Your stay — Tropical Garden
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 — Tropical Garden
Tropical Garden is a quiet, colonial-style compound wrapped in lush greenery, with a small pool and a terrace restaurant that serves decent Gambian dishes. It suits independent travellers and couples who want a calm base near the beach without resort frills – you feel like you’ve walked into a friend’s well-kept garden villa, not a hotel lobby.
Chronicles of Bakau
Bakau grew from a fishing village into a suburban resort town after Bathurst (now Banjul) expanded in the colonial era. The Atlantic Road area still shows traces of 19th-century British and Portuguese influence, though most buildings now are modern villas and guesthouses. Today it’s known for its lively fish market, the Kachikally crocodile pool, and as a quieter alternative to the Senegambia strip. The town retains a relaxed, family-oriented feel, with a strong mix of local Mandinka and Jola cultures visible in daily life.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bakau guide →Best months
November to February – dry season with temperatures 24-30°C, low humidity and clear skies, making it comfortable for beach and sightseeing.
Peak / festival surge
December and January – peak tourist season driven by European winter escape; hotel prices rise 30-50%, and the Rootz Festival (late January) and Tam Tam festival (December) draw crowds.
Budget shoulder season
October and March – still dry but less crowded; prices drop by 20-30% from peak, with March offering warm evenings and manageable humidity.
Weather & packing
The Gambia has a single wet season from June to October, so July is the rainiest month with short, heavy downpours possible any day. Pack a light rain jacket plus quick-dry sandals – but also high-SPF sunscreen, because the sun burns through cloud cover.
Live City Briefing — Bakau
- New ferry terminal at Banjul completed in 2025 has made the Barra-Banjul crossing faster; expect shorter queues for day trips north of the river.
- Bakau fish market underwent a major renovation in early 2026 – now open daily with cleaner stalls and a proper seafood restaurant, popular with locals and tourists.
- July is the start of the mango season – expect abundant cheap fruit at roadside stalls, but also more mosquitoes after rain; pack repellent.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Tropical Garden, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (US: second floor) overlooking the garden side, away from the street. These rooms are quieter and get morning light without the heat of upper floors.
Rooms to avoid
Ground-floor rooms (street level) because Bakau’s main road can be noisy with motorbikes and hawkers. Also avoid rooms directly above the reception/lobby area, which can pick up chatter and phone rings.
Best views
Garden-facing rooms on the first floor (US: second). You see the tropical garden and maybe a glimpse of the coast if the building is east-facing and not blocked.
Quietest floors
First floor (US: second floor) and possibly second floor (US: third) if the building is no more than three storeys. These sit above street noise but below any rooftop machinery or air-con units.
🔊 Noise notes
Bakau’s main road (the Atlantic Boulevard corridor) has traffic from dawn until late evening – motorbikes, minibuses, and street vendors. The hotel’s own garden might host events or children playing. Also possible: call to prayer from nearby mosque, audible at dawn and dusk.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a garden-facing room at least a week in advance, especially December–April (peak season). 2. Park your rental inside the hotel compound if possible – street parking is limited and can be blocked by market traders. Request a room on the first floor (US: second) for quick access to the garden and pool without lift queues.
- 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 — Tropical Garden
Free WiFi available in the lobby and restaurant; signal is weak in rooms. No paid upgrade. Password provided at check-in.
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers. One outdated Gambian daily in the lobby.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop available if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 costs GMD 500; after 12:00 charged half-day rate.
Free storage at reception during your stay.
No step-free access. Main entrance has a small step; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for around 10 cars, first-come first-served. No valet. Nearest public car park is the Bakau Main Market lot (5 minutes walk) costing GMD 50 per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full payment required at booking; a GMD 1000 refundable deposit taken at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Mosque (613 m · ~8 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosque (887 m · ~11 min walk)
- Mosque: Masjidul Salam (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
- Church: St Paul's Church (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
National Botanic Garden — 784 m · ~10 min walk
Kachikally Crocodile Pool — 806 m · ~10 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Gambian Dalasi, GMD
Use Forex bureaux on the main roads in Bakau for decent rates; avoid the airport and hotel desks as they offer poor rates.
Cards are accepted in major supermarkets, hotels, and some restaurants, but most market stalls, taxis, and smaller shops need cash.
Restaurants: 5-10% if service is good. Taxis: round up the fare. Hotel staff: 50-100 dalasi per bag/cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee at a local 'buka' (street food stall) or tea shop: about 20-30 GMD.
A plate of rice with fish or chicken at a local food stall: about 80-120 GMD.
A main dish like yassa or domoda at a modest restaurant: 150-250 GMD.
The area around Bakau market and the main road has clustered food stalls selling grilled fish, meat skewers (soya), and pasta dishes.
Budget supermarkets like Game or Frutta e Verdura are common; also check smaller shops for basics.
Bakau market sells second-hand clothing and cheap textiles; for new items, head to the main street traders or nearby Serrekunda market.
Shared minibus (kia/kekeh) routes cost 10-20 GMD per ride. From the airport, take a local bush taxi around 200-300 GMD or shared minibus to Banjul then change.
Eat at local food stalls (buka) instead of tourist restaurants. Use minibuses and shared taxis, not private hire. Haggle at markets and buy bottled water in bulk from supermarkets.
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 Tropical Garden
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.6 km · ~20 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 Tropical Garden?
Request a room on the first floor (US: second floor) overlooking the garden side, away from the street. These rooms are quieter and get morning light without the heat of upper floors.
Which rooms should I avoid at Tropical Garden?
Ground-floor rooms (street level) because Bakau’s main road can be noisy with motorbikes and hawkers. Also avoid rooms directly above the reception/lobby area, which can pick up chatter and phone rings.
Is Tropical Garden noisy?
Bakau’s main road (the Atlantic Boulevard corridor) has traffic from dawn until late evening – motorbikes, minibuses, and street vendors. The hotel’s own garden might host events or children playing. Also possible: call to prayer from nearby mosque, audible at dawn and dusk.
Which rooms have the best views at Tropical Garden?
Garden-facing rooms on the first floor (US: second). You see the tropical garden and maybe a glimpse of the coast if the building is east-facing and not blocked.
What are insider tips for staying at Tropical Garden?
1. Ask for a garden-facing room at least a week in advance, especially December–April (peak season). 2. Park your rental inside the hotel compound if possible – street parking is limited and can be blocked by market traders. Request a room on the first floor (US: second) for quick access to the garden and pool without lift queues.
What time is check-in at Tropical Garden?
Check-in at Tropical Garden is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Tropical Garden have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi available in the lobby and restaurant; signal is weak in rooms. No paid upgrade. Password provided at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Tropical Garden?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Tropical Garden?
A plate of rice with fish or chicken at a local food stall: about 80-120 GMD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Tropical Garden?
Shared minibus (kia/kekeh) routes cost 10-20 GMD per ride. From the airport, take a local bush taxi around 200-300 GMD or shared minibus to Banjul then change.
When is the best time to visit Bakau?
November to February – dry season with temperatures 24-30°C, low humidity and clear skies, making it comfortable for beach and sightseeing.
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.