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Top 5 Tourism Tips for Being a Responsible Visitor in The Gambia 2018

Are you visiting the Gambia for the first time? Here are some tips to make a few changes in your habits to be a more responsible visitor.  

 · Learn a phrase or two of the local languageThe Local communities will always prefer if you try to converse in their language even though English is widely used in the resort areas.  Even though most of the people in the Gambia are friendly, when you talk in their language, they will feel you are one among them and will be very happy.  There are several local languages being spoken in The Gambia including Mandinka, Wolof, Fula etc. 

. Learn about local cultureThe Gambia is mostly a Muslim country so it’s better to acquaint yourself with local culture and traditions to show the respect when away from resort areas.  Whenever a local festival is happening, make sure you go ahead and join in.  If you do so, The Gambia people will be ecstatic that you are really interested to participate and want to learn more.  This will thereby improve the rapport between people.

· Respect the wildlife and environmentThe Gambia is a home to nearly a large number of incredible wildlife, mainly birds.  It is not recommended to feed any wild animals like monkeys etc because this will indeed become a problem as the animals will see humans as a source for food and later it will be a problem for the local community.  Also some foods might cause health related issues for the animals.  So, acting responsibly will help to protect the natural beauty and wildlife for future generations to relish.

· Preserving waterWater is not only vital to the existence of life on planet Earth, but in its purest form, it is a giver of good health.  In modern days water is often taken for granted.  It is important to avoid wastage when on trip to The Gambia.  Below are the few ways to preserve water:

1. Use a pan or bowl of water to rinse your fruits and vegetables

2. Don’t allow water to run while you wash dishes by hand. 

3. Turn off dripping taps. 

4. Don’t run the water while you are brushing your teeth

5. Reporting any leaks immediately.

· Spend money wisely and try the local dishes make sure that your money benefits the wider local community by buying local products, having food in the local restaurants and using local services.  Be sure that you try the local dishes as it is traditional and fresh and can be found in many of the restaurants.  Make sure that you don’t buy items made of ivory, reptile skin or any other products sourced from endangered species.

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Up-River Adventure at Birdlife Africa Gambia

The Up-River Adventure in Gambia by Bird life Africa is a fourteen day of complete fun and adventurous bird watching you have ever done in your life. The Birdlife Africa brings you the best time for birdwatching. The Gambia is shaped like an outstretched finger, and the river Gambia runs from roughly its halfway point to the sea. Sea life spread out along its banks by jumping on board a traditional-style river pirogue, motoring past oyster creeks and through mangroves. The Tendaba locale is portrayed by a wide tidal stream bed, savannah bog and mangroves. It is an entrenched vacationer goal for short trips. It is perfect for eco-travellers intrigued by both untamed life and winged creatures as it is spot on the riverside and is near Birdlife Africa. Winged creature species incorporate the holy ibis, marabou storks, blue-breasted kingfisher and herons. It's an extraordinary place to get off and appreciate the waterway's fledgling and creature life in the hedge. Days 1 & 2: Coastal hotel, The GambiaDays 3 & 4: Tendaba Camp, The GambiaDay 5: Baobolong Camp, Janjanbureh, The GambiaDay 6: Traditions Agasimon Lodge, Basse, The GambiaDays 7-9: Hotel Simenti, Niokolo-Koba National Park, SenegalDay 10: Baobolong Camp, Janjanbureh, The GambiaDays 11 & 12: Tendaba Camp, The GambiaDay 13: Coastal hotel, The GambiaDay 14: Return home Abuko Nature Reserve Abuko Nature Reserve ensures a portion of The Gambia's rarest territory and we can hope to locate an extensive variety of intriguing species, for example, Ahanta Frankolin, Yellowbill, Green Hylia, Western Bluebill, Green Crombec, Giant Kingfisher, and Violet and Green Turacos. Tendaba offers a decent level of solace in a pure setting and viewing the nightfall over the River Gambia is an extraordinary method to end the day.   Kiang West National Park Kiang West National Park covers a stretch of the southern bank of the stream and, while it primarily comprises of dry savannah forest, it additionally contains substantial territories of mangroves, rivulets, salt dish and salt marshes.   Niokolo-Koba National Park The Niokolo-Koba National Park is a World Heritage Site and a common secured region in south eastern Senegal close to the Guinea-Bissau fringe. Numerous new species prone to be found in this flying creature rich zone. Post for species, for example, Black-delegated Crane, African Hawk Eagle, Booted Eagle, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, Crag and Brown-throated Martins, Pied and Lead-hued Flycatchers and Sun Lark.

