The Republic of the Gambia, West Africa’s smallest country, is surrounded by Senegal, with the exception of its Atlantic coast. Despite its small size, it offers magnificent scenery, with long sandy beaches, vibrant cities with impressive architecture and diverse wildlife. Gambians are renowned for their hospitality, giving the region the nickname of « the smiling coast ». The country attracts tourists with its affordable winter sunshine, rich history and diverse cultures, as well as ecotourism and birdwatching opportunities.
VISITING The Gambia:
Banjul International Airport in The Gambia welcomes flights from Europe, operated by Monarch Airlines and Brussels Airlines, departing from Brussels and London.
VISITING THE GAMBIA: Tourist visas
– Visa exemption**: Citizens of 104 countries (valid passport required).
– Visa-free but authorization required**: Passports from 17 countries (prior authorization from immigration authorities).
– Visa on arrival**: Available to citizens of four countries.
– Visa required**: Other nationalities must apply to the embassy.
**Observation de la faune :**
– **Zones protégées** : Fleuve Gambie, Parcs nationaux de Nyumi, Makasuto, Kiang West et Tanbi.
– **Réserves naturelles** : Abuko, Bijilo et Baobolong.
– **Faune** : Forêts tropicales, lagons côtiers, oiseaux, singes, crocodiles, baleines.
VISITING THE GAMBIA
**Culture et histoire :**
– **Village d’Alberda** : « Poste de traite » et fort à esclaves.
– **Musée de la traite des esclaves** à Jaffur.
– **Île Kunta Kinte** : Témoignage de la rencontre afro-européenne.
VISITING THE GAMBIA
Ces lieux offrent une riche expérience entre nature et histoire.The Kachikally Crocodile Pool (also known as Katchikally or Katchikali) is in a 9 acre site in the southern section of BakauOld Town, Kombo St. Mary District of The Gambia, and is 12 km to the west of the Banjul capital. The complex also has a museum of ethnography, a mini-forest nature trail, a souvenir shop and a refreshments bar. There is also car parking space just outside the front.
LEGEND / ORAL HISTORY: KATCHIKALI
Kachikally’s sacred pool shrine was revealed to the Mandinka Bojang family, over 520 years ago, by a ruler’s sister named Katchikali. She first tested the worthiness of a Nkooping Bojang – the founder of Bakau Village – and his sons Tambasi and Jaali Kumba, by pleading with them to help rescue her child, supposedly fallen into a well.
On approaching the pool a child’s cries was heard. Tambasi entered the well and found the child sitting on a rock surrounded by spring of water. For showing willing, they were rewarded with the custodianship of the well itself, where ‘any woman washed will, providing she sleeps with no other…….before the same time next year bear a child‘. Tambasi and Jaali in return gave Katchikali (a spirit from the forest) the first thing they caught in their fishing nets at a swamp called ‘Tambe-Koba’: two crocodiles, which their mother placed into the well.
VISITING THE GAMBIA
Another variation of the story is that during the 15th/16th centuries the well at the pool used to provide the only source of drinking water for the people of Bakau. One day when two brothers, Tambasi and Jaali, were busy palm wine tapping, a female Jinn (supernatural entity) came to the well with her child tied to her back, carrying a bucket. As the Jinn was pulling water from the well her child fell inside; the woman shouted for help.
Once alerted, the two brothers dashed to see what the problem was. As they reached the well, they saw the woman in tears and shouting ‘Kachikally’, which means in Mandinka ‘pick it up and put it down‘. Tambasi and Jaali helped by taking the child out of the well. The woman thanked the two brothers and gave a prayer for them. VISITING THE GAMBIA
