Music-O Records, Gambia's premier music label will on Friday, February 3rd release the albums of both Trobul Smallz and Manding Morry at a grand launching to be held at Chosaan Entertainment Centre in SeneGambia South Side. Expect the best from these promising Gambian artists.
Follow the link for Sherrif Janko's preview of the Trobul Smallz and Manding Morry album launch show and party in The Observer
Manding Morry: Felle Ko Tele
Trobul Smallz
Monday, 30 January 2012
Sylvestre Gomez: from Gunea Bissau - Live at Chosaan 02-02-12
This Thursday sees the debut of one of West Africa's greatest artists at the Chosaan Entertainment Centre in Senegambia South Side. We are proud to announce that Sylvestre Gomez will be performing all of his hits and showcasing some of his latest songs live on Chosaan's No 2 Stage from 10 pm. It's going to be a long night. Check out Chosaan's Facebook and Twitter pages for ticket info, guest list and supporting artists.
Here's 3 videos to get you in the mood.
Sylvestre Gomez: Ely
Silvestre Gomes: Habuk Inham
Silvestre Gomes: Escubi
Here's 3 videos to get you in the mood.
Sylvestre Gomez: Ely
Silvestre Gomes: Habuk Inham
Silvestre Gomes: Escubi
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Chosaan: Bar Restaurant in Kololi Gambia
Chosaan Bar and Restaurant in Kololi is not just a place to take a quick meal. At Chosaan you can eat at any time of the day and to your convenience. Secondly, you will never leave the Restaurant hungry.
You can always request for more food. Next to enjoying our delicious food, you can listen to entertaining music, look at the nice African art and inhale the SeneGambia flair. Chosaan is the best Restaurant in African and international dishes.
Chosaan Bar and Restaurant is ready to serve you at any time of the day and as long as Choosan is open. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are always available.
Chosaan Bar and Restaurant is a place peoples from anywhere like to come back to Chosaan Bar and Restaurant is the truly remarkable nightspot on the SeneGambia Strip in Kololi, Gambia.
Opening only last season Chosaan has been a huge hit with customers from all over the world and not least with Gambians. The blend of genuine and exciting African cuisine, Superb service, Real coffee, Magnificent music & dance, often with personnel and guests joining in, provides memorable evening after memorable evening long into the early hours.
Imagination and a real desire to provide the best that Gambia has to offer have elevated Chosaan to the top of the Gambian Restaurant pops for the best evening out in Gambia.
You can always request for more food. Next to enjoying our delicious food, you can listen to entertaining music, look at the nice African art and inhale the SeneGambia flair. Chosaan is the best Restaurant in African and international dishes.
Chosaan Bar and Restaurant is ready to serve you at any time of the day and as long as Choosan is open. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks are always available.
Chosaan Bar and Restaurant is a place peoples from anywhere like to come back to Chosaan Bar and Restaurant is the truly remarkable nightspot on the SeneGambia Strip in Kololi, Gambia.
Opening only last season Chosaan has been a huge hit with customers from all over the world and not least with Gambians. The blend of genuine and exciting African cuisine, Superb service, Real coffee, Magnificent music & dance, often with personnel and guests joining in, provides memorable evening after memorable evening long into the early hours.
Imagination and a real desire to provide the best that Gambia has to offer have elevated Chosaan to the top of the Gambian Restaurant pops for the best evening out in Gambia.
Friday, 30 December 2011
River Gambia in West Africa
Lazy Day River Cruise: Starting from Denton Bridge and taking you on a peaceful cruise through the creeks. There‘s a chance to see many species of birds – binoculars and bird books are available on board. Morning coffee, tasty snacks and chilled bubbly are served before weighing anchor on a sandbank where you can cool off and take a swim in the river. Lunch is a simple buffet served on board. After lunch try a spot of fishing or relax on the sundeck. Arrive back to your hotel around 5pm.
Creek Fishing: Join a traditional African pirogue at Denton Bridge for a 9am start. Our captain will steer through the mangroves stopping off at various fishing marks.
