Things To Do in Gambia

These gardens first came onto the scene in 1924. Today, it’s one of the most popular attractions in Bakau, with lots of different native plants and trees on display. During a walk around the area, you’ll see teak and silk trees. They’re often used as nesting spots for birds like red-cheeked cordon-bleus and bronze mannikins – a type of finch. If you’re lucky, you might see both of them during your visit.

Albert Market, in the city centre of Banjul, is one of the best places in The Gambia to get your hands on African souvenirs like beaded jewellery, leather goods and wooden tribal masks. It’s also the city’s main produce market, so you can stock up on fruit like guava, papaya and bananas for tucking in to on the beach while you browse the maze of stalls

A bit like bubble and squeak, domoda’s a stew that’s made using the vegetables and meats that are to hand. Another ingredient’s peanuts, which gives the sauce a distinct, earthy flavour, along with tomato paste and caramelised onions. It comes in vegetarian and meat-filled varieties, so it’s worth try it at a few of Bakau’s eateries to get a proper taste for this Gambian favourite.

This 500-metre-long belt of sand’s known as the best in Bakau, thanks to its pristine shoreline, calm waters and convenient location close to a lot of the town’s biggest hotels. The Atlantic Ocean in this part of The Gambia can be quite rough at times. This swathe, though, is protected from big waves by a handful of rock walls that split the beach into five kid-friendly sections – ideal for family paddling sessions.

The beach in Kotu rolls on for miles, all the way down the coast. As such, a great way to explore is on horseback. Depending on your experience, you can either trot along the sands, or gallop. There’s also usually the chance to ride through the water, too. If that’s not your type of sport, you can hit the Atlantic waves instead – they’re ideal for surfers and bodyboarders.

Kotu might be a beach resort, but you’re never far from wildlife in Africa. Just 15 minutes’ drive down the road, you’ll find Bijilo Forest Park. This protected forest’s home to hundreds of green vervet monkeys. You’ll spot plenty of the friendly creatures as you walk the nature trail, through forests, scrubland and sand dunes.

You can spend an evening at the chilled beach bars in Kotu. But, if you fancy a night on the tiles, neighbouring Kololi’s the place to be. Along the Senegambia Strip, you’ll find bars and clubs, playing a mixture of pop, reggae and local ndaga music. With neon-lit signs and a casino, this is about as close as it gets to Vegas in The Gambia.

Kololi’s craft market is a little bigger than the one in Kotu. And it only takes 15 minutes to reach by taxi. It’s a great place to stock up on authentic souvenirs for the whole family, like handmade fans, clothing and bogolan – Malian cotton dyed with fermented mud. You can even get bags and clothes tailor-made at certain stalls. Just make sure to barter for the best price.

This annual music festival celebrates the best of Gambian music and reggae. Lasting two days each November, the event’s packed with performances from local and African artists. There’s also a real foodie vibe, with stalls and shops showcasing local dishes for you to try.

Unsurprisingly, the butter-coloured beach in Kololi is one of the resort’s biggest draws. It can get quite busy here, thanks to the town’s popularity with holidaymakers. If you fancy a spot that’s a little more peaceful, head south – the further down the coast you go, the quieter the beaches. Bijilo Beach, a footprint-free number, is a 45-minute walk from Kololi. It features the occasional fruit seller and a beach bar.

Kololi’s one of the best places for shopping on The Gambia’s Atlantic Coast, thanks to the beehive-buzzy Senegambia Craft Market. Pace the lines of stalls, chat to the friendly locals and pick up as many souvenirs as your luggage allowance allows. Carved wooden masks and djembe drums, baskets, landscape paintings and beaded necklaces are just a few examples of what’s for sale.

There’s nightlife by the bucketful here – and most of it’s in one place, on the Senegambia Strip. Home to everything from a big casino to a collection of different bars, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to drinking holes and dancefloors.

The dinner scene’s a bit of a melting pot, with Indian, Thai, Lebanese and Italian cuisine all making an appearance across Kololi’s menus. If you want to try traditional Gambian dishes, go to one of the local restaurants away from the hub-bub of the main strip. Must-try meals include domoda – meat stewed in peanut puree – and superkanja, which is a mix of okra, fish or meat, onions and peppers.

Food’s pretty hearty in The Gambia, and the restaurants in Brufut, Kololi and Serrekunda have a thing for grilled meats. Lamb afra is a favourite – big cuts of meat are diced and marinated in oil, before being served with onions and a mustard dip. For something with an Oriental feel, opt for domada. This curry-style dish involves chicken in a creamy peanut sauce, served with fluffy rice.

You don’t have to venture far from Brufut to get your shopping fix. Mega malls aren’t really a thing around here, and instead you’ll find marketplaces and street stalls boisterously baying for your trade. Head to Kololi, 20 minutes’ drive away, for a gander at Senegambia Craft Market. It’s got everything from piled-high spices to handmade souvenirs on sale, and it’s just around the corner from one of the area’s few indoor shopping complexes.

Just like the small-scale town behind it, Brufut Beach is a place of simple tastes. The waterfront doesn’t come with any extras, so it’s all about spending time on unspoiled sands. Copper-coloured cliffs rise up at the back, which means its tucked away from the road through town, and perfect for peaceful sunbathing. The southern end has one or two bars by the shoreline, but most of it’s dotted with in-the-know sunbathers who come to dodge the crowds.

Hop in the car, and a 20-minute drive gets you from Brufut to the trees and trails of Bijilo Nature Park. This wildlife habitat’s right by the seafront, and has hiking trails criss-crossing below a thick forest canopy. Monitor lizards, monkeys and hundreds of different species of birds call these climes home, so make sure you’re constantly on the lookout for different animals.