What could North Africa offer the tourist? Year around nice weather and only a six hour flight from the United Kingdom. Their international airport is called Banjul International Airport which is located only 30 minutes from the capital of Gambia, Banjul. The capital is built on St. Mary’s Island on the river Gambia. It boasts a mixture of architecture from its days as a colony while still keeping its shantytown area alongside a modern business section. Outside of being the capital of Gambria, Banjul also produces beer. Its brewery produces Julbrew. Visitors can visit the brewery for a sample of the native beer and then visit the National Museum to see exhibits of the history and the culture of Gambia. They can also visit Arch 22 which was built to celebrate Gambia’s independence from colonial rule.
For American tourists an excursion to the city of Julfureh would be a lesson in history that would be unforgettable. The town became famous when the black writer, Alex Haley wrote his legendary book, Roots. Alex Haley’s ancestor, Kunte Kinte was born in Julfureh. As an added attraction, the tourist can take a trip to James Island which was used as a slave encampment. Studying of the history of American slaves in books seriously lacks the impetus of visiting the country where they came from and the history that led to their part in American culture. The country of Gambia is surrounded by the most perfect beaches the world has to offer. But there are other adventure for a family oriented vacation. Abuko Nature Reserve is on the west coast of Gambia. It is like going back to Eden and finding yourself amidst birds and animals that a loving creator fashioned. You can visit the animal orphanage and take a walk to the Brikama Wood Carving Centre to see some of Gambia’s artists working. There are many day trips to take from your beach resort on Gambia.
Native food on Gambia can take some getting used to as it is highly spiced. But most of the country has international food and a Garden of Eden cornucopia of fruits. Food on Gambia is a gourmet adventure of the known and the selective native unknowns like the Wonjo juice.
Shopping for tourists is almost compulsory for them to feel like they have connected to their vacation spot. But in Gambia souvenirs made from native animals are not allowed out of the country. However, you may purchase native Batik fabric, wood carvings and CD recordings of the fabulous African nation of Gambia. An example of a seven day stay on Gambia would be to book a resort like Kololi. It has to be the most exotic plush version of splendor only imagined in movies of Cleopatra. A room for two with all the amenities and breakfast would run you around 900 dollars for seven days. Of course they is the Sheraton Gambia for 1200 dollars. You can best decide on what package you like by visiting online sites that offer travel and accommodations to the splendidly rediscovered continent of Africa, and your best bet would be to start in Gambia where civilization and the Garden of Eden meet.
A vacation to Gambia may cost just a little over 2500 including flight from the United Kingdom. For an African adventure that is cheap. But you will be treated as if spending like a millionaire by the friendly, courteous Gambian people who speak English and have kept their native customs and beautiful beaches as if untouched by the centuries that has seen them being the hosts for a world full of Europeans who found the northern African coast of Gambia, hospitable and desirable.
Although Gambia is Africa’s smallest nation in Western Africa with a population of approximately 2 million people whose official language is English, it’s scenically varied, with sandy beaches, lush tropical forests, swamps, marshes and large areas of wooded savannah. River Gambia, one of Africa’s great waterways, dominates the country. Banjul is Gambia’s capital, but the largest city is Serrekunda. Gambia is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 540 different species. While the country’s parks, reserves and upcountry villages are a major draw for eco tourists and those interested in African culture, for many visitors, it’s the country’s pleasant tropical climate and relaxing beach resorts which are the star attractions Visitors who check in could make their abode within the considerable number of hotels geared primarily to package tours. Most of these are located in the string of low key, low rise beach resorts near Banjul. In comparison to western hotels, the hotel standards tend to be modest but the top end places have attractive swimming pools, bars, restaurants, shops, sporting facilities, spacious gardens and the option of a room with air conditioning. The most popular accommodation are often fully booked during the tourist season (November to May); in the low season, some places are closed. There are also a number of small hotels and guest houses catering for independent travellers. You could also get a couple of dozen camps and lodges in rural areas, both on the coast and up country, a few of which provide luxury accommodation and meals but most are basic. They make good bases for