Gambia Travel Guide

Gambia is the smallest mainland country in West Africa. On three sides it is surrounded by Senegal - the western border is the Atlantic Ocean. North to south it is about 50K by 500K long, east to west, upthe river. It is surrounded by a bunch of French speaking countries, but Gambia is very British influenced.Gambia is pretty popular with package holidays. There is also a thriving independant traveller trade too. On the coast there are quite a few holiday villages where white Europeans are flown in by the package every week and red Europeans are flown out one or two weeks later. The Atlantic Coast resorts of Bakau, Fajara, Kotu and Kololi make up the heart of The Gambia’s tourist industry. But there is a lot more than just golden beaches…

There is more to holidaying in the Gambia than the usual lobster on the beach brigade There are many local owned B&B’s that are eco friendly destinations and are well away from the crass nonsense on the tourist strip of coast.

Banjul is the small capital and a lively city. Good nightlife, markets and a very pleasant atmosphere make it a top attraction. Serekunda is the major conurbation however. It is the primary transport hub and activity centre of the country.

It’s a crowded place, bustling and 100% African.

Bakau was the main centre for servicing the tourist industry. It’s importance for this has declined rapidly due to the expansion of the Fajara/Kololi strip of beach also know as the ‘Senegambia area’. Where there is nothing but hotels along the coast for miles. A typical developement based on tourists as cattle; local people as virtual slaves and foreign ownership, meaning most of the profits go out of the country.

Most locals, unless working for the tourist industry here, are not allowed to enter the area. It has become a virtual seperate enclave and no longer has much to do with the reality of this beautiful country and its wonderful people!

Bakau has some good, local owned, small hotels and many B&B’s. It’s a small country and as the saying goes ’small is beautifull’, so check out the B&B’s rather than the rip off hotels in ‘Senegambia land’.

Juffre It is a small village on the northern bank of the River Gambia about 25km (15mi) upstream from Banjul. It became world famous in the 1970s following the publication of “Roots”, in which African-American author Alex Haley describes how Kunta Kinte, his ancestor, was captured here and taken as a slave to America some 200 years ago.

When Nature touch the Sea is Abuko is a great place to go to see wild life. The park is fenced, well-managed and very easy to reach from Banjul.

Nigeria Travel Guide

Nigeria is the most important country of West Africa. It borders on Cameroon in the East, Chad and Niger in the North and Benin in the West.  Nigeria is the most populous country of Africa with over 137 million inhabitants. Its an oil rich Nation but the people are poor because of rampant corruption and high population.Abuja the capital is a growing city with modern landscape. Ibadan is the second biggest cities, and from a distance it looks a lot like an Italian city, because of the colour of the roofs of the houses. The centre for Tropical Agriculture is not only a very interesting place but also boasts one of the best Golf courts in the country

The most interesting city of the North is without a doubt Kano . A very old centre of learning and an important emirate before the British arrived, it still is a great city to explore. Zaria and Sokoto – with a real Sultan – are two other of these old Hausa cities you can visit.

Africa Travel Guide

Africa, the home of civilization, developed along the banks of the river Nile. From the old Arab cities of North Africa, through the enormous desert of the Sahara, from the thick of the jungle to the great Game Parks, Africa offers a huge diversity of sights for any intrepid traveller. But above all, getting in contact with the native inhabitants makes it an unforgettable visit.
Going through Africa from the North to the South, you will first encounter six arab-berber countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Mauritania. The inhabitants of these countries are almost 100 percent muslims. Among the highlights of this part of the continent we would like to mention Cairo with its pyramids, Luxor with its valley of Kings, the medieval cities of Morocco such as Marrakesh and Fez and the cities of Tangier, Rabat and Casablanca.

Below, you will find the Sahel region. The countries are predominantly Muslim, but African heritage with its influence dominates. Senegal including the famous Dakar and Mali with places like Timbuktu, Segou and Mopti are among the most visited countries here.

West Africa sees relatively few tourists which in some cases may be due to political turmoil. Ghana has good beaches and nice forts. Togo is a gem under the West African countries and so is Benin and the Ivory Coast. Nigeria has many sights but travelling there can be time-consuming and nerveracking.

Central Africa too, has had its fair share of trouble in recent years, which is the reason why many travellers deleted countries such as the Central African Republic and Congo Kinshasa (formerly known as Zaire) from their to do and to see list. Rwanda, however, is back as a top destination with a steady flow of travellers heading back to the land of a thousand of hills.

East Africa however is a real treat. Ethiopia with its ancient Christan civilization and spectacular mountain scenery and Kenya and Tanzania with their great game wildlife parks are a must for travellers.

The south is getting more popular since it has become Politically Correct to visit South Africa. This marvellous country definitely deserves a visit and travel there is easy as numerous airlines offer flights on a regular basis. A trip there can be combined with Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia which are equally fascinating destinations.

Egypt Travel Guide

Egypt does not need an introduction. It was the introduction to human civilisation itself, and has all the evidence to show for it.
Tour Egypt from the lively Nile Valley , to the solitary deserts, to the diversity of the Sinai desert , to the lush oases, to the exotic underwater life of the Red Sea , to the Mediterranean beaches. “Now, let me talk more of Egypt for it has a lot of admirable things and what one sees there is superior to any other country.” – Herodotus, 500 BCE

“…In Egypt all the operations of the powers which rule and work in heaven have been transferred to earth below…It should rather be said that the whole cosmos dwells in [Egypt] as in its sanctuary…”

“There will come a time when … the gods will return from earth to heaven; Egypt will be forsaken, and the land which was once the home of religion will be left desolate, bereft of the presence of its deities.”

- Ascleptus III (25 BCE), Hermetic Texts, zeeshan avais moustapha

Even though much of what Herodotus witnessed has been ruined by the cruelty of later generations, his statement is still valid to this day. Today’s Egyptians have abandoned their ancient heritage for a mostly Moslem Arabic-speaking nation. Happily, they have maintained their friendly, hospitable, and warm characteristics.

Cairo , the capital is the place to start. It has the Pyramids, th Sphinxs, the Egyptian Museum, many more sights and more than ten million cairenes to share the experience. Alexandria , the second city of the country has its fair share of historic sights as well and with its location on the Mediterranean it is an ideal spot for your holidays.

The south of Egypt has many impressive temples and graves from Pharaonic times. Luxor , Aswan and Abu Simbel should all be on your to do list.

The Red Sea has great scuba diving : Hurghada is world famous for its under water world.