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Sandele Eco-Retreat: Traveller Reviews

Kartong, Gambia
Hotel amenities
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33 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    25
    4
    2
    2
    0
Date Rating
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Bird watching and Unwiding”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 November 2011

We visited Sandele Eco-Retreat in November 2010.

We found it very peaceful and tranquil. Because the resort is far away from the beaten track it only sounds like a cliché but it is not. The miles long beach was deserted but for us and birds. The forest shielding the beach from the mainland was timing with birds. Walking along that beach you will see dozens of species of birds, butterflies, dragonflies, crabs, lizards.
And if you are willing to experience the morning chorus only 10 minutes walk towards the Kartoong village will take you to disused sand mines now filled with water. Within 50 minutes time we saw 5 different kingfishers, including a Pigmy and a Giant, a cluster of weavers and over 30 other species. It was a real parting treat.

The accommodation was very comfortable and luxurious. Sandele is not a part of any international hotel chains’ therefore slightly different criteria of luxury apply. We have faced occasional loss of power or lack of air-conditioning but we never complained about customer service, cleanliness of lodges, tidiness of the grounds or quality of furnishings.

The staff and the owners’ were ready and willing to help and assist:
• They arranged a dinner under the stars by locating a table and chairs on the sun roof of one of the lodges (no mean fit)
• Lunch was served on the beach
• A 6am breakfast was served and cooked by still a bit sleepy but smiling staff
• A transportation and guide hire was organised for us as and when we needed it (it cost us around 1000 – 1500 Dalasi a day)

The food was of good quality. The menu missed out on local cuisine but we did experience familiar European flavours cooked perfectly by local chefs.

It is definitely a place to come back too.

Room Tip: Ask for a Lodge, it looks exactly as the pictures show - speak to the staff directly before you arr...
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  • Stayed December 2010, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask jaas74 about Sandele Eco-Retreat
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
London, United Kingdom
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
“Pleasant place, great beach and good food”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 September 2011
2
people found this review helpful

I went there with a group of friends and stayed on the cheapest rooms. I don't think it was particularly expensive but also didn't think the rooms were particularly nice.

Having said that, the beach is fantastic and quiet and the food was delicious, I really enjoyed my stay.
I also appreciated all the effort in keeping it ecological and sustainable.

  • Stayed August 2011, travelled with friends
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask RasaSarquem about Sandele Eco-Retreat
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Kololi, Gambia
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
“Beautiful”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 July 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Really surprised to hear about the moaners on here. Sandele is a new resort, definitely not without it's growing pains. But to say that this place is overpriced is ridiculous. People seem to think that everything in Gambia should be cheap. But when you consider the surrounding beauty of this place, and the detail, care, and environmental concern that has gone into the rooms, the price is actually lower than what it should be. The beds are so comfortable, the food was good, and the beach was amazing. Show me one other eco-lodge that has a hot shower (by passive heating), and a decent compost toilet. This is a TRUE eco-lodge, and its luxury (which is difficult to responsibly supply) is really good. Don't hesitate!

  • Stayed June 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask africantraveler1 about Sandele Eco-Retreat
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Oakham, United Kingdom
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Loved it - have been back three times”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2011
2
people found this review helpful

I have visited Sandele Eco-Retreat three times now so you could say I'm hooked. It's very different to anywhere else I have ever stayed - the beach is unbelievable, massive and empty and the local village is worth a visit. However what sets Sandele apart is the ethos of the place, both the eco credentials and also how they are working with the local community to make improve the lives of local people. But even more importantly it just feels like a very friendly and relaxed place to be, and personally I loved meeting the volunteers who are working at Sandele and chatting over dinner. If you're after something original, beautiful, friendly and inspiring, then visit Sandele

  • Stayed April 2011, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask kings668 about Sandele Eco-Retreat
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Plymouth, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
33 reviews 33 reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
54 helpful votes 54 helpful votes
“Superb beach, spacious rooms and excellent food.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2011
1
person found this review helpful

This is a warm and welcoming resort where it would be difficult not to feel relaxed. The owners, Morris and Gerri make a point of speaking with the guests regularly (but not intrusively) to advise on possible activities and to ensure you are happy. This was very helpful and appreciated.

The rooms are very large and comfortable, and I believe, all have sea views, looking over what was once a quarry area that is slowly becoming naturalised again. The ingenious composting toilets work very effectively.

Your order for evening meal is taken during the late afternoon and prepared roughly in time for what you request. Presentation and taste is excellent!

The proximity to the extensive, and whilst we were there, empty beach is a real plus. We were able to walk for at least an hour both north and south seeing only a handful of folk, and a few cattle! Wonderful!

This is a work in progress, with the potential for a 5* exclusive resort, but is not there yet! There was no building work taking place whilst we were there, but incomplete and planned buildings were evident.

We'd recommend a visit to the nearby Reptile Farm conservation project and a bird watching trip in a dug out canoe on the nearby river bordering Senegal.

  • Stayed April 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask jgeorge about Sandele Eco-Retreat
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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