9 reasons to visit The Gambia: in photos
The smallest country on the African mainland, home to almost 600 species of birds and nine tribes with their own culture and traditions, The Gambia is somewhere that’s still best known in the UK as a winter sun destination.
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In fact, it might be better to say that the country isn’t well known at all: I only discovered the facts above (along with a few more facts about the Gambia) while I was preparing for my trip at the beginning of December – and was most excited to be visiting a part of the world that’s almost entirely new to me.
While I’ve explored parts of northern and South Africa (plus Madagascar), the closest I’ve come to west Africa was our trip to Cape Verde earlier this year. And what I found was that for a country around half the size of Wales (or a little smaller than Connecticut), there’s plenty to discover beyond the beaches – these are my nine reasons to visit The Gambia.
1. The welcome
The Gambia calls itself the ‘smiling coast’ of Africa and it’s a statement that’s hard to argue with – from grinning kids waving from the roadside to easy conversations with people I met along the way.
And while tourism is important for the country’s economy, there’s more to it than friendliness forced by economic practicality.
Home to around 10% Christians in a Muslim country, and nine separate tribes, this is somewhere where different faiths and traditions live (and love) happily side by side.
Venture away from the coast, where most of the hotels are to be found, and you’re in the heart of Gambian life too: the biggest city, Serekunda, still smaller than London’s biggest borough, the craft centre of Brikama, the small capital Banjul and the quiet villages among the fields.
If you need to cross the river from the capital Banjul to Barra on the other side of the River Gambia, the owners of the pirogues moored just offshore even hoist travellers onto their shoulders and wade out through the water to reach their boat.
2. The nature in the Gambia
The country is heaven for birdwatchers – head out at dawn or dusk, and you’ll quickly be surrounded by some of the hundreds of species living in The Gambia.
Even if you find yourself out on the water in the heat of the day, as I did, the mangroves are still teeming with life; a giant kingfisher called from the trees, a woodpecker knocking nearby while vultures circled overhead.
In the shade of the Makasutu forest, I spied a gaudy red firefinch and more camouflaged thrush, while my guide from Mandina Lodges described the medicinal qualities of a string of different trees and fruit, while revealing how baboons ensure the forest snakes don’t emerge by daylight, the complex hierarchy of a termite mound and the red ants crawling over the white bark of a eucalyptus.
Crocodiles bask by the water at Cape Point, cranes and storks flying gracefully past, as well as thronged on the banks of the Kachikally Crocodile pool.
Upriver, you can spy hippos and discover the islands of the chimpanzee rehabilitation centre, home to around 100 chimps. And wherever there are trees, you could find monkeys: especially when there’s fruit or the country’s groundnuts and cashews being harvested.
For animal lovers, there’s no question is the Gambia worth visiting!
3. The colours of The Gambia
Under the heat of the African sun, no cloud in the blue sky, the colours of The Gambia seem even more vibrant. After the rains of June to October, the plants and trees remain a lush green for weeks against the baked red of the earth.
Women strut elegantly in traditional African dress, vibrant patterns matched by head wraps – often balancing possessions or a tray casually on top.
The occasional black abaya was notable by its rarity: even those wearing long niqabs and headscarves layer them over eye-catchingly bright shades.
And everything that can be decorated, is. Boats in glorious turquoise and yellow, others in the colours of the Gambian flag – even a baobab tree had had a coat of paint, its bark covered by a patchwork of brightly coloured adverts.
4. Gambian culture
Traditional ceremonies are still an important part of life today, and if the talking drums are now used for celebrations rather than passing messages between villages, much endures.
Special pots used to cool water before refrigeration are still found in homes – the water tastes better, according to my guide.
Music is a constant accompaniment, not least to set the mood before wrestling matches – another tradition that was once more popular as football.
Strutting, posing and posturing before they entered the ring, the wrestlers we watched were adorned with amulets and dressed in closefitting shorts or ‘dala’ before performing their own personal ritual with special water believed to give them strength and motivation.
So intricate are these that the bouts themselves were usually shorter… How much is staged for tourists is hard to say, but more than a few locals sat alongside cheering them on.
And at Kachikally, there’s a small museum with exhibits from the different tribes, including masks, musical instruments and history.
5. The everyday life
It would be easy to spend your days chilling out by the beaches of the coast, but it’s worth stepping out of the tourist bubble; you needn’t voyage far to get a glimpse of everyday life in The Gambia.
In the market at Serekunda, fish and vegetable stalls are steps away from the tourist souvenirs, while another had prayer beads lined up in the shadow of the the mosque’s white minaret.
At Banjul, the flood of foot passengers heading to the opposite bank at Barra settled next to the tour groups, a cross-section of society from families to fruit sellers to the flamboyantly fashionable, all for around 35p.
Or on the beach at Tanji, crowds await the returning fishing boats, transporting the catch in wheelbarrows to the buckets on shore to be sold or smoked.
6. The Gambia’s place in history
Turn the clock back a few centuries and The Gambia was at the heart of one of humanity’s darkest chapters – the slave trade to the Americas.
