Bintang, The Gambia
In the smallest country in Africa, The Gambia. According to a survey of 500 tourists in The Gambia, Senegal and Sierra Leone conducted by AfricaInvestco.com, an African consulting and market research company, the tranquil Bintang Bolong Eco Lodge in the settlement of Bintang in The Gambia was named by a strong 17% of vacationers. Most cited reasons by respondents who had already visited Bintang were the lodge’s location directly on the Gambia River, the excellent food in the lodge’s „RIVER VIEW RESTAURANT“ and the unique view of the tranquil Gambia River’s arm ‚Bintang Bolong‚ from the eco resort’s restaurant. Other positive mentions were that this small lodge complex is so well integrated into the scenic beauty of West Africa, as if it had been built 100 years ago. Of course, the team around CEO Solo have done everything possible to preserve, or even reforest, nature. The peace and tranquility of the Gambia River is transmitted to the vacationers and visitors. Here you will be decelerated and yet this beautiful spot is considered the most popular resort along the 1120km long Gambia River. By the way, the Elbe River in Germany is a few kilometers shorter than the river described here.
GAMBIA RIVER IS LONGER THAN THE GERMAN RIVER „ELBE“
In terms of beauty, the Gambia River surpasses the slightly longer Rhine several times over. We are now in the Bintang Bolong Eco Lodge in Gambia, the smallest country on the African continent. The country of Gambia has a little over 3 million inhabitants and is considered a safe destination. The country’s beaches, especially in the south of Gambia, are among the most beautiful in West Africa and have the great advantage of being visited only occasionally by tourists.
GAMBIA RIVER IS ALMOST UNDEVELOPED AND NATURAL
The most known German rivers, e.g. ‚Elbe‘ is almost 1100km long, the Gambia River can boast 1120km and the Rhine has a length of 1230km. However, the German rivers are highly deformed and no longer have a natural course, unlike their African counterpart. In fact, the course of the Gambia River is pristine and offers breathtaking scenery – it is hardly built upon. The magnificent Gambia River course, which winds almost 1120km from east to west to the Atlantic Ocean in a seemingly wild melee through the country’s magnificent river delta. The riverbed is covered by magnificent and often large trees, providing a suitably beautiful backdrop to a unique flora and fauna. Since there is almost no development along this river, vacationers and visitors feel transported back to times long past. Also the very rare boat traffic on this quite navigable natural paradise provides for astonished visitors and tourists. Nature and bird lovers should always have binoculars in hand, because there is an incredible variety of species to marvel at: fish, birds, sounds from nature, the almost always shining sun, everything is here in abundance.
BINTANG BOLONG ECO LODGE OFFERS UNIQUE RIVER CRUISES ON ITS OWN HOUSEBOAT FOR GROUPS UP TO 30 PEOPLE
THE GAMBIA RIVER GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF HOW BEAUTIFUL AFRICA USED TO BE
While many rivers in Africa have been terribly organized, the course of the Gambia River has remained truly pristine and this is a huge advantage for tourism in The Gambia: travelers get ‚Africa unplugged‘ here. Situated in a beautiful river landscape, the tranquil Bintang belongs geographically to the West Coast Region of The Gambia. This district of Foni Bintang-Karanai lies on the largest tributary of the Gambia River, the Bintang Bolong, and is about 90 road kilometers from the capital city of Banjul.
The flagship of the whole region is certainly the Bintang Bolong Eco Lodge, beautifully integrated into the course of the river, which aims to promote eco-friendly tourism and preserve damage to nature and the course of the river. The people of Bintang benefit from the great success of the lodge, e.g. the school and numerous wells have been built, turning a remote region into a showcase community in West Africa.
Bintang currently has more than 1200 inhabitants who live mainly from rice, peanut and vegetable farming. Some also specialize in fishing and tourism. The village is divided into three kabilos (zones): Ceesay kunda, Manneh kunda and Jobateh kunda. Each kabilo takes turns hosting guests at Bintang Bolong Lodge and provides an equal number of employees. Their income is used for the development of the areas.
