Gambia is the smallest country on the African continent. It has a population of 3 million people and covers approximately 11300 square kilometres of land. Gambia is surrounded by Senegal, with no other neighbouring countries. Banjul is the country's capital city and the second largest city after Serekunda. Gambians are smiling and welcoming people, ready to help strangers, and this reminds me of the country's nickname: The Smiling Coast of Africa. The following are the tourist attractions that are found in the country;
The River Gambia National Park.
This tour is a great opportunity to see some of the Gambia's wildlife up close. You'll get the chance to see hippos and chimpanzees in their natural habitat, and also get to learn about the ecology of the River Gambia from a guide from The River Gambia National Park authority. Plus, spending a night at the Janjanbureh camp will give you a taste of life in the Gambian countryside. Avoid the tourist traps and book this tour for a truly authentic experience.
Bijilo National Park.
It is also known as Monkey Forest, a well-known park in Gambia near the Senegambia tourist beach. Established in 1952, it is managed by the Ministry of Forestry. It is a government-owned ecotourism centre known for its huge population of monkeys, which visitors can feed with nuts and bananas. The park features well-maintained walking trails and offers opportunities to observe birds, native trees, and termite mounds within its closed-canopy forest environment.
Baobolong Wetland Reserves And Kiang West National Park.
This pair of protected areas straddles the Gambia River and provides habitats for a variety of wildlife, including different types of birds. A pirogue cruise through the bolongs (creeks) and thick mangroves of the Baobolong Wetland Reserve on the north bank is great for birdwatching. On the south bank is the less-accessible Kiang West National Park, which has even more birdlife on show, as well as bushbucks and sitatungas. Viewpoint, within the boundaries of Kiang West National Park on the south bank, is Toubab Kollon, from where an escarpment follows the river. Its view over woodlands makes a fine spot for watching birds, particularly early in the morning.
Banjul.
Banjul is a city that tempts with a sense of history that the plush seaside resorts lack, and is home to a busy harbour and market that show urban Africa at its best. It sits on an island, crossed by sand-blown streets and dotted with fading colonial structures. It's also the least-populated capital on the African mainland.
Serekunda And Atlantic Coast Resorts.
Chaotic, splitting-at-the-seams Serekunda is the nation's largest urban centre, and appears to consist of one big, bustling market. The nearby Atlantic Coast resorts of Bakau, Fajara, Kotu Strand, and Kololi are where the sun'n'sea tourists flock. This is a great place to spend long days on the beach and late nights on the dance floor.
Abuko Nature Reserves.
Abuko is rare among African wildlife reserves: it's tiny, easily accessible, and you don't need a car to visit. With an amazing diversity of vegetation and animals, this well-managed reserve is one of the region's best bird-watching haunts (more than 250 bird species have been recorded in its environs). There are 5km of paths through the 106-hectare reserve, and a field station with views over a watering hole that's often a good place for wildlife watching.
Wide Open Walls.
Two huge grazing amid swirling waves, a blue-tattooed lion, and a lovestruck blacksmith are just a few of the striking images awaiting visitors who stumble upon the village of Kubuneh, located a few kilometers outside Makasutu Forest. The simple homes of this African settlement have been transformed into a riotous collection of thought-provoking street art, courtesy of a talented group of international artists who have brought a touch of surreal beauty to this corner of West Africa.
Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project.
This project forms the beating heart of River Gambia National Park. Comprised of so-called Baboon Island and several smaller islands, this is one of the most important wildlife sites in The Gambia. Despite the main island's moniker, this place is really the kingdom of chimps – over 100 of the primates live across it and three other islands in four separate communities.
No one is allowed to set foot on Baboon Island (including staff), but visitors can see many of the simians during a boat tour around the islands. There's also other wildlife in the area, including hippos, manatees, crocodiles, and abundant birdlife, not to mention other primates, such as red colobus monkeys, green vervet monkeys, and – yes – even baboons. Knowledgeable guides can share the story of how this reserve came to be, and give insight into the lives and character of the island apes.
Kachikally Crocodile Pool.
One of The Gambia's most popular tourist attractions is a sacred site for the locals. As crocodiles represent the power of fertility in Gambia, women who experience difficulties in conceiving often come here to pray and wash (any child called Kachikally tells of a successful prayer at the pool). The pool and its adjacent nature trail are home to dozens of Nile crocodiles that you can observe basking on the bank. If you're planning a trip, don't forget to visit the smiling coast of Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment