In a fast changing Gambia there are still a few private spots where few people go. Ask a Gambian if they have visited Jinack Island, lying off the North Bank of the Gambia, and the answer is invariably 'no'. Herein lies its charm. Since Colonial times there have been few visitors and even fewer officials. Island people all over the world cling to their traditions more jealously and for longer than others. Jinack is no exception. Ask our tour guide or our staff at the Camp and they will tell you something of the fascinating history of the island. Visitors who respect the local traditions and ways will be overwhelmed with the welcome they receive. You will find one school on the island and great friendliness and charm amongst the children. Help us to keep it that way by consulting our guide before handing out sweets or pens. He will help to ensure that your natural generosity is channelled in the right way. The one thing that all visitors to Jinack agree, is that we must fight to keep the Park and is people unspoilt by modern day mass tourism. Jinack island is approximately 15 kilometres long and two kilometres across. It is in fact a sand spit which runs parallel to the coast and becomes detached at high water. On one side of the island it boasts the finest beach in The Gambia and beautiful, relatively safe swimming. By total contrast on the other side you find a maze of mangrove bolongs [creeks]. The Senegalese border runs through the northern most tip of the island. As you travel around the island on our boat trip you will cross the frontier. Two villages lie on the Senegalese side and two on the Gambian side. There is total freedom of movement, inter-marriage and cultural activities. The island is part of Nuimi National Park which covers a huge area of the North Bank of the Gambia and joins together with the Sine? Saloum Park of Senegal. The Departments of Wildlife & Conservation in both countries are working together in this vitally important conservation area to protect the many interesting species left; many are rare and endangered. The habitats of Nuimi are of national, regional and international importance. The birdlife of the area is composed of migratory and resident species. The Department of Wildlife in The Gambia have said - "Among the mammals we find in the area are leopard, hyaena, red colobus, green monkey, kob, dikker, genet, civit and various mongoose species, clawless otter, manatee and hump-backed dolphin. Green turtle and crocodiles are also present, along with a wide range of other reptiles. Many of these species are internationally threatened and it is our duty to preserve them for future generations of Gambians and for the world in general." Here you have a sense of an unchanged and still unchanging West Africa. Life is certainly hard. There is no electricity, no fresh running water, no cars, one donkeys and a couple of bicycles. No shops, no tourist traps and no bumsters !! We have basic grass hut accommodation with basic sleeping arrangements and we offer you delicious dinner, full bar service and a generous breakfast. We offer the sound of the bush at night, maybe a moonlight beach and a sky full of stars with no background light pollution to spoil your views of the evening sky; an empty beach for a stroll and swim at dawn and the bird song at dawn which you will never forget. We hope that you catch a little of the magic which it is our pleasure to share with you.