Mandina Lodges

Nine beautifully designed lodges offering an unforgettable experience in the Gambian wilderness

Located in the Makasutu Forest, a protected area of pristine forest, savannah and mangroves, these Madin. Here, you can discover the wildlife that have made the forest their home: the wonderful birdlife, monkeys, monitor lizards and an ever-increasing troop of baboons. You can also enjoy a range of activities, from sunset boat rides to forest walks, bird watching by canoe to discovering street art in the forest or simply relaxing by the pool. Madina Lodges is featured in the book ‘1001 Escapes To Make Before You Die’ which is a guide for those in search of the world’s most unusual and beautiful places.

## Unique or special aspects What makes Madina Lodges so special is the combination of stunning accommodation, expert guides and magical atmosphere. Each lodge has its own character and style, built either on or off the river, with high beamed ceilings, private but roofless bathrooms and fans instead of air-conditioning. The Stilted Lodge and Floating Lodges are of mahogany construction and accessed by wooden walkways and bridges, while the spacious Jungle and Garden Lodges are impressive in both size and design. The Mangrove Lodge is a charming, smaller lodge, with an internal shower room and private terrace. All lodges have solar power and composting or flushing toilets. Each guest is assigned one of Mandina’s expert guides, who will share their extensive knowledge of the forest and its varied birdlife and wildlife with you throughout your stay. There is no charge for their services but it’s normal practice to tip your guide. The atmosphere at Madina Lodges is serene and tranquil, with only the sounds of nature to accompany you.

## Setting Madina Lodges is located in the Makasutu Forest, a unique ecosystem bordering the River Gambia, with over 1,000 acres of protected pristine forest, savannah and mangroves. The forest is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including over 300 species of birds, monkeys, monitor lizards, baboons and crocodiles. The river is a mangrove-lined tributary of the River Gambia, where you can enjoy canoeing, fishing or boating. The forest is also a cultural hub, with a sacred baobab tree, a local village and a street art project.

## Style The style of Madina Lodges is rustic luxury, with understated elegance and natural materials. The lodges are designed to blend in with the surroundings and offer comfort and privacy. The décor is simple but stylish, with wooden furniture, colourful fabrics and African art. The lodges have large windows or balconies that offer stunning views of the river or the forest. The pool area is inviting and relaxing, with canopied day beds and sun loungers.

Sustainability

Madina Lodges is committed to sustainability and environmental protection. The lodges use solar power as much as possible and have composting or flushing toilets that minimise water usage. The lodges are also built from locally sourced materials and employ local craftsmen. The food served at Madina Lodges is fresh and organic, sourced from local farmers or grown on site. The lodges also support various conservation projects in the forest, such as planting trees, monitoring wildlife and educating visitors.

Madina Lodges has a positive impact on the local community and empowers them through various initiatives. The lodges employ local staff who receive fair wages and training opportunities. The lodges also support local schools, health centres and women's groups through donations or partnerships. The lodges also promote cultural exchange between guests and locals, by organising visits to the nearby village or inviting local musicians or dancers to perform at the lodges.

Rooms

Madina Lodges offers nine lodges in four different styles: Stilted Lodge, Floating Lodge, Jungle Lodge and Garden Lodge. All lodges have fans instead of air-conditioning, private but roofless bathrooms (except Mangrove Lodge) and solar power. - Stilted Lodge: This lodge is on two floors with separate bedroom (with king-size bed), outside deck (with sun loungers) and lounge area (with sofa bed) on the lower level plus upstairs day room (with sofa bed). It has an open-air shower (with hot water) and a composting toilet. It can accommodate up to four adults or two adults and two children. - Floating Lodge: This lodge is built on pontoons on the river and has a bedroom (with king-size bed), a lounge area (with sofa bed) and a balcony (with sun loungers). It has an open-air shower (with hot water) and a composting toilet. It can accommodate up to three adults or two adults and one child. - Jungle Lodge: This lodge is set back from the river and has a bedroom (with king-size bed), a lounge area (with sofa bed) and a balcony (with sun loungers). It has an open-air shower (with hot water) and a flushing toilet. It can accommodate up to three adults or two adults and one child. - Garden Lodge: This lodge is set back from the river and has a bedroom (with king-size bed), a lounge area (with sofa bed) and a balcony (with sun loungers). It has an open-air shower (with hot water) and a flushing toilet. It can accommodate up to three adults or two adults and one child. - Mangrove Lodge: This lodge is set back from the river and has a bedroom (with king-size bed), an internal shower room (with hot water) and a private terrace (with sun loungers). It has a flushing toilet. It can accommodate up to two adults.

