30 More Fascinating Facts About The Gambia
The Gambia may be the smallest country on mainland Africa, but it is full of history, colour, wildlife, traditions and surprises.
Following our earlier article, 20 Facts About The Gambia That Will Surprise You, here are 30 more fascinating facts about The Gambia — from sacred crocodile pools and stone circles to marble voting, beach wrestling, colourful fashion and the importance of nursery education.
1. The Gambia Has More Than 600 Species of Birds
The Gambia is one of Africa’s best birdwatching destinations.
More than 600 species of birds have been recorded in the country, including kingfishers, bee-eaters, hornbills, vultures, pelicans and colourful rollers.
Because The Gambia is so small, visitors do not always have to travel far to see a remarkable variety of birdlife.
One of the most remarkable birds found in The Gambia is the Village Weaver, famous for constructing elaborate hanging nests from strips of grass. Male weavers may build several nests in an attempt to impress a mate.
2. The Gambia Has Around 50 Miles of Coastline
The Gambia has approximately 50 miles of Atlantic coastline.
This stretch of coast includes popular tourist areas such as Bakau, Cape Point, Kotu, Kololi and Senegambia.
For many visitors from Britain and Europe, the beaches are their first introduction to The Gambia.
3. There Is No Jet Lag From Britain in Winter
One of the practical advantages of travelling from the UK to The Gambia is that there is usually no jet lag.
During the British winter, The Gambia and the UK are both on GMT.
So, while the journey feels exciting and exotic, your body clock does not need to be completely reset when you arrive.
4. Banjul Is the Capital — But Not the Largest City
Banjul is the capital city of The Gambia, but it is not the largest urban area.
Many more people live in and around places such as Serekunda and Brikama.
Banjul remains politically and historically important, but modern Gambian life stretches far beyond the capital.
5. Banjul Was Once Called Bathurst
During the colonial period, Banjul was known as Bathurst.
The city was renamed Banjul in 1973, after The Gambia had gained independence from Britain.
The change of name reflected a wider move towards Gambian identity and independence.
6. The Gambian Flag Tells a Story
The Gambian flag is full of meaning.
The red represents the sun and the savannah.
The blue represents the River Gambia.
The green represents the land, agriculture and natural resources.
The white stripes stand for peace and unity.
7. The River Gambia Shaped the Country
The Gambia’s unusual shape is explained by the River Gambia.
The country follows the course of the river, stretching inland from the Atlantic Ocean.
This is why The Gambia is long and narrow, with Senegal almost completely surrounding it.
8. The Gambia Was Once at the Centre of the Slave Trade
The history of The Gambia includes a painful connection with the transatlantic slave trade.
Sites along the River Gambia, including Kunta Kinteh Island and related locations, are now important places of remembrance.
They remind visitors that The Gambia’s beauty sits alongside a very serious and difficult history.
9. Janjanbureh Was Once One of the Most Important Towns in The Gambia
Janjanbureh, formerly known as Georgetown, sits on an island in the middle of the River Gambia.
Today it is a quiet provincial town, but during the colonial period it was one of the most important settlements in the country.
As the principal British administrative and trading centre in the interior, Georgetown became the key link between the coast and communities further upriver. At one time it was the second largest town in The Gambia and played a major role in the country’s economic and political life.
Because it lies around 300 kilometres from the coast, its importance gradually declined as government, trade and transport became increasingly concentrated around Banjul and the Atlantic coast.
10. Janjanbureh Used to Be Called Georgetown
Like Banjul, Janjanbureh has changed names.
It was known as Georgetown during the colonial period and was renamed Janjanbureh in the 1990s.
Many people still use both names, especially when talking about its history.
11. The Wassu Stone Circles Are Older Than Many People Realise
The Wassu Stone Circles are among The Gambia’s most fascinating historic sites.
They form part of the wider Stone Circles of Senegambia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These ancient stone circles are believed to be burial sites and are a reminder that this region has a deep and complex history stretching back many centuries.
12. The Gambia Has a Sacred Crocodile Pool
The sacred crocodile pool at Bakau is one of The Gambia’s most famous attractions.
Known as Kachikally, it is associated with fertility, tradition and spiritual belief.
Visitors are often surprised by how close they can get to the crocodiles under the guidance of local staff.
13. The Gambia Is Predominantly Muslim
The Gambia is a predominantly Muslim country.
Islam plays an important role in daily life, family life, community life and national celebrations.
Mosques are found throughout the country, and the call to prayer is a familiar sound in towns and villages.
14. The Gambia Is Known for Religious Tolerance
Although The Gambia is predominantly Muslim, it is also known for religious tolerance.
Muslims and Christians often live peacefully alongside one another.
It is common for people to send greetings, share food and show respect during one another’s religious festivals.
