Photos from The Gambia

Contact Information:

Telephone:  (270) 753-0963
Email:  palamin@smilingcoasttours.com

Our Mission Statement:

“To give our clients a first hand knowledge and an everlasting experience of The Gambia; its beauty, people, and rich cultural Heritage”

Smiling Coast Tours Goals & Objectives:

• To give people first hand knowledge of The Gambia and what it has to offer.

• To help promote cultural and eco-tourism in The Gambia.

• To provide locals with a source of income through cultural tourism.

• To provide a link between University of The Gambia and other Universities in the United States through study abroad opportunities.

• To provide volunteering opportunities for Americans who wish to volunteer in The Gambia.

What Makes us Unique?

• Our personalized service. You are not a customer but a part of our family when you travel with SCT.

• 24-hour attention to “you” while you are on our adventure tour. It’s like having your own personal butler or chef.

• Transportation to and from the airport and the Gambia

• Babysitting service included for those adventurers who need assistance or who may want to go out to one of the clubs in the evening.

• 17 meals included

• A custom made gift from SCT to remind you of your adventure.
  

Our Staff: Our dedicated and knowledgeable staff includes university lecturers, Masters or PhD academics and persons with extensive travel experience and an excellent knowledge of Gambian and American Cultures and way of life, who work with ‘adventurers’ to provide them with a wonderful time and an experience of a life time. Our Staff are carefully selected and thoroughly trained to meet the needs of our ‘adventurers’. See resumes of our staff in the right hand box.

Our tour guides: Smiling Coast Tours tour guides are literally the best on the planet. They will make your experience fun, educational and inspirational. Each tour guide has been extensively trained by Smiling Coast Tours and takes an interest in each and every participant to ensure you have the best time and learn a lot about The Gambia! Your Tour Staff are experienced in leading groups and outdoor education/recreation and of course Gambian Culture as they consist of the locals themselves.

We recruit the locals to serve as tour guides giving them the opportunity to shear their culture and earn a living. Staff training is thorough, and focuses on the need for staff to provide concise information to ‘adventurers’ and answer their concerns, be proactive to prevent accidents and incidents. ‘Adventurers’ can be assured that our staff will do everything responsible and within reason to safely guide them on their ‘experience’.

Safety: The Gambia is a safe heaven and a very family friendly place.  

"The Gambia is a peaceful nation that restores your faith in human relationships and makes you look at your life values."

Every adventure, tour activity and accommodations has undergone formal safety assessments and must meet Smiling Coast Tours and the Gambia Tourism Authority strict standards. All program staff are first aid qualified and trained to deal with any safety concern. Each activity has been site-inspected and tested by our dedicated in-country staff. In the event of an emergency, Smiling Coast Tours has in-country staff and offices ready to assist 24 hours a day.

Smiling Coast Tours has a commitment to the safety of out ‘adventurers’. The safety and well being of every ‘adventurer’ takes top priority in our planning and operation of our tours. Be assured that Smiling Coast Tours will not conduct a program that we believe will jeopardize the safety of any person. Smiling Coast Tours checks nationally recognized websites to help identify travel warnings such as the Gambia Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the U.S. Department of State. Smiling Coast Tours takes every measure possible through; proper hiring and training of Smiling Coast Tours field staff; in-country offices; 24-hour support team and promoting thorough preparation before arrival in the Gambia. Smiling Coast Tours has travel insurance to cover all of our ‘adventurers’.

Our “Adventures”:  Country coordinators are responsible for site inspecting and evaluating every ‘adventure’. Smiling Coast Tours works with professional ground operators of the highest standard who conduct the activities on Smiling Coast Tours ‘adventures’. There are contingency plans for each day’s itinerary should an activity need to be changed due to an unforeseen circumstance.

From assessing the quality of the equipment, to the minimum skill level requirements, we carefully choose Smiling Coast Tours ‘adventures’ that allow participants to be challenged yet have a fun and safe experience on our tours. Smiling Coast Tours reserves the right to change the tour itinerary, activities or accommodations for safety reasons; i.e. we would make the decision not to go white water rafting if the water level was too high and therefore unsafe. In the event that a condition arises that hinders our ability to provide a safe program, we will arrange a comparable alternative.

Medical issues:  ‘Adventurers’ are required to inform Smiling Coast Tours if they have any injuries, illnesses, allergies or are taking any medications. The information provided should be complete and accurate. The Smiling Coast Tours office will follow up with a thorough medical form should a participant report any medical condition that would require Smiling Coast Tours to obtain additional information. ‘Adventurers’ must update Smiling Coast Tours in writing should their medical information change between the time of signing up and departure to the Gambia.

Illness or injury overseas:  For each ‘adventure’ and each tour destination, Smiling Coast Tours obtains the location and details of the nearest medical facility. If an ‘adventurer’ is ill or injured overseas, Smiling Coast Tours staff will assist the participant in receiving appropriate medical care (including visiting a clinic or hospital). Depending on the severity of the situation, Smiling Coast Tours will contact the participant’s listed emergency contact via the Smiling Coast Tours head office.

Tour locations and activities: The Smiling Coast Tours ‘adventures’ will allow you to do more things in ten days than most people would dream about doing in a lifetime! Each ‘adventure’ is chosen to allow you see the best the Gambia has to offer. Smiling Coast Tours wants to show you all the natural wonders and cultural highlights of the Gambia through an action packed itinerary that is fun, safe, educational and packed with adrenaline and excitement. Whether is visiting the historic remains of Slavery at James Island, attending a traditional naming and/or wedding ceremony, getting a massage on the Sandy beaches, Smiling Coast Tours will show you more than you dreamed of. “An experience of a life time”.

In-country support: Smiling Coast Tours has the resources for 24 hour support for all ‘adventurers’ with a dedicated team of staff to oversee your experience. We have partnerships with various organizations in the Gambia including the Gambia tourism Authority, the University of the Gambia, Education through Culture and Education Communication (ecco), Starfish International and many more.