Testimonials

Thank you for a lovely stay, and we will never forget this place, and lost world cup ha! ha! 12/7/10 Scarloos Spain.

Its a little paradise in Gambia enjoy! You have a great place with good people. FREEDOM!! Gracies per tot i petons Fatoumata & Lamin 14/9/10

Definitely an unforgetable place, and worth to be visited again. We have had friends Amadou and Soloman, take good care of us. Our child has also appreciated the adventure. All the best to Jinack Lodge. Laura Zoe Italy 1/11/2010

Great holiday, thanks alot. We were looked after so well too. Good bird life, really enjoyed ourselves. LaJohn Holiday England 10/11/10

Wow what a peaceful idyllic place. Everyone very friendly. Enjoyed the fishing experience, and the butterflies. We saw fish caught from the beach, and had them for lunch, the freshest fish ever! Also millions and millions of migrating butterfly, just like snow, an amazing sight which will stay with us forever. P. & J. Briggs 27/11/10 England.

Magical place, wonderful experience. We will miss this place, and the lovely people. A little piece of paradise we will be back!!! Leanne & Thomas Caines 10/12/10.

Fantastic place, open at the sea shore, many birds and fish, well equipped lodge, good food and service. We will certainly return and stay longer... Adin Joref & Monica Wladim 16/12/10

Great place. Joseph.

Truly tranquil, great place for bird watching, and chilling on the beach, Thanks to Amms, Devon, and Soloman, for making it a great end to my holiday! Hugh Watson 22/12/10 Northhumberland UK

What a beautiful place the views are stunning, and the hospitality outstanding. A warm Gambian welcome, and fabulous food. We will spread the word. Jackie and Ronnie Maynard, Buba, & Franklin 14/12/10 Manchester UK

We stay very well in Jinack, we stay very calm and relax. The landscape is very beautiful and we hope to return in the future. 'Hasta Luego Amigos' Toni Herrero Spain. 20/03/10

Jinack is the best place in the world friendly people!!! I am sad because I leave this paradise and all my friends, King Soloman, Ammadou, and Pinchu man! 'Para Siempre' Ana!!! Ana Alcalde Spain. 20/03/10

Had a great time! thanks We enjoyed our stay. Sandra and Mirjam. 04/05/10

What a magical place. Thank you. Poncile 10/15/10

What a wonderful tranquil place, so calm and quite. Perfect place to chill and excellent hospitality and care from Amadou and sol. Thank you. Lynda 27/05/10

The best place for relaxing and taking a sweet fresh breath of air on your own. Lovely beach you,ll see me again sincerely. Jeronen Belguin. 14/01/10

Beautiful, Relaxing, Peaceful, Hassle Free, Perfect Lotte Belguim 14/01/10

The first really quite and peaceful place on our trip, we enjoyed it a lot Peter Austria 02/02/10

It is very nice here, because it is so quite, and you can enjoy the sun and just do nothing. Marie De Haesschalcle Spain 07/03/10

Really love it here! so peaceful and friendly, Amms is the best cook in the Gambia, will definitely be back ! For our honeymoon. Jax Shields. 22/02/2009

Very honored to have spent time at this hidden gem, the epitome of peace and tranquillity plus great food,+ great food- look forward to returning Zoe Smith London England. 02/02/2009

Warm Gambian hospitality. Wonderful piece of paradise, just the sound of the sea and the birds - I hope paradise stays paradise... Kisty Largent London England. 2009

What a perfect end to our Gambian adventure! A beautiful and tranquil place that we hope to come back to. Excellent service from Ammadou, we will recommend you to our friends. Thanks so much! xxx Roistin Wood London UK 04/02/10

All we can say is WOW what a place. Fantastic holiday we are already planning our next visit for Nov 2011,The staff are amazing they work so hard to please , the rooms are basic but that is part of the appeal of jinack lodge.