This tolerance is one of the country’s great strengths.
15. Children Often Receive New Clothes for Eid and Tobaski
Religious celebrations are very important family occasions in The Gambia.
For festivals such as Koriteh and Tobaski, children are often given brand new clothes.
These outfits are worn with enormous pride, and the streets can suddenly become full of colour, excitement and beautifully dressed children.
16. Gambian Women’s Fashion Is Incredibly Vibrant
One of the first things many visitors notice is the colour and style of Gambian women’s clothing.
Beautiful fabrics, bold patterns, elegant headwraps and carefully coordinated outfits are part of daily life as well as special occasions.
Gambian fashion is practical, expressive and often absolutely stunning.
17. Gambians Vote Using Marbles
The Gambia has one of the most unusual voting systems in the world.
Instead of marking a paper ballot, voters place a marble into a drum representing their chosen candidate.
The marble drops into the drum with a clear sound, helping confirm that the vote has been cast.
With presidential elections always drawing attention, this remains one of the most distinctive features of Gambian democracy.
18. Nursery Education Is Becoming More Important
Early childhood education is receiving increasing attention across The Gambia.
According to UNESCO, the country’s gross enrolment rate in early childhood education increased from around 36% in 2013 to more than 54% by 2019, showing significant progress in access to preschool education. However, many children still miss out, particularly those from poorer households and rural communities.
19. Many Young Children Still Do Not Attend Preschool
Although access is improving, nursery education is not yet available to every child.
The Global Partnership for Education estimates that only around half of Gambian children experience organised learning before entering primary school. This means that many children begin formal education without the benefits of early literacy, numeracy and social development opportunities.
👉 Education in The Gambia | Where We Work | Global Partnership for Education
For charities and community groups working in education, this remains one of the country’s biggest challenges.
20. Boys and Girls Are Increasingly Accessing Early Education
One encouraging trend is the growing participation of girls in early education.
Recent Gambian education statistics show a Gender Parity Index of 1.08 in early childhood enrolment, indicating that girls are now participating at least as strongly as boys in preschool education.
👉 The-Gambia-Education-Statistics-Summary-Report-ESSR-2025.pdf
At BFiG Busumbala Nursery School, our aim is simple: to provide local children with a safe, caring and stimulating start to their education. The school opened in October 2023 with 24 pupils and now supports around 46 children across two nursery classes, with plans to open a third classroom in the future.
Looking for even more fascinating facts about The Gambia?
This article is a sequel to our popular guide, 20 Facts About The Gambia That Will Surprise You, which explores Gambian geography, culture, wildlife and daily life. If you’re new to The Gambia, you may wish to start there before returning for these 30 additional facts.
➜ Read: 20 Facts About The Gambia That Will Surprise You
21. Beach Wrestling Is Popular in The Gambia
Traditional wrestling, sometimes known locally as borreh, is popular in The Gambia.
Wrestling can take place on beaches or open sandy areas and is often accompanied by music, drumming, cheering and a strong sense of community.
It is not just sport. It is performance, strength, rhythm and culture all rolled into one.
22. The Gambia Is Full of Music and Rhythm
Music is everywhere in The Gambia.
Drumming, singing and dancing are part of celebrations, ceremonies, naming events, weddings and community gatherings.
The kora, balafon, djembe, sabar and other traditional instruments help give Gambian life its powerful sense of rhythm.
23. Markets Are Bursting With Colour
Gambian markets are busy, noisy, colourful and full of life.
You might find fruit, vegetables, fish, fabric, spices, household goods, shoes, phone cards, school bags and almost anything else you can imagine.
They are also wonderful places to photograph everyday Gambian life — as long as this is done respectfully.
24. Baboons Are Part of Makasutu’s Character
Makasutu Forest is one of The Gambia’s best-known nature areas.
It is home to birds, monkeys, baboons and many other forms of wildlife.
I was once told that you do not see many snakes there in daylight because the baboons keep them well under control.
Whether that is science, folklore or a bit of both, it is exactly the sort of story that makes travelling in The Gambia so memorable.
25. Baboons Rule Parts of the Forest
During a visit to Makasutu Cultural Forest, I was told that snakes are rarely seen during the daytime because of the large baboon population.
According to local guides, if baboons catch a snake, they sometimes bury it and return several days later — not to eat the snake itself, but to eat the worms found on it.
Whether this would stand up to scientific scrutiny, I honestly couldn’t say.
What I can say is that after hearing the story, I spent the rest of the day looking for both baboons and snakes. I saw plenty of baboons.
The snakes, if they were there at all, appeared to have got the message.
26. Some Beach Monkeys Are Said to Prefer Seafood
Another story I have heard concerns monkeys near the beach.
Apparently, some have learned to catch sand crabs by blocking the crabs’ holes with their tails before grabbing them.