bird watching, boat trips and cultural tours. Self catering apartments and bungalows are available in the main resorts and some up country towns. Don’t hesitate to go out and taste the traditional Gambian delicacies available. Western food is also presentable at most tourist hotels and restaurants. The national specialities include Benachin, Domodah, Plasas and fruits while the national drinks include Jul brew and fresh juice. Thereafter enjoy the generally subdued nightlife within the night clubs and bars where you’ll see organised performances of Gambian drumming, dancing and fire eating displays. During your vacation, relax on the pleasant beaches in the resort area near Banjul which has friendly bars and restaurants. Book dance lessons and be taught how to dance, take a long distance boat trip on River Gambia and see monkeys and hippos or shop for souvenirs and local handicrafts. Spend a day fishing, soar over the fields, villages and beaches in a micro light or book a couple of nights at the River Gambia National Park. Admire the colonial architecture at the National Museum in Banjul; visit the lively urban markets where Gambians shop, hire a small boat to explore the mangrove creeks which is a world class area for bird watching. Explore Gambian colonial history by visiting the Exhibition of the Slave Trade, catch sight of the fascinating circles of standing stones around Wassu, join a tour of the beautiful Makasutu Culture Forest or meet a friendly crocodile at the Katchikali Crocodile Pool. All these is made possible by employing buses, bush taxis, private taxis, cycles and car hire on the roads while ferries and boats will serve you effectively on water. Take note that crime against tourists is increasing and visitors should take sensible precautions and remain vigilant in public places. Malaria is also prevalent in Gambia but the threat from terrorism is low.
The Gambia is an ex British colony situated on the west coast of Africa, just 6 hours flying time from London. I have lived in The Gambia on and off for over six years (running a cultural music school) and I rate The Gambia as being one of the best holiday destinations in the world.
The Gambia is such a colourful country and it is known as ‘the smiling coast’ to those in the know. The music is wonderfully rich and almost everywhere you go you can hear African local drums, the djembe drum, playing in the distance. For many years, however, it has been set back by an ongoing problem; that of ‘bumsters’. Bumsters are local people (mainly young men) who prey on the ignorance and good-naturedness of tourists to extract money from them and it is often fuelled by the need to obtain drugs or alcohol. I’ve travelled to many countries in the world but I have never seen tourists hassled so much and so intensely as I have witnessed in The Gambia. It is a problem with its roots buried in the social structure of the country and it is a problem that will not easily be removed.
That aside, however, it is still a great place to travel to and the following advice should make the average tourist more resilient to the ways of the bumster.
You are particularly vulnerable to scams in the first few days of your holiday, when your skin is untanned and the local bumsters know you are new in the country. As you develop a sun tan and an attitude and air of confidence, you will get less hassle from the small operators, but you are still very vulnerable to expensive scams and practised conmen.
Be particularly careful over the ‘really nice stranger’ scam, many will play a very long waiting game ( several years) to gain your confidence before attempting to take advantage of your generosity.
They will use letters, send cards, make phone calls and use emails and faxes, they will use friendship, concern, love and sex and they will do whatever it takes to maintain a relationship with you with a view to extracting money from you. DO NOT give out your email address unless you want to be faced with many months of persistent approaches.
Sometimes a local will approach you and say âItâs me, Lamin, the gardener from your hotelâ â They know that Europeans will do almost anything to risk offending someone but you have to be savvy to this approach. A great tip here is to say âah yes, Lamin, didnât I lend you fifty Dalasis yesterday? Where is my money?â You will receive a very curious look followed by a swift departure!
It is very difficult to sort out the genuine people from those who make a living at this.
Devotion to the daily religious practises of Islam is most definitely not a guaranteed sign of honesty, but some will use this as a subtle way of convincing you that they are genuine. Some of course are genuine, which makes it even harder.
The best advice, however, is to quickly learn to say âNOâ!
We’re doing a digital quilt in class, and I can’t find anything useful on the internet, except on CultureGrams, that they like to eat Peanut Butter stew. =P yuck.
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Street Basketball Association in Gambia, Africa
Making some fun with the lokal kids in Gambia on a weekend. It was such a good fun!