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Gambia: International Tourism Investment Forum's Participants Visit Sandele Eco-Retreat

By Yunus Saliu

When we talk about tourism, there are different aspects of it that will come up in our minds and these are ecotourism, sustainable and responsible tourisms among others.

Going step by step and take a look at ecotourism. Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that protects the environment and improves the welfare of the local people.

This means walking through the forest, bird watching among others are not just what we called ecotourism until such walk, bird watch among others are something that benefits such environment together with the people living in it.

As part of the activities during the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) and Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) jointly organised International Tourism Investment Forum 2014, participants and delegates from different countries were conducted on a tour round some of the ecotourism areas across Destination Gambia.

Talking about ecotourism, there are numerous ecotourism areas in Destination Gambia, but the first among other to review this season is Sandele Eco-Retreat, Kartong. Sandele is a very expensive and impressive resort founded in Kartong, in the southern part of The Gambia. The proprietors Geri and Maurice's built it in conjunction with the local community of Kartong who benefit from the development and running the resort, as they will in future assume complete responsibility.

The Retreat that offers accommodation in luxury lodges nestled in the bush is hundred meters away from the beach. It is adjacent to 5km of white-sanded, palm-fringed beach. Whether relaxing on your private roof terrace, in your beach cabana locally called 'badala bundingo' cooling off in the sea, or basking in the sun on the beach, the peaceful atmosphere at Sandele is guaranteed to help you unwind.

This sumptuous Eco-Retreat is run on ethical principles, by using local training and employing the local staff and using local materials wherever possible. It serves as one of the role models in terms of responsible tourism in The Gambia. As one among the best ecotourism resorts in The Gambia, there are lots of activities for whomever choses and visit Sandele. Among these activities are fishing, bird watching, yoga circle, forest watching, excursion, and swimming and surfing, run courses and some cultural activities among other things.

Are you keen birdwatchers? Different types of bird find shelter in The Gambia both migrating and native. Around Sandele as a birder or amateur, you can easily get hooked. There are about 560 different species of birds in The Gambia living within six protected areas aggregating about 40,000 hectares nationwide. To watch some of these birds, Sandele Eco-Retreat is the best place as their excellent birdwatchers are always around to take you round the forest to browse.

Sandele is a good place for fishing since it is not restricted to sea fish, just 4 miles away is Halahen River that joins to River Gambia and boards the Gambia with Senegal. And it is rich with different fish; amateurs and professionals are all guaranteed good catch.

Another activity that Sandele offers is Sandele yoga circle, which is opening to all and it offers you your own spiritual healing. It is simple whether you are a beginner or professional, there is something for everybody, young or old because you are welcome to join the early morning and evening group sessions.

To make it easy you can equally take yoga class with their experienced teacher and at the same time-share your experience and learn from others in the circle. The circle is the only place where the teacher can be taught.

You will definitely enjoy your stay at Sandele Eco-Retreat; they are blessed with clean sandy beach and clear sear water. The beach stretches to about 3 kilometers on both sides.

The sandy beach is adjacent to the forest, which is enriched with a variety of different tropical plants. Some of the plants in the forest are used for African medicine.

To make your holiday memorable at Sandele, you can join group-learning sessions of different cultural activities like dancing and drumming.

In addition you can go on up river excursions and forest walk, as there would be group walks. At the same time if you are a cyclist you can circle in the beach, the village even from the village to the town depends on you.

Above all, Sandele Eco-Retreat provides hotel services and support to an educational foundation. The foundation brings together international visitors and West Africans in a wide range of programs, which focus on spiritual, social and economic issues.

Sandele assist with relief of poverty in a rural community as they bring much needed income and employment opportunities to their area of operation. They as well provide education and training to enhance local skills and economic development that secures employment into the future.

For more information visit the GTBoard on Facebook as ... . www.facebook.com/gogambia

Website: www.go-gambia.com www.visitthegambia.gm.

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