Bakau

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Most western tourists who visit the Gambia come on package holidays to the beach resorts of Bakau, Fajara, Kotu and Kololi. These resorts are actually just a 10 km (6 miles) long stretch of Atlantic Coast filled with hotels, apartments and golf courses. The area is some 10 km east of Banjul.

Bakau is the northernmost of these resorts. There is a beautiful shady botanical garden that was established as a playground for the happy few during colonial times. