CITY GUIDE: BANJUL, GAMBIA (PHOTOS)

Banjul is the capital of Gambia. The city is on an island, which has constrained its size - population is only 40,000. Consequently much of the population now is based on the mainland between the airport and the city. The main tourist and business centres are around Bakau, Fajara, Kotu and Serrekunda. Here is Banjul first part guide (Part One).

KNOWING THE CITY OF BANJUL

Banjul has become very popular as a package holiday destination with British and other European visitors.House

Travel company 'The Gambia Experience' has been the market leader, but other operators are increasing their offerings too.

The city of Banjul has a land area of 12km² and is divided into 3 districts namely: Banjul North, Banjul Central, and Banjul South. The city of Banjul is located on Banjul Island which was formerly known as St. Mary’s Island. It is situated near the southern part of the estuary where the River Gambia meets the Atlantic Ocean.

GETTIN IN

BY AIR

Banjul international Airport

Banjul International Airport also known as Yundum International (IATA: BJL, ICAO: GBYD) is the international airport of Banjul. Although it is called Banjul International Airport (BJL), the airport is actually not in Banjul. It is situated in Kombo North/Saint Mary district of Brikama local government area (formerly Western Division). It is the only airport in the country. There are many direct flights to Banjul from some parts of Europe and Africa. Direct flights to Conakry, Dakar, Freetown, Amsterdam, Lagos, Brussels, Bissau, London, Accra, Abidjan, Madrid, Barcelona and other major cities of the world

BY LAND

The most important highway in the Gambia is the Trans-Gambia Highway. It connects Senegal and Gambia directly on the newly paved highway.


BY SEA

A commercial ferry carrying passengers from senagal to Gambia, and to and fro is available in Banjul at low prices.

Go to the Banjul ferry Station for a trip.

GETTING AROUND

Yellow and Green taxis are available throught the city, they have fixed prices to the most popular destinations. Bicycles are also available for rental. 

Car hire is available from Avis and AB, both of which are based at the SeneGambia Hotel. Car hire will cost about 1500 Dalasi/day for a small car.

ACCOMODATION

There are so many Hotels, Motels, Lodges and Houses to lease and fo r rents.

If you’re really on a budget then the Princess Diana Hotel is the place to stay. It right next to the arch, has a small restaurant, and the rooms although are quite bland and stale all have their own bathrooms.  The price for a single was about $10, a double was $15 and a room with A/C rather than a fan was $20.

PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO

Arch 22, (at the end of Independence Drive). gives good views over Banjul city.

 

The gate is 35 metres tall and the centre of an open square. It houses a textile museum. GMD 50.

Albert Market

Banjul State House

Banjul Court House

University of Gambia 

The African Heritage Museum or African Heritage Centre is a museum and art gallery in Banjul, The Gambia. 

It holds a large collection of African art and statues.

The city has two cathedrals and several major mosques

Being on the Atlantic ocean, Banjul has some excellent and well priced seafood on offer. The locally produced peanuts are also very good and go well with a pint of 

Radio Sud Beach bar. This used to be a radio station which started life as a pirate radio on a boat off Sweden. After changes in the law there, it was sailed away and ended up in the Gambia. The ship and radio station have both now gone (the former sank nearby and the latter closed in 2002 when its mast collapsed). It is now a beach bar and restaurant. The original owners are still there and are happy to talk about the history. Located on the beach near Banjul city. Driving away from Banjul city it is on the right after the cemetery.

There are many good restaurants in the road leading to the hotels at Kololi beach. This road is also known as the Senegambia Strip.

We Recommend: Michels seafood bar. Close to the independence arch on Independence Avenue.

Restaurant at the base of the Independence Arch has good seafood. Nefertiti Restaurant, ☎ 4222400 has good buffet, great location on the beach and free WiFi

Corinthia Atlantic Hotel
located at the north of the Banjul city centre on the beach. good hotels with a pool and private beach. Wireless Internet throughout.

SeneGambia Hotel
Good beach hotel, which is popular with older travellers. There is no wireless internet, just 2 machines in reception, for which you can buy 1 hour cards at 100 Dalasi. 

BEACHES AND SEASHORE

The Beaches of Banjul are always lively. Foreign visitors calm at the seashores, girls and hookup guys meet most times at the beach. There are drinks to buy at the beach side.

PLACES OUT OF BANJUL

Most everything moves in taxis.  The shared taxis are very cheap.  For a private taxi, you’ll have to negotiate.

•             Serrekunda and Sene-Gambia: I got from Banjul to Serrekunda in a private taxi for 150 Dalasi (5USD) but I think I got a good deal.  Around the Sene-Gambia strip taxis are famous for over-charging.  One driver tried to get 500 ($15) from me for a short drive.  Beware.

•             Dakar: You’ll have to cross the ferry from town (insanely slow crossing) then catch a shared taxi to the border (15minutes).  From the border there will be shared sept-place taxis waiting to take you to Dakar.

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