Overview

In spite of being the smallest country on the African continent, Gambia has some of the finest civilizations and celebrated tribal cultures of the African tradition. The country is greatly tribal-based and follows a clearly defined social hierarchy; with warriors and nobility on the top rung of the society, followed by traders and farmers, as well as craftsmen such as blacksmiths and woodworkers. Storytellers are on the lowest rung of the society, though they command high respect among the people.

Most of Gambia's inhabitants embrace the religion of Islam, but many merge their religious faith with their ancestral belief. Good luck charms, talismans meant to ward off back luck, and the evil eye are not uncommon, even among those who consider themselves Muslim.

Activities & Attractions

The National Museum and the Albert Market are popular places to visit within the capital of Gambia, Banjul. In the town of Bakau is a Craft Market where fine, African handcrafted wood and leather items are available. Also remember to take a trip to the Kachikally Crocodile Pool, where crocodiles are so acclimated to humans that you can allegedly touch and pet them without fear. The Tanji Museum and the Tanji/Karinti Bird Reserve offer leisurely boat tours for those interested in observing the wildlife. Camel safaris and bird watching tours are much loved by visitors to this area because it hosts a dozen different species of rare birds and waterfowl.

Numerous Gambian art galleries located across the country feature some of the finest African art.

Lodging

Gambia offers more lodging choices than some other African countries, from luxury hotels to guesthouses, as well as self-catering apartments. From November to May, accommodations are hard to come by, hence always remember to book lodgings ahead of your trip to ensure a place to stay when you visit the country. Most hotel rooms in Gambia are not air-conditioned, though it can be had for a premium price. For hotels such as these, prices range from $125 and up. Motels, self-catering apartments, lodges, and guesthouses offer variable pricing, with some of the cheaper options starting from $40. Camping is also popular among the visitors, who wish to enjoy the lush outdoor beauty of Gambia.

Transportation

Color-coded taxis are available in Gambia. Green taxis are mostly for tourists and usually linger around resorts and hotels. Yellow and green taxis are for short trips within the towns, and bush taxis, which are really buses or minibuses, are used to transport locals for the most part of Gambia. Usually these hold several people and are often overcrowded and not run until they're full; don't rely on them if you have a schedule to stick to.

You can also rent cars in Gambia. You'd need an International Driving Permit for this, though a UK driver's license will also work for a short while. You can reach Gambia by road, sea, or air.