Well weather is certainly a major factor, but there are other places in the world that can claim a similar climate, so what else attracts travellers to Banjul, the capital of the Gambia. As a holiday destination, Banjul goes to great lengths to please its visitors. The country has very little else that brings any significant revenue into the country. The prime agricultural focuses are the country’s peanut industry, together with beeswax and palm oil production, but the growing tourism sector is a treasured source of income.
Sun and sand are the main choice of the tourists who fly to the Gambia. The coast around Banjul is a sun worshipper’s dream. Miles of deserted golden sandy beaches, fringed by palm trees and the warm waters of the Atlantic are easily found. Boat trips provide the chance for some fishing or visits to the more remote parts of the coastline. To complement the wonderful beaches, luxury hotels provide the comfort and high levels of service tourists enjoy.
There are also chances to get away from the beach areas, as the Gambia’s abundant wildlife offers an alternative type of holiday, or perhaps day’s excursion into the countryside. The Gambia River stretches for over 300 miles inland, but a river trip of just a few miles will reveal one of the world’s most varied species of birdlife. There are even birds such as vultures which regularly visit hotel complexes looking for food scraps. Of course other, smaller and colourful species can be found. The reason for this abundant birdlife is Gambia’s position on the migratory routes many species take to avoid the harsh winters of northern Europe. Perhaps that’s why tourists started to have the same ideas.
The beaches of Banjul itself include Bijilo beach, Kololi beach, the long Kotu beach and Cape Point, north of the Bakau area. Tourists to this part of the Gambia usually prefer to stay within their hotel complex, enjoying the luxury accommodation and high levels of catering and service the hotels can provide.
For visitors prepared to give up their luxury hotels for a few days, a trip up the Gambia River offers the chance to see the country in its more native form. Travellers have to option of staying overnight at riverside camps and getting closer to the locals by visiting some of the rural villages. There are several areas of protected nature reserve in the Gambia, which include the Abuko Nature Reserve and the Bijilo Forest Park, which is also known as Monkey Park because of the 4 different species of monkey that can be found there. This Forest Park, a rainforest reserve, is located close to the ocean in the Senegambia area approximately 10 miles west of Banjul. The particular attraction of this reserve is its close location to some of the main hotels in the area. In addition to the monkeys, birds are also abundant here, with an estimate of over 130 species identified. The Abuko Nature reserve is slightly further away but within a 20 minute drive for most hotels. The reserve is about twice as large as the Bijilo Forest Park and has been a protected area for almost 100 years. It claims to the closest rainforest to mainland Europe and is easily the most popular tourist attraction in Banjul with and estimated 33,000 visitors every year. In addition to birds and colourful flowers the wildlife species here include baboons, soldier ants, lizards, crocodiles and even lions.
So fantastic year-round weather, glorious beaches, luxury hotels and stunning wildlife excursions make up a complete holiday package that brings tourists back to the Gambia year after year. Flights to Gambia are available from several UK airports and, considering the distance involved, flights are remarkably good value.