Hotels in Gambia

The Gambia is mainland Africa's smallest country, a narrow ribbon of land following the River Gambia inland for 480 kilometres and surrounded on three sides by Senegal. It has built a reputation as Europe's most accessible winter-sun destination, roughly six hours from London with no significant time difference, and calls itself the Smiling Coast.

The Atlantic beaches around Kololi, Kotu and Cape Point carry most of the hotels, but the country rewards anyone who goes further. More than 500 bird species have been recorded here, which makes it one of the most productive birding destinations anywhere relative to its size, and Abuko Nature Reserve and Kotu Creek deliver kingfishers and bee-eaters within a short taxi ride of the resorts.

Upriver, boat trips reach Kunta Kinteh Island and the slavery museum at Albreda, both UNESCO-listed and central to the story that Alex Haley's Roots made famous, along with the ancient stone circles at Wassu and a chimpanzee rehabilitation project in River Gambia National Park. Costs are low by any measure, and English is the official language.