THE GAMBIA Official Country Guide BY THE GAMBIA TOURISM BOARD 2012 THE GAMBIA THE SMILING COAST OF AFRICA 1 Official Guide 6hrs P. 6. THE GAMBIA P. 8. THE HISTORY OF THE LAND Only... P. 10. A QUICK VIEW P. 12. WHAT TO DO LAID BACK YOU • SPORTY YOU • ARTFUL YOU • CULTURAL YOU • COOL YOU • BUSINESS YOU • ROOTS • NATURAL YOU • ADVENTUROUS YOU P. 40. GETTING HERE P. 42. TOURISM INFO “As far as the time of Hannon the Carthaginian in 470 BC and Mungo Park the explorer, The River Gambia has attracted visitors to its magnificent estuary, and its meandering waterways. It is no different to d ay.” THE GAMBIA THE SMILING COAST OF AFRICA 3 Welcome to the Our Message To You Smiling Coast of Africa from the message from the chairman Tourism in the Gambia is at a very important turning point and we anticipate great things ahead. Tourism is an It gives me great pleasure as Minister of Tourism and Culture to introduce this brand new edition of our important component of the Gambian economy as the leading foreign exchange earner and one of the pillars Visitors Guide, a flagship publication of The Gambia Tourism Board. This new updated and greatly expanded to eradicate poverty. The government is continuing its efforts to broaden the tourism market, improve quality edition provides a comprehensive showcase of the range of attractions in terms of cultural patrimony, eco- standards, and ensure rational use of the Tourism Development Area. We are fully committed to the ideals of tourism, exotic fauna and flora, trendy and exquisite resort facilities available throughout our beautiful responsible tourism practice. Our objective is to increase the contribution of tourism to the economy and to country. raise the living standards of Gambians. Tourism in the Smiling Coast of Africa has evolved over rime and gigantic strides have been registered to make the sector even more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the discerning visitor. This is evidenced The product is the whole country and its people in this smiling coast of Africa. Our primary attraction is the by the mix of high quality facilities at our disposal that have the capacity to cater to the needs of all River Gambia apart from our traditional Sun, Sand and Sea. The river is easily navigable and safe. Bird watching, categories of visitors. Indeed we are cognizant of the fact that our esteemed guests do have a choice and this dolphin watching, sport fishing and mangrove exploration are among the main excursions to be exploited. As has given us the motivation to constantly redesign and rebuild our product offering. a ‘One River Country’, nature lovers can cruise along the river Gambia, visit river villages, sites and towns. Eco- tourism has been embraced and we encourage investors to fund eco-tourism up-country and up river tourism The new face of Gambian Tourism as epitomized in the new slogan “Go Discover The Smiling Coast of Africa” ventures. is therefore anchored on this understanding and I can assure you that whether you are a visitor seeking an exotic holiday, or a seasoned traveler yearning for an extraordinary encounter or that savvy investor/ In terms of cultural heritage, The Gambia has a high degree of ethnic diversity, religious tolerance, Peace and businessman, The Smiling Coast of Africa is yours to discover. tranquility and offers a wide range of visitor experience within its limited land area. These attractions include performing arts – dance, music, which are highly developed while Gambian cuisine is diverse and attractive. The In terms of cultural heritage, The Smiling Coast has a high degree of ethnic diversity and Gambians are world Gambia has a range of historical buildings, monuments, and archaeological sites some of which are now listed renowned for their legendary hospitality and spontaneous smile. These unique attributes are anchored on in the world heritage sites of UNESCO. religious tolerance, peace and tranquility which are sine qua non for tourism development and growth. On top of these precious endowments, The Smiling Coast of Africa is home to world renowned and African The guide offers invaluable information for anyone planning to visit the Gambia as well as expose investors to inspired cultural patrimony such as Kunta Kinteh Island, formerly James Island, and other archaeological sites, the wonderful possibilities that await them. some of which are now listed by UNESCO as world heritage sites. The guide offers invaluable information to these and many other best keep secrets to cater exclusively to anyone planning to visit as well as that repeat visitor yearning to rediscover the Smiling Coast of Africa I look forward to welcoming you to the wonderful Smiling Coast of Africa The Gambia has unique qualities over many other destinations. The