Target fish include: Red Snapper, Lady Fish, Butter Fish, Angel Fish, Sompat, Grouper. Guides are on hand to assist beginners, it’s a great day out for all the family. The waters of the creeks are always calm and there is plenty of shade on board, a well-stocked bar and freshly prepared hot & cold sandwiches.
Roots: The American author Alex Haley has made this ’ROOTS‘ trip a must!
He traced his African origin back to The Gambia and wrote the now famed book about his ancestor Kunta Kinteh. which spurned the epic and world renowned TV series ‘Roots‘. You start out from Banjul for a two and half hour boat trip up the River Gambia.
On the journey you will often see dolphins swim and play alongside the boat. You will arrive at the ancient trading station of Albreda, from there you take a short walk to the adjoining village of Jufureh, where you can visit the National Museum of Slavery and then on to the home of Alex Haley‘s ancestors and his present day family.
Here you can meet relatives and hear accounts from the family‘s history. Lunch is served on board the boat before setting off for James Island, about 15 minutes away.
James Island (named after King James II) has the ruined remains of the fortress and slave pens built by the British in 1610.
It is rich in slave history and is the place where hundreds of captured slaves awaited transport to a life of enslavement in the west.
You can expect to be back at your hotels by 5.30.pm
Your trip will cross by ferry from Banjul to Barra on the North Bank. From here you will take a 4-5 hour journey to Georgetown. Along the way you will stop at Farafenni market (lumo). Lumo is a relatively busy weekly market, selling local carvings, food and clothing.
You will pass many small villages where the views and sights can be quite spectacular and unique. Next stop will be at the Wassu stone circles where your guide will explain the nature, history and legend of how the stone circles came into existence. It‘s believed that these circles were discovered around 750 AD and possibly date back to 100 BC.
From here we head to Janjangbureh Camp. After lunch you will cross by ferry to the Island, named Janjangbureh after the brothers who discovered it. The British renamed it McCarthy Island and the town George Town. It was used as a trading post and a place of settlement for the freed slaves (Akus). Today there are still many Akus living in the area.
The Aku tribe originate from Freetown but were brought to The Gambia by the British for resettlement as they had no way of knowing where they originated from.
Janjangbureh is also the administrative headquarters for the Central River Division. You will have time to explore the old town and its unique surroundings, visit the local market and buy some souvenirs. On our way back to the camp you will make a visit to a village and meet the “Alkalo” (head of the village) before returning to your camp and relaxing before the evening entertainment.
Dinner will be served followed by traditional Gambian music and dance performed by the villagers. The next day you have an early wake up for a bird and animal watching walk around the camp.
Green Vervet monkeys can be seen, they often come to the guests for feeding. After breakfast you will take a boat trip down river to Sapu. Along the way you will see many different types of vegetation as well as, monkeys, hippos and crocodiles. Lunch is served on board as you cruise.
Upon arrival at Sapu you join your vehicle for your journey back to Banjul and your hotels.
Creek Fishing: Join a traditional African pirogue at Denton Bridge for a 9am start. Our captain will steer through the mangroves stopping off at various fishing marks.
Target fish include: Red Snapper, Lady Fish, Butter Fish, Angel Fish, Sompat, Grouper. Guides are on hand to assist beginners, it’s a great day out for all the family. The waters of the creeks are always calm and there is plenty of shade on board, a well-stocked bar and freshly prepared hot & cold sandwiches.
Roots: The American author Alex Haley has made this ’ROOTS‘ trip a must!
He traced his African origin back to The Gambia and wrote the now famed book about his ancestor Kunta Kinteh. which spurned the epic and world renowned TV series ‘Roots‘. You start out from Banjul for a two and half hour boat trip up the River Gambia.
On the journey you will often see dolphins swim and play alongside the boat. You will arrive at the ancient trading station of Albreda, from there you take a short walk to the adjoining village of Jufureh, where you can visit the National Museum of Slavery and then on to the home of Alex Haley‘s ancestors and his present day family.
Here you can meet relatives and hear accounts from the family‘s history. Lunch is served on board the boat before setting off for James Island, about 15 minutes away.
