Your stay — Leos Hotel
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 Brikama.
The Property — Leos Hotel
Leos Hotel in Brikama is a modest, clean three-star with concrete walls and a thatched-roof bar around a small pool. It’s a functional base for travellers working in or passing through the regional capital – think tiled floors, ceiling fans, and a quiet courtyard where staff will chat about the day’s market prices. The USP is location: Brikama’s craft market and Westfield Junction bus stop are a five-minute walk away, and you’re 30 km from the beach at Kololi. This suits independent travellers who want real Gambian town life over resort bubble.
Chronicles of Brikama
Brikama grew from a Mandinka farming village in the 19th century to become the main administrative centre of the Western Division, its grid of laterite roads lined with mango trees. The British colonial presence was light here – the real architectural shift came post-independence, with the construction of the Kankan Madi mosque in the 1970s and the sprawling Brikama Market. Today Brikama is known for its woodcarving cooperatives south of the market, a tradition that draws on a deep Jola and Mandinka carving heritage. The city is also the hub for the Gambia’s guitar and kora music scene, with rehearsals often spilling into the sandy lanes after dusk.
Best Time to Visit
Full Brikama guide →Best months
December, January, February – dry, sunny, around 27°C by day, cool evenings. No rain, few mosquitoes, and the Harmattan haze softens the light. Crowds are moderate; you’ll share the hotel pool with a handful of other guests, not a tour group.
Peak / festival surge
December (Christmas/New Year) and late February (Roots Festival). Hotels in Brikama double rates or sell out. The Roots Festival in late February draws international visitors to nearby Juffureh and Kunta Kinteh Island, pushing demand across the region.
Budget shoulder season
March and June – March is still dry but hotter (30°C+), June sees the first rains but they usually pass in a short afternoon downpour. Rooms at Leos can be 20–30% cheaper than in January, and you’ll have the pool to yourself.
Weather & packing
The Gambia’s coastal location means humidity spikes in June but the Harmattan dust can still reduce visibility – pack a buff or scarf for unexpected wind-blown sand. Explicit rule: always carry a light waterproof jacket and a reusable water bottle; the hotels often restrict single-use plastic.
Live City Briefing — Brikama
- Brikama’s new central bus station at Westfield Junction opened in late 2025, cutting minibus chaos on the Banjul road – expect quicker departures to Serekunda and the coast.
- The craft market’s woodcarving section was renovated in April 2026 with covered stalls and better lighting, but some vendors have temporarily moved to the roadside; bargain early before 10am for the best selection.
- Gambia’s rainy season officially starts in June, so afternoon clouds are normal – Brikama’s unpaved side streets may get muddy, so pack sandals with a strap that won’t slip off.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Leos Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a ground-floor room at the rear of the building (away from Brikama Highway). These rooms avoid stair noise and face the quieter courtyard, reducing street traffic sounds from the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any first-floor room directly overlooking Brikama Highway. That side suffers from constant traffic noise – trucks, motorbikes and market traffic from the nearby Brikama Market – and the open stairwell at the front carries footfall and voices up to first-floor rooms.
Best views
The best view is from a ground-floor room at the back – you look into a quiet, often planted courtyard (typical of smaller Gambian hotels). Front-facing rooms give a view of the busy Brikama Highway and market shacks, which is active but unappealing.
Quietest floors
Ground floor only. The second storey has no lift, so foot traffic on the stairs and corridor creates noticeable sound. Ground-floor rooms also avoid the noise of people climbing and descending.
🔊 Noise notes
Brikama Highway is a major route with trucks, minibuses and motorbikes from dawn until late evening. Brikama Market, 200 metres south, adds early-morning vendor noise and occasional loudspeaker announcements. The free on-site parking area has car doors and conversations, but this is moderate. No lift noise, but no soundproofing on the lower floors.
Insider tips
1. Request a ground-floor room at booking and confirm a week before arrival – there are only a few such rooms, and they go fast. 2. Park your car at the hotel's free lot (entrance off the highway); the public car park at the market is unguarded and you'll risk theft or damage.
- 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 — Leos Hotel
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and all rooms; speed roughly 5 Mbps download; login via room number and surname.
No lift. Two-storey block with stairs only; ground-floor rooms available on request.
Daily copies of The Point and The Standard at reception, complimentary for guests; no digital newspapers.
Standard check-in 14:00, check-out 11:00; early bag-drop from 09:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs 300 GMD.
Free luggage storage in a locked room behind reception during daytime; after 18:00 you must collect.
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance; ground-floor rooms with wide doorways; no adapted bathroom or grab rails.
Free on-site parking for 20 cars; no EV charging; nearest public car park is 200 metres south at Brikama Market (free, unguarded).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via bank transfer or credit card required 14 days before arrival; 50 GMD incidental hold at check-in for incidentals.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
TAF Madiba Mall — 2.6 km · ~32 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Gamcare Pharmacy — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Today's Mini Market — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Senegambia Gare — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Gambian Dalasi, GMD
Change money at local forex bureaux or banks in Brikama for better rates; avoid airport exchange desks which offer poor rates.
Card acceptance is limited; most shops, market stalls, and smaller eateries expect cash; some hotels and supermarkets accept cards.
Restaurants: 10% if service charge not included. Taxis: round up or add 10-20 dalasis. Hotel staff: 50-100 dalasis for help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local coffee from street vendors or small kiosks, around 10-20 GMD.
