Introduction:
 There
are several bush and beach quad bike safari operators
and hire firms in The Gambia. These are mostly dotted
around the west coast beach holiday resorts of Senegambia
in Kololi, Kotu, Bijilo, Brufut and Cape Point. You
can join a group excursion or rent quad bikes, buggies
and scooters for a few hours, half-day, full-day or
2 day adventure safari with a guide and instructions.
Quad Bikes:
These are available outside some hotels, along the Bertil
Harding Highway and on a few beaches. Some quadbike
operators offer organised, off-road guided safaris where
they can pick you up from your hotel and take you to
their base where the inexperienced are instructed on
the handling and safe use of the vehicles before commencing
on their excursion. Some operators will take you on
tours going through or stopping off at local Gambian
villages for a break. Food and drinks are sometimes
provided as part of the cost so do enquire before booking
your trip.
For the independently minded visitor self-drive All-Terrain
Vehicles (ATV's) are an excellent way to check out local
villages, the bush and quiet beaches as quad bikes can
negotiate their way over often rugged, narrow forest
tracks and steep paths and terrains which are often
out of bounds for many SUVs.
Buggies:
These are just like quad bikes except they offer greater
safety as they come with a roll cage, seat belts, 2
seats side-by-side and are generally bigger. Hiring
a buggy also known as a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) or
Recreational Off highway Vehicle (ROV) buggy with an
instructor on board is often the best way to tour for
the less experienced, the elderly, infirm and young
children.
Beach Riding
If you rent a quad bike during the holiday season it's
not advisable to go riding along the busy resort beaches
between Cape Point to Bijilo given that there are visitors
sunbathing, walking etc. Please also note that the Gambia
Tourism Authority may place restrictions on beach riding,
so do check with them first before venturing off. It
is better to head further along the south west coast
of The Gambia to the beaches of Tujering, Batokunku,
Sanyang, Gunjur and Kartong. Depending on the tide it
is possible to ride from just south of Bijilo to the
last village on the coast called Kartong.
Safety and Insurance:
It is advisable to always wear a helmet when riding
an ATV, and to make sure that the signals are working
properly before mounting. For your own safety do not
take your ATV or UTV to the capital of Banjul. This
is because the road leading to the city is a highway
with fast moving traffic.
Always read the small print in your travel
insurance policy as some insurance companies will
not insure you for quad biking as it may be deemed one
of the 'dangerous activities' while on holiday.
Contact Quad Bike Operators:
Tilly Tours
They are located in Kololi, on the  Senegambia
Strip. Once you book a quadbike trip you will be collected
from your hotel and taken to their base where you will
be given some instruction on the safe handling and operation
of your ATV before proceeding on your
guided excursion.
You will be accompanied on your quad bike excursion
by at least 2 trained guides, one at the head of the
group and one at the back. The route you take will depend
on how long your safari is but will take you to various
local villages, past working people and various environments
where you can spot various wildlife. The longer duration
trips includes a ride along stretches of beach and a
break at a village to see either a local health clinic
or school as well as other fascinating aspects of local
life. Their quad bike tours are open to individuals
and families.
West
African Powersports
The
company offers half-day organised
guided excursion with hotel  pick-up,
drop-off, refreshments and lunch off the beaten track.
They are based in Brusubi and they take a dirt track
route that goes through diverse scenery such as forest,
bush, villages, hills, streams, through Tujering village
with lunch at a restaurant on Tujering beach. From there
you take a slightly different route back to their Brusubi
base where you will be taken back to your hotel. With
West African Powersports you can get to see parts of
The Gambia which you would not normally see as a tourist.
Their start time is about 9am and ends around 3pm. They
aim to cater for all ages and experiences, so it should
be a fun day out for the kids. |
