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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 & 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 IN GAMBIA:
• 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.
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