Is The Gambia Worth Visiting? 12 Reasons to Visit The Gambia

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning that if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. See our Disclosure Policy for more information.

---

The Gambia is one of the countries that made me fall in love with travel. From a rich cultural heritage to fantastic food and friendly people, The Gambia is a great choice to introduce you to Africa.

Since I first visited The Gambia, I have become a self-confessed travel addict, travelling the world in search of amazing scenery, delicious food and incredible cultures. And it all started with my first visit to The Gambia.

I loved The Gambia so much that I am now on a mission to get more people to visit, so read on for all the information you need to know to decide whether The Gambia is worth visiting, as well as some key information you’ll need to know before you go!

12 Reasons to Visit The Gambia

1. The People Are So Friendly

Known as ‘The Smiling Coast of Africa’, this is one of the best reasons to visit The Gambia. One of the first things I noticed when I landed in this beautiful little country was how warm and friendly the people were.

We met so many happy and hospitable people and were invited to eat with two local families at their homes. These families were complete strangers to us, but by the end of the day, I felt like I had known them for a lifetime. If you want to meet happy people, visit The Gambia.

2. Enjoy Sunshine During a Long European Winter

Although The Gambia is in the northern hemisphere, it enjoys a long, hot dry season during the typical European winter months. I visited The Gambia in February, and we had long, hot days with temperatures in excess of 30°C every day. This was a welcome break from the long UK winter!

The dry season in The Gambia typically lasts from November to May, with the wet season running from June to October. Despite the chance of more rain in the wet season, the temperature remains fairly consistent all year round, with a consistent average temperature between 29°C and 32°C.

3. It’s an Affordable Destination

I found The Gambia to be a very affordable holiday when compared with European beach destinations or other winter sun destinations such as the Canary Islands.

You can purchase food, drinks, and souvenirs such as local art, jewellery and handicrafts for a fraction of the price in the UK. Of course, prices in tourist resorts and tourist restaurants are higher than in local cafes, restaurants and shops, so if you want to experience the real Gambia, make sure you get out into towns such as Serrekunda, where prices are lower than in typical tourist hotspots.

4. Try Amazing Local Food

We had some delicious local food during our time in The Gambia. The Gambia’s national dish is a tasty stew called Domoda, and it is widely available in most restaurants. The dish consists of a peanut-based sauce and vegetables, often with meat such as chicken or beef, but sometimes prepared without.

The ultimate foodie experience in The Gambia happens when you are invited to have food at someone’s home. We were invited to visit the homes of two local families during our trip to The Gambia, and the food was incredible on both occasions.

Not only did we get to eat authentic and traditional Gambian food, but we also paid a visit to a local market and helped to prepare the food, which meant I had to pluck and prepare a whole chicken myself!

If you don’t get invited to someone’s home, you can book a Gambian full-day home cooking experience in Banjul.

5. It’s a Great Introduction to Africa

If you’ve never visited Africa before and want to start exploring this vast and incredible continent, a trip to The Gambia can be a great way to get yourself acquainted with Africa.

The Gambia is a soft introduction to Africa as it is frequented by a lot of tourists. English is also widely spoken in The Gambia, which removes the language barrier in many situations.

When I visited The Gambia, it was the first time I had ever travelled outside of Europe and the US, and it was a huge culture shock for me.

However, during my next trip to Africa, volunteering on a game reserve in South Africa and camping in Botswana, I was so much more comfortable and at ease due to my previous experience in The Gambia.

6. Long, Uncrowded Sandy Beaches

If you want long, sandy beaches all to yourself with near-perfect weather, The Gambia is the place to be! We only spent one day on the beach, as we were so mesmerised by the Gambian culture that we wanted to explore more and spend time with locals and communities.

However, the two beaches that we visited were beautiful, with long sandy open stretches and very few people. Heading to the beach in most European beach towns means fighting for space, but not in The Gambia.

One word of warning: Make sure you use sunscreen. I forgot to wear sunscreen one day, and after only 1 hour on the beach, I had the worst sunburn of my life! The Gambian sun is strong.

7. The Gambia is Great For Wildlife and Birdwatching

While you won’t spot big game in The Gambia, it’s still a great place for wildlife and birdwatching. Take a boat trip up the Gambia River, head to Fathala Wildlife Safari Park, or book a birdwatching tour.

You can also visit Abuko Nature Reserve and Kachikally Crocodile Pool to see wildlife, which we did when we visited. However, on reflection and being more informed about animal welfare now, I wouldn’t visit these attractions again, as the animals are not kept in great conditions. It’s far better to see animals in their wild habitat rather than in cages or zoos.

8. Experience Gambian Art, Culture and Heritage

From vibrant dance and joyful music to colourful traditional clothing, jewellery and handicrafts, The Gambia is rich in art and culture. We had a go at Batik dying techniques in Serrekunda, bought beautiful handmade jewellery, and experienced local music and dance, even dancing in a festival when we visited the home of a local family.

9. It’s Only a 6-Hour Flight from the UK

For those living in the northern hemisphere, winter sun usually means one of two things: a trip to the tourist-heavy Canary Islands such as Fuerteventura or an expensive long-haul flight to Asia or the Caribbean.

Most people don’t realise that you can also enjoy winter sun in The Gambia, which is only a 6-hour flight from the UK. If sitting by a pool in Tenerife doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, a trip to The Gambia could be just the ticket as a medium-haul, less-expensive alternative with buckets of culture.

10. You’ll Realise That Happiness Doesn’t Come From Owning Things

When you live in a materialistic society, it is easy to be sucked into consumerism and made to feel that you need many expensive possessions to be happy. However, visiting The Gambia turned this mindset on its head for me.

Of course, no one should have to live in poverty. However, one of the primary lessons I learned from my time in The Gambia is that happiness does not result from the things you own; happiness is a mindset.

And the people of The Gambia are the champions of this – always smiling, always dancing, always looking out for each other. So, while many in The Gambia are materially poor, they are rich in many other ways.

11. It’s Easy to Get Off The Beaten Track

In this day and age, it can be extremely difficult to get off the beaten track and discover new and unspoiled destinations. While The Gambia is far from undiscovered, it is easy to escape the tourist trail and experience the culture of the country if you really want to.

The majority of tourists stay in the resorts of Kololi and Senegambia, where you’ll find hotels, guesthouses, bars and restaurants in abundance. We, however, stayed in Bakau, which is a little further up the coast, away from the resorts. By staying in Bakau, we were able to immerse ourselves in the local culture and see a glimmer of the real Africa.

The people of The Gambia are extremely hospitable, so don’t be surprised if you are invited to eat at a stranger’s home. Of course, you should always be cautious when around strangers, especially in a country you’re not familiar with. However, we accepted two invitations to eat with local families and, because of this, were able to see so much more of the country and culture.

12. It’s a Beautiful Country and Has Something For Everyone

Whether you’re looking to relax on a beautiful beach or soak up the culture of a new destination, The Gambia has something for everyone. The scenery, the food, the culture and the people make this one of my favourite places on earth. What’s more, the best time of year to visit The Gambia is from October to April, making it the perfect spot for some winter sun.

Without a doubt, this tiny country captured my heart, and I can’t wait to return. So is The Gambia worth visiting? I hope you’ll book a trip to decide for yourself.