Rooted in Kartong, one of the oldest villages in The Gambia, Boboi is framed by palm forest and the Atlantic Ocean. This coastline has always been more than a beach, it is an ecological sanctuary and part of a fragile coastal system that demands care and stewardship for generations to come. Rising seas and coastal erosion threaten much of Gambia's coastline, making the protection of Boboi our family's responsibility and our role in protecting the planet's future.
Over 30 years ago, our mother, Mariama (Yama) Manneh, with our father, David Crawford, created a place where conservation and community met. The name Boboi refers to the land first used by the early settlers of Kartong to grow rice. Mariama’s family were among those settlers and also among the village’s first pastoralists. Boboi is therefore more than a lodge, it is a continuation of lineage and the relationship between land, people, and survival along this coastline.
From the beginning, Boboi was guided by sustainability. We began with a few tents on the beach and over time, the lodge grew intentionally. Trees were planted to strengthen the land, jobs were created for the village, and the lodge ran entirely off-grid, powered by solar energy. Infrastructure was designed to blend in with the natural environment rathe than dominate it. Boboi soon became celebrated both in The Gambia and internationally, recognised as a pioneering eco-lodge and remembered by visitors as a place to breathe, reflect, and reconnect.
After Yama’s passing in 2010, Boboi entered a period of caretaking, with seasons of change and challenge. Now, in 2025, we, her children, are carrying Boboi into its next chapter. Guided by her spirit and our shared values, we are committed to:
- Protecting biodiversity and coastal integrity: safeguarding Kartong's shoreline against climate change and make sure Boboi is resilient for generations to come.
- Community and heritage: keeping Boboi rooted in local community and history.
- Sustainability and creativity: respecting the land while renewing Boboi as a space for people to connect with nature and themselves.
Come and enjoy Boboi and feel the magic.
