MOSQUITOES, snakes and a knife-wielding witch doctor were just some of the experiences faced by 16 Matravers School pupils on their one-week trip to the Gambia.

Now back in Westbury, the students say their West African adventure has had a lasting impact and many plan to return as soon as possible. The half-term trip was the third organised by the school to the village of Gunjur, but with a 20-strong group this was by far the biggest yet.

Touching down in the capital Banjul, the Matravers team had their first taste of Gambian culture with a one-hour 'taxi' ride to the compound they would call home for the next seven days as they embarked on a week in the life of a Gambian family.

When the Wiltshire Times caught up with the sixth formers before the trip their concerns centred around the Gambian animals and toilet facilities.

Team member Amey Ball said: "We are scared about the mosquitoes and spiders at night-time. But I think we'll appreciate things a lot more when we get back."

Looking back on the experience, however, there were very few regrets as Samantha Matthew explained: "The toilets and showers were a lot better than I expected they would be. It was definitely worth the money for a once in a lifetime experience."

One of the most common reflections from the students was how fast the week went by, but with a packed itinerary they managed to squeeze in as much as possible. Indeed the group's first full day saw them take in a tour of the village, the market and local health centre as well as a half-hour walk to the beach.

Dancing and drumming formed a key part of almost every evening as the pupils immersed themselves in the surrounding culture. But they said it was on the individual visits to teachers' houses that they came closest to experiencing life as a Gambian.

Student Sally Chard said: "It was a privilege to be accepted into their village and experience another culture."

Trips to a reptile park and camel rides were interspersed with Gambian independence day celebrations in Banjul and visits to nearby secondary and pre-schools. But one incident the students are unlikely to forget was their encounter with the witch doctor, known as a Kankurang.

In the region's traditional religion this masked man acts as a bodyguard for circumcised boys to protect them from evil spirits. Part of his role, it seems, was to chase a group of the girls away from a hut where such a ceremony was taking place.

This was certainly not something they had bargained on, but in hindsight most felt events like this were a vital part of an amazing week.

Gareth Clifford said: "Even the bad things were good because they added to the experience."

Sarah Hannell, who was making her second visit to the West African state described the worst thing about the trip as 'coming home'. Summing up the week she said: "You may get hot, you may get dirty, but it's not a problem."

Fellow traveller Jacqui Folkes added: "It was an amazing experience that I will never forget one of the best things I've done in my life."

The group were also full of advice and encouragement for other Matravers pupils looking to take up the baton next year.

Sarah Jones said: "Talk to lots of people, learn as much as you can from them, and take every opportunity to take part in their culture and way of life."