James Island (named after King James II) has the ruined remains of the fortress and slave pens built by the British in 1610.
It is rich in slave history and is the place where hundreds of captured slaves awaited transport to a life of enslavement in the west.
You can expect to be back at your hotels by 5.30.pm
This is an excursion which takes you over 300 km into The Gambia,giving you a chance to see the true way of life in the provinces.
You will visit the heritage site of the mysterious Stone Circles and stay
over night at Jangjang Bureh Camp.
You will visit the heritage site of the mysterious Stone Circles and stay
over night at Jangjang Bureh Camp.
Your trip will cross by ferry from Banjul to Barra on the North Bank. From here you will take a 4-5 hour journey to Georgetown. Along the way you will stop at Farafenni market (lumo). Lumo is a relatively busy weekly market, selling local carvings, food and clothing.
You will pass many small villages where the views and sights can be quite spectacular and unique. Next stop will be at the Wassu stone circles where your guide will explain the nature, history and legend of how the stone circles came into existence. It‘s believed that these circles were discovered around 750 AD and possibly date back to 100 BC.
From here we head to Janjangbureh Camp. After lunch you will cross by ferry to the Island, named Janjangbureh after the brothers who discovered it. The British renamed it McCarthy Island and the town George Town. It was used as a trading post and a place of settlement for the freed slaves (Akus). Today there are still many Akus living in the area.
The Aku tribe originate from Freetown but were brought to The Gambia by the British for resettlement as they had no way of knowing where they originated from.
Janjangbureh is also the administrative headquarters for the Central River Division. You will have time to explore the old town and its unique surroundings, visit the local market and buy some souvenirs. On our way back to the camp you will make a visit to a village and meet the “Alkalo” (head of the village) before returning to your camp and relaxing before the evening entertainment.
Dinner will be served followed by traditional Gambian music and dance performed by the villagers. The next day you have an early wake up for a bird and animal watching walk around the camp.
Green Vervet monkeys can be seen, they often come to the guests for feeding. After breakfast you will take a boat trip down river to Sapu. Along the way you will see many different types of vegetation as well as, monkeys, hippos and crocodiles. Lunch is served on board as you cruise.
Upon arrival at Sapu you join your vehicle for your journey back to Banjul and your hotels.
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Gambia Up-country Tours 33 Ecotourism in West Africa
3 Day Mini Safari:
This trip gives you a chance to see and experience the real life of The Gambia.
Day 1: The trip includes the morning at Makasutu Cultural Forest, a palm forest situated on the banks of a beautiful meandering tributary of the Gambia River, encompassing many different eco-systems including dense forest, savanna and mangrove.
The area is home to many varieties of birds, monkeys, lizards and deer which you may see on the canoe trip or guided nature walk – if really lucky you may also see baboons. There is an opportunity to observe local people going about their daily lives in the bush, including palm wine tappers, local fishermen and women collecting oysters from the mangroves.
Enjoy a traditional West African lunch and watch dancers and drum troupes perform on the natural stage, under the shade of the majestic Baobab tree. From Makasutu you will be driven to Kanilai, the village where the President of The Republic of The Gambia was born.
You will stay at Sindola Safari Camp, a unique bush camp, constructed on nearly 30,000 sq. m of partially landscaped tropical surroundings, where the President has his private home and has created this beautiful environment amidst numerous palm and baobab trees, flowering shrubs and bougainvilleas.
The camp is modern with many facilities, including a swimming pool and air-conditioned rooms. Relax by the pool or maybe take a horse cart to the village to meet the local people, and learn more about the Jola tribe and their culture, before returning to camp for dinner and cultural entertainment from the Kosamayu group.
Day 2: After breakfast, you will be driven to Tendaba Camp, situated at the riverside of Kiang West National Park, approximately 62 km from Brikama. On arrival, there will be a 1½ hour boat trip along the creeks where you will have a chance to see some of the many species of birds which live in the mangroves. After lunch you will be driven to Bwiam, a lively village where you will meet the people and take a Gambian “Ataya” (tea ceremony).
