Mandina Lodges Traveller Reviews

A very good mix of three locations:- the Bakotu in Kotu on the Atlantic coast with great birdwatching opportunities; the Mandina Lodges in the sacred Makasutu Forest; the Keur Saloum Hotel in Toubakouta, Senegal, on the Sine Saloum estuary. Overall, great for active people, who want to get out to see wildlife, especially birdlife.

Your rating options above are limited (like Tripadvisor!) and we would choose “very good” if it was available. The product provided is very good and the transfers were all well-managed. Queries are well-answered. The reason we do not go for “excellent” is that (as we have told TGE) they fall short on giving guidance to paid-up clients who are planning for their upcoming holiday - such as a) guidance on range and prices of excursions locally, so we can budget; b) guidance on the role and sheer importance of reasonable tipping for staff and providers of services who earn tiny wages and who often depend on tips for much of their income; c) guidance on the costs of local meals & drinks, when credit cards are often not accepted; again for budgeting purposes; d) guidance on where best to exchange foreign currencies for dalasi or CFA - good advice, in our experience can give the traveller between 5 and 10% more buying-power when they exchange!!

Beautiful away from it all break, with all the wildlife The Gambia has to offer.

Very efficient.