A plate of rice and fish stew from a local chop bar, about 50-100 GMD.
A main course of yassa or domoda at a modest eatery, roughly 80-150 GMD.
Brikama Market and surrounding streets have stalls selling fried fish, bean cakes, and grilled meat skewers.
Common budget supermarkets include Maya and Fresh One, both with branches in Brikama.
Brikama Market offers cheap second-hand clothing and new imported textiles; haggle for better prices.
The cheapest way around is by shared bush taxi (50-100 GMD per short trip). From Banjul Airport, take a shared minibus to Brikama for about 100-150 GMD.
Eat at local chop bars instead of tourist-oriented restaurants. Use shared transport rather than private taxis. Buy produce and snacks at the market rather than at hotels.
Emergency Contacts
BrikamaFor all emergencies, dial these three-digit numbers from any phone. Police: 117, Ambulance: 116, Fire: 118. The national emergency number 112 also works, but local numbers are more reliable. Lines can be slow or busy, so try multiple times if needed. For non-urgent police matters in Brikama, the station is on the main road near the market; ask for the 'Brikama Police Station'.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Brikama, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Leos Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk — pharmacy · Gamcare Pharmacy — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Banjul International Airport (BJL) arrivals → Brikama bus stop (main highway)
💡 This is a shared minibus that only runs when enough passengers arrive. It stops at the Brikama junction on the highway, not in town. From there, take a shared taxi (GMD 10) to the mosque for Princess Apartments. Not reliable for early or late flights.
Brikama Garage (west end of town) → Banjul Bus Station
💡 Buses are cramped and rarely on schedule—arrive early. For Princess Apartments, take a shared 'gele-gele' from the garage to the main road junction near the mosque, then walk 5 mins. Avoid peak hours if carrying luggage.
Brikama Garage → Serrekunda Market
💡 These yellow shared taxis are the fastest local option. Flag one at the Brikama roundabout, not the garage, to avoid waiting. Tell the driver 'Westfield' for Serrekunda—the route passes near Princess Apartments but you'll walk 10 mins from the main road.
Banjul International Airport (BJL) → Princess Apartments, Brikama
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in. Drivers at arrivals often ask 50% more. Agree on GMD 1000 flat for drop-off at Princess Apartments. Confirm the driver knows the location—it's behind the main mosque.
About Brikama
Wikipedia ↗
Brikama is one of the largest cities in the Gambia. It is also called 'Satey Ba' by the locals, meaning "big town". It lies southwest of the country's capital, Banjul. Brikama is the headquarters of the Brikama Local Government Area (formerly the Western Division), and is the largest city in the reg...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Leos Hotel?
Request a ground-floor room at the rear of the building (away from Brikama Highway). These rooms avoid stair noise and face the quieter courtyard, reducing street traffic sounds from the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Leos Hotel?
Avoid any first-floor room directly overlooking Brikama Highway. That side suffers from constant traffic noise – trucks, motorbikes and market traffic from the nearby Brikama Market – and the open stairwell at the front carries footfall and voices up to first-floor rooms.
Is Leos Hotel noisy?
Brikama Highway is a major route with trucks, minibuses and motorbikes from dawn until late evening. Brikama Market, 200 metres south, adds early-morning vendor noise and occasional loudspeaker announcements. The free on-site parking area has car doors and conversations, but this is moderate. No lift noise, but no soundproofing on the lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Leos Hotel?
The best view is from a ground-floor room at the back – you look into a quiet, often planted courtyard (typical of smaller Gambian hotels). Front-facing rooms give a view of the busy Brikama Highway and market shacks, which is active but unappealing.
What are insider tips for staying at Leos Hotel?
1. Request a ground-floor room at booking and confirm a week before arrival – there are only a few such rooms, and they go fast. 2. Park your car at the hotel's free lot (entrance off the highway); the public car park at the market is unguarded and you'll risk theft or damage.
What time is check-in at Leos Hotel?
Check-in at Leos Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Leos Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in lobby and all rooms; speed roughly 5 Mbps download; login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Leos Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Leos Hotel?
A plate of rice and fish stew from a local chop bar, about 50-100 GMD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Leos Hotel?
The cheapest way around is by shared bush taxi (50-100 GMD per short trip). From Banjul Airport, take a shared minibus to Brikama for about 100-150 GMD.
When is the best time to visit Brikama?
December, January, February – dry, sunny, around 27°C by day, cool evenings. No rain, few mosquitoes, and the Harmattan haze softens the light. Crowds are moderate; you’ll share the hotel pool with a handful of other guests, not a tour group.
Top Attractions in Brikama
💡 Weave into the back alleys for the best groundnut paste and dried mangoes. Keep your wallet in a front pocket—crowds can be tight.
💡 Go early in the morning (around 9am) when the craftsmen are setting up. Ask for Samba or Lamin—they often give a fair price on the first offer.
💡 Arrive at low tide for the best bird action. Take a small gift (soap, pencils) for the village chief if you want to chat with locals. No official entrance fee, but a donation expected.
💡 Don't wear bright colours or make loud noises—the crocs are used to calm handling. Go before 10am to avoid tour groups.
💡 Bring mosquito repellent and binoculars; the birdlife is exceptional. The on-site café sells fresh mango juice for 30 dalasi.