You will have dinner and stay overnight at Bwiam lodge.
Day 3: After breakfast, you will return, stopping at Brikama,home of the famous local woodcarving market. You will have a chance to observe how the crafts are made and possibly pick up a bargain depending on your negotiating skills! Next stop is Lamin Lodge, which stands on stilts over the creek in the middle of the mangroves, where you will be served lunch and the monkeys may join you.
From here you have a wonderful view over the creeks and a good opportunity to see many birds before returning to your hotels.
This trip gives you a chance to see and experience the real life of The Gambia.
Day 1: The trip includes the morning at Makasutu Cultural Forest, a palm forest situated on the banks of a beautiful meandering tributary of the Gambia River, encompassing many different eco-systems including dense forest, savanna and mangrove.
The area is home to many varieties of birds, monkeys, lizards and deer which you may see on the canoe trip or guided nature walk – if really lucky you may also see baboons. There is an opportunity to observe local people going about their daily lives in the bush, including palm wine tappers, local fishermen and women collecting oysters from the mangroves.
Enjoy a traditional West African lunch and watch dancers and drum troupes perform on the natural stage, under the shade of the majestic Baobab tree. From Makasutu you will be driven to Kanilai, the village where the President of The Republic of The Gambia was born.
You will stay at Sindola Safari Camp, a unique bush camp, constructed on nearly 30,000 sq. m of partially landscaped tropical surroundings, where the President has his private home and has created this beautiful environment amidst numerous palm and baobab trees, flowering shrubs and bougainvilleas.
The camp is modern with many facilities, including a swimming pool and air-conditioned rooms. Relax by the pool or maybe take a horse cart to the village to meet the local people, and learn more about the Jola tribe and their culture, before returning to camp for dinner and cultural entertainment from the Kosamayu group.
Day 2: After breakfast, you will be driven to Tendaba Camp, situated at the riverside of Kiang West National Park, approximately 62 km from Brikama. On arrival, there will be a 1½ hour boat trip along the creeks where you will have a chance to see some of the many species of birds which live in the mangroves. After lunch you will be driven to Bwiam, a lively village where you will meet the people and take a Gambian “Ataya” (tea ceremony).
You will have dinner and stay overnight at Bwiam lodge.
Day 3: After breakfast, you will return, stopping at Brikama,home of the famous local woodcarving market. You will have a chance to observe how the crafts are made and possibly pick up a bargain depending on your negotiating skills! Next stop is Lamin Lodge, which stands on stilts over the creek in the middle of the mangroves, where you will be served lunch and the monkeys may join you.
From here you have a wonderful view over the creeks and a good opportunity to see many birds before returning to your hotels.
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Cultural Entertainments in The Gambia
Local foods: are worth trying. A word of warning, be prepared to eat a bit more than “just a little spice” – Gambians like their food hot! The food is a melting pot for all the nations and tribes from the sub-regions who live in harmony and enjoy sharing food from all cultures.
If you interact with local people don‘t be surprised to be invited to a compound to share a meal as the Gambian culture is very friendly and hospitable.
Food is always shared, normally a group will eat from one bowl. As a guest you will be offered a spoon and sometimes your own plate! It is said you will not argue with someone you share a bowl of food with! Fish plays a major part in Gambian cuisine due to the variety of fish available in both river and sea. Oysters fresh from the creeks make a quick and easy stew, Ebeh is made from an amazing array of ingredients including smoked fish, crabs, oysters and fish eggs amongst other things. Benachin meaning “one pot” is the equivalent of an Italian risotto or a Spanish paella.
The beach bars are the best place to find many of the local tasty dishes. Some are better than others so choose wisely. Some bars don’t have electricity or running water, so keep this in mind when ordering food!
Nefertiti Beach Bar, Banjul offers a great location with a fresh menu local food and snacks daily and Kotu Point Beach Bar, Kotu offers a B-B-Q every Saturday lunch time, join in the fun, come Jamming with Lamin and try your hand at drumming!
