Bintang Bolong Lodge

Location: bintang village, Bintang, gm

Star Rating: 8.1 Stars

Property Type: Lodges

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 01:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Check-out: 12:30 PM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Restaurant
• Room service
• Terrace
• BBQ facilities
• Luggage storage
• Safety deposit box
• Tour desk
• Soundproof rooms
• Facilities for disabled guests
• Ironing service
• Car hire
• Packed lunches
• Currency exchange
• Non-smoking throughout
• Private check-in/check-out
• Shuttle service (additional charge)
• Wheelchair accessible
• Kid meals
• Evening entertainment
• Public Bath
• Entertainment staff
• Paid WiFi
• Fruits
• Beauty Services
• Personal trainer
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Sanitized tableware & silverware
• Shared stationery like menus, pens are removed
• Process in place to check health of guests
• Access to health care professionals
• 24-hour security
• Broadcast Live sport events
• Cooking class
• Front desk (limited hours)
• Snack bar/deli
• Playground on site
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Airport transportation - drop-off (surcharge)
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Private beach nearby
• Internet access
• Housekeeping on request
• Concerts/live shows
• Private picnics
• Wine release events
• Reception hall
• Japanese garden
• Secured parking
• Garage
• Fishing nearby
• Water sports equipment
• Beach club nearby (surcharge)
• Hosted evening meal (reserve)
• Bicycle-friendly property
• Beach toys
• Charcoal grill
• Guest education on local ecosystems and culture
• Vegetarian menu options available
• Bulk dispenser for toiletries
• Paddle boating nearby
• Accessible shuttle
• No accessible shuttle
• Accessible train station shuttle
• No accessible train station shuttle

Rooms Available

• Double Room

  This double room features a private bathroom, a private entrance, a seating area as well as a terrace. The unit offers 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Additional toilet
  • Private entrance
  • Mosquito net
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Cleaning products
  • Terrace
  • Dining table
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Adapter
  • Lockers
  • Key access
  • Window
  • Air purifiers
  • Hand sanitiser

• Bungalow with Sea View

  Boasting 1 bedroom, this bungalow has 1 bathroom with a shower, a seating area and terrace where you can relax. The bungalow has a private entrance, a wardrobe, as well as a balcony with river views. The unit offers 2 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Additional toilet
  • Private entrance
  • Mosquito net
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Cleaning products
  • Terrace
  • Dining table
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Adapter
  • Lockers
  • Key access
  • Window
  • Air purifiers
  • Hand sanitiser

• Deluxe Double Room with Balcony and Sea View

  The double room offers a private entrance, a seating area, a terrace with garden views as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The unit has 1 bed.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Additional toilet
  • Private entrance
  • Mosquito net
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Cleaning products
  • Terrace
  • Dining table
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Trash cans
  • Wine glasses
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Adapter
  • Lockers
  • Key access
  • Window
  • Air purifiers
  • Hand sanitiser

