The Gambia Experience

The Gambia has unique quality features over many other destinations. It is only six hours flight from major European destinations with no jet lag. The Gambia is a popular and affordable all year round destination attracting tourists in search of sun, sand, sea, nature and varied cultural experience and of which this unique country has plenty.The Republic of The Gambia commonly referred to as the Smiling Coast of Africa, is situated in the western region of Africa. It has a land area of 11,295 sq. km (4361 sq. miles) with an estimated population of 2,000,000. The agriculturally fertile country, dominated by farming, fishing and tourism has its capital in Banjul.The official language is English and the local languages (dialects) include but not limited to Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Serer, Jola, Manjago, Karoninka, Sarahule and Aku.The Gambia has two distinct seasons; wet and Dry Season. The Wet Season is characterized by rains and is usually short from June to October, with most of the precipitation falling within an hour or less. The Dry Season ranges from November to May and during this period, the months of November to March are cool and usually characterized by intermittent chilly breeze (warm for most Europeans). January to April is often associated with the Harmattan winds that blow from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans.Tourism in The Gambia has become the fastest-growing sector of the economy as visitors coming in every year are drawn by its beaches, birds, sunshine, the culture and the country's biggest asset - the friendliness and hospitality of The Gambian people along with the peace, security and political stability of the country. This has been the case since independence in 1965 and hence the reason why The Gambia is known as ”the Smiling Coast of Africa”.