Whether you come to The Gambia for the wildlife, its culture or a just a quiet break, there is plenty for everyone. A day trip to Makasutu Culture Forest (MCF) fits the bill in all regards. You can take a forest walk and a canoe trip, sample the local palm wine, see local craftsmen at work and dance with the local Jola ladies, accompanied by African drumming. Alternatively, MCF has some exclusive accommodation at Mandina Lodge, where you can pamper yourself and stay in the African bush at the same time.

Among wildlife lovers, Gambia is best known for its birds. Like its people, Gambia's birds are loud and colourful, and many are very confiding. However it is also relatively easy to see monkeys, crocodiles, antelopes and, if you are prepared to travel a little further, hippos and dolphins. You can take a walk around a small nature reserve close to your hotel (such as Bijilo Forest Park or Abuko Nature Reserve) or be more adventurous and visit the offshore Bijol Islands with the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management. Upcountry, Janjangbureh provides an ideal base for seeing hippos, and a trip up the River Gambia to Albreda (or across to the north bank and Jinack Island) may reward you with dolphin sightings from December to January.
If you want to find out about the people and culture in The Gambia, you should take a trip to Tanji Village Museum, where you can see a Mandinka compound. From Janjangbureh you can visit the ancient Wassu stone circles.
Alternatively, if all you want to do is relax, there are 80km of sandy beaches, including those on Jinack Island, where the only disturbance you are likely to encounter is the call of fishing ospreys.

Fact File

Language: Officially English.
Time: GMT.
Int. dialling code: +220
Money: Dalasi (D), currently D47.4 to the UK £.
Visas: Not required by Commonwealth citizens.
When to go The tourist season extends from mid-October to April, coinciding with the dry season.
Getting there Many tour operators offer charter flights direct from the UK to Banjul from around £300 return - usually as part of a package deal. Other airlines, such as Sabena and Swissair have scheduled flights from European cities to Banjul.
Where to stay Accommodation ranges from basic camps to 5-star hotels. See Travel Connections on p127 for an advertisers' index of companies offering safaris and accommodation.

Find out more
www.visitthegambia.gm
The Gambia (Bradt, 2001)

A week well spent

Day 1: Arrive Banjul
Day 2: Makasutu Culture Forest
Day 3: Abuko Nature Reserve
Day 4: Bijol Islands and Tanji
Days 5 & 6: Janjangbureh
Day 7: Depart Banjul