Gambia holidays

Home to more than 600 species of birds, Gambia is one of Africa’s best birdwatching destinations. Spot sunbirds, African goshawks and green turacos in the Abuko Nature Reserve. Or explore the Marakissa River Camp, where you’ll spy kingfishers and raptors. The Tanji Bird Reserve will keep your binoculars busy with its woodland, lagoons, scrub and mangrove swamps lining the Atlantic coast.

Crafts like woodcarving, batik, pottery and basket weaving play an important role in Gambian culture. Find galleries and workshops exhibiting pieces by local artists at the Kachikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau and browse for souvenirs at the Senegambia Craft Market. If you’re visiting Banjul, get ready for friendly haggling at the bustling Albert Market.

The golden sands of Kotu Beach are one of the country’s biggest draws. For a deep dive into Gambia’s history, visit Kunta Kinteh Island, whose fort once served as a holding cell for enslaved people during the transatlantic slave trade. Nature lovers should beeline to the Abuko Nature Reserve, famous for its Nile crocodiles and hundreds of bird species.

Lined with palm-fringed beaches, Gambia’s nearly 80-kilometre coastline is one of the country’s biggest draws. The Atlantic coast resorts of Kololi, Kotu and Bakau attract tourists looking for long beach days and equally long nights on the dance floor. If you prefer a quieter scene, head for Sanyang Beach, a tranquil stretch of shoreline known as Paradise Beach.

From rare birds in the Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve to reptiles at the sacred Kachikally Crocodile Pool, Gambia is packed with fascinating nature to explore. If you’re looking to see more wildlife at close range, hit Bijilo Forest Park’s walking trails, which are known for monkey sightings. Or spot chimps swinging from treetops and squabbling with baboons at the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project.

The National Museum in Banjul is easily one of the best museums in Gambia. Take a stroll around July 22 Square to find striking examples of colonial architecture. For more history, schedule a visit to the National Museum of Albreda, which focuses on Gambia’s history of slavery and includes admission to UNESCO-listed Kunta Kinteh Island.

The traditional restaurants in Gambia feature fresh produce, grilled seafood and spicy stews and rice dishes. Try ‘benachin’, also known as ‘jollof rice’, made with meat, tomatoes, onions, peppers and seasonings. For a seafood staple, look out for ‘ebbeh’, a tasty mix of smoked fish, shrimp, crab and cassava. Don’t leave without a taste of Gambia’s national dish, a peanut stew called ‘domoda’.