I think we were discussing the weather this month as well ... travel related topic.

As someone who has visited regularly and with own modest compound it has always been tempting to get a car. But the driving is so bad, the vehicles around you are so poorly maintained, and cars deteriorate so rapidly, plus there will always be the risk that someone will try to borrow or steal the car, or bits off it, that I concluded that its much less hassle to call a friendly taxi or hail one on the highway. They're cheap and plentiful and all the problems/responsabilities/expenses of ownership are someone else's! And if you leave in a hurry there's nothing to sell!

Alternatively, work for a promotion and you can join the ranks, the many ranks, of those that get driven in a posh, recent, airconditioned 4WD with curtains and a wavy aerial!

There are lots of imported cars for sale at roadside lots but the price is never shown. You negotiate from scratch without knowing if its any good anyway. When you're there you may find cars advertised in shop windows by foreigners returning home.

Just remember, TG has no word or understanding for 'Guarantee'. You're on your own!

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Im staying for 5 weeks. Where thinking of renting a car, but the prizes given was outrageous.

I have been to the Gambia a couple of times now. We are going around A LOT, so we thought renting a car would be better than taxis. Unfortunately the prize was horrible on rentals. So we thought maybe it was possible to buy a cheap second hand, and then donate it to our guide after.

There is no such thing as a cheap car in Gambia. expect to pay much more for an old banger than you would in Uk.

Oh Bert,

I hope You don't mean Consuela, "old banger" She's had a New Heart, and 1,500 Dalasi a Week, if Gwanny, hasn't nicked it again..

I'm sending down 3 Vans with Wheelchair Ramps, Bangers maybe, but will Love The Gambia.

All of have to be changed to RHD to LHD.

Hi, If your only there for 5 weeks then there is little point in trying to buy a used car, it will take longer than that to find anything decent, unless your budget is huge. Better to find a reliable local driver with a reasonably good motor who you can use as and when required. Trust me it is a huge hassle to buy, tax,licence and insure a vehicle in TG, and as for the driving over there, have you watched the 'Mad Max ' films ?

Rgds

I have a qualified gambian driver, (our guide) but finding a cheap car or even renting a var, is too expensive. Anyways, the options I`ve found are. Anyone who knows of a car I can rent or buy?

"Qualified Gambian Driver" without a vehicle??? so he is a guide then!!

Even if you found a car and gave it to him when you left it would have to be re-taxed etc in January so you would need to leave the money for that too otherwise I can see it ending up being parked up somewhere or sold.

Better off negotiating a daily rate and petrol money with a taxi driver.

I am sure I can find you a car to buy from me. What's your upper ceiling? In life you get what you pay for. In Gambia I'm not so sure but we'll try. Honest!