Hostels in GUNJUR, GAMBIA

City Gunjur – Palm Forest City of Gambia

A small yet a principal coastal town of south-west Gambia; Gunjur is famous for its lush palm forest vegetation, cashews and wildlife. Bordered gracefully with Northern Ireland and Marlborough in Wiltshire; the city embraces the huge Atlantic Ocean. Gunjur is remembered by the tourists for its rich and rustic music, dance and drumming troupes who set any of the evenings on fire.

Accommodation Options
Several beach lodges, eco lodges, youth hostels and camps provide a wide variety of accommodation arrangements to the incoming tourists. The basic facilities offered by these hotels and lodges comprise of mainly bar and multi-cuisine restaurant, campfire, swimming pool, eco tours and masseur service. Tourists can also stay in the star luxury hotels of the neighbouring cities (Banjul, Bakau, Kololi, Cape Point and Kotu); which are easily accessible from Gunjur.

History
The Gunjur city was ruled by the royal Arab dynasty in 9th-10th centuries. It became the connecting city in the trans-Saharan trade circuit, when Mansa Kankan Musa of Mali Empire took the reins of Gambia. Gunjur was controlled by Portugal in 16th century followed by the mighty Courland Empire. In 1889, the years long power conflict between French and English led to the British establishment in the city. This palm city emerged as a major coastal town after the independence of Gambia in 1965.

Popular Places
Tourists visiting Gunjur can go to the adjacent village Kartong which has an art gallery exhibiting the paintings and woodcarvings of several local artists. The wetlands are the best places for bird watchers and nature lovers. A number of small fishing villages in and around the city give a great fishing opportunity to the travellers who can simultaneously enjoy the beachside walk.
 
Getting Around
A large number of regular and frequent flights from Banjul International Airport connect the major Gambian cities to Gunjur. The most popular modes to move around the city include buses, boats, cruises, bikes and car rentals. Horse/donkey carts serve the purpose where the other modes of transport cannot be accessed easily. Tourists should essentially take along a travel guide who is well acquainted with the city routes.

Places of Entertainment
The travellers loving the campfire can relish their stay at Gunjur the most, as the local residents organise campfires with live drumming and dancing troupes. Gourmets can taste some really good sea food delicacies and smoked fish salad in the restaurants here. Tourists can also sip the local fresh palm wine in one of the beach bars.

Language(s) Spoken
The major official language of Gunjur is English but the natives speak a number of other vernacular dialects like Wolof, Mandinka, Sarrancule and Fula.

Currency
Dalasi is the present currency of Gunjur, which is again divided into 100 Bututs. To avail the currency exchange services, tourists can ask the hotel staff or visit any of the commercial banks in the city. The most recent currency exchange rate can be obtained from internet, news or news paper. 

Gunjur group accommodation | Hostels & budget hotels