Again, I will leave the scientific investigation to someone braver and quicker than me.
But it is a wonderful reminder that Gambian wildlife is never boring.
27. The Gambia Is Known as the Smiling Coast of Africa
The Gambia is often called the “Smiling Coast of Africa”. Officially, nobody seems entirely certain where the nickname originated, although it has been used by the tourism industry for decades. Some people say it reflects the friendliness of Gambian people. Others point to the country’s distinctive shape along the Atlantic coast.
Either way, after spending time in The Gambia, it is easy to see why the name stuck.
28. Many Gambians Speak Several Languages
English is the official language of The Gambia, but many Gambians speak several local languages.
Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Jola and Serahule are among the most widely spoken.
It is common to hear different languages being used in the same conversation, market or taxi journey.
29. Hospitality Is Deeply Important
Hospitality is a major part of Gambian culture.
Visitors may be offered food, tea, water, shade or conversation, sometimes by people who have very little themselves.
This generosity is one of the reasons many visitors return to The Gambia again and again.
30. The Gambia May Be Small, But It Is Full of Stories
The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, but it never feels small when you are there.
It is full of history, music, wildlife, faith, colour, humour, education, family life and unforgettable conversations.
From ancient stone circles to modern nursery classrooms, from sacred crocodiles to children proudly wearing new Tobaski clothes, The Gambia is a country with far more stories than its size suggests.
And that is exactly why it continues to fascinate so many people.
Final Thoughts
The Gambia is often introduced to visitors as a beach holiday destination.
But it is much more than that.
It is a country of deep history, rich culture, extraordinary wildlife and strong communities.
At Building Futures in The Gambia, we see that richness every day through the children, families and staff connected with BFiG Busumbala Nursery School.
If you would like to learn more about education, community life and development in The Gambia, please explore the other stories on our website.
Read More About The Gambia
- 20 Facts About The Gambia That Will Surprise You
- Inclusive Education in The Gambia
- Education and Gender Equality in The Gambia
- Why Nursery Education Matters in The Gambia
- Travels With Lamin
Frequently Asked Questions About The Gambia
What is The Gambia famous for?
The Gambia is famous for its beautiful Atlantic coastline, friendly people, rich birdlife, the River Gambia, vibrant culture and historical sites linked to the transatlantic slave trade. It is often known as “The Smiling Coast of Africa.”
Why do Gambians vote with marbles?
The Gambia developed its unique marble voting system to make elections accessible to all voters, including those with limited literacy. Voters place a marble into a drum representing their chosen candidate.
What languages are spoken in The Gambia?
English is the official language, but many Gambians also speak local languages including Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Jola and Serahule.
What religion is practised in The Gambia?
The majority of Gambians are Muslim. However, the country is well known for its religious tolerance and peaceful relationships between people of different faiths.
What wildlife can you see in The Gambia?
Visitors can see more than 600 species of birds, monkeys, baboons, crocodiles, monitor lizards and a wide variety of other wildlife throughout the country.
What is the Kachikally Crocodile Pool?
The Kachikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau is one of The Gambia’s most famous cultural and tourist attractions. It is regarded as a sacred site and is associated with fertility and good fortune.
Is nursery education important in The Gambia?
Yes. Nursery education helps children develop early literacy, numeracy and social skills before entering primary school. However, many children still do not have access to preschool education, which is why organisations such as Building Futures in The Gambia support community nursery schools.
What is the best time to visit The Gambia?
Most visitors choose to visit between November and April when the weather is dry, sunny and slightly cooler. This period is particularly popular with birdwatchers and winter sun tourists.
Discover The Gambia
If you enjoyed these facts about The Gambia, you might also enjoy some of our other articles exploring Gambian life, culture and education:
👉 Discover The Gambia | Culture, Food, Music, Places & Stories
Lots of general information about The Gambia and West Africa.
👉 Inclusive Education in The Gambia
Discover how children with disabilities are gaining greater access to education and opportunities.
👉 Education and Gender Equality in The Gambia
Exploring how education is helping to create brighter futures for girls and young women across The Gambia.
👉 Why Nursery Education Matters in The Gambia
Learn why early years education is so important and how it is transforming lives at BFiG Busumbala Nursery School.
👉 Travels With Lamin
A collection of humorous, surprising and sometimes chaotic true stories from my adventures travelling across The Gambia with School Manager Lamin Barrow.
👉 Help Build Brighter Futures in The Gambia
Find out how you can support Building Futures in The Gambia and help provide education for young children in Busumbala Village.
Photography Notice: Most photographs used on this website have been taken by Peter Kendrick during visits to The Gambia and Senegal in support of Building Futures in The Gambia. Please do not reproduce, republish or use these images elsewhere without permission.