Guest Reviews

• Cornelia (8/5): Geweldige ervaring.. en ik kom zeker terug - De rust in deze periode van het jaar, ik was er alleen.. alles was fijn. Maar vooral de kamer met uitzicht op de rivier. De rust die je dan mag ervaren De manager die dat kano huren 25 uren per uur was en ik op het bord zag staan 6 euro per uur.. had ik een slecht gevoel over. Wees gewoon altijd eerlijk en vooral als manager. Daardoor niks meer daar geboekt.
• Biljana (10/5): - Everything Nothing
• Nina (9/5): -
• Kathrin (4/5): Für Naturliebhaber geeignet - Lage direkt am Wasser Sauber Sehr einfache Ausstattung, kaputter Boden, gegen das Geländer zum Wasser durfte man sich nicht anlehnen, sonst wäre man ins Wasser gestürzt. Preis- Leistungsverhältnis stimmt nicht.
• Vanessa (6/5): Relax forzato - I lodge sul fiume era molto carino, si poteva vedere l’alba e le serate sul terrazzino del ristorante erano piacevoli. Lo staff era quasi sempre gentile, ma dipendeva molto dalla persona con cui ci si interfacciava Il ristorante era sprovvisto della maggior parte delle pietanze, anche quelle tradizionali. La camera non era un granché, la tenda antizanzare non copriva tutto il letto e siamo stati punti. Un asino nelle vicinanze ci svegliava molto presto la mattina e la doccia aveva solo acqua fredda (è normale in Gambia, ma lo aggiungo per chi non lo sapesse). Non c’è nulla da fare o vedere intorno alla struttura se non giri in barca estremamente costosi e birdwatching
• grzegorz (10/5): Bardzo polecam! - Super lokalizacja. Dobre jedzenie.
• Niklas (10/5): - Incredible location in the mangroves, beautiful view, cozy room
• Carlos (9/5): - La ubicación, la cabaña está justo encima del agua, de ensueño La habitación tenía muy pocs iluminación eléctrica
• Raquel (9/5): -
• Hussein (1/5): - Brutta esperienza soprattutto il direttore e maleducato e la camera vecchissima con puzza di umidità Brutta esperienza soprattutto il direttore e maleducato e la camera vecchissima con puzza di umidità
• Raúl (9/5): -
• Jose Luis (9/5): Un paraíso en medio del Río - El lugar es increíble No se puede pagar con tarjeta y no tenían WIFI
• María Susana (9/5): Espectacular ubicación - Su ubicación sobre el río es simplemente espectacular. Despertar cada mañana con el sonido de decenas de pájaros diferentes, increíble. Fuimos en temporada baja y no había mucha variedad de comida. No nos pudimos bañar pq el río estaba muy bajo y, tal vez, le haría falta algunas reformas. Pero el lugar compensaba.
• LORENZO (8/5): - La ubicacion a orilla del rio. Baño en el rio Cena (arroz con gambas) Amanecer No esperes lujos europeos
• Jan (8/5): A lovely place to relax - A beautiful lodge in a lovely and quiet village. A very calm and relaxing stay, the room is simple but has everything you need. The possibility to have breakfast and dinner there is also very nice. Wouldn’t recommend the guided Mangrove boat trip that the lodge offers for the price - the mangroves are of course pretty (though didn’t really see many birds), but the trip is actually not guided and the captain didn’t speak english at all. So something to keep in mind to manage expectations.
• Simon (7/5): Good -
• Paul (9/5): A clean, friendly and welcoming place in an excellent location. - Location superb. Excellent food. No hot water and no internet during our stay.
• Jacky (10/5): Exceptional -
• Julie (2/5): Very disappointed at Managers behaviour. - On the previous 3 visits I've enjoyed the food and location and rebooked for a 4th stay, sadly I won't be visiting again In 2024 The Manager told us our dog could not sleep on the floor of our room when we turned up despite me explaining I had booked because at the time of booking it said very clearly on their information on booking.com that pets were accepted. He said that pets were OK as long as they slept on the verandah. That time we decided not to stay but would rebook. Some months later I booked 2 bungalows for a party of 4 . On arrival the staff informed me the dog wasn't allowed on the premises .........and I was asked to tie her up outside of the complex and she could stay there all night! I asked to talk to the Manager on the phone as he wasn't there. I reminded him he had told me and my partner on a previous visit that my dog could come as long as it stayed on the verandah and I had gone ahead and purposely booked the sea view bungalows as they had an enclosed verandah. He shouted at me told me he had never said that. I told him I would not have driven all this way with another couple had I not been told my dog could stay , he refused to let me speak started shouting and said I was lying and put the phone down, not at all the response you expect from a Manager in hospitality. We left and checked in to Abcas Creek who gladly accepted all 4 of us and the dog. We enjoyed it so much we have booked again for longer next time.
• Helen (8/5): Relaxing experience in a beautiful location - Location . Food Dark room. Noisy Fan
