And if for once we took a trip to these little-known, if not unknown, countries, which are these regions or even countries that we almost never hear about, that welcome only a few visitors, at least the French, and where we wonder what we can see there or do.
Today we head to West Africa with The Gambia.
Where is Gambia?
Little known to the wider public, The Gambia, which is completely landlocked by its Senegalese neighbour, is the smallest country in West Africa, barely 10,689 km² for a population of just over 2 million.
A former British colony, the destination is not very touristy, although there are beautiful beaches, quite interesting natural sites, plus some historical evidence or data from the slave trade that was at the origin of the establishment of trading posts by Europeans in the 15th centuryE century and then a colony.
What to see in Gambia?
Banjul, the capital
Banjul, the capital of Gambia, is located at the mouth of the Gambia River. Apart from several museums, old buildings and small surrounding nature reserves such as Abuko, Bijilo or Salagi, the primary interest here remains the beautiful beaches on the outskirts of the city, especially on the Serrakunda side.
What to see in the city and for culture
Albreda-Juffureh
Albreda, this former French trading post on the north bank of the Gambia River, is one of the UNESCO sites associated with James Island, as well as Juffureh and the remains of several forts that also bear witness to the colonial era and the slave trade. Today, Albreda-Juffureh hosts a museum dedicated to slavery.
Bakau
This coastal town near Banjul is famous for its Cape Point beach, botanical garden and (sacred) crocodile pond.
The nearby town of Fajara remains one of the main seaside resorts in the country and attracts many people.
Megalithic circles of Senegambia
This site common to Senegal and The Gambia is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of a thousand small monuments present on a 100 km wide strip that stretches along the River Gambia for a length of 350 km.
James Island
This islet at the mouth of the Gambia River, now renamed Kunta Kinteh, was once an important trading post for slaves, as evidenced by some remains. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the nearby trading posts of Albreda and Juffureh.
Tanja
This former fishing village is home to the Tanje Village Arts and Crafts Museum as well as the Tanji Bird Sanctuary, which is famous for its ornithology. Further south are beautiful beaches such as Sanyang Beach.
See the natural side
Kiang West National Park
It is one of the main parks of the country, on the southern bank of the Gambia River. It is especially appreciated in ornithology.
Niumi National Park
Along the northern coast, between the river and Senegal, this area of mangroves where you can take a boat trip is home to many birds, but also hyenas, leopards and a few crocodiles.
Abuko Nature Reserve
The Abuko site is one of these small protected natural areas around Banjul, as is the small Bijalo forest that borders the ocean not far away. This reserve is very popular and allows you to see monkeys, snakes, crocodiles and birds.
Practical Gambia
Formalities
As part of a tourist trip, a passport valid for at least 6 months after the planned date of departure is required for the French. Added to this is a visa which is free if you are staying for less than 15 days and can be obtained before you travel or on arrival.
Health and safety
Sanitary conditions in The Gambia (as in neighboring Senegal) have clearly improved in recent years. Although theoretically recommended, the yellow fever vaccine is no longer mandatory for entry into the country.
In fact, the most present danger in the country remains malaria, to which are added some risks of chikungunya and dengue fever, which are also carried by mosquitoes. Despite everything, of all the possible problems for travelers, the most dangerous one is “tourist” (diarrhea).
Otherwise, without being the highest, delinquency is very present in the country, especially in tourist spots where pickpockets run rampant. In fact, it is important to stay alert and always keep a close eye on your affairs.
Currency and budget
The local currency is the dalasi divided into 100 bututs.
You can easily exchange money in banks, large hotels, exchange offices and ATMs present in the country, especially in tourist areas.
Getting there
As The Gambia is landlocked in Senegal, some travelers arrive in the country by land either through the north and Dakar or the south and Casamance.
Otherwise, The Gambia has only one airport, Banjul International Airport, whose operation is limited to a total of twenty flights in Africa (including Dakar) and Europe, including Brussels or Amsterdam directly.
On the place
The Gambia has a relatively small road network that runs along the (navigable) River Gambia. This may not always be in good condition, which means that it can take a long time to travel, although the distances are never huge.
To get around, you can choose to rent a car or, more locally, choose the numerous “bush taxis”, which are these mass vehicles (car or minibus) that are widely used by a large part of the population.
Accommodations
Quite logically, you will find the best selection of hotels in the capital and in a few coastal areas far from it. In addition, if you plan to visit only the western part of the country, you can also choose accommodation in this part of the territory and travel from there.
Local time
Like its Senegalese neighbor, The Gambia uses UTC time throughout the year. Which means that it is two hours less in summer than in France and one hour less in winter.
To be understood
Since The Gambia is completely surrounded by francophone Senegal, the practice of French is quite widespread. So it will always be more or less easy to find someone who speaks the language.
A thing to know
Bring an electrical adapter for your equipment and French outlets. Here we are indeed on 230 V (50 Hz) with “English” plugs (officially type G).
A climate with a dry season and a rainy season
The Gambia is located in the intertropical zone and has two seasons with a dry season and a rainy season (“wintering”) and two transitional months, June and October.
From November to May we are in the dry season. There is almost no rain at all and the heat is dampened by sea winds on the coast. On the contrary, inland the temperature can reach up to 40°C.
The rainy season runs from July to September with sometimes heavy rains and vegetation becoming lush.
The best time to visit The Gambia is between November and February when the weather is dry but the temperatures are still cool enough.
> Information: www.visitthegambia.gm