We are delighted to have this new venue, with its brand new yoga space, dipping pool, great locally grown organic food, on-site classes of cloth dying and silversmith work. To reach the beach you walk through the women's farm.

It is delighful!

More information

Footsteps Eco Lodge is an Award Winning Eco Lodge and is 100% operated on sustainable and ecological principles.

The lodge is in a stunning rural tranquil location in the bush, next to a protected forest with an array of bird life and monkeys, and only a 20-30 min walk to kilometers of deserted golden sandy beaches. This is a peaceful serene natural sanctuary, an ideal place for yoga.

It offers authentic, intelligently designed, cool accommodation in natural, relaxed and friendly surroundings. The venue is completely off-grid with solar panels, hot water, composting toilets, grey water recycling and the grounds are full of fruiting trees, vegetables and flowers. It has its own plunge pool, perfect to dip and cool off in.

They are proud of the food and its quality. Meats and seafood are sourced locally from reputable suppliers. It produces its own fruit and vegetables but also source locally from neighboring farmers. The bread is baked early morning by local bakers.

Close relationships with the local community, local schools, development projects and local villages have been built over the years and guests are encouraged to visit and involve themselves with local projects and local people to enrich their experience. The staff are extremely friendly and welcoming and have been there for many years creating a warm, family atmosphere.

Things to Do

There are many interesting and unusual activities on and off site to create a unique holiday experience.

If you want to be creative there is a resident wood carver, silver smith and tailor on site. Try your hand at tie dye or local cooking. If you enjoy music try traditional djembe drumming or the local 21 stringed instrument the Kora. Every week there is a barbecue around an open fire under the stars and they have drumming, dancing, kora playing and tales from the local traditional storyteller.

If you want to relax, massage and beauty treatments are available. You can lounge on the sundeck and take a dip in the freshwater pool or stroll down to kilometers of near deserted, golden sand beaches.

Excursions

Amongst the many available:

• Try the Abuko Nature reserve full of birdlife, monkeys and crocodiles
• Take a relaxing boat trip through the mangrove forests
• Visit the local fishing village - fishing is major local source of food

Take a nature walk with the Lodge's knowledgeable guides who can fill you in on the local wildlife, fauna or flora and give you an insight into village life. There are many lovely walks in the area or you can hire a bike.

The designated Yoga area is set back from the lodge in just under an acre of it's own grounds.

It is based on a large bantaba (traditional thatched African meeting hut) and will be used for group sessions (maximum class size 18)

There will also be decked areas under the trees for individual practice. Mats,blocks and bolsters are provided.

The yoga area has many fruiting trees (oranges,bananas,avocado,grapefruit), palm trees, flowers, various plants and mature trees, an abundance of birdlife and even it's own well.  True tranquility, ideal for yoga practice.

Yoga is twice a day with one day off for excursions.  The first class is in the morning before breakfast after which your day is your own.  Our second yoga class of the day will be in the late afternoon after which we will have dinner together.

The lodge has 9 detached en-suite roundhouses which surround the center piece pool. All roundhouses have their own fruiting trees which supply shade, privacy and of course fruit.

There are 2 stylish, self contained log cabins set in their own grounds which have a kitchen, lounge and bathroom and 2 double bedrooms. They also have there own bantabas and hammocks to enjoy relaxing afternoons in the shade.

Finally there is the clay brick house called Sunbird House again set in its own grounds and has a kitchen, lounge, balcony and 2 en-suite double bedrooms.

The accommodation is clean and comfortable, and in keeping with the strong eco ethos has odourless, composting toilets that use no water, the hot water is solar powered and grey water is recycled.

Includes:
Breakfast, accommodation, three course vegetarian dinner (meat or fish available at small additional cost), yoga and use of lodge facilities.

Guests can help themselves to fruit growing in the grounds.

Not included:
Flights,transfers, travel insurance, lunch and drinks, any treatments and excursions

Flights:
Gambia is served by:

• Thomas Cook
• Gambia Experience
• Vueling

It is just a 5-6 hour flight from the UK and the same time zone as the UK so no jet lag. You fly into Banjul International Airport which is one hours drive from the lodge.

Transfers:
Available at £20 per person one way - 1 hour from Banjul Airport

Visa/Medical Advice
British nationals are given a 28 day visa on arrival. Passports must have 6 months validity remaining.

It is recommended to speak to your GP regarding medical travel advice.

Dear Freespiritm I wanted to send a review as a teacher following my recent trip to Footsteps in Gambia. I cried when I left!

The accommodation is wonderful, simple, comfortable and spotless. The Yoga Shala is beautiful with open sides that make the most of the stunning gardens, birds and sunshine. On our first morning each mat had flowers, a lovely touch from Ben and Manny who looked after the Shala, putting the mats out and away for us every day and keeping everything clean and tidy. The food was absolutely first class and nothing was too much trouble for the staff who smiled constantly.

We visited the local school, met again by the most open smiles. We drummed (badly!) in spite of the noble efforts of Bunja who played with his band a couple of nights later. a fabulous night of laughter and dancing. We walked to the beach, swam in the sea, saw the ladies farms,  fishing boats, pelicans, Mangroves, oyster beds, beautiful sunsets and sunrises.  It is a place in which you can just sit and watch and within seconds you will see something beautiful, incredible,  finches in every imaginable colour, flowers, lizards. I spent hours just watching it all go by - the best possible meditation.

I have never felt so relaxed in a new environment. Gambia time makes the Spanish 'Manana' seem urgent but this exactly what is needed on a yoga retreat. I am already looking forward to returning next year

Karen Calder February  2019.

Having travelling alone for the first time I am here now at Footsteps having to fly back to England tomorrow :( ...I must say I have had a fantastic relax for 7 days enjoyed my stay immensely will def return !! Any lady's thinking of travelling alone this is the perfect place no worry at all the staff here are brilliant owner David is very laid back & welcoming & is very lucky to have Seven as part of the footsteps family :) thanks to you all !!   Chrissy Whittington-Jewell

What to saySimply the best place in the world. Go relax enjoy amazing surroundings good company @ wonderful hospitality and all the joys that nature has to offer   Gail Davies