2013 Official Country Guide BY THE GAMBIA TOURISM BOARD THE GAMBIA THE SMILING COAST OF AFRICA 1 Contents Welcome to the Smiling Coast of Africa 4 Discover nature in The Gambia 24 Our Message To You 5 Fishing 29 Country info 6 Earth friendly places 30 The history of the land 8 The adventurous you 32 A quick view 10 Insights into Cruises to The Gambia 34 What to see ... or what to do ... 12/13 Access to cash 35 The laid-back you 14 Getting here 36 The sporty you 15 Tourism info 38 The Gambia Beach Boogie 16 The artful you 17 The cultural you 17 The fashionable you 18 The cool in you 19 Eating Out 20 The business you 21 Roots 22 For your natural side 23 2 THE GAMBIA THE SMILING COAST OF AFRICA Welcome to the Smiling Coast of Africa Our Message To You Thank you for picking up a copy of our 2013 Official Country Guide edition. It gives me great pleasure as Minister of Tourism and Culture to introduce This annual publication is intended to keep you abreast of developments this brand new edition of our Visitors Guide, a flagship publication of The in the Tourism Industry of The Gambia; a formidable world class destination Gambia Tourism Board. This new updated and greatly expanded edition renowned for its hospitable and friendly people; attributes that has earned provides a comprehensive showcase of the range of attractions in terms of the destination the globally recognized slogan…”The Smiling Coast of cultural patrimony, eco-tourism, exotic fauna and flora, trendy and exquisite Africa.” resort facilities available throughout our beautiful country. As the first Director General of the Gambia Tourism Board, it gives me great Tourism in the Smiling Coast of Africa has evolved over time and gigantic pleasure to apprise you of some of the recent developments in our Tourism strides have been registered to make the sector even more responsive to the Industry. The Government in its drive to position The Gambia as a Tourism needs and aspirations of the discerning visitor. This is evidenced by the mix Paradise, undertook measures in 2010 to restructure and re-brand the then of high quality facilities at our disposal that have the capacity to cater to the Gambia Tourism Authority into the Gambia Tourism Board with the support needs of all categories of visitors. Indeed we are cognizant of the fact that Mrs Fatou MAS Jobe- Njie Mr. Benjamin A. Roberts of the World Bank. This initiative was intended to re-focus the institution on our esteemed guests do have a choice and this has given us the motivation Honourable Minister of Director General of the its key mandate of promoting and marketing the destination and enhancing to constantly redesign and rebuild our product offering. Tourism and Culture. Gambia Tourism Board our tourism products to give tourists a memorable and pleasant experience. The new face of Gambian Tourism as epitomized in the new slogan The Gambia remains an attractive Tourism Destination primarily because “Go Discover The Smiling Coast of Africa” is therefore anchored on this of its unique geographical positioning – gateway to West Africa, proximity understanding and I can assure you that whether you are a visitor seeking to Europe, and strategic location on the Mouth of the Atlantic Ocean; unique an exotic holiday, or a seasoned traveler yearning for an extraordinary advantages that have rendered it a paradise that boasts of natural waterways encounter or that savvy investor/businessman, The Smiling Coast of Africa is that extend the entire length of the country with a mix of salt and fresh yours to discover. water bodies of lagoons, islands, and islets for water sporting, fishing, and inland cruise activities. This natural ecosystem also provides a sanctuary In terms of cultural heritage, The Smiling Coast has a high degree of for over 500 species of birds that crisscross the country through migration ethnic diversity and Gambians are world renowned for their legendary activities and nesting opportunities that render the destination a bird- hospitality and spontaneous smile. These unique attributes are anchored watching haven. on religious tolerance, peace and tranquility which are sine qua non for Ministry of Tourism tourism development and growth. On top of these precious endowments, and Culture. This astounding eco-system has placed The Gambia in the Eco-tourism The Smiling Coast of Africa is home to world renowned and African inspired forefront in Africa with a blend of nature, communities, and fauna & flora cultural patrimony such as Kunta Kinteh Island, formerly James Island, and interacting in a responsible and sustainable manner. Along its 80 kilometers other archaeological sites, some of which are now listed by UNESCO as world coastal stretch, you could be chanced to experience Forest Parks, Bird heritage sites. Reserves, Dolphin sightings, and sky-diving activities. Beyond the fun and expedition, Destination Gambia offers virgin investment opportunities The guide offers invaluable information to these and many other best kept waiting to be explored, particularly in the areas of Eco-tourism, Agriculture, secrets to cater exclusively to anyone planning to visit as well as that repeat Manufacturing, and Services with the added advantage of market access to visitor yearning to rediscover the Smiling Coast of Africa over 300 million consumers in West Africa given our gateway advantage. I look forward to welcoming you to the wonderful Smiling Coast of Africa Beyond these opportunities and an exciting vacation, the destination has two World Heritage Sites ascribed by UNESCO with 5 other sites of related cultural significance, evidencing our rich cultural heritage and which gives you the opportunity to see seven heritage sites in one visit. The Gambia is also a multi-cultural destination with a diverse mix of local and international ethnic groups, a stable, peaceful, and tolerant nation. I invite you to have a complete review of the Guide and ask you to “Go Discover The Gambia, the Smiling Coast of Africa.” 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