tree and its wrestling arena. The town’s suburbs include Kanifing, Latrikunda, Sukuta and London Corner, and the town flows into the seaside resorts of Bakau, Fajara and Kotu. … Serrakunda Wrestling Match fight fighting wrestle Serakunda Gambia Africa city map vacation day guide tour international world airline itinerary ideas tips company resorts holiday discovery hotel trip advisor best time agent agencies travels resort channel adventure adventures vacations money manager investments …
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.
Palace Travel
Palace Travel has expanded its offering of tours and safaris to more than thirty African countries. Destinations include popular vacation locations such as South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Egypt, Morocco, and the less traveled West African countries. Whether the destination is West Africa or East Africa, North Africa or Southern Africa, Palace Travel is the explorer’s African travel guide.
Travel itineraries on www.palacetravel.com are specially crafted to reflect a unique blend of culture, history and traditional tourism in Africa, so that the visitor is introduced to the ‘real Africa.’ This African travel agent is known for exceptional value, service with a personal touch and experience that can be trusted.
Travelers can also have itineraries customized to meet their needs. Diverse groups such as religious, professional, volunteer and academic organizations are given the opportunity to have tours tailor-made to their specific requirements.
Palace Travel is the only United States based tour operator with wholly owned offices in Ghana and Mali, also licensed by the Ministry of Tourism in both countries. Tours are conducted with company owned vehicles and staff. Therefore, affordable African safaris and tours are provided to travel agents who offer African travel packages. Palace Travel is committed to distribution through their travel industry partners.
Tours can be arranged from the locations in Mali and Ghana to one or a combination of the following countries – Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Services include Ecotourism, group tours, FITs (Free Independent Traveler or Tourist), customized tours for any number of travelers, MICE (Meeting, Incentives, Conventions and Events) and Voluntour (Volunteering while on vacation). For more information on Palace Travel services visit www.palacetravel.com
African travel is now more convenient. Go to www.palacetravel.com for details on an enjoyable, affordable African vacation.
Continent Tours
West African tourism is experiencing a boom as travelers throughout the world are becoming more aware of the spectacular attractions in these African countries.
With full-service offices in Mali and Ghana, and affiliate offices throughout West Africa, no one knows the region better than Continent Tours’ operations personnel.
These African travel specialists are the most knowledgeable West Africa travel guides to Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. For more information on West African travel visit www.continenttours.com
Continent Tours’ goal is to introduce visitors to the ‘real Africa. Known for exceptional value, service with a personal touch, and experience that can be trusted; Continent Tours offers affordable Africa safaris that can be customized/ tailor-made to the travelers’ requirements for memorable African safaris and tours.
At Continent Tours working with travel professionals is our priority. Travel agents are offered unique African travel packages at the most affordable rates. Each itinerary is supervised by Continent Tours’ staff which guarantees personalized, reliable, professional service and provides substantial savings to be passed along to travel industry partners.
Whether it is a Ghana trip to participate in PANAFEST, a Mali tour to Festival in the Desert or the Saint- Louis Jazz Festival in Senegal, West African travel is now more exciting. View these fantastic tours at www.continenttours.com
Continent Tours’ staff has extensive experience in all aspects of tourism, and in-depth knowledge of the local culture, languages and traditions. They are familiar with the African map and understand the meaning behind each African flag. African vacations will have added significance for these African travel agents.
Services provided include ecotourism, group tours, hotel contracting, meet and greet service, meetings and conventions, pre and post conference tours, tailor-made tours and tour operator representation.
More details on Continent Tours can be found at www.continenttours.com
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!