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Banjul is Gambia’s capital and main administrative centre of
the country. It is a diverse mix of colonial buildings, shanty towns and modern
offices.
It is situated on St Mary’s island on the south bank of the
River Gambia where it meets the Atlantic. It was originally called Bathurst and
founded in the early 19th century by the British Army and Royal Navy
as a military base to prevent the continuation of the slave trade along the
River Gambia. Its name changed to Banjul soon after The Gambia gained
independence from Britain in 1965.
The city has 2 main hotels, The Atlantic and the Palm Grove
and a few basic guest houses. Most travellers don’t stay in the city as it
lacks that “resort” feeling and prefer to traveller further west to the beach
resorts.
Today it is a bustling small seaport. Its colourful markets
and hectic harbour are a joy to behold whilst its old museum and colonial
buildings offer a sense of history lacking in the plush seaside resorts.
Banjul has a tropical climate
resulting in warm temperatures year round and two distinct
seasons; wet season and dry season. The wet season lasts
from June to October while the dry season is from November to May.
The average monthly
temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
32 |
34 |
35 |
35 |
34 |
33 |
32 |
31 |
31 |
33 |
33 |
32 |
|
Night |
16 |
17 |
18 |
18 |
20 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
19 |
17 |
Don’t go to Banjul expecting vast swathes of shopping
opportunities because you will be disappointed. But what it lacks in the number
of shops it more than makes up for with the vibrancy, colour and smells of
Albert Market.
This is the shopping area in Banjul. It is a market where you
can find absolutely anything whilst brushing shoulders with the locals. The
best buys are the locally-made musical instruments and dress fabrics. But you
can find anything here from fruit to crafts.
Haggling is of course a must so make sure you bargain hard.
One interesting place to shop is Kerewan Sound which is at
the entrance to Albert Market. This is the best place to buy CDs and one of the
few places selling recordings by Gambian artists.
There is very little
in the way of nightlife in Banjul. The busiest meeting place for tourists and
business men is the Atlantic Hotel. Other than that the entertainment is
limited to a handful of bars and restaurants such as the Bacchius Beach Bar
(near Palm Grove hotel) and the Golden Palace – great for a bit of a gamble but
not the most conducive place to spend an evening. The only other regularly
operating place is the Queen’s Nightclub.
Many of the locals
head for the night scene in nearby Bakau and Serrekunda.
To really get a taste
for The Gambia and to indulge in a little rest and relaxation on a stunning
sandy, palm-fringed beach, you will need to go a bit further afield.
The most popular
beaches are at Fajara, Kotu, Kololi and Bakau. Cape Point is an excellent beach
and fabulous water sports area where you can indulge in activities such as
surfing, sailing and jet skiing. For a quieter beach you need to head further
south to Gunjur, Sanyang or Kartong.
If you are a
birdwatcher then the best places to head to are Abuko, Tanbi Wetlands and the
Makasutu culture forest.
Other than that you
could also:
The tap water in
Banjul is considered safe but bottled water is widely available. Always check
with your GP before travelling regarding any recommended vaccinations and
ensure you have comprehensive medical cover in place before travelling.
Crime rates in the
area are generally low. However you should always be aware of the possibility
of pick pockets in busy areas.