Tanji: If you want to see a small, authentic fishing village, take a trip to Tanji located south of the coastal resorts. You will see fish smoking houses, the local market, and fishermen hard at work. Arriving early afternoon to Tanji ensures you will see the various boats coming in, as well as the activities in the smoking sheds. The best way to experience things is simply to be amongst everything - wander through the village and you will get an idea of the processes happening all around you. The Tanji Village Museum is built in the local fashion and is worth a look. Conveniently, the Tanji River Bird Reserve is also nearby: with an assortment of environments. It is a great place to see more than three hundred varieties of birds; along with turtles, seals, and if lucky, whales in the surrounding waters. A trip to Tanji fishing village always seems to sum up the Gambia for there is a riot of colors and smiling faces. You get an insight into a true sense of community; and also the ways in which the people of the country lead their daily lives.___

Albreda Village, Jufureh and James Island: Seen from the river, visits to the James Island are usually associated with organized trips to Albreda and Jufureh, The north bank towns of Albreda and Jufureh have some displays addressing the slave trade made famous by the “Roots” novel by Alex Haley. Albreda is a short walk from the village of Jufureh where Haley’s ancestor Kunta Kinte was held as a slave; and it is a stark reminder of the nefarious activity of slaving that was prevalent in this part of Africa. It is a charming little fishing village nestled among baobabs and cottonwood trees but it has intimations of its dark past in the ruins of a ‘factory’ or fortified slaving station on the banks of the river. There is also a small museum dedicated to the history of slavery just outside the village; and a ruined castle on James Island that is in the estuary of the River Gambia, near the north bank. In addition, the main interest in visiting James Island is the ferry crossing between Banjul and Barra. Barra itself is a port alive with the energy and hustle and bustle of traveling in West Africa. Most visitors take advantage of hotel-organized trips.

Finally, take advantage of witnessing the Jola Festival with the Jolas – an ethnic group present in the Gambia, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. The Jola Festival takes place each year in Gambia celebrating the Jolas coming together from all over. The festival itself runs for a number of days and features dancing, feasting and the ceremonial initiation of younger boy members into the tribe. Gambia sees sunshine year-round, but it has a rainy season (June through September), during which the country’s lush foliage and the rushing water of the Gambia River are at their finest. Visit between November and June, when there is almost no rainfall and temperatures are lower. If you’re traveling to the African continent, make sure you book an excursion to this amazing country. In planning a trip to Gambia, contact a professional tour operator or the Department of Tourism for more information. It is advisable to hire a guide for trekking or hiking excursions. …..And with that said, enjoy your trip to one of the most peaceful and beautiful countries in Africa- The Gambia!!


by Nneka Ezekwueche

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www.rickman.uk.com ___