WELCOME
TO
THE GAMBIA
THE SMILING COAST OF AFRICA
BANJUL CITY- THE CAPITAL OF THE GAMBIA
GAMBIAN FLAG
How to Get There
Airlines from Europe have many scheduled flights to The Gambia, and Gambia Airways and Air Gambia have direct flights between London and Banjul. Air Afrique flies from New York to Dakar. The Banjul International Airport is an ultra-modern point of welcome to The Gambia and serves as a major hub to and from other capitals throughout West Africa.
Citizens of Commonwealth countries, ECOWAS members, and certain European countries do not need a visa for travel to The Gambia but citizens of all other countries should apply at the nearest consulate or mission.
Once there, the Gambia Public Transport Corporation offers an extensive, low-cost public transit system with bus service linking all towns in the country. Taxis are readily available, and car rental agencies offer unlimited mileage.
Safety: One of the safest countries in West Africa.
Geography
The Gambia (officially the Republic of the
Gambia), also commonly known as Gambia, is a country in West Africa. It is
surrounded by Senegal, apart from a short strip of Atlantic coastline at its
western end. It is the smallest country on mainland Africa.
Situated on the Atlantic coast in westernmost Africa and
surrounded on three sides by Senegal, The Gambia River flows for 200 mi (322
km) through Gambia on its way to the Atlantic. The country, the smallest on the
continent, averages only 20 mi (32 km) in width.
Its area is 11,295 km² with an estimated
population of 1.7 million. Banjul is the Gambian capital, but the largest
cities are Serekunda and Brikama.
The Gambia shares historical roots with many
other West African nations in the slave trade, which was the key factor in the
placing and keeping of a colony on the Gambia River, first by the Portuguese
and later by the British. On 18 February 1965, the Gambia gained independence
from the United Kingdom and joined the Commonwealth of Nations.
Airlines from Europe have many scheduled flights to The Gambia, and Gambia Airways and Air Gambia have direct flights between London and Banjul. Air Afrique flies from New York to Dakar. The Banjul International Airport is an ultra-modern point of welcome to The Gambia and serves as a major hub to and from other capitals throughout West Africa.
Citizens of Commonwealth countries, ECOWAS members, and certain European countries do not need a visa for travel to The Gambia but citizens of all other countries should apply at the nearest consulate or mission.
Once there, the Gambia Public Transport Corporation offers an extensive, low-cost public transit system with bus service linking all towns in the country. Taxis are readily available, and car rental agencies offer unlimited mileage.
ARCH VIEW FROM INSIDE BANJUL
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA
BEAUTIFUL SCULPTURE PLACED NEXT TO THE ARCH
PLAYING UNIQUE INSTRUMENT - KORA
IMAGES PLAYING DRUM
BANJUL CITY VIEW WITH PORT IN BACKGOUND
Welcome!
The Gambia has unique qualities over many other
destinations. It is only six hours away from major European destinations, there
is no jet lag, and it is a popular and affordable winter destination attracting
Tourists in search of sun, sand, and cultural experience of which this unique
country has plenty.
HEAVENLY TRANQUILED PORTION OF BEACH
SUN SET VIEW FROM KOLOLI BEACH
VIDEO FROM KOLOLI BEACH
BANJUL
The capital city is on the tip of a peninsula at the mouth of the River Gambia. The center of town is MacCarthy Square, a public park, with Albert Market to the east, and the deep water port with its wharves and jetties to the south. Because the city is locked on an island, the nearby towns of Bakau, Fajara and Serekunda are rapidly expanding. Visitors won't want to miss Albert Market with its colours, smells, music, fabrics and crafts. Popular souvenirs include batik, gold and silver filigree jewelry, wood carvings and leather goods. Tailors can quickly make clothes to order at reasonable prices. The National Museum of Gambia on Independence Drive houses wooden carvings, old maps and photos of the country. Arch 22, the city gate commemorating the Second Republic of the Gambia following the bloodless July 1994 coup, has a museum, cafe and great views of the area from the top. Day cruises through the mangrove creeks around Banjul are a popular excursion, with birds and monkeys to be spotted.
Escaping the city, the visitor to The Gambia
will discover the nearby Abuko Nature Reserve, only 15 miles from the city
center on the way to the airport. The reserve was established in 1977 to help
protect and preserve The Gambia's flora and fauna for future generations. Open
daily from 8-6, the reserve features diverse vegetation, 200 species of birds,
monkeys, hyenas, antelope, hippos and crocodiles.
