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Kartung (Kartong), Gambia
- Beach & Village Area |
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The village of
Kartong is in the Gambia's Western Division near the
beach and is at the southern most tip of the country on the Kombo Coastal Road and
almost
on the Senegalese border near the mouth of the Allahein River (also
know as the San Pedro). It has a population of 4,600 made up of mainly
local Jolas and Mandingo tribes. The
area was settled in about 450
years ago.
Travel Information:
 When travelling to Kartong note that this is as far south as you
can go by car as the Kombo Coastal Road terminates literally at the
mouth of the Allahein River. You will find a military checkpoint just
after the centre of the village on the main road.
Places to Visit -
The Beach Area:
 This far south you
can be assured of some pretty secluded and deserted
beaches. Mostly it
is used by a few fishermen landing their catch otherwise the sand is a
white or golden colour and the beach is of varying widths as you move south
parallel to the main village along the Atlantic Ocean front. An ideal
area for camping but do ask for advice from Kart, below, before you do
so.
Kartong Festival:
The village hosts
the Kartong Festival
which offers an opportunity to experience local traditions and culture
in the form of music, art and dance from West Africa. The first event
was held on the 18th -20th November 2005. The festival usually starts
with a traditional procession through the village ending at the arena
for an evening of traditional dance and music. Throughout the event
there are performances at the arena and other venues in and around the
village ending in a closing parade and celebrations on the last
evening.
Kartong Association For Responsible Tourism:
At the KART headquarters you can hire cycles or have a local guide show
you round. Their aim is to encourage eco-tourism in the area while at
the same time limiting the sometimes inevitable damage caused to the
local environment by such tourists. Money generated goes towards
helping local people and improving amenities.
Lemonfish Art Gallery:
 The gallery
is privately run and allows local Gambian artists
to display their works and the gallery also sells their painting for
them.
Gambia Reptiles Farm:
It is located
just before you get to the village of Kartong. The place is
really a conservation area where you can see various reptiles such as
snakes, (both venomous and non-venomous), puff adders, turtles,
crocodiles, chameleons, various lizards. They also try to educate local people
about the benefits of having snakes in the local environment for example in keeping the rat and mice
population under control. The entry fee is around £1.50 or D75.
Folonko Crocodile Pool:
This is a sacred crocodile pool and museum under the auspices of the National
Centre for Arts & Culture in Banjul. The pools waters are said to
aid female fertility as well as a place people come to make wishes at
times of personal or family crisis. It is often covered in pakanju-water
lettuce and is enclosed in a wire fence and in 1980 half of the water
area was surrounded by breeze-block walls.
Birdwatching & Fishing Tours:
Stala Adventures are
active in the area and even provide descent accommodation located on
the river bank.
Places to Eat:
 There is an Italian restaurant
called Franco's at
the end of the road on the left fork of the road, just after the fish
smoking houses. It is situated on the river bank offering serene,
unspoilt views of the mangroves on the other side.
Accommodation:
See 
Kartong Lodges & Camps
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