Gambia is an ideal destination for first time visitors to Africa. It is a tiny country and every area is accessible even if you are only there for a short holiday. The Gambia is on the west coast of Africa and is not much more than a thin ribbon of land running east-west on both banks of the river Gambia. The beaches are good and there is a dense concentration of coastal resorts centering on Cape St Mary at the mouth of the River Gambia. Away from the sand and the warm Atlantic sea, you’ll find some very good boat trips and short river cruises on offer. Gambia’s birdlife attracts birdwatchers and twitchers from around the world. If you have the slightest interest in birdlife you should pack binoculars. English is the official language which means very few communication barriers for British visitors.
Easy beach holidays
Birdlife
Friendly and warm reception
African river cruises
Isolated beaches that are not patrolled no matter how beautiful they look. They’re key target areas for petty theft and robbery.
The majority of visitors who contract malaria have usually failed to take any preventive measures. A visa is not required by British Nationals for tourist stays of up to 28 days. It’s recommended you travel with a passport that has a year to run to expiry. The Gambia is a Muslim country and you need to be aware of unwittingly offending sensibilities.
The country has a subtropical and sunny climate. Temperatures remain constant except from March to June when they are very hot indeed (30°C/86°F to 34°C/94°F). Mid-November to mid-May is the dry season. The rainy season is from June to October.
Flights from London to Gambia take five hours and thirty minutes.
Driving is on the right and a UK licence is acceptable for up to three months of car rental. Roads are poorly maintained and security check points common.