Gambia : Profile

Facts

• Surrounded on all sides by Senegal with only a narrow outlet to the Atlantic Ocean, The Gambia is a thin ribbon of land stretching along the Gambia river. The 300-mile long river is the heart of this small country, which rarely exceeds 20 miles in width. The river is navigable for 169 miles. Some 17 miles upriver lies James Island, site of an infamous slave market. Many yachts have sailed upriver recently without encountering any problems. The bird and wildlife is prolific and there are many villages along the river banks, where it is possible to stop and barter for food.

• For the ordinary tourist The Gambia's prime attraction are the vast stretches of undeveloped beaches, while upriver is the much visited village of Juffure, from where the main character in the Roots book was abducted and taken as a slave to America. Other interesting sites are Abuko nature reserve and the Wassau burial sites, whose huge stone columns are said to be at least 1200 years old.

• There have been several reports of theft from yachts in the Banjul area.

Weather

The climate is tropical with two distinct seasons. The dry and more pleasant weather is from November until May, while the remainder is the wet season. The hottest months are from February to May. The winds are variable throughout the year, with the strongest winds in September and October.

Main Ports

Banjul *

*Indicates a port of entry.

Related Reports

Update on West African Territories (15 Sep 2008)

Sailing Updates For South And West Africa (31 May 2008)