• Gerhard (10/5): Exceptional - Very nice and very authentic place directly at the river. I took one of the little houses where you open the door and can just enjoy the river shore. The room was cosy and you will feel the nature around you. Super friendly staff, excellent food and a charming atmosphere, I'd really recommend staying there if you're not up for five-star resorts. Be careful with the wooden planks at night as some of them are not in the best condition. There is a risk of slipping or collapsing. I would recommend some repairs by the owners.
• Erica (9/5): Lovely and local place in a tranquil environment - My stay was simply amazing! The location was just fantastic, right on the mighty Gambia river and in the nice Bintang village. The accommodation was a cute hut on stilt nicely decorated using natural material surrounded by mangroves with a balcony where you could watch the stunning sunrise. I love the peace and tranquility of this place where you can hear the sound of nature at night. Dinner was very nice - i had a delicious fresh fish dish with rice, staff was friendly and welcoming and they also had a juice bar with all kind of fresh juices. The place would also organize excursions for you - I took a little paddle boat into the mangroves and it was such a nice little trip. Do not miss this place where you could experience local Gambian life!
• Caramorgellyn (8/5): Very good - Amazing location right on the water's edge. The view was so peaceful. Food was fresh and good though they ran out of fish in the evening. The Yassa is yummy! Friendly and kind waitressing staff. Wooden boards on the pathways uneven and coming up in places with nails protruding.
• Maria (7/5): A cozy and nature-close experience - The simple bungalows are located right by the water, nestled among the mangrove trees. On our way to breakfast, we spotted beautiful birds, and the dining area couldn’t have been in a more stunning location.
• William (7/5): Good - Unique,quite and greenery environment
• Alison (9/5): Superb - Staff were super friendly and brilliant
• Valérie (10/5): Relax and reconnect with nature - Very nice place with a chill vibe in the middle of the mangroves. Excellent food and a great spot to watch birds, monkeys and even dolphins. Laundry service available. Coffee corner with excellent coffee, cakes and local juices. Very friendly staff and the setup of the rooms are lovely. It didn't botter me but there is no hot water in the shower. .
• David (10/5): fantastic place - everything was spot on the manager and staff were brilliant
• David (9/5): Superb -
• Dorothee (9/5): We really enjoyed our time at the very special Bintang Bolong lodge especially because of the very nice staff! - The staff (the girls) were super nice and welcoming. They were very forthcoming and tried to make our stay as comfortable and special as possible. The lodge itself is cute but could do a little maintenance. The location is amazing in the middle of nature with a stunning view over the river. The rooms were a bit basic and the mosquito net had some holes which is not ideal regarding the water surrounding the lodge. Also the footbridge wasn’t in the best state anymore but nothing happened.
• Robert (8/5): Brilliant back to basics location - The location and ambience is first class. Staff are great and good prices for food and drink It is basic, cold water showers, frequent power cuts and poor internet
• Brenna (9/5): Wonderful stay, serene vibes, welcoming community and staff - The location is stunning. Right on the water and integrated into the heart of the local community. The food at the Lodge is great and the staff is very kind and helpful. NA
• Momoh (1/5): My room was not clean for the two nights we stayed there. We had the same bed shit, the bathroom wasn’t clean throughout - The location was great
• Tobias (10/5): Beautiful lodge at the riverside - Wonderful rooms and at night you can see bioluminescence when you move your hands through the water. Great food and friendly staff.
• Gian (9/5): You get what you pay for, awesome place & unique value - This one is a gem! Really a wonderful place, comfortable and absolutely scenic and serene! Perfect for a getaway in a quiet place, beautifully located at the river with beautiful sunrises over the water. Great price and absolutely fair for what you get, even though the facilities are not the most up-to-date. For such a great price, there is really nothing to complain about!
• Julie (9/5): Amazing setting - The setting was beautiful, the rooms adequate and simple, the wildlife was in abundance Limited menu in restaurant.
• Selwyn (8/5): Rustic slightly tired lodge in an amazing location and next to a real rural and fishing village - The location is amazing, on the river, and the stars were fantastic. It was brilliant being able to walk along the shores and around the village, it felt like we were in the centre of Africa. We were met at the airport and even though it was very late they cooked a lovely meal on our arrival. The birdwatching was brilliant. The food was excellent. On the downside the place had a rustic charm but had seen better days. The rooms were charming but basic. The owner looked bored and was unwelcoming, but the other staff were lovely and helpful. A lot of the wood needed mending. The excursions were muddled and the communication a bit hit and miss.
