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THE GAMBIA TRAVEL GUIDE
The Gambia is fairly new on the tourism stage but its greatest attractions have been present since long before any holiday companies caught on to its potential. Since the country’s independence in 1965, the breathtakingly beautiful beaches, coastal scenery, mangroves, savannahs and lush green rainforests have been largely appreciated by backpackers and NGO workers. Over the last decade, however, the local infrastructure has grown and these natural delights as well as a variety of manmade ones have become accessible to a wider audience.
These days, holiday makers come to Gambia for the excellent bird watching in Kololi and on MacCarthy Island, the mysterious menhirs of Wassu and the colonial architecture of Georgetown. Though it is the capital city, Banjul is not the country’s most interesting destination; many visitors head here to check out the National Museum and to get a sense of what authentic urban life is like in Gambia.
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THE GAMBIA WEATHER - When To Go
The Gambia has some of the best and most stable weather conditions of any west African country, with the best time of the year to visit falling between November and February. This period sees a distinct absence of rain and temperatures that are warm but comfortably so. Average temperatures during this period are around 24°C.
Later in the year the mercury rises considerably, in inland areas particularly. March to June can be considered the hot season and visits during this time are best suited to travellers from countries with similarly hot climates.
The rainy season kicks in around the beginning of June and lasts until October. This is the least popular time of year to visit hence resorts are much quieter and holiday prices correspondingly cheaper. August is the wettest month of the season and can often see close to 500mm of rain.
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THE GAMBIA HIGHLIGHTS
- Banjul: is the capital of Gambia but it’s more like a compact town than the sprawling city that you might expect. This makes getting around Banjul and appreciating its attractions that bit easier. At the entrance to the city is the distinctive Arch 22, a 35-metre high landmark erected following the military coup of 1994. In the city centre the large market selling everything from fresh food to clothing is well worth a visit if you want to see an authentic slice of traditional local life. The National Museum offers an insight into the country’s fascinating past, while the beach located between Fajara and Kotu Point is an ideal place to relax and catch a few rays while enjoying the splendid North Atlantic Ocean coastal scenery. Give the city at least three days to see the best of it.
- Georgetown: or Janjanbureh as it is locally, known sits on MacCarthy Island and is Gambia’s second largest town. Many visitors come to view the wildlife of the island, of which there is an impressive variety of indigenous species. The town itself is inherently interesting with its mix of old colonial buildings and brightly coloured residences. It’s also home to the island’s oldest building, a structure now referred to as the Historic Wooden House. The building was originally home to one of the first groups of Gambian citizens to be liberated from slavery. Georgetown can be seen in a day, but you can stay a couple at least if you want to do a spot of bird watching in other parts of MacCarthy Island.
- Wassu: take a bush taxi from Georgetown to the small village of Wassu where the biggest attraction is undoubtedly the mysterious stone circles. Believed to mark burial sites, the stones are around 1,200 years old and each one is somewhere between one and three metres in height and weighs several tonnes. A modest museum situated in the vicinity of the stones presents theories and possible evidence relating to the origins of the stones. You can see the stones easily in a day and if you find them especially appealing you can move on to see more at Kerr Batch and N’Jai Kunda.
- Kololi: is the place to head if you want a few days of relaxation, as there are few places as tranquil and conducive to inactivity as the beaches it boasts. Even in high season you won’t find crowds disturbing this peaceful tropical paradise. The area is also renowned for its bird watching possibilities, with the Bijilo Beach Forest Reserve one of the best locations for viewing the various species of seabird and local forest varieties.
- Serrekunda: is Gambia’s largest city and best known for the regular wrestling matches held at an arena in the centre. Wrestling is an extremely popular sport here and spectators come to Serrekunda from far and wide to watch opponents from different villages compete in lively bouts. Matches are accompanied by drumming provided by groups from each village taking part and this cacophony of sound serves to rouse the crowds who gather to support the wrestlers. Two days should be more than enough to appreciate Serrekunda.
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THE GAMBIA HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Gambia is still relatively new to tourism so you won’t find the same selection of dining establishments that might be found in more popular African holiday destinations. The capital Banjul has a fair selection; however, Kololi offers the greatest number of venues and the widest choice. Try the popular groundnut stew known as maafe.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: Nightlife options are fairly limited and in many towns visitors are restricted to the offerings of the larger hotels. Some locations, however, have locally organised open-air dances where visitors and locals alike can enjoy a lively atmosphere, alcoholic drinks and good music. Sennagambia is hailed as the home of the best evening entertainment and offers a good selection of bars, clubs and discotheques.
- Accommodation: There is a good selection of hotels along the coast, but prices are by no means cheap so these places appeal more to package holiday makers than anybody else. Budget establishments can be found in inland areas but are infamous for their low quality and lack of cleanliness. It’s often possible to stay at the house of a local for a night or two if you offer them a small fee. For accommodation deals in the Gambia, try Booking.com. Most UK holidaymakers to the Gambia come on a package holiday deal, to avoid the hassle of sorting out separate hotel accommodation.
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THE GAMBIA FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
Flights to the Gambia: Most holidaymakers arrive via charter flights to Banjul (the only arrival option) from London via companies such as Thomas Cook.
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