The Gambia
For fantastic weather, deserted beaches, fascinating culture and some of the friendliest people on earth, make your next holiday a trip to The Gambia.
Situated on the beautiful West African coast, it's just a six-hour flight from London and on the same time zone, so no jet lag!
Providing visitors with a taste of unspoilt Africa, The Gambia has much to offer all year round from basking in the sunshine to bush trips and river excursions or observing the amazing bird life of more than 540 species of birds. Its unexploited waters provide fantastic fishing opportunities attracting visitors worldwide and its vibrant culture together with an unhurried pace of life give visitors valuable insight to a truly exciting destination.
 We can offer regional departures from Bristol and Glasgow as well as Manchester and Gatwick. For those seeking an alternative to the resorts of Europe, The Gambia makes an excellent choice, offering value for money and comparable prices.
Located midway between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator, The Gambia enjoys virtually uninterrupted sunshine and high daytime temperatures with almost no rainfall from November to June.
The best clothes to take are casual and loose fitting, preferably cotton for comfort (shorts and T-shirts etc) and a hat is recommended as protection against the strong midday sun. During the winter months the evenings can sometimes be quite cool, so a sweater or jacket may be useful.
On the coast, The Gambia experiences only small fluctuations in temperature from winter to summer. However, from July to October the humidity level is high as the tropical sun will be punctuated by short but spectacular rain storms. Although the months of heaviest rainfall are August and September, we have found that most rain occurs at night and has not detracted from our clients enjoyment of their holiday. Nevertheless, a lightweight rain Mac or umbrella may prove useful in these months.
 For those planning to travel inland away from the coast and the benefit of the sea breezes, it is important to note that temperatures during the summer can reach 42°C.
Generally speaking all the hotels have an informal dress code but whilst swimwear is the order of the day around the pool and on the beach, please adopt a more modest standard of dress elsewhere, not least because the majority of Gambians are Muslim but also in consideration of fellow travellers.Gentlemen may be asked to wear long trousers and shirts in the evening depending on where you are dining.
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Areas of interest in The Gambia |
BANJUL
In pre-independence days called Bathurst, Banjul is the capital city and seat of government of The Gambia. In its street mix all the many people of this friendly country. Beautiful batiks, silver filigree jewellery and other craft objects are in the shops. There are regular tours of the city.
BARRA POINT
Fort Bullen was built by the British two hundred years ago to cover the approaches to Banjul and the river. It succeeded James Island Fortress, destroyed by the French. It can be reached by direct ferry from the capital.
ALBREDA
The main French trading post before they withdrew from The Gambia. Slaves who escaped could claim their freedom if they reached its flagpole.
JUFFURE
Alex Haley, author of 'Roots' traced his ancestry back to this village. Kunta Kinta was alleged to have been abducted from here and sold into slavery in America.
FORT JAMES ISLAND
Constructed by the Germans in 1651 it was captured by the British 10 years later. The ruin stands on a tiny island in the centre of the river. Fort James is a reminder of the centuries of struggle to dominate the slave, and other, trades of the region.
TENDABA
This is a camp 100 miles from Banjul and can be reached by road or boat. It is a superb place to enjoy the richly varied bird and animal life by the river.
FARAFENNI
This is the main ferry crossing for the Trans-Gambian highway. It is the link between the two parts of Senegal separated by The Gambia.
KUNTAUR
Ocean going vessels can navigate upriver as far as Kuntaur, 150 miles inland.
WASSU
Circles of standing stones around Wassu have now been identified as burial grounds more than 1200 year old. Made of hewn laterite there are scores of these sites dotting the landscape.
BABOON ISLAND NATIONAL PARK
Another of the newly established wildlife sanctuaries of The Gambia.
GEORGETOWN
The old 'second' city of colonial days and still administrative and trading centre of the region.
KARANTABA TENDA
The great English explorer, Mungo Park, set out from a point near here to trace the source of the Niger in the early 19th century. An obelisk marks the spot.
BASSE SANTA SU
The major trading centre for the upper reaches of the Gambia river. Handsome trading houses built at the turn of the century can be seen there.
SUTUKOBA
Once a thriving trading town and the ancient Portuguese entrepot from the interior of the continent.
Call us on 0870 1999 038 for further details of holidays and flights to the Gambia.
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