Local Drinks: The most popular are Wonjo and Baobab. Wonjo juice is made from the dried red flowers of the Sorrel, which are boiled with sugar to make a refreshing, sweet drink full of Vitamin C. Baobab juice is made from the fruit of the Baobab tree.
The fruit is soaked in water, sieved and the seeds extracted. The pulp is then mixed with a little sugar to make the base juice. Other ingredients can be added according to taste; the most popular are milk and coconut, but it is also tasty with mango, papaya or banana – making a thick natural smoothie. Both Wonjo and Baobab are very nutritious, healthy and with a unique flavour. They also make a wonderful cocktail when mixed together.
Great African Secret: Locally people use these drinks as regular source of nutrition, in Europe it had been forgotten. During World War 2 it was given to soldiers in bread to prevent scurvy. Recently rediscovered it is being branded as a superfood of the future. It has been clinically proven that it is a pro-biotic with 10 times more vitamin C than an orange and 5 times more calcium than a glass off milk as well as containing antioxidants and Omega 3-6-9.
If you would like to try your hand or learn more about Gambian and West African Cuisine
the Taste of The Gambia Cook Book is a simple and easy Guide, available for sale for
D250 at all hotel shops and supermarkets or call 4460280 23
Sights of The
If you interact with local people don‘t be surprised to be invited to a compound to share a meal as the Gambian culture is very friendly and hospitable.
Food is always shared, normally a group will eat from one bowl. As a guest you will be offered a spoon and sometimes your own plate! It is said you will not argue with someone you share a bowl of food with! Fish plays a major part in Gambian cuisine due to the variety of fish available in both river and sea. Oysters fresh from the creeks make a quick and easy stew, Ebeh is made from an amazing array of ingredients including smoked fish, crabs, oysters and fish eggs amongst other things. Benachin meaning “one pot” is the equivalent of an Italian risotto or a Spanish paella.
The beach bars are the best place to find many of the local tasty dishes. Some are better than others so choose wisely. Some bars don’t have electricity or running water, so keep this in mind when ordering food!
Nefertiti Beach Bar, Banjul offers a great location with a fresh menu local food and snacks daily and Kotu Point Beach Bar, Kotu offers a B-B-Q every Saturday lunch time, join in the fun, come Jamming with Lamin and try your hand at drumming!
Local Drinks: The most popular are Wonjo and Baobab. Wonjo juice is made from the dried red flowers of the Sorrel, which are boiled with sugar to make a refreshing, sweet drink full of Vitamin C. Baobab juice is made from the fruit of the Baobab tree.
The fruit is soaked in water, sieved and the seeds extracted. The pulp is then mixed with a little sugar to make the base juice. Other ingredients can be added according to taste; the most popular are milk and coconut, but it is also tasty with mango, papaya or banana – making a thick natural smoothie. Both Wonjo and Baobab are very nutritious, healthy and with a unique flavour. They also make a wonderful cocktail when mixed together.
Great African Secret: Locally people use these drinks as regular source of nutrition, in Europe it had been forgotten. During World War 2 it was given to soldiers in bread to prevent scurvy. Recently rediscovered it is being branded as a superfood of the future. It has been clinically proven that it is a pro-biotic with 10 times more vitamin C than an orange and 5 times more calcium than a glass off milk as well as containing antioxidants and Omega 3-6-9.
If you would like to try your hand or learn more about Gambian and West African Cuisine
the Taste of The Gambia Cook Book is a simple and easy Guide, available for sale for
D250 at all hotel shops and supermarkets or call 4460280 23
Sights of The
Thursday, 22 December 2011
The Red Dolphin Life Guards in The Gambia
As part of our commitment in supporting responsible tourism, the TTAG with the assistance of Gambian Experience and some donations from local saw mills.
We were able to recently build and hand over to the Gambian Tourist Authority, five life guard towers on the beaches in tourist area, ensuring the safety of tourist and citizens alike.
The sea is a dangerous place and the Red Dolphin Life Guards, prove they are ready to deal with emergencies with their life saving demonstrations.
