The German owner couple at Sukuta Camping & Lodge near Banjul, Gambia were so unfriendly and so unwilling to perform even the least of service and help for their customers that I decided to inform other travellers here.

What a strange atmosphere at that camp!

When you buy a car from them, make sure that you double check everything. Caveat emptor!

I was there some years ago and they were perfectly hospitable. No complaints at all and I had it bookmarked for a return visit when I'm next in the area. Maybe they were just having an off day / week?

Joe and Claudia were really friendly to us and they were one of the most helpful camp site owners we have met in the last 10 months. We will definitely go again.

Stayed 6 nights in January 2003 and 3 nights in October 2006. Superb site, superb service and superb atmosphere. Could it be that it is you with the problem?

January 2004

Quote:

it is run by a a couple who are a bit anal, with lots of rules adorning the walls…..No guest after 9:00 P.M., No music after 10:00 P.M. ETC ETC. I think the couple probably use to be quite chilled but would probably now be better off running a campsite in Europe as the style does not really fit the overlander mentality when in town. Certainly the Plymouth-Dakar boys broke about ever rule going. The place is also a bit claustrophobic as it is walled on all sides.

Afrika 2012

[url=http://womonomade.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/nanga-deff/]

Enough said...

... it's already been on the HUBB:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...y-gambia-11292

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t-africa-43013

Hi guy's!

We've been on the other campsite in 2006. Visited a friend on Sukuta camping and yes the camp is nice and clean (i think high wall's are standard in Banjul!)
But Joe and Claudia have to many BAD days if you ask me.

I wouldn't go there again, not even for a drink!

Werner+Claudia

__________________
Just traveling
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/longwayhome

Sorry Travelbug

perhaps for a "gentleman adventurer" visiting mainly ***-hotels the camping is the wrong adress.
Some years ago I also passed by and had two comfortable days, the only thing that deranged me were the writings on moroccan stones already announcing a Camping Sukuta in over 1000 kms, but that were some guests on the way to the Camping.
Of course the owners are Germans, but you should be able to adapt to that culture?
As a meeting point for me it was excellent, as I got some valueable tips for Guinea.

first i didn't want to react but now there are more reactions i will.

i was there 2 days in 2009.
- the high walls --> it is just necessary i''m afraid and i am happy that all the valuables are ''safe''. better than no walls!
- also we saw all rules and signs etc. And yes we thought also that it was a little weird in africa. but all these people from amsterdam-dakar/banjul and plymouth-banjul will have had it''s influence. often people who have the feeling that the completed the trip of their lifetime and want to celebrate that overthere.......
and not only these people.....also overlanders can sometimes have the feeling (when somewhere are europian owners) that they can do and take everything and they are at home.
- i am happy with the camp overthere. it is good place to meet others. just as campsites in addis abeba, nairobi and luxor.
- when we were there we had two great days. we could fix the car a little and drive to the beach etc. and the owners were....friendly and did give good service!!

Travelbug.....you say that you have to check everything twice when buying a car (although you always have to of course)...........you have had a bad experience with them?

i respect everyones opinion and i can understand that there are mixed reactions but i will definitely go back there when i am there.

brend

Yes. Bad experience.

I only stayed in that camp for one reason: to buy a car. 2 days, 2 nights, till my travel buddy arrived.

I was an easy customer: immediately decided which car I wanted, didn't even negotiate the price.

The German guy refused to do a full service (oil, water etc.) saying he didn't have the time. He refused to organize a local helper for servicing, or only a proper cleaning (both against payment). Didn't understand why. He agreed however to connect the broken backlight cables. Didn't even do that (therefore: check everything twice!).

He refused any additional service for simple laziness (same in lodge & restaurant: "No time, we need to walk the dog!"). Basically he sold a wreck without bothering. Pretty "un-German" character traits, no? ... if there weren't all the ( FORBIDDEN ) signs.

But compared to the obnoxious wife, he was comparably friendly. The former wife, according to google, killed herself in the lodge. The other semi-permanent guests (German car "exporters") seemed ... hmm ... dodgy. There is a veil of something strange above that place. Claustrophobic. Depressing. And I've seen misery ...

BTW: our car (Nissan Patrol) was a real fighter and made it to Monrovia in 50 hours straight without major problems. It's been refurbished and donated ... into good and caring hands. http://gentlemanadventurer.travellerspoint.com/89/

Well said.
Always nice to follow your adventures "Gummikuh".
Helped me for my own trip preparations.

Source for above google-quote:

http://www.bananapage.de/afrika/tour97-98/frame.htm

Hi Travelbug,

I am under the impression that you are following you personal vendetta against camping Sukuta.

When I was there I enjoyed my stay very much and thought that Joe was quite helpful and service orientated. For example the airport transfer was quite good, the kitchen and bathroom was clean well build.

Personally I liked the policy of keeping the camp site quite. For example by keeping the potential car buyer outside. You just step outside the gate negotiate with the buyers and brokers and if you want to spend a quiet afternoon you just stay on the campsite.


I think it is strange the you link this travel report
Afrika 2012
to discredit camping sukuta. If look at the quote you choose isolated, one might get the impression that the authors did not like the place. But if you read the context and the additional posts in German, you learn that they though the place is well organised and tidy.

I am surprised that you make such a fuss, because as far as I understand the car you bought there (or probably in the neighbouring sukuta car park) served the purpose you needed it for.

But in the end it is a question of taste.

Greetings

Hans