Birdwatching in The Gambia, West Africa

Birdwatching in The Gambia, West Africa

With over 540 species of birds, The Gambia in West Africa, offers superb birdwatching opportunities. With its beautiful beaches, colourful culture, monkeys, markets and more, all just a 6-hour flight away from the UK, it’s a fabulous holiday destination for all.

Top 12 things to do in The Gambia on a budget

Top 12 things to do in The Gambia on a budget

This wonderful West African country is a fascinating place to explore with golden sandy beaches, year-round hot weather, colourful culture and friendly English speaking locals. Here’s my guide of the best things to do, plus my tips for how to get around, what to pack and more.

A night on the river in Makasutu Forest

A night on the river in Makasutu Forest

As I lie in bed I can feel a gentle movement in the decking beneath me or is it my imagination? I listen to the creaks and groans of the wood... splashes of water... silence... another splash. Getting out of bed I draw back the muslin curtains and catch my breath. A...

Spicy chicken ‘pepe’ soup recipe from West Africa

Spicy chicken ‘pepe’ soup recipe from West Africa

This traditional spicy chicken soup from The Gambia, is known as a cure-all and, amongst other things, is said to cure the common cold. The Gambians like their food spicy so be warned, pepe soup packs quite a punch!

A Traditional West African Wedding

A Traditional West African Wedding

I step out of the taxi onto the dusty lane, in a village much like any other in The Gambia. Today this particular street is unusually busy with a tangible buzz in the air. Today we are celebrating the wedding of my dear friend Okameo and his lovely bride Asanatou.

Baobab smoothie recipe

Baobab smoothie recipe

While on my travels in The Gambia and Senegal I've often heard from the locals of the many uses and benefits of the fruit of the baobab tree, a vitamin, fibre, and antioxidant-rich superfood. Here's my recipe for a delicious and nutritious baobab smoothie. The Baobab...

From tree-top towers to African street art

From tree-top towers to African street art

Having woken up to the dawn chorus of Makasutu Forest and then spent the morning taking a ridiculous number of photos of a troupe of baboons - just a few of which I shared in a previous post, The Baboons of Makasutu Forest - we stopped by what is known as Base Camp....

The Baboons of Makasutu Forest

The Baboons of Makasutu Forest

One of my favourite animals to watch in The Gambia has to be the baboons and the best place to see them is in Makasutu Forest, about an hour and a half's drive inland from the coastal resorts. Here I'd like to share some of my photographs and a few baboon facts to...

Responsible volunteering with ‘people and places’

Responsible volunteering with ‘people and places’

In my last post I shared with you my concerns about irresponsible volunteer organisations and orphanage tourism. Today I’d like to tell you about a great volunteering organisation that take a very responsible approach. Getting to know 'people and places' As my...

Justifiable bad press for orphanage tourism

Justifiable bad press for orphanage tourism

There has been a lot of bad press lately about volunteer tourism and I’ve heard a few horror stories myself, such as local teachers being dismissed because the school knew that a volunteer teacher was on there way. Even more disturbing still though are cases involving...

Monkeys at play in a Gambian garden

Monkeys at play in a Gambian garden

During my last visit to The Gambia I stayed in the area known as the Senegambia strip. It's the largest and liveliest resort in The Gambia, although in late June and early July when I was there, it was pretty quiet. Despite the humidity it is a lovely time of year to...

The Community Stove Initiative

The Community Stove Initiative

In May, when I left The Gambia, I had a mission to raise enough money to buy at least ten more of the new design of stoves that run on peanut shell briquettes. The Community Stove Initiative If you have been following my blogs from The Gambia you may want to skip the...

Exploring Albert Market in Banjul

Exploring Albert Market in Banjul

Whatever country you are in, I think most people would agree, that the local markets are great places to explore and photograph. When I arrived at Banjul's Royal Albert Market our taxi driver found a local guide to take us round. There's huge variety of goods for sale...

A feast for the senses at Tanji fish market

A feast for the senses at Tanji fish market

All the colours of the rainbow flash before my eyes. The sound of the waves, squawking seagulls and housewives' banter assault my ears. The smell of fish fills my nostrils and the taste of salt is on my tongue, as I head for sensory overload at Tanji fish market in...