What’s up, folks!
If you’re planning a trip to West Africa, let me tell you, there’s only one place that deserves to be at the top of your list – Kololi, Gambia.
This small village-turned-tourist hotspot is the real deal!
I first stumbled upon Kololi during my backpacking trip across Africa a few years back.
I had heard about the place from a friend who had been there before and was intrigued by the idea of checking it out.
Little did I know that I was about to experience one of the most memorable trips of my life!
Located just 15 kilometers west of
Banjul
, Kololi is situated on the stunning Atlantic coastline, making it the perfect destination for beach bums like me.
And let me tell you, the beaches here are out of this world!
Crystal clear waters, golden sand, and palm trees swaying in the breeze – it’s like a scene straight out of a postcard.
But that’s not all.
Kololi is also home to some of the best resorts and hotels in the region, all within a stone’s throw from each other.
And the food?
Let’s just say, my taste buds were in heaven!
From the local seafood dishes to the street food, I tried everything and loved every bite.
And the nightlife?
Oh boy, don’t even get me started!
The local drums and dance shows are an absolute must-see.
I remember dancing the night away with locals and tourists alike, and having the time of my life.
But what really made my trip to Kololi special was the wildlife.
I had the chance to get up close and personal with some of the most incredible animals I’ve ever seen.
From monkeys swinging through the trees to crocodiles sunbathing on the riverbanks, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
If you’re looking for an adventure, a place to relax and unwind, or just some good old-fashioned fun, Kololi is the place to be.
And the best part?
It’s only a 45-minute drive from Yundum International Airport.
Trust me, you won’t regret adding Kololi to your travel itinerary.
Best time to Visit Kololi Beach?
Kololi is a place in the West Africa, which has the best climate at all times of the year.
But if you are planning for a wonderful trip at Kololi then you should plan it between November to June.
The temperature during this period of time is 30 degrees Celsius.
This is also considered as the driest period in the whole year.
You will get around 10 hours in a day with sunshine.
Time between January to April will be a little hot, but that the temperature will not be more than 35 degrees Celsius.
Apart from the time being so hot, you can still enjoy the cool breeze from the Atlantic coast.
Those who love to enjoy a swim in warm water along hot sunshine, this is going to be an apt place.
Even if it is your first visit to Kololi, you can still enjoy your time here.
Remember to carry all things that are necessary when you are travelling to any new place.
Also make the bookings in advance to avoid last minute hassles and also to enjoy the benefits of booking early like discounts or some gift coupons.
There are provided by the service providers with whom you are making the bookings.
Best things to do in Kololi beach
Here are some of my favorite interesting things to do in Kololi beach and around Koloni.
There is a huge list of things that you see and enjoy as part of your trip to Kololi but here are a few of them:
Arch Tours
This Arch Tours is one of the most preferred tours in Kololi.
This tours service is managed and owned by the Gambian.
There office is located on the Senegambian Strip.
There are many varieties of tours and packages offered these Arch tours and you can choose the one which is comfortable for you.
They offer exclusive tours, educational tours,
safaris
, scenic tours, cultural tours and many other tours.
You will have a guide allotted to you and you can spend one complete day on this tour.
You food, drinks and all other facilities would be covered in the amount that you pay for this trip.
The guide who is allotted to you would have complete knowledge about the places that you are being taken and they will help you in getting any kind of information that you need related to that placed.
Some people say that the tour in Kololi and Gambia are very expensive, but if you are booking any of your trips at Arch tours then you are definitely going to prove that you have not spent too much on Kololi trip, at least not for the tour on Arch tours.
You will be able to cover a lot of places of Kololi when you are booking your trip here.
What else to do in Kololi Gambia?
The Village Complex
This Village Complex is also known as the horse shoe shopping complex.
This is a shopping complex, which is much similar to a European shopping complex.
This is a two floor shopping complex, which is both modern and unique as well.
This shopping complex is having a very interesting and different shape which is the shape of a doughnut.