Things to do

Madina Lodges offers a range of activities for guests to enjoy, both on site and off site. On site, you can relax by the pool, enjoy a massage or yoga session, read a book from the library or play a board game. You can also explore the forest on foot or by bike with your guide, who will show you the flora and fauna of the area. You can also enjoy canoeing or boating on the river with your guide, who will point out the birdlife and wildlife along the way. You can also enjoy fishing on the river or in the nearby bolongs (creeks). You can also discover the street art in the forest, which is part of the Wide Open Walls project that aims to promote local artists and culture. Off site, you can visit the nearby village of Brikama, where you can see how locals live....

Located in the Makasutu Forest, a protected area of pristine forest, savannah and mangroves, Madina Lodges offers an unforgettable experience in the wilderness. Here, you can discover the wildlife that have made the forest their home: the wonderful birdlife, monkeys, monitor lizards and an ever-increasing troop of baboons.

You’ll have your own personal guide to show you around the forest and the river, either on foot or by canoe. You’ll learn about the flora and fauna of the area, as well as the local culture and history. You can also enjoy sunset boat rides, forest walks, bird watching by canoe, discovering street art in the forest or simply relaxing by the pool1.

Wider region

Madina Lodges is located in the Makasutu Forest, which is part of the West African Bird Migration Flyway, making it a birdwatcher's paradise. The forest is also home to various wildlife, such as monkeys, monitor lizards, baboons and crocodiles. The river is a mangrove-lined tributary of the River Gambia, where you can enjoy canoeing, fishing or boating. The forest is also a cultural hub, with a sacred baobab tree, a local village and a street art project. Beyond the forest, you can explore the wider region of The Gambia, which offers a variety of attractions and experiences. You can visit the capital city of Banjul, where you can see the Arch 22 monument, the National Museum and the Albert Market. You can also visit the Kachikally Crocodile Pool, where you can see hundreds of crocodiles and learn about their significance in local culture. You can also visit the Abuko Nature Reserve, where you can see more wildlife, such as antelopes, hyenas and monkeys. You can also visit the Tanji Bird Reserve, where you can see more than 250 species of birds. You can also visit the Sanyang Beach, where you can enjoy the white sand and turquoise water.

Getting there

Madina Lodges is located in the Makasutu Culture Forest, near Serekunda, The Gambia. The nearest airport is Banjul International Airport, which is about 40 km away. You can book a transfer with Madina Lodges or take a taxi from the airport. The drive takes about an hour and is an interesting journey through rural villages and landscapes.

Alternatively, you can fly to Dakar, Senegal, and take a ferry across the Gambia River to Banjul. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to Serekunda and then to Madina Lodges. This option may take longer but offers more scenic views of the river and the coast.

Ethical credentials:

Actively reduces consumption
Wildlife protection or rescue
Reforestation or restoration
Funds projects
Local or organic food

Good for:

Nature

Setting:

Rural

Facilities:

Pool
Restaurant
Bar

Room capacity:

Up to 2
Up to 4

Suitable for:

Family

Type of property:

Lodge

Activities:

Hiking
Watersports
Birdwatching

Tags: Birdwatching, Canoess, Digital detox, Hiking, Nature and Wildlife

Price range: ££

Website

Email: mandina@gambia.co.uk

Ethical-Escapes-Fall-Back-Image

Sustainability

Rooms

Things to do

Wider region

Getting there