Hi

I have been going over to jinak island (paradise island) since 1995, I have stayed at madiyana camp several times, and always had a great time. Be carefull of the owner Forday, always sort your price out with him for your stay and food before you go, this is a must, if you pm me i will give you omar's phone number, he lives on the island and is also my business partner and very trustworthy. He can sort your price out for you at the madiyana camp,

the accomadation is very basic with no running water you will have to ask the bar staff for a bowl of hot water to wash. Food is basic but ok, i stayed on the island for 6 weeks a few years ago and that 6 weeks will stay with me forever, its a great place for bird watching and relaxing. I also have a boat if you ask omar he will take you round the island through the mangroves great for bird watching.A week is a long time to stay on the island but you could stay at madiyana for 3 days then you could stay 3 days at dumbo's place, his place is on the creek side of the island, he has running water and the accomadation is a lot better and his beer is a lot cheaper, if you need anymore info on about the island ask away.

I didn't like it. I loved Jinak, but not that lodge. Stayed there a few years ago, there was a lot of heavy machinery on the beach, because they were trying to do something about the sand erosion. The huts were horrible and I kept thinking things were crawling over me, and the toilets were a long walk in the dark, and he had just got rid of the generator. Maybe this info is out of date. I don't know. BUT the food was wonderful. Just miserable being the only people eating in a silent lodge with people waiting for you to finish your food. I liked Coconut lodge much better, as least they had solar light in the night, and did have a shower in the room. But the toilets! Also the staff did not realise that clients like to eat now and again, and may not want sardines and onions for breakfast! If I had a choice, and both places were still the same, I would probably stay at Coconut Lodge and eat at Madiana. By the way, I met Omar, and he is very friendly and helpful.

I think its lovely there very tranquil

the facilities to me are no diferent to the shared ones at tendeba

Facilities at Tendaba way better, but I didn't like the segregation of visitors there. Also, one thing that has not changed at the Madiana Lodge seems to be the arguments about how much to pay. In the end we just paid what he asked and went to Coconut Lodge to get away.

Just to say thank-you for your comments. They are very helpful.

Just found this posting, how uptodate are your comments??? We went to Jinack 18months ago to take some friends to Maniyana lodge for lunch and to chill on the beach. It was hardly there! The sea had taken most of it away. We ended up sat outside a hut drinking warm water before our walk back to the pirogue. Very dissapointing day. Hope that it is/has been rebuilt??

Hi it's 2 years since i was last at jinak and the sea was getting very close to the bar then, what KERROFSABAL said will be correct, by the way KERROFSABAL did you walk down the beech about 100 meters towards barra and see my buiding site ha ha, anyway i will be going over to jinak in 8 weeks time i will take some pics of madiyana camp and post them on here.

Kerrofsabal, All this talk of Jinack makes me want to see it again. Want to avoid the ferry and just get a pirogue (from just by the side of the ferry, I think) How much do you pay and do you think they are safe? I was told no. Also, is Coconut Lodge still open? ALSO. There was a lodge on the French side of Jinack, but no idea of the name. It looked lovely when we passed on a trip around the island.

Hi i have also seen this place only by boat and it does look great, the one with the round windows, i think it is dutch owned, i have just looked on google earth i can see it but no name i have also tried google it but can't find it, all i keep getting is madiyana camp,

also you could try DALABA LODGE never stayed there but will probably be the cheapest have a look http://www.gambianholiday.com/