• Diana (8/5): Another memorable stay with a river trip along the bolong. - Wonderful location on Bintang. Riverview cabins are lovely. They are on stilts and the tide comes in beneath the cabin. The staff are lovely and food very good
• Aminatta (10/5): Perfect - Looooved this place! I think everyone who visits Gambia should go there at least once. The staff is amazing! They will make sure you have anything you need
• Dr. (5/5): Wonderful location and fossile bungalows - The location is phantastic, peaceful and lush. The eco lodge urgently requires a modernization.The German owner apparently is not in the position or willing to invest money 7n his object. As a backpacker's stay okay but for other tourists a challenge. Some of the staff have been very friendly (like Mam or Lamin), the General Manager was not.
• Elber (10/5): Exceptional -
• Cecilia (10/5): Exceptional - Everything. The location is exceptional, seeing the sunrise from the terrace of the cabin was one of the best experiences during my trip across the country. The bed was exceptionally comfortable and smelled like flowers and the cabin itself was super cozy. The prices of their tours are fair and Lamin, their guide, is a fantastic person, we had lots of fun during the boat trip and the walking tour. The food is fine as well and again at a good price, and they even have really good coffee for very little extra. I learned a lot in this place and would have loved to stay many more days. The shower space can be tight but the rest of the cabin makes up for it.
• Isatou (10/5): A great getaway spot, with beautiful birds and kind staff - The location is stunning, I had a sea view lodge and my mom had a regular lodge. Both are absolutely stunning! If you want to see the sun come up in the morning take the sea view! The food is also amazing, if you’re vegan theres options for you and the chicken is amazing! The staff is also great, kind and absolutely helpful! Nothing about the property, just be careful with swimming for the oysters! They can give you a gnarly cut if you’re not careful! & Dont forget to bring plenty cash for payment of your stay
• Anonymous (8/5): Very good -
• Dina (7/5): Good choice to visit Bintang Bolong - The location was amazing! It could be cleaner. They could have more offer for breakfast like fruits.
• Tabea (7/5): Friendly local experience - We stayed for two nights at the Bintang Bolong Lodge in May. Upon arrival, we were not sure, if the property received our booking through booking.com but the very nice staff ladies provided us with accommodation in one of their huts. As far as I understand, the lodge is community run, so staying here supports the local people, which is really important for me. The view above the water is stunning and very romantic, we sat the half of the night outside to enjoy the flawless silence of the Gambian Bolong nature. The staff is really friendly and the food is good quality for good price. We enjoyed the terrace restaurant during high and low tide, in the middle of the mangroves. The nearby village is quiet and we did a small boat tour around the Bolong with a nice guide, the lodge organized for us. Unfortunately, we received one of the oldest bungalows. There are three sections with each 2 bungalows and the other two have been more new, so may be better, but we didn´t changed for our short stay. I was not expecting much for the low price and this is also what we found, it´s a quiet old hut on the water with a good bed. Fortunately we had running water all the time and a mosquito net, we didn´t asked for more, but the huts have to be renovated.
• Benjamin (10/5): Loved it! - The lodge is beautifully located at the Gambia River. We chose the bungalow to the end, which was only finished in February 2023. We absolutely enjoyed the remoteness of the place.
• Yumi (8/5): Very good - when I checked in, I accidentally paid more than the price. But when the Bintang staff realized my mistake, they returned the extra money without cheating. the staff of Bintang lodge is trustworthy. I didn’t realize I could use free wifi there until the day of checkout….
• Robert (9/5): Try to book here end of season! For birders, go to find Lamin's garden (2 km from river)!! - Great setting: room on stilts! Quiet, but that may be because it was end of the season?? Good food, nice staff! Good wifi in the communal places (not in your room).
• Monliah (7/5): Good -
• Frankie (5/5): location, stunning, rooms clean and adequate, breakfast very poor - location, stayed on best rooms on side of river, to see sunrise and wildlife in there natural environment staff not very friendly breakfast was not breakfast, it was a choice of how you wanted your single egg cooked
