Gambia travel guide

Gambia is mainland Africa’s smallest country, but it certainly crams a lot into a small space. Yes, the Atlantic coast is dotted with flashy resorts, but the country is so much more than this. Birdwatching is a major highlight, but there are also exciting river trips, deserted beaches and nature reserves aplenty. Read our Gambia travel guide to find out more.

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Gambia travel guide

Gambia has a reputation as a top destination for package tourists, who flock to the country’s beach resorts during the European winter for some cheap fun in the sun. But while the beaches are indeed sublime, the all inclusive hotels that go hand in hand with many of them are not, and most people leave the country without setting foot away from the safety of the resort strip – or putting money into the hands of local businesses.

Gambia isn’t all about fly and flop beach breaks. Get away from the all-inclusive resorts and you’ll find a country rich in wildlife and natural beauty, where few tourists roam.

But Gambia is so much more than a fly and flop destination. Its namesake river is crammed full of wildlife, from hippos to giant crocodiles to manatees; thick forests teem with monkeys, insects and nearly 600 species of bird; and the country’s rich culture and heritage are evident in its museums, markets and mysterious heritage sites. And if you’re still hankering for that beach, you don’t have go far from the main resort areas to find a little patch of paradise all to yourself.

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Gambia is...

a twitcher’s delight, with plenty of bird stuffed forests, wetlands and mangroves.

Gambia isn't...

all about sunbathing and cocktails.

Things to do in Gambia…

Wildlife is king in Gambia, especially of the feathered variety so don’t forget your binoculars. With almost 600 species, Gambia has one of the highest densities of birds in Africa. Even non-birders will be impressed by the variety – from majestic raptors taking to the skies to pelicans, herons and egrets in the mangroves to vividly coloured paradise flycatchers in the forests, your checklist will be ticked off fast. There are many ways to explore the country’s wildlife and towns and villages but a particularly exciting way to do so is by taking to the river. The Gambia River flows along the entire length of the country, and cruising downstream past tropical forest, rice paddies and mangrove swamps, spotting monkeys, hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife, as well as visiting riverside villages, could be the highlight of your trip. Gambia has a rich food culture which is not to be missed. Dishes include delicious domoda (a chilli spiked peanut butter stew), superkanja (okra stew) and the iconic benachin (roughly translated as ‘one pot’) which is a spicy tomato based rice dish made with fish, chicken or meat – a Gambian version of pilaf, paella or jambalaya, if you will. As you’d expect, you can get your hands on some pretty fine fresh fish and seafood here, too.

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Things not to do in Gambia…

Tourism is slowly growing outside of Gambia’s main beach resort areas, but it’s not an easy place for independent travel thanks to poor infrastructure and limited public transport. For this reason, we recommend joining a small group or tailor made tour, or staying in a lodge that will arrange all your activities for you, rather than going under your own steam. This way you’ll enjoy the services of expert local guides, private vehicles, and if anything goes wrong, you’ll get all the help you need. Gambia is best known as a winter sun destination but don’t spend all of your time at a beach resort. Sure, you’ll get sunshine, sea, relaxation and maybe a nice pool by which to sink a few cocktails, but you’ll return home without any idea of what the country’s really like. Make sure you explore the wildlife reserves, try the local food and, of course, take time to get to know the Gambian people. Yes, Gambia is jam packed with natural beauty, but that doesn’t mean that’s all it has to offer, so don’t ignore the country’s history and culture. You could try to unravel the mysteries of Gambia’s ancient past at the Wassu Stone Circles, or learn about the country’s history, traditions and artistry at Banjul’s Gambia National Museum, the Tanji Village Museum or the Gunjur Cutural Museum.

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Gambia travel guide