Although The Gambia is Africa’s smallest nation, it offers landscapes and attractions of great diversity, ranging from broad, sandy beaches on the Atlantic to lush tropical forests, swamps, marshes and large areas of wooded savannah.
Banjul & The CoastThe River Gambia is several miles wide at its mouth near Cape St Mary. It narrows to 5km (3 miles) at Banjul (known as Bathurst in pre-independence days), which is situated on St Mary’s Island and has a deep and sheltered harbor.
BanjulThe only sizeable town in the country, Banjul is also the seat
of government. There is an interesting National Museum. The area around MacCarthy Square has a colonial atmosphere, with pleasant 19th-century architecture. Nearby is the craft market. Souvenirs and local handicrafts can also be bought at various
bengdulala (meaning a ‘meeting place’ in the Mandinka language); shopping areas consisting of African-style stalls, usually built near hotels.
ResortsThe Atlantic coast to the south of Banjul boasts some of the finest beaches in all of Africa with no less than 15 hotels in the Banjul, Kombo and St Mary area. They are served by the international airport at Yundum, 15 miles southwest of the capital.
The River GambiaThis is the dominant feature of the country and is the major method of irrigation, as well as providing opportunities for fishing, boating and sailing. It is possible to take boat trips up the river. Most remarkable is the abundance and variety of birdlife along the shores.
Wildlife parksThe Abuko Nature Reserve, which has crocodiles, monkeys, birds and antelopes, is worth visiting. Details of cruises can be found on hotel noticeboards. The Kiang West National Park also has a rich birdlife as well as other animal species; tourist facilities in the park are well developed. Banjul is the starting point for coach and river trips to all parts of the country and coastline. The whole river and the numerous creeks (known locally as
bolongs) which join it, are fascinating to both the bird lover and the student of nature.
The RivermouthFort Bullen at Barra Point was built by the British 200 years ago to cover the approaches to Banjul and the river, succeeding James Island Fortress (destroyed by the French) as the main point of defense in the colony. It can be reached by direct ferry from the capital. Oyster Creek is the center of an area of creeks and waterways which can be visited from Banjul.
Upriver from BanjulAlbreda was the main French trading post before they withdrew from The Gambia. Nearby is the village of Juffure, the alleged home of the ancestors of black American writer Alex Haley, author of
Roots. However, the authenticity of his account has been questioned over the years. Visitors who want to see more of the countryside may cross by ferry from Banjul to Barra and travel by road to Juffure and Albreda (the journey lasts about 50 minutes), and then by canoe to James Island in the calm waters of the River Gambia. The Niokolo-Koba National Park in the Upper Casamance regions is a World Heritage site of outstanding beauty. The popular tourist destination of Tendaba is 160km (100 miles) from Banjul by river or road. Further upriver, the fascinating circles of standing stones around Wassau have now been identified as burial grounds more than 1200 years old. Georgetown was the ‘second city’ of colonial days, and is still the administrative and trading center of the region. Basse Santa Su is the major trading center for the upper reaches of the Gambia River. Handsome trading houses built at the turn of the century can be seen there. By the riverside at Perai Tenda can be found a multitude of abandoned shops formerly operated by European, Gambian and Lebanese merchants in the days when upriver commerce offered substantial profits for private traders.
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