The Gambia is a small tropical paradise located in West Africa. Palm-fringed golden-sand beaches by the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean attract visitors from all over the world. River trips on the Gambia River through the exotic mangrove forests offer wonderful opportunities to explore this small African nation rich in nature and culture. Visit the exotic towns and small fishing villages of the Gambia to experience the traditional Gambian way of life in rural areas where the majority of the friendly and hospitable Gambians live.
The beautiful Gambia River is more than 1,000 km long. Boat trips on the river are the best way to travel in Gambia beyond the beaches and to explore the unspoiled Gambian nature, exciting wildlife, and the traditions in the Gambian villages. The banks of the Gambia River are lined with mangroves and on the boat trips you can admire the wonderful rural scenery and relax and sunbathe on the boat deck. Many tour operators in Gambia organize half day, full day and overnight boat tours on River Gambia. The accommodation during these tours is usually organized on lodges, bungalows or tent camps.
The rich Gambian wildlife can be explored in the several nature reserves in Gambia. Abuko Nature Reserve is located near Banjul and offers good selection of Gambian flora and fauna like monkeys, dolphins, lizards, crocodiles and more. A birdwatchers’ paradise, the Gambia is home to more than five hundred species of exotic birds.
How to get there. The main airport in the Gambia is the Banjul International Airport, which receives flights to Gambia from Europe and Africa and has some connections from other continents. The country can also be accessed by car from the neighboring Senegal. The Gambian capital Banjul has a sea port which receives mainly cruise ships.
Beautiful beaches, exotic towns, river trips and Nature Reserves in Gambia
The capital of the Gambia, Banjul is a peaceful, small and exotic African port city located on St Mary's Island on the mouth of the Gambia River. A former center of the slave trade, Banjul is rich in history and has many interesting colonial buildings and museums. The modern Banjul is the business centre of Gambia and offers a good selection of hotels and restaurants. The popular Gambian beach resorts of Kololi, Kotu and Bakau are all located near to the capital. The Gambian beaches offer excellent opportunities for sunbathing and water sports by the Atlantic Ocean.The beautiful Gambia River is more than 1,000 km long. Boat trips on the river are the best way to travel in Gambia beyond the beaches and to explore the unspoiled Gambian nature, exciting wildlife, and the traditions in the Gambian villages. The banks of the Gambia River are lined with mangroves and on the boat trips you can admire the wonderful rural scenery and relax and sunbathe on the boat deck. Many tour operators in Gambia organize half day, full day and overnight boat tours on River Gambia. The accommodation during these tours is usually organized on lodges, bungalows or tent camps.
The rich Gambian wildlife can be explored in the several nature reserves in Gambia. Abuko Nature Reserve is located near Banjul and offers good selection of Gambian flora and fauna like monkeys, dolphins, lizards, crocodiles and more. A birdwatchers’ paradise, the Gambia is home to more than five hundred species of exotic birds.
Practical information for your trip to Gambia
The Gambia has pleasant tropical climate with long and sunny dry season from November to May and a rainy season from June to November. The best time to visit Gambia is from November to February, when the weather is dry and not too hot. The Gambia is the smallest country in the African mainland and the area consists mainly of plain with some low hills.How to get there. The main airport in the Gambia is the Banjul International Airport, which receives flights to Gambia from Europe and Africa and has some connections from other continents. The country can also be accessed by car from the neighboring Senegal. The Gambian capital Banjul has a sea port which receives mainly cruise ships.
Photo: cumulius, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Getting around. Located in the middle of the country, the beautiful Gambia River does not usually serve as a traffic route in the Gambia, but several tour operators organize boat trips on the river. There are two main roads in the country one along the southern side and other along the Northern side of the Gambia River. A four-wheel drive is recommended on the southern bank of the river, but the road in the northern bank is in good condition. Note that crossing the river between Banjul and Barra with your own vehicle can be very time consuming. There are both regular taxis and collective 7-seated taxis called bush taxis, the latter being very inexpensive form of transportation suitable for the adventurous visitors.
Safety. The Gambia is an English-speaking country that can be considered one of the safest destinations in Africa. However, keep an eye on your belongings and watch out for scam artists and pickpockets in crowds. Due to the unpredictable driving habits and lack of street lighting care should be taken when driving in the Gambia particularly after dark.
History and culture of Gambia
Rich in history, the Gambia was once part of powerful African Kingdoms, the Ghana Empire and the Mali Empire. After 200 years of British Colonial rule, the Gambia gained independence in 1965. It has remained relatively stable in comparison to many other African countries. The Gambia has a wide variety of ethnic groups and the majority of the Gambians still live in rural villages. Music is an important part of the Gambian life, and the Kora harp is the most famous musical instrument in the region. Gambian women often dress in a Sari. A popular souvenir from the Gambia, Sari is a colorful piece of cloth usually wrapped around the waist. The friendly and good-humored Gambians always welcome a visitor in their exotic and inexpensive tropical paradise.hint See also these nearby destinations: Banjul