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Bird Life Africa - Seasonal Bird Migrations in Gambia

Hooded Vultures The Gambia is well-known for its amazing bird life.  With over 560 species of birds, the country is found in a variety of habitats including mangrove swamps, open grasslands and forests.  Bird watching tour to Gambia offers the perfect introduction to African birds.  People visit Gambia mostly during rainy season when birds are at their nest.  People can see magnificent view of the bird life in Gambia.  The professional local bird lover in Gambia guides you on good locations to spot certain species. Gambia has specialty of double migrations.  The first migration befalls in the month of October from North.  This set of birds return in March / April of the following year.  For these migratory European birds it is the first life sustaining strip of green after the long flight south along the arid coast of northwest Africa.  The second migration takes places from the south at the start of the rains, June / July.  These birds from the equatorial regions of Africa come to the Senegambia Valley in time for the breeding season this departure extended between the months of October to January.  Here are a few favorite birds that reside in The Gambia.  

 Pied Kingfisher

Hooded Vultures

Yellow-billed Storks

Spur-winged Plover

Giant Kingfisher

Africa has an amazing diversity of bird life and is home to nearly 2,341 bird species.  Gambia is popular among the African countries for bird watching due to the double migration and the varieties of birds there.  Every year 4.5 billion birds, representing around 185 species birds visit Africa from the Artic, Asia, Antarctica and the Europe to enjoy the spring and summer months.  Birds that migrate to Africa include the colorful Greater Striped Swallow, Amur Falcon, White-rumped Swift, White Stork, Pygmy Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Kite, Lesser Kestrel, Honey Buzzard, Woodland Kingfisher, Red-chested Cuckoo, and European Bee-eater.

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Five Places to Travel in The Gambia Part Two

Last week we had talked about some of the places to visit during your stay in Gambia.  Here is the continuation of the next five places to visit.  

The Albert Market:

It is the market in Banjul which is known as activity hub of Banjul. It was created in 19th century and was named in the remembrance of Prince Albert. The Market is always crowded and you can get most of the things from this place and will never make you bore. So plan for few hours and to check your negotiating ability/skills. Here you can find wood mask, shoes, clothes, electrical gadgets, attracting fabrics, fruits, vegetables and beauty products as well. And even visitors will be able to taste the local food as their there will number of street food vendors.

Bijilo Forest Park:-B

ijilo forest park is also known as Monkey park which is situated 11 km from the Banjul. Its small reserve and relatively speaking but it is a point of pride for nearby locals. And the sign boards here are well maintained which will help to reach correctly to lush flora, a gallery forest, grass and low bush. Here you will encounter three species monkey ie, red colobus, vervet and patas. Here you can even come across nearly 100 different species of birds in the park including osprey, bee-eaters, francolin. So its a good spot for the bird lovers too.

Janjangbureh:-

Janjangbureh is the kind of an old community traditional houses present in this place named MacCarthy Island. In Gambia river even today these people live with same traditional houses which are 200 years old. And even over here, they provide staying to the visitors. The main reason why visitors travel to this place is that there are many bird species encountered over here. So its considered for watching the exotic birds.

Serrekunda:-

It is considered as the highest populated town in the Gambia with almost half million population in the town. Here we will find the batik factory where tie-dyed and batik fabrics are made. Furthermore, in Serrekunda wrestling is also played.

Tanji:-

The Gambia has a wide coastal area and from that - Tanji is one of the most busy and popular village from the coastal area. Here travelers can enjoy the fish market, watching 300 bird species, bushback, green monkeys and the red colobus. And if have time visitos can even visit to Bijol island where more than 20000 birds, seals and whales have spotted time to time which is 3 to 4kms from the Tanji. Bird lovers can experience the Tanji River Bird Reserve which includes the six square miles of Savannah habitats and marine wetland along river side.

The Gambia is the full dense forest region with various wildlife which will make tourist to visit again and again to enjoy with nature of the Gambia. And here are the some the interesting places for nature and wildlife lovers. And has to visit these places when visit the Gambia without missing.

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Five Places to travel in Gambia Part One

Gambia is the Place where in we can find full of nature excitement with peace and harmony and it’s because of the presence of the plenty beaches, luxurious five star resorts, nature reserves, fishing villages, number of bird species and other wild life too. Here are the things for which tourist are eager to travel to Gambia. 