This shopping complex is located exactly on the Bertil Harding Highway, which is just opposite to the Total petrol station.
You have a nice rooftop restaurant, clothing, supermarket, a small but very beautiful garden, and there is a small playground exclusively for kids.
This is very useful for those fathers whose mothers are busy in shopping.
This is definitely an interesting play to have fun, shop and also give some time for your kids to enjoy the vacation.
You have access to taxis or other transport facilities and hence you will not find it really difficult to reach back to your place.
Top tourist activities in Kololi Gambia
Quad biking
If you are looking for an interesting an adventurous way to explore this place, then you should definitely not miss Quad biking in Kololi.
You can hire these Quad bikes from anywhere in the Kololi area and they will take you on a drive.
You will have to start your ride at Brusubi and then you are taken till Tujering.
You will have a wonderful lunch there and once you are done with your lunch, you start back.
You will reach back to Brusubi and then you will be dropped back to your place.
This ride is definitely going to be very interesting.
You can take your entire family for this ride and you can enjoy it alone.
But make sure that you are not missing this ride on your trip to Kololi.
All adults enjoy this trip, especially youngsters would love to go on such a ride.
My favorite stuff to do in Kololi
Dream Park
This is the only best amusement park in Kololi.
At Dream Park you will have a lot of fun along with your family and friends.
The cost for constructing this amusement park was almost $2 millions.
This amusement is located on the Bertil Harding Highway.
There are many interested rides as part of this amusement park and you will have a lot of fun along with kids and other family members.
You have bumper cars, spacecrafts, tilt a whirl, battle castle exclusively for kids, bumper boats and many more interesting rides are available here.
It is not just a place to play or enjoy the rides, there is a lot more that dream Park has to offer for its guests.
You can enjoy a few musical shows and dance shows as well.
You have a toy shop and sweet shop inside the amusement park and you should take care of your kids very well.
If you are going the seasons, then you should make sure that you donāt leave your children alone for rides as they would be a lot of the crowd in this place.
Things to do in Kololi with Kids
Bijilo Forest Park
Bijilo Forest Park, which is also known as Monkey Park is at a walkable distance from tourist strip.
You will first find the fencing of the Bijilo forest park.
Once you reach the park then you should take a right turn and walk, maybe about 100 meters.
You will find the entrance marked clearly and you will also find the ticket counter to avoid confusion.
Once you enter into the park you will enjoy the view of many monkeys, red colobus, a few birds and squirrels.
This place is very interesting for people of all age groups.
Since this is a forest park with lots of animals,kids will love this place more than the adults.
But if you like watching monkeys playing and jumping then even adults can have a lot of fun.
You also have a very small woodland reserve on the beach side.
You also have a lot of greenery in the floor of the forest park.
It would be really amazing here.
You should not even miss the watching here in this forest park There are many varieties in bird species available in this Forest park.
If you love animals or birds, then you should definitely not miss this place on your trip to Kololi.
What else to see in Kololi?
Top Shop Gambia
In Kololi, this is the best place where you can witness the best African crafts and arts.
You will have three outlets there and you can enjoy a peaceful, relaxing experience shopping here.
You can find many kinds of products here like international products, West African products and also many products which are manufactured by this Top Shop Gambia.
This shop was founded in the year 1985, they have expanded up to three stores.
This is an amazing place if you want to shop something related to the Africa arts and crafts.
You get high quality products and you will be taking away products which worth every penny that you are paying here.
Do not miss the chance to shop at this place.
Fun things to do in Kololi
Senegambia Craft Market
This Senegambia Craft Market is very near to the Strip and you can buy all kinds of craft works here at one place.
This is the place you can buy whatever you want and you can definitely bargain.
You get all kinds of stuff here and they are cheap as well.
If you are going there for the first time, then on the first day better do not touch any of the items there or do not ask for the price.
But you should concentrate on what you want to buy.
Now get back to your place and decide on what you actually liked there, now go the next day and ask for the prices and buy them.
