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The Gambia Travel Notes -- The Gambia is on the western coast of Africa, surrounded by Senegal. Find out more about The Gambia @ Travel Notes.

Gambia Flag
Short URL: http://tnot.es/GM - National Anthem of Gambia.

The Gambia is on the western coast of Africa, surrounded by Senegal.

Gambia Travel Brochures.

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Background Information on The Gambia, Banjul, Gambia Accommodation, Gambia DirectoriesGambia Travel Guides, Getting Around Gambia, Map of The Gambia, River Gambia, The British in Gambia, Visit Gambia.

Background Information on The Gambia

The main ethnic groups in the area, before the arrival of the Europeans, were the Mandingo, Wolof, and Fulani peoples.

Map of The Gambia

The early states paid tribute to the Mali Empire before creating small riverine kingdoms of their own.

Portuguese explorers set up trading stations along the river around 1455.

Weather in The Gambia

View a graphical weather forecast for the week ahead in The Gambia.

Banjul Weather.

The British in Gambia

The British purchased Banjul Island from the ruler of a local kingdom in 1816. They initially resisted expansion into the upper river areas until the European race for African territory began in the 1880s.

Britain then claimed the River Gambia and established The Gambia's present boundaries in an agreement with France in 1889

The British didn't begin to develop The Gambia properly until after World war II. Administration posts were set up, and The Gambia became independent on February 18, 1965.

The official language of The Gambia is English, while Wolof and Mandinka are the main African languages spoken.

Banjul

The capital of The Gambia lies on a sandy peninsula between the mouth of the River Gambia and the Atlantic Ocean.

Founded as Bathurst by the British in 1816, the port started as a base for suppressing the slave trade.

Bathurst was the capital when The Gambia gained independence in 1965, and the name was changed to Banjul in 1973.

Before the July 1994 coup an increasing number of charter flights flew in to Yundum, near Banjul, with Europeans seeking relatively exotic holidays of sun and sand when it's cold and dark at home.

The more adventurous travel upriver to Basse Santa Su, or visit the Cassamance region in neighbouring Senegal.

Getting Around Gambia

Green Tourist Taxis

If you're staying at one of the tourist hotels and want to explore on your own, you'll find these taxis ready to take you where you want.

Yellow and Green Taxis

These are the shared taxis that run on certain routes or may even be parked at the side of the road for individual hire.

Bush Taxis

The collective taxis can get pretty crowded and you'll see them running around the country.

Ferries

There are a number of ferry crossings along the river ranging from the large Banjul-Barra ferry ship to smaller wooden platforms, with only enough room for a handful of cars.

River Gambia

The River Gambia rises in the Guinea highlands of the Fouta Djallon and empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

It was sighted by Portuguese sailors in 1446 and explored by the Venetian navigator Alvise da Ca Da Mosto nine years later.

Bird Safari Camp

Located close to the River Gambia National Park, accommodation at the Bird Safari Camp is provided in round thatched huts or safari tents.

Hidden Gambia Holidays:
Specialises in adventure travel to The Gambia's hinterland by road and river to uncover the hidden treasures of this peaceful West African country.

Visit Gambia

Gambia Attractions

The Gambia has a wealth of natural and historical heritage to explore: forts, historic towns and villages, forests, national parks, ancient ruins, museums, historic monuments and wildlife.

Gambian Reptiles Farm:

The Gambian Reptiles Farm is located at Kartung. To get there you need to take the coast road from Serrekunda; passing Tanji, Sanyang and Gunjur. Kartung is five kilometres after Gunjur.

Makasutu Culture Forest:
Set on the banks of the idyllic Mandina Bolong (river) Makasutu Culture Forest is a 1000-acre reserve. Encompassing many different Eco systems and habitats, the area is home to hundreds of species of birds, not to mention the monkeys, baboons and monitor lizards that make the forest their home.

The Gambia Experience:
The largest specialist UK tour operator to The Gambia.

Visit The Gambia:
Official website of the Gambia Tourism Authority.

Gambia Accommodation

Bakau

On the coast, 30 minutes from Banjul.

Ocean Bay Hotel and Resort: Bakau.
Ocean Bay Bakau.
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Ocean Bay Hotel and Resort.

The luxurious 5-star Ocean Bay Hotel Resort is an international, first class hotel in the very heart of Cape Point; Gambia's finest beach district.

The tropical Oasis fuses modern African opulence with contemporary elegance and style.

Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates Online
Stay at the Ocean Bay Hotel and Resort

Guest can choose from 195 modern rooms with breathtaking views over the Alantic Ocean and the magnificent River Gambia.

Simply walk out the Resort's gate and find yourself on miles of pristine beach, framed by warm Gambian sunshine and cool sapphire waves.

Bijilo Beach Hotel:
Located right at the Bijilo beach, the hotel's seclusion and breathtaking views makes it a great place to relax and unwind. The hotel also has two separate swimming pools. The main, large pool is located in the centre of the hotel whilst the children's pool is situated on the lower deck of the landscaped slope, facing the beach.

Garden Guesthouse:
Located in a in a cul-de-sac, in a quiet part of Bakau, you'll live in the community and gain insights into the culture and way of life of Gambia that hotels cannot give you. Haruna will meet you at the airport. From then on his first duty is to look after you. He can even accompany you on trips to other areas and over the border to Senegal, if you wish.

Kololi

On the coast, near Serrekunda.

Kairaba Beach Hotel: Kololi.
Kairaba Beach Hotel - Kololi, The Gambia.
Serrekunda.
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Kairaba Beach Hotel.

Only a 20 minute drive from the International Airport and 30 minutes from Banjul, the Kairaba Hotel is set among 40 acres of mature gardens with fish ponds and over 100 types of plants and trees.

Standard Rates
Stay at the Kairaba Beach Hotel

Built in a Portuguese style, the two-storey houses form a wide horseshoe; featuring spacious balconies, or terraces, offering views of the ocean or the beautiful landscaped gardens and central pool.

Ngala Lodge:
Each suite has bathrobes, slippers, a private balcony and most of them have a stunning view over the garden and sea.

Paradise Suites:
High quality accommodation in villas, maisonettes villas, and suites.

Kotu Beach

Serrekunda.

Bungalow Beach Hotel:
Fully equipped apartments in a beautiful location.

Senegambia Beach Hotel:
Senegambia Beach Hotel features 328 rooms, studios and apartments situated in a two-storey main building and/or in the hotel’s extended garden.

Compare Gambian Hotel Prices

Bakau, Banjul, Kololi, Kotu, Serrekunda.

Gambia Directories

Access Gambia:
Portal of over 120 pages of Gambia-related websites.

Gambia Travel Guides

Travel to The Gambia:
Browse Amazon's best-selling list of books on travel in The Gambia.

Regional Directory - Search The Web - Top Travel Blogs and Websites: Africa.

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