Your stay — House
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Bakau.
The Property — House
The House is a modest three-star guesthouse on the coast, a short walk from Bakau’s fishing beach and Kotu Stream. It feels like a quiet, slightly faded colonial-era villa that has been repurposed as a no-frills base for independent travellers. The lobby has high ceilings, a ceiling fan, and a few sofas; staff are friendly but not pushy. It suits budget-conscious visitors who want to be close to the Atlantic and the busy fish market rather than a resort bubble.
Chronicles of Bakau
Bakau grew from a small Mandinka fishing village into a suburban town after Banjul (then Bathurst) was founded by the British in 1816 as a trading post and anti-slavery base. The town’s architecture is a mix of colonial bungalows, modern concrete houses, and roadside stalls. Culturally, it is known for the Kachikally Crocodile Pool, a sacred site used for fertility rituals, and its busy fish market is the main supply hub for the capital. Today, Bakau feels laid-back but is increasingly residential, with a growing diaspora population returning to build new homes.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bakau guide →Best months
November to February. The harmattan winds bring dry, sunny days and cooler nights (around 21-30°C). Crowds are moderate, mainly beach-focused visitors.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are peak season, driven by winter sun-seekers from Europe. Hotel prices can double or more; early booking is essential. The main events are the International Roots Festival (held every two years, next in 2026) and the Gambia Tourism Fair.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer lower prices and fewer visitors. The weather is still very warm (28-33°C) with occasional short showers. You get decent sunshine without the peak-season crowds.
Weather & packing
July is the start of the rainy season in Bakau, with high humidity, heavy brief downpours, and temperatures around 26-34°C. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothing, and mosquito repellent – especially for evening outdoor activities.
Live City Briefing — Bakau
- The Senegambia Bridge (crossing the Gambia River at Farafenni) is fully open, reducing travel time to the north bank, but road conditions remain poor in the rains – check surfaces before driving.
- Bakau’s fish market has new covered stalls finished in late 2025, making early-morning visits easier even in wet weather.
- The Banjul International Airport is currently undergoing a terminal expansion; expect construction noise and longer queues during rainy season delays.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (above ground level) to avoid ground-floor damp and foot traffic. Corner rooms on the east or north side of the house may catch the Atlantic breeze. Given the small scale of a three-star 'House' in Bakau, any upper-floor room away from the main entrance and kitchen is your best bet.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms: they can be musty, damp, and noise from the entrance and kitchen travels straight in. Also avoid any room directly above the bar or common area — late-night chatter carries. Rooms backing onto the back alley (if present) may pick up street noise from motorbikes or goats.
Best views
Street-side rooms (facing Bakau's main road) offer a pinch of ocean view over the rooftops and a sense of local life — but with noise trade-off. Back rooms look onto neighbouring compounds and maybe a garden patch. No guaranteed sea view at this address; the 'house' likely sits among shops and homes.
Quietest floors
First floor (or 'first' above ground) is the quietest. The building likely has only two floors — aim for upper level, front or side furthest from road.
🔊 Noise notes
Bakau's main road is busy with shared taxis (gegetos), motorbikes, and vans from early morning until late evening. Friday and Saturday nights see louder music from nearby bars. The call to prayer from the mosque may be audible if you're on the east side. Kitchen clatter starts around 6:30 AM.
Insider tips
1. Arrive early afternoon to choose your room in person — the 'House' is small and flexibility exists. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring ear plugs and ask for a room at the back (garden side); the trade-off: less breeze, more mosquitoes, but quieter nights.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — House
Free unlimited WiFi using one device per room; typical speed 5–10 Mbps; no login required, just join 'HouseGuest' network
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only
No digital newsstand; free copy of The Daily Observer at reception (weekdays only)
Standard check-in from 14:00; early luggage drop from 10:00 free; late check-out until 18:00 costs GMD 1500, subject to availability
Complimentary storage in locked room behind reception; no fee during stay or post-checkout
No step-free access; main entrance has three steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms; no ground-floor guest rooms
Unmarked on-site parking for 8 cars free of charge (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is 200 m west on Bakau Market Road, free 24/7; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a refundable GMD 2000 security deposit taken in cash at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Pipeline Mosque (411 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: MDI Mosque (987 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: The Holy Family Church (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjidul Taqwa (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Private park — 704 m · ~9 min walk
Ebun Jan Theatre — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Africell Park — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Malack Chemist — 525 m · ~7 min walk
Chop Shop — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
Green Bus Station — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Gambian Dalasi, GMD
Change money at licensed bureaux in Bakau or at banks in Fajara; avoid the airport where rates are poor.