BANJUL CITY
CONTROL ROOM OF FERRY
VIDEO OF A FERRY TRIP ACROSS THE RIVER GAMBIA
A SCENE FROM A FERRY WHILE ANOTHER FERRY PASSING BY ON RIVER GAMBIA
ARRIVING ACROSS THE RIVER GAMBIA - BARRA PORT
SHORTCUT MEANS FOR AMBULANCE TO REACH ACROSS THE RIVER IN EMERGENCY
PUBLIC VEHICLES LOADED ON A FERRY TO GET ACROSS THE RIVER GAMBIA
SKILLED HANDS MAKING PASSENGER BOAT
MASS PRAYING ON ROAD ON FRIDAYS IN BANJUL
ONE OF THE OLDEST CHURCH IN BANJUL
ONE OF THE BEST HOSPITALS IN SEREKUNDA
SERREKUNDA HOSPITAL BUILDING
GRTS - GAMBIA RADIO AND TELEVISION SERVICES BUTILDING
SENEGAMBIA AREA
WAY TOWARDS SENEGAMBIA - TOURIST HUB IN TOWN
WAY TOWARDS SENEGAMBIA - TOURIST HUB IN TOWN
A HORDING BOARD AT SENEGAMBIA JUNCTION
A SCULPTURE REPRESENTING GAMBIAN PARTICULAR TRIBE
BUSINESS COMPLEX AT SENEGAMBIA JUNCTION
FOREIGNERS LEARNING DRUMMING
PIECE OF HEAVEN IN THE GAMBIA
A FRONT VIEW OF BAOBAB HOLIDAY RESORT
BAOBAB HOLIDAY RESORT - ONE OF THE FINEST PLACE TO STAY NEAR SENEGAMBIA AREA
INDIVIDUAL ROOM BUILDINGS
FRONT VIEW OF A DESCENT BAOBAB RESTAURANT
A LOVELY COCO BEACH
COCO BEACH IN BIJILO - NEAR SENEGAMBIA AREA
SUNSET BY ATLANTIC OCEAN IN GAMBIA
GAMBIAN MONEY
THE PEOPLE
The Gambia's population density of 92 people per square kilometres makes it
the fourth most densely populated country in Africa. Eight different ethnic
groups, the largest of which are the Mandinkas, traditionally farmers, the
Fulani, traditionally herders, and the Wollof, mainly traders, live peacefully
together in The Gambia. Though each group speaks its own language, English is
commonly spoken and is the official language of the country .Not only is there
no ethnic strife in The Gambia but there is increasing cultural interaction and
intermarriage, making the country a West African melting pot. The population is
predominantly Muslim with more than 90% following Islam.
VIDEO ON PEOPLE OF GAMBIA
Juffureh, Forts Albreda and James, Tendaba Camp
The setting for Alex Haley's novel Roots, Juffureh is a traditional village,
an easy trip from Banjul, and now a part of The Roots Homecoming Festival, an
annual celebration of African heritage. This week-long festival features music,
dance, workshops, excursions, and other activities designed to help visitors of
African background discover their roots. At nearby Fort Albreda and Fort James,
visitors can see many reminders of colonial history.
BOARDING POINT FOR JUFFREH
STATUE OF FREEDOM
IMAGE OF SLAVES KEPT BEFORE SHIPPING THEM
A BITTER TRUTH IN THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY
WASSU STONE CIRCLES
These circles are believed to be ancient burial mounds dating back 1200 years. Each circle consists of 10-24 massive stones dotting the landscape in the largest such concentration in West Africa. They are located on the northern side of the river, about 20 miles northwest of Georgetown.
WONDERFUL PIECES OF STONE IN CIRCLE
CLOSE VIEW OF CIRCLE STONES
CIRCLE STONES WITH GREENERY IN BACKGROUND
BASSE
The Gambia's easternmost town, Basse is a lively settlement with trading
houses from the turn of the century, shops, and a riverside market. For hikers
and explorers, the town is a good starting point for trips to the interior.
For the next century, visitors to The Gambia can
look forward to not just a blaze of greens and tropical flowering trees in the
summer, an ornithologist's paradise, a country rich in history and ethnic
diversity, but to the development of ecotourism, water sports and deep-sea
fishing. And all of this, of course, with a smile.
CITY VIEW
SENEGAMBIA AREA WITH MEMORIES
QUIET RESIDENTIAL AREA IN BIJILO NEAR
LOVELY ENTRANCE OF A RESIDENCE
ARTISTIC GATE OF A RESIDENCE
VIDEO ON BIRDS CHIRPING IN THE MORNING
A VIEW OF A QUIET LOCAL RESIDENCE
INNER VIEW OF LOVELY COMPOUND
BANTABA - A RESTING PLACE - A COMMON PART OF GAMBIAN RESIDENCE
LOVELY MEHENDI PLANT - COLOURING PLANT - HENNA
A LOVELY BUNCH OF BANANAS
GREEN CORNER OF A COMPOUND
A WINDY MORNING DURING MONSOON SEASON
A HISTORIC LIMOUSINE CAR PARKED OUTSIDE A RESIDENCE
A CHEERFUL FACE WITH HIS MELON
MOUTH WATERING MELONS LYING BEFORE SENDING THEM TO MARKET
COUPLE OF MY BEST FRIENDS IN GAMBIA
VERY COMMON DELICIOUS GAMBIAN DISHES
Traditional Gambian dishes include: DOMODAH, PEANUT STEW with rice, PLASAS, meat and fish with vegetable leaves, FOUFOU, mashed cassava, and
BENACHIN, fish and rice
WHITE BENACHIN
NORMAL BENACHIN COOKED IN PALM OIL
COLOURFUL BENACHIN
BENACHIN
RICE STEW
FISH BALLS IN STEW
WONDERFUL BENACHIN
FISH & CHICKEN YASSA
THANK YOU ALL FOR LOVING THE GAMBA.
REEMBER:
The Gambia is one of the safest countries in West Africa.
MORE PICTURES TO COME WITH MODIFICATION.
TILL THEN HAVE A SWEET MEMORY
TILL THEN HAVE A SWEET MEMORY
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