Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Established in 1995, Ngala Lodge - an intimate, child free, boutique hotel of just 18 unique, magnificent suites, set in tropical gardens, overlooking the Atlantic is the perfect place for a romantic break. Recently voted the 4th most romantic hotel in Africa by TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Awards, with arguably the best restaurant in the Gambia, our guests find it hard to leave.Ngala Lodge - where romance isn't just for Valentines Day!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Business
Location
64 Atlantic Boulevard, Fajara Gambia
Ngala Lodge
649 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
First time in Gambia and we had a 10 night stay in Ngala Lodge. Loved Gambia and very glad we chose Ngala Lodge. A small, extremely peaceful, intimate and friendly hotel. Lots and lots of repeat guests who we had a wonderful time chatting to most evenings over drinks. We hope to return ourselves next year. Loved the fact that you were asked not to tip until the end of the holiday. Took the pressure off and ensures everyone receives something rather than just those that are customer facing as usually happens.
We ate 3 evenings in the hotel and the rest of the time outside of the hotel, really just for a change of scenery. The food in the hotel was lovely but, obviously being a hotel, it was a little more expensive than some of those outside. However, at least you have the choice. The staff in the hotel are extremely friendly and nothing appears to be much trouble for them. We walked from the hotel to Gidas Restaurant, Clay Oven and Butchers Shop. All good restaurants and very safe to walk to, you just need a torch. If you want something livelier in the evenings, then it’s a 15 minute taxi ride to get onto the Strip which offers loads of bars, restaurants and music choices.
The suites are huge and have everything you want and are immaculately cleaned. The grounds have been beautifully thought out with lots of quirky arty pieces dotted around. There are a lot of trees which do provide plenty of shade so you do have to move around a fair bit to get full sun during the day, but no real hardship when that’s the only thing you have to do. The sun beds are extremely comfortable as they have lovely padded mattresses on them. Our favourite area to sunbathe was the decking right by the sea. Nice sea breeze and beautiful sounds of the ocean. My only suggestion for the little beach area is could the security staff that overlook that area not be given an hour or so each shift to go and pick up the fair amount of plastic that accumulates there? The plastic isn’t from the hotel, it’s washed up by the sea, but it would improve the look of that little area if it was picked up daily. Plus doing their bit for the environment.
Thank you for a wonderful stay.
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jonathan G, General Manager at Ngala Lodge
Responded Feb 10, 2020
We are pleased that you enjoyed your stay with us. Glad that you apppreciated the decking, grounds and Ngala's ambiance. The pool attendants and beach security are supposed to commit 15 minutes every morning at low tide to pick up the beach rubbish, but I must admit that I forget to remind them everyday as is necessary! We certainly do hope that you will return next year and join the long list of repeat guests.
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Visited several hotels in Gambia and this was a return visit to Ngala. Boutique and no children .Lovely gardens with loungers or visit the beach deck and listen to the crashing waves . Staff are super attentive and friendly at this small and intimate hotel . We stayed in Macondo suite which is spacious and lovely views over garden and sea .The breakfast are very good but we still fail to be impressed by evening meals so ate out most nights where ambiance and food was better and far cheaper ,plenty of local resaurants within a short taxi ride for £5 or £6 return . If you want a quiet relaxed location with no beach sellers etc this is the place to go
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jonathan G, General Manager at Ngala Lodge
Responded Feb 3, 2020
We are pleased that you enjoy the lovely gardens, Macondo suite and beach decking. Sorry we can't impress you with our style of cuisine but I do hope that your wife enjoyed her birthday.
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The Ngala Lodge is an exceptional hotel. The old colonial building that was transformed into a hotel fulfills everything that‘s promised on their webpage. Service is personal and everybody cares about the wellbeing of the guests. The suite in which we stayed (Macondo) was spacious and the bathroom exceeded (at least in size) every bathroom we‘ve encountered in hotels until now. The whole site is filled with little details (mostly sculptures and pictures) that give the tropical garden a special look. If you want to stay there be sure to book half-board as the restaurant is serving excellent dishes and certainly deserved at least a mention in the Michelin, if not even a star. We spent an unforgettable week there and if ever we‘re going to return to The Gambia we‘ll stay at the Ngala Lodge.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jonathan G, General Manager at Ngala Lodge
Responded Jan 6, 2020
Thank you Yann & Fabienne for your lovely comments and recommending the restaurant. We look forward to seeing you back with us.