Today, it’s commemorated in several stops along the river near Juffure – the village which features in the start of Alex Haley’s novel Roots, where his own ancestor was captured and transported to the USA.
A small museum gives an overview of slavery here, until abolition, while you can also take a boat over to Kunte Kinteh island – otherwise known as Fort James – a staging post where many were held until they were shipped across the ocean.
Moving and heart-rending, a statue commemorates the end of this human trafficking, with a reminder that slavery continues elsewhere in the world today.
And by the mouth of the River Gambia, looking across the Banjul, sits Fort Bullen, built in 1826 to blockade the water and prevent ships continuing the now illegal trade.
7. The food in The Gambia
If you love fish, you’ll be in heaven here – barracuda, kingfish, butterfish, captainfish, ladyfish as well as seafood appears on menus galore, especially along the river and coast.
And with most of its economy depending on agriculture, you’ll find groundnuts appearing in plenty too including chicken yassa.
Or there’s benachin, a one-pot dish, and other local treats including honey – with small puffed doughnuts to dip in.
8. The Gambia’s hotels
Travelling on a rare solo trip, I got to discover some of the luxury places to stay in the country – Ngala Lodge at Fajara on the coast has one of the country’s best restaurants and a wonderful infinity pool by the sea, plus its own small cove at the bottom of the cliffs.
My day tour to Makasutu gave me a glimpse of the peaceful Mandina Lodges as well, with four floating lodges on the water, as well as villas on land.
If you are travelling to The Gambia with kids, Coco Ocean mixes luxury with family-friendly too.
For another family-friendly option off the coast of west Africa, check out my things to know about visiting Cape Verde with kids
9. The beaches
While The Gambia isn’t only about the beaches, there’s no denying they’re a very tempting attraction – especially if you’re visiting The Gambia with kids.
And especially during winter… with temperatures around 30C in early December while the UK shivers with frost and snow.
The coast around Kololi, one of the most popular areas, has become very eroded, but you can still find long golden beach at Kotu as well as Cape Point and at Sanyang, our afternoon retreat during our day tour.
Deliciously warm waters, shady loungers by the small bar, you couldn’t fail to relax – to my amusement, even the cows had settled down to chill out by the waves!
PIN FOR LATER: REASONS TO VISIT THE GAMBIA
Disclosure: My trip and tours were courtesy of The Gambia Experience, along with a tour from the Gambia Tourist Board. All opinions, including those about cows on beaches, remain my own.
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I really don’t need that much convincing. Looks amazing…
🙂 It was a fantastic place to visit
Wow your photos have really sold it to me – they are so colourful! Some of the accommodation choices look incredible too. I love an infinity pool!
Thanks! It s such a vibrant place – and the hotels were wonderful, really luxurious, which was a definite treat after a hot dusty day exploring (as was a dip in that pool)
I must admit to never have thought of visiting Gambia but your fab post has me thinking. I love watching bird life and the place looks great for that. Thanks for sharing. Wilbur. #citytripping
That’s great to hear – and the bird life seems amazing. I am very far from an expert, and for practical reasons couldn’t go out at dawn/dusk when the sightings are best, and still had a fantastic introduction to the wildlife in the forest and mangroves.
Wow I need to be here some day
I hope you get there!
Wow, you’ve managed to introduce me to somewhere new and hook me good! That was a fascinating read about the history and culture! There’s such a variety of things to see, it’s really amazing! Definitely pinned this! #CityTripping
Fantastic, thank you!
What a colourful place. I’d love to discover more of Africa (though South Africa has a very very soft spot in my heart)
#CityTripping
Very much so – and I’ve been to South Africa a couple of times and loved it, so definitely a soft spot in my heart too.
Looks fascinating. Love the materials the women wear. It’s just a world away from home, I know I would learn so much. Beautiful pictures.
#citytripping
Thank you! I was amazed by their outfits: everyone seemed so elegant, wearing the most amazing prints (I, on the other hand, was feeling distinctly dusty and scruffy by comparison)
Is there no end to the list of amazing places to visit on this planet? You’ve just added to it with The Gambia. It looks like it has the perfect amount of variety for a fascinating trip.
Wonderful 🙂 It was a fascinating place – so much to discover, and plenty I didn’t get chance to do in the time as well. The list always gets longer!
What an absolutely amazing looking trip. The history, culture and vibrancy of The Gambia makes me want to visit. I love your photos. Do you think it would work for a family trip?
Thanks! I discovered so much in a short time – and I’m planning some more on travelling with kids, but briefly I think it would work but for older children than my daughter. It does depend a little what you want to do, and what appeals to them but eg the wildlife and the slavery history is going to be better for older kids, as is travelling around on often bumpy roads, plus there are more vaccinations and malaria tablets needed.
The Gambia’s never been a place that’s hugely appealed, but you’ve made me see there’s a lot more than might meet the eye – although some of the history is dark, I can imagine it must be very interesting- and emotional – to visit some of those sights… #citytripping
Absolutely, I’m not quite sure why being physically present made it so moving – the history itself is the same anywhere after all, but it really did make an impact. So much else to discover too.
