Kambia and the Kambia Africana Village

It's always exciting when you're visiting a new place, probably because of not knowing what to expect and the promise of the possibilities. Kambia was no exception. My main mission was to check out - Kambia Africana Village - a new accommodation facility owned by Mr Ibrahim Njai.

The journey to Kambia was interesting because the road - horrible as it is - was another testament to how it's ordinary folks that suffer when contracts/projects go wrong. In short (according to my informal research) the road was supposed to have been funded by the EU. The funding was there and contract awarded to an Italian Company. However, for one reason or the other the company failed to deliver and the inhabitants of the area have only a graded road (very bad in parts) to show for it. Allegedly, the Commercial Bank (SLCB) also have some questions to answer as it appears the contractor was guaranteed without any proper collateral or so. Anyway, I digress.

In my quest for information on Kambia Africana Village, I became quite fascinated with the owner... and decided I'd run some blogs of Sierra Leoneans in the tourism industry doing some good stuff.

Mr Njai, born in Kambia and product of the Magburuka Boys School, left to study in the US at the age of 17 - quite early in those days. By 22, he had attained a Masters in town planning. He then did an internship in the West Indies for 6 months and returned home. He started of at a Town Planning Officer before going on to serve as Director of Housing and Town Planning for 16years. During the conflict he left for Guinea, stayed for 9 months during which time his houses in Freetown and Kambia were burnt. He has since rebuilt both homes.

Sometime around 1995, during a trip overseas he came across a method of cooking using a special clay based stove. He returned to Sierra Leone and replicated the idea using our local materials and the "Wonderstove" was born. A fuel efficient stove which uses less charcoal, little or no smoke and cooks faster as it retains more heat. Not that I would know. One thing is certain - it was so popular that there now so many replicas in the market - though according to him they are not as durable. He has kept his formula secret.

 Around 2006, he was looking to add to his portfolio and decided to build eco-friendly accommodation in his hometown for Sierra Leoneans and tourists. Kambia Africana Village.

Close to the Guineas border (about 4 miles), it is in a nice and quiet part of town. Built mostly with local materials it is clean and secure - he has tried to reflect the appearance of an African Village. Power is provided between 7pm-1am and the food, especially lunch was great.  I had some Cassava Leaves which I really wanted to smuggle back to Freetown - but for that unfinished bumpy road. All the rooms have mosquito nets, fans and flush toilets. The water is not pipe-borne but you will be provided with water every morning, and whenever else required.

There are currently 12 bungalows but he plans to add 5 more with thatched roofing allowing for up to 34 people to stay at his hotel.

 

About 10mins drive from the hotel, there's a bank to the Kolenten - Great Scarcies River. A man of vision, Njai decided to buy the land, buy some sand and has created an artificial beach!  It's not exactly Lumley beach but it's great in the evening when watching the sunset - and it's very serene. He is also planning to offer boat rides down the Kolenten in the near future.

 

All in all, I enjoyed my time there and though it's basic, it is a very nice place to stay. I can see it being popular with stopovers by folks coming from Guinea and also with NGOs and other organisations.

You can contact us to make a reservation at KAV.