The Gambia is West Africa at its most accessible. Stable, peaceful, affordable and within comfortable flying distance of northern Europe, this former British colony has been a popular winter holiday destination for four decades, and its appealing tropical climate, lively beach resorts and friendly atmosphere are enough to keep sunseekers returning time and time again. You can fully immerse yourself in the real West Africa here, too, by travelling up-country, where you’ll discover picturesque mud-built villages, rice fields, and palm groves, vibrant markets where you can haggle over batiks and balafons, and local festivals – invariably exuberant displays of colour, energy and noise.
Source: The Rough Guide to The Gambia