Africa looks as always nice!! Have not been to the western part yet. Southern, eastern and northern covered 🙂
It felt quite different from the north and south, and what I’d imagine of much of the east (still on my own list to explore)
I’ve only touched on this continent. Now it’s definitely on my radar!
Great – I feel the same, just so much there to explore and I’ve barely visited any of it (yet)
I really don’t know much about Gambia or have ever thought of visiting, but this post has me rethinking it. It looks so beautiful and friendly! I love how colorful everything is too! #citytripping
That’s great to hear – it really is so little known I think, but so much to discover
what a fantastic trip! #citytripping
It really was
I hadn’t heard of The Gambia before reading your post – it sounds like the kind of place that would lift your spirits and send you back home feeling relaxed and happy. I especially love the colourful traditional dress and those adverts painted on the tree just pop right out at you. It’s a little sad that the slave trade ran through it, but I guess it’s also a good way to learn about evils of the past. #CityTripping
That’s a really good description – everything seems very bright and upbeat, although it is very much a developing country. A few days there felt like my batteries had well and truly recharged, despite all the exploring.
What a rich country, full of wildlife and colour. Your hotel looked amazing too, I have pool envy!
The hotel was fantastic – there were actually two pools, the infinity one and a smaller one which was right under my balcony.
So much I didn’t know about The Gambia. It looks a beautiful place from the beaches to the city markets and colourful dress. It’s history hasn’t always been beautiful but so important to learn about that dark chapter.
I definitely think the darker chapters play such an important part in shaping a country that it helps to understand a little more about it – although definitely more light than dark there these days.
Looks like there’s so much to offer in such a small area..and cows that know how to live life right! #citytripping
So much packed in – and that cow definitely has the right idea…
It is true! You do not get to hear about this country a lot. I am glad you had the opportunity to visit. Sometimes, I feel like I want to visit a country that is not that popular among travelers. It feels good to be surrounded by locals (and seeing them interested in knowing about you). #citytripping
Absolutely, I do love to see somewhere which feels very unfamiliar too me – and I had some very interesting chats, with them telling me a little more about Gambia and its politics, and me swapping stories of Brexit!
Africa is a continent that I often overlook for fear of the unknown but honestly, you have given me a taste to consider trying it now – I never considered it as a destination for summer sun before. I love African culture too so I will definitely look into The Gambia a bit more now – thanks for sharing your experience! #citytripping
I think this would be a great country to start – I feel like I’ve seen so little so far: north Africa has its own distinct atmosphere which is different to sub-Saharan countries (in my experience and from what I’ve been told) and this is such a welcoming place to get a taste of African culture.
What a place! I hadn’t realised quite how small it was, though (in relation to Wales, the universal size benchmark!). Funny to think that such vibrant, jolly colours sit alongside a place with a sad history. I’m desperate to visit. Bookmarking it for five years’ time, when my children might be just about old enough. #citytripping
It is such an unusual shape – so long and thing (basically along the length of the river) so it feels like it should be larger. I do enjoy using Wales as a comparison size (along with double decker buses, football stadiums…) And I’m planning another post on visiting with kids but I think five years’ time is probably a good benchmark. Do keep it on the list though!
Funnily enough a friend of mine grew up as an expat kid in Gambia and he always says that is a great African country to visit. You two are starting to convince me that we should look into visiting soon. #citytripping
I hope we are! That must have been quite an experience – but definitely, it’s a wonderful country to discover.
Your Instagram pics had already made me want to visit, what a stunning country
Fantastic – and there are so many colourful spots
I loved reading this post! What an amazing adventure you went on! Was this your first time visiting Africa? Were you part of a larger group? #citytripping
Thanks! And not my first time visiting Africa, but my first time in the west so it felt very new – and I was there on my own this time, although I joined a group tour for one day.
I was immediately intrigued when I read your previous post that you were packing for a trip to Gambia. That’s amazing! I have heard of traveller packing to travel to Ghana but very seldom I hear of Gambia. I like that you sum up your experience in Gambia in this post, and am looking forward to know more about this country from your future posts 🙂 Fantastic! #Citytripping
Thanks Kat – it definitely seems somewhere that’s overlooked. I saw a few other groups but not huge numbers of tourists exploring (and Ghana isn’t somewhere I’ve read much about either, shall have to check that out too!)
What an amazing place to visit! I have visited Ghana in the past and found it an amazingly friendly country too, The Gambia looks stunning too and I love that everyone is so happy. 🙂
That’s another country I don’t know well – lovely to hear it’s similarly so friendly, this is really spurring me on to explore more of Africa.
I’ve never really considered Gambia before but you really brought the country to life!
#citytripping
Thank you! That’s lovely to hear, definitely deserves to be better known.
Interestng country, and I really enjoyed your eye for detail in describing it. And the cow on the beach of course.
Thank you – it’s so often the little things which stick in the memory. And the chilled-out cow, obviously!
I knew nothing about gambia but certainly have given me food for thought
Excellent – just what I hoped.