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It is said that “big things come in small packages” and Gambia is a perfect example of this as a tourist destination. It is known as the “smiling coast” with miles of unspoilt palm-fringed beaches. Even if Alex Hailey had not made this country famous in his “Roots” where he traced his ancestors back to a village called Juffure, tourists would still have come in hordes, lured by the uninterrupted coastline, nature reserves and spacious tropical gardens.

The Gambians are some of the most friendly and hospitable people on earth, welcoming visitors of diverse customs and origins.

A birdwatchers paradise! With over 450 species of birds and one of the highest concentrations of birds in the world, Gambia is indeed an attractive destination for bird watchers.

Historically Speaking

In 470 BC, Hanno, the Carthaginian, in an account of his voyage to West Africa referred to the kingdom of Gambia. The bank of the river Gambia has been inhabited for many centuries. During the colonial period, The Gambia’s first contact with Europeans was in 1456 when the Portuguese landed. Gambia was strategically important as a trade point along the West African coast. Though the Portuguese did not establish a colony in the Gambia, they continued to monopolise trade until the English gained control of the mouth of the River Gambia in 1651 and fortified present day Banjul. Slave trading was abolished in 1807 and James Island in Gambia was used to check and stop illicit traffic in slaves. The Gambia was Britain’s first and last colony and gained 314 years later in 1965. The country became a republic in April of 1970.

Dawda Jawara, leader of the People’s Progressive Party, became President of the Gambia. For most Gambians, his rule did not bring many benefits, but he remained more or less popular. He was overthrown in a bloodless coup in 1994 led by young and dashing Lieutenant Yahya Jammeh. In 1996, presidential elections were held and Jammeh democratically came into power with a 56% majority of the vote. The opposition protested that the results of the poll had been tampered with and their leader went into hiding.

Habitat

The Gambia is situated on the beautiful West African coast, in between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. It is one of the smallest countries in Africa and is interestingly shaped like a crooked finger. It takes its name from the River Gambia that flows through it. Banjul, located on the southern side of the river estuary, is the capital. The country boasts of 25 miles of gorgeous unspoilt sandy beaches. The coast and the riverbanks consist largely of mangrove swamps. The lower part of the river has steep banks that are covered with tropical forests with a predominance of bamboo. There is wooded grassland away from the river, for the Gambia is in the Savannah Region of West Africa.

Gambia is an ornithologist’s delight with over 400 species of birds by the riversides, lagoons and crocks near Banjul. Wild animals abound, including monkeys, baboons, hyenas, jackals, antelope, hippos and crocodiles. Dolphins can often be spotted in the river. The Abuko Nature Reserve is a popular tourist spot, 24 km from Banjul.