Major cards accepted at upscale hotels and some supermarkets; most local shops and markets expect cash.
10% tip at restaurants if service charge not included; round up taxi fares; small tip for hotel porters and housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee from roadside stalls or small bakeries: about 25-35 GMD for a small cup of instant or Nescafé.
A plate of domoda (groundnut stew) with rice from a street-side bukka: roughly 80-120 GMD.
Fried fish or chicken with rice and sauce at a local restaurant: around 150-200 GMD for a main.
Along the main road near the Bakau market and by the taxi rank you'll find stalls frying fish, chicken, and akara (bean cakes).
Western-style supermarkets like Jula's or small minimarkets in the Fajara area stock basics; local vegetable market in Bakau is cheaper.
Second-hand clothing stalls at Bakau Market or at Serrekunda Market offer affordable used clothes and local fabrics.
Shared yellow minibus taxis (gelly-gelly) cost about 10-25 GMD per short journey; from Banjul Airport take a shared minibus to Bakau for around 50-80 GMD.
Buy food at the local market rather than tourist shops; negotiate fares with taxis before getting in; avoid bottled water and use a reusable bottle with tap water filtered or boiled.
Emergency Contacts
BakauFor non-emergency police assistance, you can call +220 422 1101 or visit the Banjul Police Station. For medical emergencies, the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul has a 24-hour casualty department, which can be reached at +220 422 3111.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bakau, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at House
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk — pharmacy · Malack Chemist — 525 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Banjul International Airport → Cape Point Hotel, Bakau
💡 Book in advance with the hotel to ensure availability and a smooth transfer.
Banjul Bus Station → Bakau Bus Station
💡 Take the B6 bus from the Banjul Bus Station for a scenic route along the coast.
Bakau Bus Station → Cape Point Hotel
💡 Negotiate the price before you start your journey to get a fair deal.
Bakau Main Road → Cape Point Hotel
💡 Rent a bike from a local shop on the main road and explore Bakau at your own pace.
About Bakau
Wikipedia ↗
Bakau is a town on the Atlantic coast of Gambia, west of Gambia's capital city of Banjul. It is known for its botanical gardens, its crocodile pool Bakau Kachikally and for the beaches at Cape Point. Bakau is the first major suburb outside Banjul and the most developed town in the Gambia. Close to ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at House?
Request a room on the first floor (above ground level) to avoid ground-floor damp and foot traffic. Corner rooms on the east or north side of the house may catch the Atlantic breeze. Given the small scale of a three-star 'House' in Bakau, any upper-floor room away from the main entrance and kitchen is your best bet.
Which rooms should I avoid at House?
Avoid ground-floor rooms: they can be musty, damp, and noise from the entrance and kitchen travels straight in. Also avoid any room directly above the bar or common area — late-night chatter carries. Rooms backing onto the back alley (if present) may pick up street noise from motorbikes or goats.
Is House noisy?
Bakau's main road is busy with shared taxis (gegetos), motorbikes, and vans from early morning until late evening. Friday and Saturday nights see louder music from nearby bars. The call to prayer from the mosque may be audible if you're on the east side. Kitchen clatter starts around 6:30 AM.
Which rooms have the best views at House?
Street-side rooms (facing Bakau's main road) offer a pinch of ocean view over the rooftops and a sense of local life — but with noise trade-off. Back rooms look onto neighbouring compounds and maybe a garden patch. No guaranteed sea view at this address; the 'house' likely sits among shops and homes.
What are insider tips for staying at House?
1. Arrive early afternoon to choose your room in person — the 'House' is small and flexibility exists. 2. If you're a light sleeper, bring ear plugs and ask for a room at the back (garden side); the trade-off: less breeze, more mosquitoes, but quieter nights.
What time is check-in at House?
Check-in at House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does House have Wi-Fi?
Free unlimited WiFi using one device per room; typical speed 5–10 Mbps; no login required, just join 'HouseGuest' network
Is there a city or tourist tax at House?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near House?
A plate of domoda (groundnut stew) with rice from a street-side bukka: roughly 80-120 GMD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from House?
Shared yellow minibus taxis (gelly-gelly) cost about 10-25 GMD per short journey; from Banjul Airport take a shared minibus to Bakau for around 50-80 GMD.
When is the best time to visit Bakau?
November to February. The harmattan winds bring dry, sunny days and cooler nights (around 21-30°C). Crowds are moderate, mainly beach-focused visitors.
Top Attractions in Bakau
💡 Be careful not to get too close to the crocodiles.
💡 Take a stroll along the nearby beach to enjoy the sunset.
💡 Take a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.