Gambia

Types of trips: Nature, Geography, Culture, Adventure, Relaxation

Best known for: Bird Diversity, River Gambia, Physical size & location, River Cruises

Why Go?: While Gambia may be Africa's smallest country, it's definitely worth a visit - with fantastic river cruises, a bird population like nowhere else and beaches & culture galore, this tiny country on the African west coast should be a high contender on your list of possible destinations!

Fact File

Population: 1,900,000

Capital: Banjul

Language(s): English

Ties to the UK?: Historical links, fairly popular travel destination

Landscape: Compared to other African countries, Gambia is very small and physically quite narrow, surrounding the Gambia River as it flows east to west into the Atlantic Ocean. 

Climate/Seasons: November - February is the driest and coolest time, but still warm with daytime max temperatures at around 24°C. The wet season runs from June through to around October, and while it creates lush vegetation it renders some roads unusable.

When to Go: The best (and also the most popular) time to visit is from November - February, which avoids the rain and extreme heat and is the best time to see wildlife and birds. 

Reasons to Visit: River Cruises, Birds, Local culture & history

How to Get There: You can fly to Gambia but you will need to take connecting flights (probably at Brussels).

Places to Go: Gambia National Museum, African Living Art Centre, 

Famous People: Yahya Jammeh, Lenrie Peters, Daniel Jatta

Natural Wonders/Wildlife: Gambia River, Abuko Nature Reserve, Kachikally Crocodile Pool

History: Colonised by both the Portuguese and the British before gaining indepen

Architecture: Arch 22

Culture: Very diverse culture due to popularity of the River Gambia - many visiting outside cultures influenced the country throughout history.

Sport: Football

Events: Banjul Demba Cultural Festival, Assumption Day, International Roots Homecoming Festival 

Watch Out For: Avoid political discussions/events where you can, and make sure someone knows where you are at all times. Visits of under 4 weeks don't need a visa, but anything longer than that will need one - make sure to check out the rules if you think you may be affected. 

Medical Issues: Some vaccines and boosters are advised - see here for a good general overview and always consult with a doctor.