Destinations in The Gambia
Deep-dive guides written by people who've actually been there.
6 listings
Banjul: A Local's Guide to The Gambia's Tiny Capital
Faded colonial elegance on the Atlantic coast
Banjul is one of Africa's smallest capitals — a half-day is enough to see the highlights, from Albert Market to Arch 22.
Brufut: Quiet Beach, Coastal Forest and Boutique Hotels
Where the resort strip ends and the real Gambia begins — a forested headland and a long Atlantic beach south of Kololi
Brufut marks the southern edge of the main tourist strip. The beach is long, sunset-facing and quieter than anything north of here. Behind it rises Brufut Heights — a patch of dry forest that is one of the best birding spots on the coast and among the least-visited.
Janjanbureh & Upcountry Gambia
The river, the wildlife and rural Gambian life
Three hours up the River Gambia from the coast, Janjanbureh is the gateway to wildlife-rich upcountry — chimpanzees, hippos and over 500 bird species.
Kololi & The Smiling Coast: Where Most Visitors Stay
The Gambia's main resort strip
Kololi is where most of The Gambia's tourist infrastructure is concentrated — beaches, restaurants, nightlife and the bulk of the country's hotels.
Kotu: Gambia's Birdwatcher Beach
Atlantic beach, Kotu Stream, and the best birding in West Africa — all within walking distance
Kotu sits just south of Kololi and manages to feel quieter despite being ten minutes' walk from the tourist strip. The beach is wide and uncrowded, but the real draw is Kotu Stream — a narrow channel of water that attracts an extraordinary variety of birds at dawn.
Sanyang: Paradise Beach, The Gambia
The longest, emptiest stretch of Atlantic coast on the tourist route — plus Gambia's freshest grilled fish
Sanyang — almost always called Paradise Beach by locals and visitors alike — is what travellers picture when they imagine The Gambia before they arrive: a huge arc of white sand, Atlantic waves, palm trees, and almost no one else. The fishing fleet comes in mid-afternoon, turning the beach briefly into a working harbour.