcomers as well.

“Since we had the tour with the Minister, we have seen that most of the hotels have improved in their qualities,” she explained.

The director went further to reveal that the industry has 4 to 5 star hotels and many other hotels offer high quality services.

“The Condor flight which has been absent in The Gambia for the past four years is now coming to The Gambia four times per week. “We are hoping to increase the number of flights that are coming to the country,” the tourism director said.

According to her, the Ministry of Tourism has started working on a lot of things to encourage other airlines to come to the country.

“Hopefully for next year we are expecting other two airlines to join Condor,” she said.

Posted via email from gambia's posterous