It was central for my trip and walking distance to the places I needed to go. Its private, lovely setup of the place. The hosts were very nice!

The location was a little oasis away from the main road but close to the strip with all the restaurants and mini markets for essentials.

“An absolute dream accommodation! ✨”

I had an incredibly wonderful stay at the Mandinka Lodge and was very sad when my time there came to an end. From start to finish, everything was perfectly organized. Right after booking, I received a message from the lovely hosts Diane and Lamin asking if I needed an airport transfer. I agreed, and the driver Pateh warmly welcomed me at the airport. The transfer took about 20–25 minutes (EUR 20.00, paid directly at the lodge). Pateh was so great that I booked a trip with him to Senegal for a safari at the Fathala Wildlife Reserve (07:00–17:00, EUR 190.00). This included pickup, water, transport, ferry from Banjul to Barra and back, 4x4 transport, safari, guide, and lion walking (without lion walking: EUR 140.00). The accommodation is very clean and cleaned daily. Nothing was missing—Diane and Lamin truly fulfill every wish. Breakfast can be pre-ordered and is served flexibly. The lush garden is a peaceful oasis, and the property feels very safe with 24/7 security. I never needed to carry a key, and my suite had a locker for valuables. The rooms are beautifully decorated, with hot water and a private fridge. Everything from A to Z was phenomenal. The Wi-Fi was fast and reliable, and likely suitable even for remote work. The Senegambia Strip and the beach are just 10–15 minutes away on foot. I always felt safe as a solo female traveler, though the hosts recommend taking a taxi or tuk-tuk at night. I also recommend getting an eSIM via Airalo—I used Africell and had excellent connection everywhere. Diane and Lamin are exceptional hosts, and you can feel the care and love in every detail. I wholeheartedly recommend this place—you will absolutely love it! Dear Diane and Lamin, thank you for an unforgettable time that will always stay in my heart. I will definitely come back when I return to Gambia.

“Chilled and Friendly experience”

Cleanliness and warmth of the hosts, very relaxing.

“A very relaxing holiday, everything and more that I could have hoped for”

Diane and Lamin were excellent hosts. Accommodation very comfortable and clean. Very close to shops,restaurants and beach….a perfect location!

“A hidden gem near Senegambia . Quiet , clean and secure . Nice gardens with plenty of bird life .”

Great location , great hosts.

The place is very nicely decorated, Bintu cleaned it very well, everything was comfortable. I would definitely stay here again. The walk to the beach or to restaurants wasn't too bad, but could be hot and dusty. Thanks for the relaxing stay.

Decoration, location, comfort, cleanliness and staff

“A relaxing oasis in Senegambia”

The Madinka Lodge was a little oasis near the Senegambia Strip and beach. Diane and Lamin were wonderful hosts, and the other staff, Bintu (cleaner), Boba, and Backa (security), were always friendly and helpful. The gardens, chill out areas, and small pool provided a lovely relaxing atmosphere that I spent quite a few hours in watching the colourful birds and lizards. The lodge is about 5-10 mins walk to the strip and a further 5 to the beach. Its worth walking another 10 mins to the poco loco beach bar as that's a much better beach.

“Urban oasis”

A very beautiful comfortable and well-kept lodge, the surrounding garden is totally lush and idyllic with lots of singing birds that will wake you up in the morning. I loved its traditional design, you can tell a lot of care and attention went into it. The hosts and the staff were super friendly and helpful at all times and will make you feel at home. Thank you Diane Lamin and all the staff for my wonderful stay!

“Really lovely hosts, lovely room and calm and quiet garden.”

Diane and Lamine are the kindest hosts, and my room was great, nicely done and spacious. The lodge is down a smaller street, very calm and quiet.

Our stay at Mandinka Lodge in The Gambia was incredible, thanks to the exceptional hospitality of Diane, Lamin, and their team. From the moment we arrived, they provided insightful information on the country. They recommended local places to see, such as Paradise Beach, where we enjoyed delicious fish and chips. Lamin also took us to the Tanji fish market, where we witnessed the unloading of fishing boats. This experience was genuinely worth it. Throughout our stay, Diane and Lamin were readily available to ensure our experience exceeded our expectations. Diane's optional breakfast was delicious, and we loved trying the locally made Baobab Juice and Wonjo Juice. If we preferred to stay in for dinner, Lamin would happily arrange for us to have a local takeaway, and Diane would supply us with beer for a small cost. The lodge's natural ambience was remarkable, featuring a roof crafted from coconut palms, screened windows, and a charming porch. The rooms were comfortable, with a mosquito net-covered bed, tiled floors, and rattan furniture, and the closet provided ample hanging space. Although a safe was available, we felt secure and didn't need to utilise it. The pool area was stunning, providing the perfect place to relax after a day of exploration. Additionally, we embraced the local custom of showering with a bucket and cup, which, although unfamiliar to some, was quite exhilarating, especially when using cold water. Overall, we loved our stay at Mandinka Lodge and would undoubtedly go again. Diane, Lamin, and their team went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable, and we cannot thank them enough. We highly recommend Mandinka Lodge to anyone seeking an exceptional experience in The Gambia.

The hosts Lamin and Dianne were most welcoming, personally escorted to room on arrival, which was beautiful and clean. Location was good, walking distance to the beach and restaurants There was a pool when walking to beach was too much. There is 24 hour security and always felt welcomed as a lone traveller. The garden area was peaceful and relaxing. Personal touches extended were thoughtful. Would highly recommend Mandinka Lodge, and would stay again. Thank you.

“Regardless of arriving and leaving at 01:30. Diane and Lamin, arranged transfers and we were greeted with hot water for”

It was a beautiful haven from the hustle and bustle outside. It was clean and the suite was very comfortable.

Diane and Lamin were superb hosts, they made us feel really welcome. The lodges are really comfortable and we had a great stay. I hope to be back in the future.

“Diane will do her utmost to welcome you at her property. I was well looked after and it’s only a 5-10 minutes walk to th”

Very safe and fairly central.

“Small and charming lodge, perfect alternative to the neighbouring resorts”

The rooms with Kingsize Beds are in the shape of a hut, the suite is a full apartment. The rooms are very clean, the best beds we've had in the Gambia and the daily cleaning also the best we've experienced in the Gambia. The owners are so welcoming and warm, the lady of the house will always take the time to genuinely know how you are doing (and leaving you in your privacy). We were travelling during low season, the resorts in the neighbourhood gave a 'sad' vibe with having so little tourists, as the lodge is small you don't feel like you are on your own.

great breakfast, huge apartment, cosy friendly ambiance. The owners couldnt do enough to make my stay the best they could

“A wonderful place to come back to. We liked it so much that we came back to stay more days!”

Mandinka lodge is the perfect place to relax, unwind and enjoy your vacation. Despite being located in an area where you can find everything at hand, the lodge is strategically located in a very quiet street, so silence is guaranteed. The comfort of the whole place is also much appreciated, too. We had continental breakfast, with bread, butter and delicious local jams and honey. Diane and Lamin are the perfect hosts, not at all pushy and always happy to give you information and support! A wonderful place to come back to!