For your safety always check sea conditions, look for the nearest flag which will indicate the colours:
The welfare of Animals in and around the tourist areas are a big concern, not only for the prevention of the spread of disease but also to prevent unnecessary suffering. As part of responsible tourism, members of our association actively support Gambicats and Dogs, by way of providing accommodation and funds for overseas vets to conduct regular neutering programs and sponsor feeding during the low season when food is scarce.
GambiCats & Dogs are a UK based charity which was formed in 1998 to help improve the lives of stray cats and dogs in The Gambia. Their objective was to humanely control the cat and dog population around the hotel areas. Periodically they will arrange vets from Europe to visit The Gambia at their own cost and voluntarily conduct neutering programmes along with the local vets.
All neutered cats have their left ear tipped and dogs ears are notched, which is an internationally agreed method for further recognition.
The dogs are micro-chipped and given anti-rabies injections. The Department of Livestock Services have endorsed these method as a responsible and humane measures to control stray animals.
Since support for the charity has grown there have been a number of Cat Cafe’s and Dog’s Diner’s opened in some of the hotels where the cats and dogs are regularly fed and the guest can visit.
If you are interested in the welfare of the animals ask at the reception if the Hotel supports Gambicats and Dogs. They will have their brochures which will give you more information of their work. There is a permanent team of Gambian staff on the ground, lead by Dodou Bojang, who do their best to feed and ensure the welfare of the cats and beach dogs all year round, especially during the low season when the tourists go home and food is scarce.
If you would like to help with a donation please contact them on:
Mobile: 9900756 Tel: 4463251 or go to their web site: www.gambicats.org.uk
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE FOOD FROM THE BREAKFAST ROOMS TO FEED ANIMALS.
Member Hotels will give them food from the waste of the Restaurant.
We were able to recently build and hand over to the Gambian Tourist Authority, five life guard towers on the beaches in tourist area, ensuring the safety of tourist and citizens alike.
The sea is a dangerous place and the Red Dolphin Life Guards, prove they are ready to deal with emergencies with their life saving demonstrations.
For your safety always check sea conditions, look for the nearest flag which will indicate the colours:
NO FLAG =
NO LIFE GUARD
SAFE SWIMMING
DANGER, NO SWIMMING
SWIM WITH CAUTION
NO LIFE GUARD
SAFE SWIMMING
DANGER, NO SWIMMING
SWIM WITH CAUTION
The welfare of Animals in and around the tourist areas are a big concern, not only for the prevention of the spread of disease but also to prevent unnecessary suffering. As part of responsible tourism, members of our association actively support Gambicats and Dogs, by way of providing accommodation and funds for overseas vets to conduct regular neutering programs and sponsor feeding during the low season when food is scarce.
GambiCats & Dogs are a UK based charity which was formed in 1998 to help improve the lives of stray cats and dogs in The Gambia. Their objective was to humanely control the cat and dog population around the hotel areas. Periodically they will arrange vets from Europe to visit The Gambia at their own cost and voluntarily conduct neutering programmes along with the local vets.
All neutered cats have their left ear tipped and dogs ears are notched, which is an internationally agreed method for further recognition.
The dogs are micro-chipped and given anti-rabies injections. The Department of Livestock Services have endorsed these method as a responsible and humane measures to control stray animals.
Since support for the charity has grown there have been a number of Cat Cafe’s and Dog’s Diner’s opened in some of the hotels where the cats and dogs are regularly fed and the guest can visit.
If you are interested in the welfare of the animals ask at the reception if the Hotel supports Gambicats and Dogs. They will have their brochures which will give you more information of their work. There is a permanent team of Gambian staff on the ground, lead by Dodou Bojang, who do their best to feed and ensure the welfare of the cats and beach dogs all year round, especially during the low season when the tourists go home and food is scarce.
If you would like to help with a donation please contact them on:
Mobile: 9900756 Tel: 4463251 or go to their web site: www.gambicats.org.uk
PLEASE DO NOT TAKE FOOD FROM THE BREAKFAST ROOMS TO FEED ANIMALS.
Member Hotels will give them food from the waste of the Restaurant.
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