First-Timer’s Guide to The Gambia: Discover ‘The Smiling Coast of Africa’

Beach: It is very easy to gain everyday access to the long expanse of the beach of the Atlantic, which runs the length of Gambia. Whether by going down a junction off the street or enjoy a meal or drink in a beach chair at Kasumai Beach Hotel's outdoor restaurant. You can enjoy the sunrise and sunset, take a swim, horseback riding and just relax while watching the locals exercise, play soccer, see cows and dogs walking by and just enjoy themselves.

Chossan Herbal course: I took a local 3-month herbal study course with expert herbalist, Salieu Puye, (pictured above collecting castor seeds to make pure castor oil) to learn all the amazing medicinal properties of local plants such as moringa, and neem (~$90, including West African herbal ebooks). The course consists of: Introduction to herbal medicine – Historical perspective. Traditional Medicine and herbal healing in the Gambia, Knowing and recognizing herbs here in the Gambia and even beyond, having field trips, visiting Gardens, Herbalist, Entrepreneurs and herb collectors/sellers, Knowing Ethno-medicinal, Therapeutic actions and Therapeutic Indication of Herbal Plants, Proper way of collecting or harvesting herbal plants, Drying ways and techniques, Preparation of herbal medicine / Remedies and administering Dosages (concoctions/decoction, infusion, tinctures, powders, ointments and balms, capsules etc.), Storage of medicinal products.

Mr. Puye can give a more compact but informative lessons during your stay, and if you so choose, continue virtual learning with him beyond your stay. This is a great way to also explore Gambia more in-depth, and enjoy a more off-the-beaten-path experience.

Whatsapp: +220 7587275 /3862892

Email: puyesalieu312@gmail.com

Shopping:

Banjul, capital city: There are plenty of shops to get great deals on local souvenirs, African print fabrics and custom-made clothes than the more overpriced tourist spot of Senegambia, and more food choices there.

Tropic Shopping Center: a diverse range of shope and dining options such as clothing stores, and phone accessories. You can even update your phone credit at an Africell store (one of their major phone lines). There's a private clinic which provides top-quality, specialized eye and ear care. A play center with an arcade and play structures for teens and children to enjoy themselves.

River Gambia National Park: Enjoy seeing the wildlife such as giraffes, hippos, chimpanzees, variety of birds etc. Avid bird watchers love coming to the Gambia because of the large diversity of bird species.

Tanji Fishing Village: Get fresh fish every day in the morning from the fishermen. You can watch them as they dock and bring the catches of the day to be sold buy Gambian women fish sellers, or you can buy directly from them.

Kartung: Great chance to explore village life, and enjoy the beautiful nature, and quietness. Beautiful greenery, including mangroves that are on the Halahin river that quickly and easily gets you to Casamance, Senegal (bustling town) via checkpoint and boat on the river at this small village south of Gambia. The real Gambian life that you can feel while enjoying the white sandy beach! Depending on when you go, while you are driving there, you can get bags full of fresh fruit that are in season, like mangoes and oranges.

Tipa Garage local market: Plenty of side stalls to try local treats and appetizers while you shop. Get fresh produce and meats to cook your own food if you are on a budget or want to cook your own dishes yourself. If you are comfortable with bigger crowds and more shops to explore, Serekunda Market is in the same area. Best to go to these markets early (7 am at most) to get even more shopping deals, and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy more of the trip.

Gambia International Trade Fair: An annual fair held in December. Where different businesses across the Continent come to the Gambia to sell their products and services, and network.

Day trip

Senegal: Since Gambia is surrounded by Senegal, if you have time, you can take a 2-day trip to Dakar, Senegal and ferry depending on which side of you want to enter the country.

• Jamaica Jamaica Restaurant & Bar: The best authentic Jamaican food with high Trip Advisor ratings. It pays respects to Gambian local cuisine upon request. Also have plant-based options like curry chickpeas, callaloo, boiled banana, yam and escovitch veggies. The food portion is very filling, but you can of course tell them to reduce the amount. A full meal and a drink is at least about $6. Contact: +220 228 4174

• Kafe Zola: An American-Style Café & Coffee Shop located in Madiba Mall away from home owned by Americans. Enjoy unique café drinks they create frequently, especially during the seasons, such as Pumpkin Spice Latte, Matcha Latte and Mocha Frappe. So much to choose from, and very popular spot by locals and non-locals alike. They do great performance events there, like Jazz Night. Amazing plant-based options like their veggie burger and vegan rasta pasta, and they do delivery!

• Kadie Kadie: One of the most popular local Gambian spots to eat local dishes. Having two restaurant locations is indicative of its popularity. The original one, located off a main highway, Kololi New Road, it does not miss a day where it isn’t full with people throughout the day. You can order Benechin, Domoda (peanut soup) Yassa, etc. You get big serving-size meals. Like many places in the Gambia, and Africa in general, you will also see communal eating because of the importance of community oneness in African culture.

• Rahmas Kitchen: A very popular Nigerian restaurant, always. Contact: Haddy Rahmas: +220-740-0300

• Babs Waffles and Crepes: Located in the Tropic Shopping Center mall, you can get your waffles and crepes with something to drink while doing some work on your laptop.

• L&P Sweets: Great place to get some hot beverages like coffee, and desserts like cakes or muffins. Located in the Tropic Shopping Center mall.

• Scala Restaurant: European, African food with vegan and vegetarian options.

• Paradiso Pizzeria & Restaurant: Italian food and pizza.