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Booked a table and were given a good table. Ordered four main courses and one starter. Ordered wine and they brought the wrong one, which was rectified. Waited a long time for food and tables who had ordered after us got theirs first. All the correct cutlery was put on the table. When it eventually arrived they brought the four main courses and the soup starter and one waiter said it was because they thought we wanted it all served at the same time! Four people and five dishes! The food when we eventually got it was very good but when the bill came, there were drinks on there we had not had. It was removed and then we mentioned that the water we had had was not on it. Removed again! The waiter then worked out the extra percentage for credit card payment and was not happy that one of us ( an ex Maths teacher!) wanted to check it was correct. When the credit card machine would not work we then paid cash and after leaving the restaurant realized we had been charged the extra credit card percentage! Went back and it was refunded. What was really annoying was the attitude of the waiting staff. They were experienced and we can all make mistakes. However not once was their any apology for their catalogue of errors. It is not the cheapest restaurant in Gambia but for the price you do expect more professional service.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jonathan G, General Manager at Ngala Lodge
Responded Jan 21, 2020
Dear "inntheknow' I see that Diana, who was one of your group, has already made her experience known on the Ngala restaurant page 3 days ago. Once again I do apologise for the disappointing service and the problem with the internet connection between ourselves and the local bank responsible for the visa payments. Training in the restaurant has been prioritised this week and I do hope that the next time you are back in The gambia you will give us a chance to make it up.
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Our first time to Gambia for a 11 night stay at Ngala Lodge. Great service from Gambian experience and their Rep in resort was excellent, as were all the staff, during our stay. Hotel comfortable and clean. We were on a B&B basis which was fine although eating out was pretty average with the exception of ‘The Clay Oven’ (10 min walk) which was excellent and not expensive. All of the staff were great but Ndey & Lamin in the restaurant were particularly helpful, as was Omar (the ‘pool boy’ - their description, not mine). As our first time in Gambia here are our thoughts if you’re thinking of going to Gambia/Ngala Lodge. Don’t bother changing money at Banjul airport when you arrive, Ngala do the international rate. Have a pound coin on you for to pay the porters at the airport who automatically pick up your cases. Don’t rely on ATMs, when we were there none of them worked. The hotel will provide cash from credit card (passing on the 3.5% charge which is fair enough) or you could just take sterling, there is a safe in the room. Similarly, restaurants may say they take credit cards but during our stay the ‘machine’ was regularly not working. Assume you’ll need cash is our top tip. We don’t think the airport lounge at Banjul is worth it (£25pp) Departure area is fine, nice and cool and drinks etc available at local prices. You will need to pay a fixed price arrival and departure charge at the airport of £20 or 1000 GMD so make sure you have this ready. At the moment, the exchange favours paying in GMD rather than £. We paid sterling on arrival and GMD when we left. Senegal safari was good with the journey, ferry crossing and Senegal border procedure being as ‘interesting’ as the actual drive round the park! Enjoy the bartering at the markets, walk and get out and about rather than taxi everywhere, you’ll experience more. Solomelo’s is recommended as a nice place in town for a bite to eat and cheap drinks, very friendly and welcoming owners. Before you buy a large wooden carved giraffe you should check the size of your suitcase 😂 We walked everywhere, in including at night, and never felt worried. You will be approached and talked at and it is obvious who is just being friendly (99%) and those who want something. Just be polite and firm, smile and say you’ve been to Gambia before - nobody during our stay pushed it too far. Enjoy the winter sun.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jonathan Groves, General Manager at Ngala Lodge
Responded Dec 12, 2022
Thank you Heather for sharing your experience with us. We hope to see you back with us again now you know "the system".
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We came to stay at Ngala Lodge the week of the 10th March 2020, we had been to Gambia many times before but this time thought we would change and stay here. From the moment we arrived we felt very welcome, Jonathan explained everything to us and we went to our room. We wanted a television in our room so we stayed in a manor room, it was very large and a bit dark, but overall it was lovely and our terrace was really nice. The food was really good and the resturant is lovely with wonderful views. Overall it's such a relaxing holiday, helped by a wonderful massage, and wonderful staff. Anyway we hope to come back, now we have all been affected by the coronavirus we hope that the Gambia and Ngala lodge come through this with as few casualties as possible.. stay safe and well everyone very best wishes Lynda and Phil
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Date of stay: March 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jonathan Groves, General Manager at Ngala Lodge
Responded Mar 31, 2020
Thank you Lynda & Phil for your thoughts and wishes. We are glad that you appreciated the atmoshere, restaurant and staff. We look forward to seeing you back with us soon.
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We have stayed at a number of hotels in The Gambia with Ngala Lodge surpassing them all. There is nothing to fault - the grounds are beautifully kept enhanced by some unique and tasteful statues, the cuisine in the restaurant is top calibre, the staff are amazing (engaging, smiley and customer focussed) plus most importantly there is a great vibe about the place. The views are spectacular and the 2 pools are crystal clear - how refreshing for a hotel to have a 20m length pool as opposed to the kidney shaped norm. Yassin, the masseur linked to the hotel, gives invigorating massages and reflexology. Would we return - oh yes we would! Thanks to everybody for making our stay so memorable.