• Jessica (10/5): Exceptional - Everything, location is calm and the place is putlre paradise. Very clean rooms with shower. Wifi in communal areas. Loved every bit of my stay here.
• Karen (5/5): Basic lodge - Nice and peaceful... lovely view overlooking the river x No WiFi as advertised... no ice for drinks, was being made for 2 days .. breakfast very very basic..
• Maltrimi (1/5): Bad - The regular staff was very nice and friendly The location was very quit The manager there was the rudest person in such a position I have ever experienced. He was like an grumpy old man. I asked if I can pay Paypal, since there is no ATM within the next 45km. He said we don't do this. So I asked if I could at least leave my bag in the room and look for an ATM or something else but he said no, because of security reasons. Yea sure. So if you wann have no wifi, order in a restaurant where half of the menu is not available and shower directly beside the toilet, then come here! If not, better search for something else. Oh and also I could hear the couple next door having sex, since the walls are so thin.
• Stephanie (9/5): what a view - The lodge is in a great place of The Gambia. The room was a bit time worn and simple. There are a lot of birds arround.
• Barrow (10/5): it was really great we did enyog our stay - the foods were delicious room service
• Dembo (10/5): Exceptional -
• Nick (9/5): Superb -
• Sharon (2/5): Very poor - Beautiful Location ! On arrival I was asked to produce my passport which was very intrusive. Shower fell apart, No water to shower on Sunday morning which delayed arriving on time for Breakfast. Staff refused to serve us breakfast . Sound travels from room to room could clearly hear every word of next room loud conversation so I played music very low music. Next morning complaint. I had to ask for Toilet tissue ! Food small portions for D400 per person for each meal. Did not enjoy Greasy hard Egg Omelette
• Neil (10/5): Blissful few days away - Great lil place to stay just so peaceful amd wat you need get away from hustle and bustle rooms lovely bed overlooking the River breakfast was nice as well definitely would go back At first just wanted to get in room but they wanted money straight away was tired after long drive but after all sorted staff could not do enough
• Inessa (10/5): wonderful place! - wonderful place set right on the river. very tranquil and beautiful. the food is amazing too! make sure to take the motor boat and paddle boat on the river and a walking guided tour in the nature. the staff was superb and very helpful!
• Sarah (7/5): lovely basic hut on the River Gambia - great location by a tributary of the river Gambia . The staff were lovely helping us sort out the rarely used canoe so we could paddle up the river and helping us with the camp bikes . The restaurant on the jetty over the river was a great place to eat dinner . The breakfast and dinner although basic provided good food . The huts were on stilts right out over the river with a little balcony where we could sit and watch the wildlife The huts were basic which we were expecting but I felt they could do with a little TLC . our shower was tied to the wall with a piece of string and where once a mirror had been in the bathroom was just a gap . our hut looked as though it had been patched up numerous times but still listed at an alarming angle . the walkway to the huts was a little precarious with many loose and worn planks . However despite all this I would say that Bintang Bolong lodge is a great place to stay
• Robert (9/5): great location worth a visit - location, overlooking the river and the staff and food perfect nothing it is exactly what you expected
• Citlali (10/5): Great accomodation for a great price - Facilities were clean. Bed was comfortable. Towels and toilet paper provided. I didn't stay in one of the cabins by the river but by the entrance. There were 2 issues with the room I was in and staff was responsive and resolved the issues. The location is wonderful. By the river and in a rural village. The disadvantage of being in a rural village is food options. You can only eat at the lodge and options are limited. Food is good though.
• Kestigi (10/5): Exceptional -
• Amy (10/5): Exceptional - The food was great, and the location is amazing, the photos online don't do it justice. Very serene place to spend a few days.
• Edna (10/5): Refreshing, Relaxing & Peaceful Scenic Get-a-way! - Our getaway weekend at Bintang Bolong was one of the best vacation experiences we ever had! It’s nature environment is relaxing & refreshing. Great food, drinks & service! We checked out another lodge close by, but decided to go with Bintang because the rooms overlook the sea- which is so romantic & calming. We even got beautiful souvenirs from their shop! Great stay! There was nothing we didn’t like!

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