The people at the craft market think that it is your second visit to the market and they would offer you a good discount upon bargaining.
The people who sell products here are very friendly, but you have a lot of the crowd at this place and you will not be able to complete your complete shopping just in one day and hence you will definitely love to come back again the next day.
So, better check out the things that you missed on the first day and make sure you buy them on the second day.
It is going to a bit noisy as there will be a lot of guests, but it is quite interesting and friendly.
Local Dance and Drum Shows
Africa is definitely famous for drums and dance.
You will find many places in Kololi where you can enjoy the local dance and drums.
If you are not sure about the local dance and music shows then you can get in touch with your hotel authorities to guide you.
But do not miss these dance and music shows.
You might have seen many African dance shows on your television and loved them, then why do you want to see them live.
They are really fantastic and you will definitely love them.
This is not just dance, it is a kind of sport.
The music, the rhythm their style, everything is different from others and you will be able to understand the difference from others.
Traditional African dance and drums is something that you should never miss on your trip to Kololi.
Water Sports in Kololi
As Kololi is lying in the Atlantic coastline, this is amazing place to enjoy the water sports.
There are many visitors who prefer this place just for the sake of water spots.
The facilities and conditions provided here are very convenient for those who want to enjoy water sports.
Diving is the most enjoyed water sports here in Kololi.
Apart from diving, you can also enjoy water skiing, windsurfing, and also surfing.
These sports are right for those people who want to try something really interesting and adventurous on their trip to Kololi.
Sailing is another option available for all the visitors to Kololi.
You will be able to enjoy the Altantic coastline beauty while travelling on the deck of a yacht.
This sailing can be more memorable if you are traveling at the evening time.
It will be a great sunset scenic view to enjoy here.
Plan this sailing along with your partner or plan it as a surprise your partner and this is definitely going to be the most memorable part of this entire trip to Kololi.
Rasta Hairdo
If you are a women then do not miss theĀ Rasta Hairdo.
This is a service which is offered for your hair and you will have to pay just 20 euros even if yours is a very long hair.
All women who are planning for a very busy sightseeing in Kololi should definitely try this.
You just have to wash your hair and you are all set to get the hair styling done.
You should just wash the hair and let it dry.
You donāt have to blow dry, no creams, no styling gels, no mousse or anything else.
Once your hair is dry, they start styling your hair and you will have to spend 4 hours with them.
Just sit there and relax, just do nothing and relax.
You will be done with an excellent hair style that will be the same even if sleep, jump, shower, sunbath, swim or do anything and your hair is not disturbed at all.
This hair style can last for months and it is not at all disturbed.
It all depends on how long you can survive with the same hairstyle.
Popular Things to do in KololiĀ Beach
The beaches here in Kololi are very interesting and you should definitely spend at least a few days of your trip at the seashore.
You will love the time you spend here.
You will have a relaxing experiencing at the beach side.
There are many beaches in Kololi.
Do not miss to enjoy your stay near the beach resorts.
Kololi NightLife
The nightlife at Kololi is very interesting, you have a lot of bars and pubs here.
Senegambia strip is the right place for nightlife.
You will have small dance floors in these bars where you can enjoy with your friends and partners.
Many tourists make sure that they are enjoying at least one night in these bars just due to an amazing time that you get to spend at these places.
You will get a chance to enjoy the traditional drums and dance of west Africa.
Apart from the above listed attractions, you also have many more things that you should not miss on your trip to Kololi.
Make a better planning and reservation for your trip to Kololi.
A trip to this small place can be very interesting and amazing if it is planned well.
This place Kololi has seen tremendous growth in terms of tourism and other sectors like resorts in the past few years.
You should take care of a few safety precautions when you are traveling in the night time like carrying money in a money belt than in your pockets.
Also make sure that you are
carrying a local sim along with you on your mobile phone
if you are planning there for a long trip.
You should save a few very important numbers on that sim like the contact number of the resort or the hotel where you are staying, your driverās number and a few more.
This information can be really helpful when you are in need in such strange place.