Fatala Game Reserve

Today we were up bright and early at 5 o’clock as we have organised a trip with African tours to a game reserve just over the border in Senegal. We walked to our pickup point which was at the office just near to the traffic lights. The coach was already there waiting for us and we had one more pickup to make at Atlantic Hotel in Banjul. Once everyone was picked up we headed to the Barra ferry terminal arriving just before the first ferry at 6.45. The truck which we would be using for the rest of our journey was already within the gates waiting to board. As the first ferry docked passengers, gelleh’s, trucks and cars started to board jostling for space. We were taken on as foot passengers and made our way upstairs to the seated area, unfortunately the tour truck didn’t make it on the first ferry. The crossing was very smooth, we even managed to see some dolphins which Abigail was pleased about. Once across we were taken to a restaurant were we sat and had a cup of coffee whilst we waited for the truck to cross. By 9 o’clock we were back into the truck and we set off for the thirty minute drive to the border. The border was very busy with people waiting to cross and locals trying to sell their goods including a group of girls with cashew nuts on platters which were balanced on their heads, we decided to buy some. We took the opportunity for a toilet stop having been told by the tour guide that they were modern, what a joke we opened the door to a ceramic shower base with a hole. With our passports stamped we thought we were back on our way only to have the truck pull over and the driver get out and start looking underneath. We were finally told that they had a fuel leak and were awaiting instructions from their boss at the office. Twenty minutes later we were told to continue onto the park where we would hire one of the game reserve vehicles to take us around the park instead of the African tour truck. We eventually arrived at the park entrance and walked through the gates and waited until they had sorted out our vehicle. Within the game reserve car park there were some zebras just roaming around and quite happy to stand and pose for a photo. With the vehicle ready we found a seat behind the driver, the tour guide and a game reserve guide accompanied us around the reserve to help with spotting the animals.