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Date of stay: December 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jonathan Groves, General Manager at Ngala Lodge
Responded Jan 7, 2022
Thank you so much for your kind words. We are so pleased you enjoyed the vibe, cuisine, service and friendliness of Ngala. We look forward to seeing you back with us again.
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We were at Ngala just before lockdown for 4 days in 2020. We were looking for a March Sun break in 2022 with as little flight time as possible. The flights are just 6 hours and on the same time zone. We paid to upgrade to the Femmy suite which was great for seclusion barring the work painting the totem pole outside our suite for 3.5 days of our 7 day stay. We love Ngala for its quirky artwork, situation and restaurant - all of which didn’t disappoint. We had decided to forego half board as we had had good experiences with local restaurants in 2020. However, Gida’s Garden and The Captain’s Table were both closed and the restaurants externally we went to looked a bit tired and the pricing had increased dramatically. With hindsight we would have gone half board at Ngala as the hotel’s restaurant was the best option available. The staff were without exception friendly and did the hotel great credit. We did do a half day excursion to Tanji bird reserve. This was well worth it if you are keen on birds and we would recommend. So in short, if you are looking for great weather, good food, decent Wi-Fi and a comfortable top quality hotel and easily accessed from the UK, we would highly recommend.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jonathan Groves, General Manager at Ngala Lodge
Responded Mar 21, 2022
Dear Chris & Caroline, we are pleased that you enjoyed your stay but apologise for erecting and painting of the new totem pole.during your stay. We hope to welcome you both back to Ngala soon.
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As a couple we stayed 14 days in half board at the Ngala Lodge. It was an unusual, special and exceptionally enjoyable holiday. Our Macondo suite "REBEL" was spacious, comfortable, very neat, with a pleasant terrace, a beautiful view of the ocean and the original atypical garden, beautiful works by the Dutch painter Rebel on the walls. The friendliness and availability of all staff is well above the world competition in the HORECA sector. Breakfast and dinner were of high quality, with a wide choice of dishes. The wines excellent and at reasonable prices. Sometimes the waiting times during dinner were a bit too long when the restaurant was packed. The atypical garden with its sometimes bizarre works of art and statues and knick-knacks evokes amazement and very often a smile. We made two day trips with Habib and discovered some local gems of The Gambia, including the Kafuta Tumbung School, which we visited with emotion. Perhaps the temperature of the pool could be a bit higher. A detail, I know!
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from HaddyJatou Njie, General Manager at Ngala Lodge
Responded Jul 25, 2023
Thank you Simon for your kind words. We look forward to welcoming you both back to Ngala soon.
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Arrival was very professional, being greeted with cold towels and juice as they do in safari lodges, whilst sat in a covered open sided lounge area.
We were booked into one of the Atlantic Suites. There are 4 of them, ours was ground floor, with just a step down onto the pathway leading through tropical trees and plants to the restaurant, pools and gardens.
The room was spacious and tastefully decorated, and kept very clean by the staff. A large lounge area, huge comfortable bed, walk through dressing area and spacious shower and sink/toilet areas. We loved the mobile phone system, saving trips to reception etc. The Atlantic Suites have balconies or patios with loungers, table and chairs and a hot tub, and a call to reception was required to switch the breaker to power it up.
The hotel brought us a chilled bottle of bubbly to celebrate our 40th anniversary, whilst sat in the hot tub, a lovely touch.
The grounds are very well maintained, but being on a slope may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. Lots of areas to relax and quirky statues to smile at.
The restaurant serves excellent food and reasonable priced wine. Only one small niggle, on two evenings the service was slow, taking 45 minutes to bring two scoops of ice cream.
We found all members of staff polite and welcoming, and very professional. Jonathan the manager and Peter the owner were both charming, and should be rightfully proud to run what must be one of the best hotels in The Gambia.
We would be happy to recommend to family and friends
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Date of stay: November 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:As the grounds are sloping, if you have mobility issues ask for a ground floor room.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jonathan Groves, General Manager at Ngala Lodge
Responded Dec 20, 2022
Thank you Susan for sharing your experience with us. Sorry for the delay in the Ice Cream I will check why, to ensure it doesn't happen again. You are correct, I am very proud to be running Peter's little Paradise with a great team behind me. We would love to welcome you back for your 41st Anniversary.
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There are more places to choose from in the Fajara area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
ngala hotel fajara
LOCATION
GambiaBanjul DivisionFajara
NUMBER OF ROOMS
24
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