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The Gambia

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The Gambia

Gambia is a country in West Africa, next to the Atlantic coastline. Senegal also surrounds it on the north, east, and south. Yes, it is not exaggerating to say that Gambia is on a thin, long land around a river with the same name. The relief of the land is flat, and it is also dominated by the river coast. Furthermore, the Gambia River is quite large and sailable. The capital of Gambia is Banjul. The country became well-known to the Western community after Portuguese captains Luiz de Cadamosto and Antonittio Usodimare were claimed to have discovered it in 1454. Like other countries in Africa, Gambia is blessed with beautiful landscapes, although the weather is hot enough. If you are interested in visiting it soon, make sure to follow some practical tips below.

Travel Tips for The Gambia

What you need to know before traveling here

Getting Around The Gambia

A guide to The Gambia's local transportation

Taxi
Vans
Ships

Three types of taxis in the Gambia are differentiated by colour. First, there is the green taxi, which is proposed for tourists. The sign says, “The Gambian Tourism Board runs Tourist Taxi,” and this taxi. Second, other green taxis have no “Tourist Taxi” sign. Third, there is the yellow taxi, which is also provided for locals who do their daily activities.

Practical Tips for The Gambia

Things to prepare and best way to visit

What is the weather like in Gambia?

Gambia and most countries in West Africa experience the Sahelian Climate. This climate has a long dry season from approximately November to May and a short wet season from around June to October. The average temperature in the country ranges from 18°C to 30°C during the dry season. Meanwhile, in the wet season, the average temperature is from 23°C to 33°C.

What are the best attractions in Gambia?

Although the Gambia is considered a small country based on its width, it has several attractions that are worth visiting. Here are the top attractions to visit when in Gambia. Verde Cape Verde Cape is one of Gambia and Africa's most popular tourist destinations. It is a white-sand beach with crystal clear water. Visiting this place in the late afternoon is recommended to enjoy the stunning sunset. Tourists can do many beach activities, such as sunbathing, swimming, and diving, to watch the beauty of underwater scenery. Janjangbureh Island Unlike other islands commonly floated from the sea, Janjangbureh Island is located on the Gambia River. It offers a unique experience, particularly if you prefer a relaxing and quiet atmosphere. The island is the habitat of mangroves and many other tropical and subtropical species. It is also home to some historical sites, including Forth James, which was built in the 18th century. Abuko National Park Abuko National Park is the first national park in the country, and it is the native habitat of many wild animals. You can watch the animals live freely there by walking down the path that has been provided. Some of the animals you can see are monkeys and their fellow apes, birds, and African endemic reptiles. Banjul Visiting Gambia seems incomplete without going to its capital city, Banjul. Banjul offers an urban lifestyle combined with a strong traditional nuance. Some spots you should not miss in the city include Albert Market, the National Museum of Gambia, and more.

What are the must-try foods in Gambia?

Forget your daily favourite food when you are in the Gambia. Yes, this country offers some delicious traditional food you must try. Indeed, Gambia shares some typical dishes with other countries, particularly Senegal. However, some details make dishes from Gambia slightly different from those from those from its neighbour. So, here are some must-try foods in Gambia. Kedjenou Kedjenou is made from chicken, particularly the guinea-hen type, cooked together with veggies. The ingredients are boiled in a clay pot, which is closed very tightly, similar to the process of pressure cooking. Variants of Kedjenou in other countries are Kedjenou Lapin, made from rabbit meat, and Kedjenou de passion, made from fish. And Kedjenou Escargot, made from Escargot. Alloco Alloco is basically fried bananas, but instead of being consumed as a snack, the bananas are eaten together with grilled fish, meat, or chicken. The banana is sliced into pieces first before it is fried with a little cooking oil. Yassa Yassa is originally from Senegal, but it is also very popular in Gambia as a traditional food. The main ingredient of Yassa is chicken or fish cooked together with big onions. The meat must be marinated in spicy liquid all night long to improve the taste. Sourountou Sourountou or Ruz au Gras is a typical food made with rice mixed with spices. It also includes vegetables and sliced chicken or lamb. All the ingredients are stirred and fried with tomato paste and oil made from peanuts or coconut. It sounds delicious, doesn’t it?

Where should I stay in Gambia?

Gambia has a lot of hotels and inns as a place to spend the night. If you want to have more options, you should go to Banjul to choose the hotel. Aside from hotels that are located in the middle of the city, there are also hotels in the suburbs for more affordable pieces. Are you looking for hotels and inns near tourist destinations? Don’t worry; rows of hotels and inns are located around Cape Verde and Bijilo Beach.

What should I know before visiting Gambia?

Gambia is one of the smallest countries in Africa and the densest one on the continent. The population is 2.4 million people, based on the data in 2021. 95% of the population are Muslims, while the rest is Roman Catholics and traditional beliefs. Gambia is also home to some ethnic groups, including Wolof, Fulani, Diola, and Soninke. Don’t worry. English is the country's official language, meaning most locals, particularly those living in the city, can communicate. However, they also speak traditional languages such as the Atlantic variant of the Niger-Congo language, Soninke, Diola, and Serer Languages.

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Travel Tips for The Gambia

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