I stayed with my husband at Footsteps Ecolodge for 4 nights (1st two nights and last 2 nights of our holiday), and after having stayed at 2 other camps in between, we came to appreciate the personal attention we received at Footsteps. David, the owner, made our stay very special, making sure we saw the local sights and not just the 'tourist trail'. The round hut (of which there are 8 in total) we stayed in were basic but clean - even the composting toilet wasn't too stressful (or smelly!) The beds were relatively comfortable, but we realised that is standard if you are staying anywhere other than 5 star on the coast. The food was excellent with their own chef on hand at all times. The staff were delightful and couldn't do enough for us. It is a very steady pace of life, so you need to get in the 'Gambian Mindset' to enjoy your stay.

I was skeptical at first, but I can honestly say that the ecolodge was a great intro into what holidaying on Gambia's South Coast could be.

Composting eco toilets that work and dont smell a bit, little 5w eco light bulbs running purely from solar cells, water pumped from the ground auifer by solar pump and the cool plunge pool of fresh ( not chlorined) water was really refreshing after a day out and about.

The beach is a 20 minute walk away, but when you get there... what a fantastic site. On christmas day there were four people on the 5 mile stretch of beach: Sarah, Me and the two guys who sell fanta's for 25 Dal a bottle. ( Mustapha and Caber)

If you fancy a bit of gentle bird-watching theres plenty to do and see within a few hundred yards of the camp.

The staff are friendly and considerate, and the whole lodge almost has a "family" feel about it.

The food was excellent, but dont expect it to be quick as it will be prepared for you especially.

Dont expect the bright lights, discos, or foam parties - this is one to slip into gently and relax.

I would recommend this lodge for a week of anybody's holiday.

It's the greatest! Need I say more? Everything has been said already. Well, again: atmosphere is relaxed, comfortable, huts are a blast, property looks so good with the fruittrees everywhere, breakfast a feast, the dogs too cute, surrounding one big adventure, David the nicest guy in the world. We just relaxed at the pool, at the upstairs porch or we walked relaxed to the beach followed by the dogs.In the "beautyparlour" I had a treatment, for just a few bucks. It was so not professional, but so cute, I loved it!
If there's a gem in The Gambia, it sure is Footsteps!
Only drawback: as much as I liked the idea of the composttoilet, I couldn't get used to it, especially after some stomachproblems.

Comfortable beds and excellent food in a beautiful environment. A forty minute gentle walk to deserted sandy beaches.
A resident silversmith adds to the attractions.
Solar chillers, a fresh water plunge pool and Vietnamese composting toilets tick all the eco boxes.
Friendly staff and residents make any stay fun and birds and other wildlife are everywhere.
Don't miss out on the buggy hire especially if you can go to Sankule Beach.