Marakissa River Lodge
Only stayed for one night. It is near the border with Cassamance, near Dar es Salam. It’s a real chill out place, where there is a complete silence, apart from the birdsong. We hadn’t telephoned in advance, (lost the number) and as it’s out of season, Adama didn’t have much to offer, but we were perfectly happy with omelette and chips that evening, and we shared the staff’s plasas next day. Adama would have gone into Brikama to get the best bread etc., if she had known we were coming.
Sat in the Bantaba on arrival and the first thing I saw was a Violet Turaco. Beautiful bird, so made a grab for my camera which was still in my bag. Got lots of shots of the flipping bird hiding behind trees. Even a video of it resolutely watching me from behind a branch. Don’t have any specialist camera equipment, so I don’t know why I even bother trying. Anyway, then I missed a giant kingfisher, sitting right behind me, because I was engrossed trying to pick which of the three wines they had. Sometimes you don’t have that choice in Senegambia! Saw lots of other birds, Pied Kingfishers, of course, the Giant Kingfisher, the blue ones, Senegal parrots, Robin Chats, etc. Got up just after 6 am to walk down the river and hear the dawn chorus. Absolutely amazing. I thought I saw a magnolia bush, covered in huge white flowers, then one flew off and I realised it was a bush actually covered in Little Egrets.
The lodge is basic, but clean. There are showers and toilets in the huts. There is a separate restaurant with a roof top bar, (wonderful view) and a bantaba. The huts have just had new grass roofs. There is no electricity. You have candles in the rooms and an oil light outside.
Cost per night per person is 400 dalasis, including breakfast. Total cost for two, with added evening meal, bottle of wine, beers and softs came to 1,800 dalasis. It is about an hours journey from Senegambia. They are closing from August to November.
Their phone number is [--]
Will post a few photos of the camp., and remembered to get pics of toilet!

We (1 couple) stayed in Marakissa for two nights in March. The lady owner was friendly, polite and helpful. The setting on the River Allahein is breathtaking. Sitting on the verandah watching the sunset and the birds swooping over the river is a memory I'll treasure. We had two main meals while there, fried fish and chips and rice with a meaty sauce. These were fine, if not haute cuisine. Certainly typical of local area. The accommodation is in traditional huts. No electricity. There was a candle in the room but since the watches disintegrated as soon as you struck them, this was fairly redundant. Take a torch (or two). The beds were comfy and the room attractively decorated. The place is very much set up for birders, with fresh water ponds, feeding and watering areas and even a baboo pole set out over the river that many pied kingfishers come to perch on. You can bird while sipping a cool beer or just soak up the relaxed atmosphere.
There was a pool but it had no water in it.