INTERESTING HISTORY OF BINTANG BOLONG LODGE
The history of Bintang Bolong Lodge velief since its foundation is not told in few words. In 1992 the Frenchman Jean Guery came to Bintang – by boat. He saw in the beautiful piece of nature the potential of an appropriately gently integrated hotel facility and began construction in 1992 and had his first guests in 1994. He got a Belgian partner two years later – but the whole thing ended in court in 2004. It was then ordered by the court that the lodge come into new hands.
CHANGE OF COURSE SINCE 2004, THE LODGE NO LONGER OPERATES FOR PROFIT
Fortunately, in 2004 a German family bought Bintang Bolong Lodge and decided not to run it as a profit-oriented hotel resort, but to help the whole population of the region and to develop the resort with an ecological view. Since 2005, hotel manager Solo has been running the business. With a great deal of skill and imagination, he has incorporated social media into his media campaign, among other things. As a result, more and more African holidaymakers are visiting Bintang. Ecolodge Bintang Bolong reinvests is (modest) profits in the local biosphere, and is a very active sponsor of the village community.
That being said: the prices are fair and modest.
BINTANG BOLONG LODGE ALWAYS HAS A GOOD OCCUPANCY RATE
With success: throughout the year, Bintang Bolong Lodge can point to a high occupancy rate. Even the worldwide Corona-related bad year 2021 made the staff of Bintang Bolong Eco Lodge sweat. An impressive 55% occupancy rate proves that this little corner of the world appeals to people. In 2022, 70% will be far exceeded, making Bintang Bolong Eco Lodge one of the most known and successful hotel operators in The Gambia.
BINTANG BOLONG ECO LODGE HAS WITH IT’S OWN EXCELLENT „RIVER VIEW RESTAURANT“, ONE OF THE BEST PLACES FOR FINE DINING OR LUNCH IN WESTAFRICA
The restaurant is also popular with day visitors from Senegal or the capital, almost 100km away. No wonder, diners enjoy absolute peace and tranquility and a magnificent view of the river landscape. The oft-lauded restaurant (of course) offers mostly fresh fish and locally grown vegetables and fruits at reasonable prices. A glass of freshly pizzed orange juice costs 100 dalassi (about US $1.65), a big bottle of cold water 50 dalassi.
We authors can only wish Bintang Bolong Lodge and Solo continued good luck from the bottom of our hearts, because this lodge is a bright spot in West Africa and a good example that doing good is good for the environment and the region.
BINTANG BOLONG ECO LODGE IS VERY EASY TO REACH
Bintang’s most famous lodge is exceptionally easy to reach by car on completely well paved roads. The aha experience comes when the guests are just outside the lodge, the beauty of the Gambia River is overwhelming. That’s what happened to us yesterday and we couldn’t get out of our amazement. The Gambia River is surprisingly wide, almost 750m at this point. In other places it is up to 2km wide, amazingly much water for the ‚Smallest Country in Africa‘.
BINTANG BOLONG ECO LODGE IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
The eco lodge BINTANG BOLONG wants to do good, but does not want to make a profit. Ecolodge Bintang Bolong reinvests is (modest) profits in the local biosphere, and is a very active sponsor of the village community. That being said: the prices are fair and modest. For this reason the accommodation prices are very reasonable:
A bungalow is available from 40 US $ for the night there can then two guests in it well and comfortably spend the night. A so-called Wooden Room is available for two people for 50 US $ and there is an even cheaper option, a double room with a view of the garden, which costs for two people 30 US $ per night including breakfast.
BINTANG BOLONG ECO LODGE WINTER SPECIAL:
2022/23 there is a winter special and for all guests staying six nights or longer there is a 20% discount. For groups of 10 or more there is a 15% discount.
Inquiries and info gladly on the BINTANG BOLONG ECO LODGE website:
Web: https://bintang-bolong.com/
eMail address: reception@bintang-bolong.com
Article written by Isatou Camara, Junior Tourism Consultant and Oliver Gaebe, Travel Journalist.
Press release written by
BellaCoola Film Production UG
Ms Isatou Camara and Mr Oliver Gaebe
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