Situated on the westerly most tip of Africa, The Gambia sits
midway between the tropic of cancer and the equator on the
same latitude as Barbados. The smallest country on mainland
Africa, The Gambia is predominantly flat and shaped almost like a
crooked finger, with a narrow strip of land on either side of the
majestic River Gambia.
Located on a island in the south peninsula, where The Gambia River meets the Atlantic ocean, is the capital Banjul.
This vibrant town is home to many fascinating markets, monuments, museums and many other tourist attractions.
The majority of holiday resorts, including Kololi Beach Club, are well spread out along the 25 miles of uncrowded
sandy beaches, known locally as the smiling coast, due to the friendliness of its people.
English speaking, The Gambia has much to offer all year round with its
unsophisticated charm, palm fringed beaches, tropical gardens, nature
reserves, craft markets and possibly the friendliest people in the world.
Only 6 hours from the UK, The Gambia truly offers a true taste of Africa with
excitement and opportunity in abundance.
History & Culture
The Gambia has a rich culture and heritage, the first written accounts of the region coming from records
of Arab traders in the 9th and 10th centuries AD.
It was an important part of the trans-Saharan trade route route into Europe, established by Muslim traders,
and Banjul remains a vibrant trading center to this day.
Achieving independence on February 18, 1965, The Gambia became a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth.
Following a referendum in 1970, the country became a republic, and has remained one of the most stable and enduring
multi-party democracies in Africa.
A wide variety of ethnic groups live in harmony in The Gambia, each preserving its own language and traditions.
The Mandinka tribe is the largest, followed by the Fula, Wolof, Jola, and Serahule. Also, approximately 3,500
expatriates make The Gambia their home. The majority of the population are Muslim, with Christians of various
denominations accounting for most of the remainder, which has the additional benefit that Gambians officially observe
the public holidays of both religions!
Climate
The Gambia is widely recognised as having perhaps the most agreeable
climate in West Africa.
Offering perpetual sunshine, and a sub-tropical
feel, with average temperatures ranging between 26-32 degrees centigrade,
The Gambia makes the ideal location for a sunny summer holiday
or the perfect escape from the European winter.
Tourism
The Gambia is an increasingly popular tourist destination, with its small size and wide variety of activities
offering the advantage of a relaxing, varied and interesting holiday for all the family. The abundance of cheap
flights from Europe, in combiantion with the short travelling time and no jet lag make The Gambia like
having the Carribean holiday without the hassle.
With the Gambian Government fully supporting the country's promotion as an all-year-round holiday destination,
tourism in The Gambia is sure to increase. The World Travel & Tourism Council have recently rated The Gambia
among the top destinations for price competitiveness, and the country offers prehaps the most cost-effective
slice of paradise available.
Conservation & Wildlife
Conservation of the natural beauty of the country continues to play an important role in The Gambia, and the nature reserves offer
many opportunities for visitors to see a wide range of wildlife in their natural habitat.
Bijilo Forest Park, adjacent to Kololi Beach Club, was first established in 1952, and is now a self-sustaining nature reserve, supporting a
wide variety of animal and plant life, including colobus monkeys and a fascinating array of bird-life.
The Gambia is a heaven for any keen bird watcher, with over 500 different species of bird in a relatively small area it is so popular
that many birders return year after year. It plays a temporary home to many species of rare migratory birds, with one famous resident being
The Egyptian Plover.
Interesting Facts
The Gambia's capital, Banjul, is twinned with Grimsby in the UK.
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first serving U.S. president to visit the African continent when he stopped in Banjul in 1943.
In his bestseller 'Roots', Alex Haley traced his ancestor, Kunta Kinte, back to The Gambia.
A team of UK dragon-hunters recently embarked on an expedition in The Gambia to track down a mysterious creature known locally as the "Ninki-nanka"
The Gambia's Yundum Airport was an emergency landing site for NASA space shuttles, having its runway lengthened to accomodate the spacecraft.
