Luxury Honeymoon

Day 1 - Arrive in The Gambia

Having landed at Banjul Airport in the afternoon, your private transfer awaits to take you to the elegant Moroccan influenced Coco Ocean Resort and Spa. Settle into your Royal Suite with private plunge pool then dine out in one of the hotel’s sumptious restaurants or order room service for a more intimate evening.

Day 2 to 3 - The utlimate in luxury

Relax in the lush tropical gardens, by your private plunge pool, the stunning three-tiered pool or the beachside pool. Be thoroughly pampered at the hotel’s spa which offers a great range of treatments as well as a Moroccan hammam and a thalasso pool.

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If you can drag yourself away from this stunning setting, explore further afield. Villages, markets, never-ending beaches and forests teeming with wildlife await to be discovered either as part of a group excursion or with your own private driver (payable locally).

In the evening take long walks along the beach at sunset before dining at one of the hotels two restaurants or take a ten-minute taxi ride into Kololi for a wide choice of eateries and a lively atmosphere.

Day 4 - Barefoot luxury

After a leisurely breakfast, transfer (about one hour) to Mandina Lodges in the heart of Makasutu Forest and settle into your stilted lodge overlooking a tributary of the River Gambia. The mangroves, waterways and forests are home to a myriad of birds and other wildlife. In the late afternoon, meet your personal guide, who will take you out on the water by canoe. Look out for kingfishers, the Goliath Heron and other fabulous birds. The Mandina guides are superb at spotting birds and other wildlife as you drift along the waterways.

Day 5 & 7 - Immerse yourself in nature

Each morning a flask of hot water with coffee (or tea) will be left outside your verandah at the time of your choice so you can relax with your morning cuppa and watch Makasutu awake. Enjoy a walk with your guide and learn more about flora and fauna of the forest, before a leisurely late breakfast. Then relax by the pool, watching the many birds that regularly visit including plantain eaters and kingfishers or reading your favourite novel.

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Each afternoon take to the water again. If it’s low tide watch women collecting oysters from the mangrove roots. You may see some fishermen casting their nets or you could visit a nearby village.

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During your stay you may wish to visit The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust. Chat to one of their volunteers for a fascinating insight into the work of this charity.

You could also visit Base Camp and climb a tree top tower for a spectacular view of the mangroves and waterways. There’s a small craft market here too.

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Whether walking through the forest, relaxing on your verandah or by the pool, there’s always the chance that the local troop of baboons will pass by. They’re a spectacular sight, and guests are warned not to leave toiletries in their open-air bathroom as they are well known for whisking away anything they can lay their hands on.

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On your last evening at Mandina, join other guests on a motorboat cruise along the river. Sip South African wine as the sun sets behind the mangroves and watch the flocks of birds coming home to roost.

Day 8 - Boutique Ngala Lodge

It’s now time to head back to the coast. Perched on a clifftop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean the rather quirky boutique hotel, Ngala Lodge, enjoys a reputation for having the best restaraurant in The Gambia. Check-in to your stylish Macondo suite with private plunge pool and stunning views across the flower-filled gardens out to sea.

Day 9 & 10 - Time at leisure

Relax by the cliff-top infinity pool, the garden pool or the lawns, join an excursion or hire a private driver to explore more of The Gambia.

Day 11 - Say farewell to The Gambia

After a leisurely breakfast, your private transfer will arrive to take you back to Banjul Airport for checking in to your flight home. Bon Voyage.