Gambia tourist information with details about
travel to and around the country. Where to stay and what to see is made easier with
insider tips and hand-selected Gambia links, by dedicated editors and visitors to
TravelNotes.org - The Online Guide to Travel.
The Gambia is on the western coast of Africa,
surrounded by Senegal.
Weather in The Gambia
View a graphical weather forecast for the week ahead in The Gambia.
Banjul Weather.
The main ethnic groups in the area, before the arrival of the
Europeans, were the Mandingo, Wolof, and Fulani peoples.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gambia River Excursions:
The company offers river excursions on their fleet of large and small pirogues and boats,
cruising in and around the coastal estuary and up-river, providing tourists and Gambians
alike with an unequalled opportunity to view and participate in the unspoiled natural
beauty of The Gambia's flora and fauna and to savour the historic culture of West Africa.
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.
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.
The Gambia Birding Group:
Provides information about practical aspects of visiting The Gambia for wildlife trips and
about birding throughout The Gambia.
Visit The Gambia:
Official website of the Gambia Tourism Authority.
Bakau
On the coast, 30 minutes from Banjul.
| Ocean Bay Hotel
and Resort: Bakau. |
Ocean Bay Bakau.
Hotel Details.
Hotel Rates.
Add Hotel Review.
View Map.Official
Website:
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.
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.
Access
Gambia:
Portal of over 120 pages of Gambia-related websites.
Books
on Gambia Travel:
Browse Amazon's best-selling list of books on travel in The Gambia.
|