facts are that it is only six hours away from major European destinations, there is no jet lag, and it is a popular and affordable all year round destination attracting tourists in search of sun, sea, sand and cultural experience of which this unique country has plenty. Mrs Fatou Mass Jobe- Njie Mr. Oremi Joiner Honourable Minister of Chairman of the Gambia Tourism and Culture. Tourism Board 4 THE GAMBIA THE GAMBIA THE SMILING COAST OF AFRICA THE SMILING COAST OF AFRICA 5 Country Info Map of The Gambia Koussanar Maka- Noiro Gouye O , Fass 16 30 KAOLACK & DAKAR KAOLACK Kunda Toubakouta TAMBACOUNDA Kass Panchang Kaymor Niani Bolong Wollof Jokul ja Nyanga long Ndawen MBulgurk Bo Kerr Batch Bantang Bati Tobon Diemballa UPPER a Niakoi ij Jaha NIANIMARU Ker Njau n KAHI BADI Ker Jah SALOUM ia FOREST PARK Modi N Konteh FOREST PARK Jane Hali NIANIJA Bakadagy Genge kunda Gungorong Passi Bati Wollof Deer Bird Jamagen Ngayene JUMBA YAKA Kau-ur Sakura NDar Pasari Island Island FOREST PARK + Island Kudang Wassu Jahawur Bantanto Carrol’s NIANI Missira F Tenda Stone Circles LOWER Mandika Wharf Pasari la Wassu Pallan a SALOUM BELAL Njubdu Island F Island Bandi Jafai Kudang Misira Kuntaur Mandinka FOREST PARK F + Balanghar Maka F Karantaba ker Nderry Jessadi Pappa Island F Sokoi Baboon Island NIAMINA EAST Jakaba Kuntaur RIVER GAMBIA NYASSANG Fula Kunda NIAMINA (BABOON ISLAND) FOREST (Close to KIBERI jarreng NIAMINA NATIONAL PARK the public) Saboya SENEGAL DANKUNKU MBaien PARK Ker Sait FOREST PARK Douta Bassi EAST Sukuta Maram Si Kunda Maka Demfai Karang SI KUNDA Kerr Ayib Medina Sabakh Ba Njagan Ngeyen Sanjal FOREST PARK Pateh Mamu Brifu Buniada Point Kunda Dalaba Sam CENTRAL RIVER DIVISION N Maka Bala Minteh Konteh Walalan Maka Manna NUIMI Amdallai Jissa Fana Barajali Kai Hai Fitu Swamp Duniajoe Mane Ker MBamori Ker Pate kunda Kunda Farafenni Yallal Ba Jamal NIAMINA Ka Neteboulou NATIONAL Fass Bali Njawara DANKUNKU KAOLANG i H Wolof SAMI Karantaba Marjow Kunda kore DOBO Niji Mballo ai Kunkafo Jinak PARK Toro WEST FOREST Ch Jarume Tabokoto SENEGAL FOREST PARK H Farafenni Dankunku an Lamin Koto Swamp Island J O K A D U MBaien Palen Wollof Kaolang PARK n + LOHEN Daru No Illiasa Dipa Island Choya el Koto Koli Tourist Camp Karantaba PAKALA Sukoto Katimina Saruja Kai Hai Kanape Barrakunda FOREST PARK LOWER Rilwan Nja (Njaba) Kunda Yallal Nema Kunda Kunda Tenda Sami Mbangkama Lohen Kuntaya FOREST PARK Fula Kataba Island F Bani Mungo Park Falls Kunda Wollof Kani Sukuta Maccarthy Madina Njongon LOWER BADDIBU Fort Kumbija Sapu Memorial Welligara Ndungu Gunjur Alkali Kunda Sambang Pinyai Sare Jakhaly Taba Nani Island Sare Duto Mure Munya JALABIRO Marrong Madina Janjanbureh Tandi Kunda Yareh NUIMI Kebbe Memmeh Suwareh Kunda Bambatenda Sara Kunda Malang Kunda Kunda Fulla Kunda Brikama MACCARTHY Slave House Chamen Gen FOREST PARK UPPER Sambang a Umfally Kerewan (Mandingo) Ancient KUMADI Kunda F Pakali Passi Ba Kunting WULI EAST Sacred KUSAYWA Saba Banni Mandori N O R T H Katchang B A N K Samba Sira ISLAND Monument KUNKILLING Trading Fort Bullen FOREST PARK Yelitenda Tenda ofaniamng Nderi g Crocodile Pool BADDIBU S o Ba Sankuli to the Chinese n Brifu Kerr Samba FOREST PARK Bakang and Bol Panchari FOREST o Town Cape Points Kinteh Kunda Sofanyama Sare ol Barra Point H Balingho Sana B WULI WEST Sutukoba Njaben Karataba CENTRAL D I V I S I O N Krul Point Kunjatta Baro Kunda Camp Kunda PARK ) Bakau Katchikali Sacred Buniadu Mansong i Barra Kerewan R Sare Abdou Yoro Fori Bai Berending BADDIBU Denton Fula m Boro Crocodile Pool Medina BAOBOLONG WETLAND a Fajara + MARIKE iv Dasilami Beri Kunda Kunda Essau Jenoi H Mansa FULLADU (S Kunda Seringe Mass FOREST PARK Salikene RESERVE e Sutukung Bantang Koina Tenda Koina Madina Devil Jabisa r Bambali Dobbo Koli p Badja Kunda H Katchang Jasobo Pakali Konko WEST Naude Tuba Jar m Kunjibili Bafuloto Tubabkollon G wa H Point Point Elephant JARRA Sare NGai MADINA DEMBA Kunda Torbeh Wappa Kunda S Kubasi Swamp p Forest Sankwia a Sulolor u m Kus Suara Point Nding Buiba m Fas Abdou g a ATLANTIC Kanifing bia Island EAST FOREST PARK Mandinka Chindeh ybah Sw TAMBACOUDA Soma Bai a to u Kololi BANJUL Point KONOWO Round andu L Fattatenda ko H Tendaba H Mandinka Galleh S n n Serrekunda Toniataba F Charjel Jo BIJILO FOREST Mootah Point Salikeni FOREST PARK House Tenda Joba S Passamasi Ruins of Jali Point KIANG Karantaba Manda Libras Sare w OCEAN PARK Kemoto Point Tendaba Pata Tampaco Kerewan a Kenniba Jappeni BERIKOLONG mp Mandinka GREATER BANJUL H Portuguese CENTRAL Massembe Genieri NYAYABERI Bureng Silere Latrikunda Camp FOREST PARK Bansang Wellingara Sare Swamp Boro Bakalarr Jurunku Trading Post Tankular FOREST PARK Sanneh- Sabiji Batelling Sana Kurau Wonku Yarobawal Kandakase Sukuta AREA JARRA WEST Bantanto Niankui F Kristi Kunda