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Getting to The Gambia from Europe is so simple
during the main tourist season, November - April.
Charter flights are available from most European
countries. Most travel agents would have details
of flights and package deals.Sabina and Swissair
also have scheduled flights.
For a first time visitor to the Gambia, research
may show that you are about to visit a tiny West
African country stuck in the stomach of another
West African country, Senegal.
Others have the impression that it's a country
of about a million illiterates dominated by Islamic
traditions and values. This view is soon altered
by the ultra modern £10M airport as soon
as you alight from the plane.
Considered to be the best in the West African
sub-region it reminds the visitor that modernity
has crept into the tiny country.
In fact Gambia Airport has been approved
by NASA for emergency Space Shuttle landings
and is staffed by NASA personnel during all Space
Shuttle missions
On arrival at the magnificent airport,
officials are as efficient as in the western world
and grateful for your in-flight newspaper. Africans
are naturally sociable and Gambians waste no time
trying to meet new friends amongst the "tubabs",
the white tourists. Although touts are in evidence
officials and hotel representatives are always
on hand to wave overly persistent fellows off
from the visitors. The 'Bumsters' or hard core
hustlers are on the way out and are now considered
a national nuisance by Gambians themselves. Rest
assured that you are valued as a visitor to The
Gambia and can always ask for help.
This simple lesson should ensure
you really enjoy your holiday rather than becoming
a prisoner in your Hotel.
From the airport arrival hall you
are helped to board any of the hotel buses on
standby at the airport premises to drive the holidaymakers
to the hotel of their choice.
Coming from the airport is a long
stretch of road of about a kilometre and half
with virgin land running on both sides of the
road. The road from the airport takes you to the
Brikama-Banjul highway where you make a right
turn to begin your trip to the greater Banjul area. First, by coming to Yundum,
the airport village itself, to Banjulinding and
to Lamin. From Lamin, the trip takes you past
Abuko village
where Gambia's nature reserve is situated Excellent
Bird watching!
Next Tabokoto and then Talinding
where the hustle and bustle that you experience
signals that you have reached the country's
commercial centre, Serrekunda. In Serrekunda,
there is always traffic of human beings as well
as those of vehicles. Serrekunda is the last stop
of the greater Banjul area commonly called "Kombos".From
here to the capital city of Banjul is just a ten
minutes drive that costs D3 (three dalasis) or
£0.20, by bus.
Outside of the main tourist season
"The
Gambia Experience" is strongly recommended
for travellers from the UK.
Albay
Travel Agencies
Discount
Travel Ltd
Ollnen
Discount Travel
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