If you are looking for all mod cons this is not the place for you, the local village is 20 minutes walk away and again is so welcoming and friendly ,There are no bumster on Jinack island,only pece and quiet, Rush hour consists of a heard of cattle walking along the beach twice a day and the sunsets are stunning, Our visit to Senegal was an adventure not to be missed, From the dug out canoe to the shopping , of course all our thanks and credit for this trip goes to Amadou and his colleagues.

Please remember there are three time zones on Jinack island,They are G.M.T., Gambian time [ up to 30 mins late] and Jinack Time.[ It will happen if you wait long enough]. this all adds up to a fabulous relaxing holiday, Our best wishes goes to Amadou, Suloman,and Moses.See you all Nov 2011 from boss lady and big belly.

"I was met at the airport by Devon, Ams and Kessey. Kessey then drove us through Banjul in a jeep and he and Ams answered my questions - about the government, the buildings, the wildlife and the remote island to which we were headed. I was a little bewildered - Banjul is a culture shock for the less experienced British traveller - but excited, too. read more...

We waited at a cafe, with a welcome bottle of cold water, for our boat to arrive. This turned out to be a small craft with an outboard motor. Kessey, the driver, stayed in Banjul and the three of us began the journey to Jinack Island. Jumping fish and the slap of waves beneath the afternoon sun - a major contrast to bustling Banjul.

After about 45 minutes, we reached a long, sandy shore. And we were greeted by people. They turned out to be Issa, Fatou and Moses, among others, all of whom worked at Jinack Lodge, my holiday destination.

The accommodation huts are basic. One (comfortable) bed, a stone floor, a shower and a lantern to light your way in the evening. And that's it. But the basic qualities are all part of the romance of the place; all part of the adventure for the Englishman on Jinack Island.

You can eat by candlelight in the main dining area - fish or chicken, omelettes, fresh fruit and vegetables, perhaps washed down with a Jule Brew, (the local beer). Or, you can eat around the ever-burning campfire, with Moses, Ams, Fatou and whoever happens to be passing through. A communal meal was a highlight for me - all digging into the pot together, as the campfire crackled.

There were numerous other highlights - a visit to the island's school and singing with the children. Swimming with dolphins, right by the lodge - yes, this does happen, right up close. Dancing to the djembe drums, played by Issa and Fatou (I did the pogo). Catching and eating my own fish supper - I've got the photographic proof. Walking with my friend, Devon, to the other side of the island, the Senegalese side, and hearing the Islamic call to prayer. Spending an entire day in a hammock, with a book and a drink, beneath the blazing sun. It took me a little time to unwind, I admit. But when I did, I found myself more relaxed than I remember being.

Pack strong and comfortable sandals. Get used to the wildlife - cows sometimes wander through the site and the early morning cockerel is very persistent. But most of all, leave your preconceptions and worries at home and join in. Because, of course, it was getting to know people that really made the holiday for me. Not just Moses and Issa, Bamboo and Capone but many, many others. Strangers who invited me into their homes. Or happily kicked a football around on the beach. Or shared a sweet, black coffee beside another campfire.

I will remember Jinack Island - the vast, starry sky and the blue-green waters, the wild dolphins and the tame parrot. But it's the people I met that left a warm glow inside me. I know that everything changes. But one day, I'll go back, and when I do, I hope that things have not changed too much." Tom Bailey 14th September 2010

Jinack lodge a great place to experience the way real africans live their lives, the lodge has all the comforts you need for a great holiday surrounded by beautiful scenery, fantastic beaches and the nicest most friendly people I have ever had the good fortune to meet! A very humbling life changing experience, a highly recommended holiday for anybody who wants to help make a real difference for the people of jinack island. Nick, The Pennines, Derbyshire, England.

"Quite simply it is one of the most beautiful settings anywhere on the whole Gambian coast." - LONELY PLANET 2002 p.165 speaking of Jinack Island.

"We had a really good stay and were well looked after by Amadou who also served us up excellent dinner and breakfast. We hope to go back out next year and will definitely be paying a return visit." - JENNY & TRISTAN Feb 2009

"Jinack Island is paradise! A life changing journey." - CHRIS March 2009