Below mentioned are the 5 different places where you should travel in Gambia:

1. Abuko Nature Reserve:

Abuko reserve is the first reserve formed in the 1960’s and this area is having more amount of wildlife in its 260 acres of its reserve. Here the place is attracted by many tourists because of its various wild species and the natural reserve of wide area, and around 33,000 people visit every year. 2. Brufut Beach:

Brufut beach is sitting between Kombo south district and Atlantic ocean; just 23 km from the Banjul. The beach is very attractive with its golden sand and lots of privacy. Even you can find many fishermen and women sparring fish. And you can have best sun bath, cycling, water sports as its considered as mostly uncrowded beach.

3. Sanyang Beach:

It is also called as Sleepy beach village consisting of 7000 people in where its combination of the tribes such as Wolof, Mandinka, Fula and Jola tribes. It is made of paradise, pelican beaches and Osprey for which it’s one of the best beaches in the Gambia. So its perfect place to travel to the people those who want be alone and enjoy the nature without the crowd. Here the economic source is fishing and you can find an amazing fish market in this village.

4. National Museum of Gambia:

Here in this museum we will find wide range of existence of the Gambian traditional life, history of Bathurst and even their music and dance. Even though it’s a small museum it’s well planned to explore the high culture of the great country.

5. Makasutu Culture Forest:

It is the private woodland reserve for people those who are nature lovers and eager to see wild life and spend time in high density forest along with the river side with palm, hardwood trees, mangrove creeks, salt flats and savanna which will make the place rich in its natural views. 

Above mentioned are some of the places for the visitors to visit in Gambia, as its very place has its unique specialty towards attracting visitors. And the every place will give the travelers an immense experience towards understanding the nature value and its peace and harmony while experiencing it.

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Six Must Places to Visit in Gambia

Even though there are many birding tours destinations in the world, Gambia is one of the most fascinating and exotic places in the world.  Well, Gambia is a small west African country bounded by Senegal which is famous for its diverse ecosystems and tourist attraction.  It is very rich in many kinds of birds and has a large biodiversity which makes it a unique bird watching tour destination spot in the whole world.

The country is divided into two by the river Gambia which makes it North and South Gambia.  All along the river, we can see a wide range of colorful birds along with many more unique places to explore.  The Gambia registers more than 500 species of birds.

The six places to visit when planning a tour to the Gambia are:

Kotu Creek and Faraja Golf Course

Here you will get a great chance to witness many different west African species and with a bit of luck you might see Abyssinian Roller, Blue-bellied Roller or Green Wood-hoopoe sitting in a palm tree as well.  The Gambia is a place where you can walk around and witness all these beautiful west African birds.

The Gambia Beaches

Every year the Gambia beaches host the Master line International Beach Fishing Festival for a good cause.  The surfing is appealing during the period from October through to May.  Also, the fishermen can expect to take Large Guitar-fish, Stingrays, Captain fish, Jack Crevalle and many more. 

Coastal Region - 

GambiaThis place is made up of different sportfishing spots such as coastal reefs and sandbars, deep channels and rocky outcrops, as well as the mighty Gambia River itself. Abuko Nature ReserveAbuko nature reserve is the Gambia’s first national reserve park also a great tourist attraction.  This reserve is a home for many different species including birds and animals.  You can witness monkeys, antelope, crocodiles, lizards and many more animals also several bird-hides. 

Kachikally Crocodile Park

Kachikally Crocodile Park is one of the three fertility center in Gambia.  It is basically a home to nearly 80 crocodiles which are so tame also it has a lot of birds.  Along with these, there is also a small museum which explains the persons who were responsible for the origin of the center. 

River Gambia National Park

The River Gambia National Park is a collaboration of five islands and it’s a home to the endangered hippopotamus also there are other different birds and animals.  Recently, Chimpanzee rehabilitation center was re-introduced at this place and now nearly 50 live on three of the islands.  You can very much witness many varieties of birds and animals throughout the trip. 

There is much more to The Gambia than what is mentioned.  Apart from these places you can see tanji, makasutu cultural forest, wassu national monument, kunta kinteh island, banjul, Atlantic coast resorts, Bijilo forest park, Boat trips and overnights at forest ecolodges gives you some of the greatest treasures.