Gambia, a West African country known for the part it played in Alex Haley’s Roots, has much to offer adventurous tourists. Gambia is the smallest country on the African continent. It is surrounded on three sides by Senegal, the fourth side of the country runs along the Atlantic Ocean.
The terrain of Gambia is flat and low with the Gambia River Valley covering most of the country. The tropical climate allows for a long tourist season, lasting through the year. Visitors will find that Gambia is fast becoming a popular holiday destination. When booking your trip you will want to see if you are required to obtain a Visa. Visitors from many countries can enter the country for ninety days without a visa but one is required for a few countries, the U.S. and South Africa being the main two.
While in Gambia you will want to visit the wildly popular Kachically Crocodile Pool. Here you will be able to get up close and touch some of their many West African Nile Crocodiles. The Abuko Nature Reserve is another popular stop. Twenty-five miles from the capital, Banjul, the Nature Reserve is a great way to become familiar with Gambian flora and fauna. Monkeys, crocodiles, and many species of birds call the Reserve home.
As the setting for a portion of the book and movie, Roots, Gambia offers a Roots tour. You will board a boat for a slow cruise down the Gambia River. At the mouth of the river you will disembark in Albreda, a former French trading post. The tour also includes a visit to the village of Juffureh, a slave trading station.
Restaurants are plentiful and you will want to try the local fare. Benachin is a popular rice dish and Domoda is a meaty stew eaten by almost everyone. Many dishes are prepared with peanuts, the national crop of Gambia. Two local drinks are also worth a try; Julbrew is a beer brewed in Gambia and Palm Wine is a wine made from the fermented juice of the palm tree.
Getting around Gambia is best accomplished by either renting a car or taxi. Due to bad road conditions you will want to rent a four wheel drive. When hailing a taxi you will need to find a green taxi. Gambia has two types of taxis. Green taxis are for tourists and yellow taxis are for locals. While the green taxis are more expensive, they are the safer bet.
Stop by the Banjul market for souvenirs of your trip. The Kora makes a great keepsake. It is the musical instrument of the Mandinka Tribe and the national instrument of Gambia. The Kora, a twenty-one stringed instrument, resembles a guitar or harp. Beautiful wood carvings, masks, African drums, and hand woven items can be found throughout Gambia.
The Gambia National Airport in Banjul will be your entrance and exit port for the country. The airport is run by the country and it’s Aviation Board. Customs are quick and efficient and you will find tour operators and rental car services right at the airport. Interestingly, the Gambia National Airport has been designated by NASA as an emergency landing spot for the space shuttle.
As you can tell, Africa’s smallest country is great spot for a holiday and fast becoming a hot tourist destination while still retaining its hospitable ambiance.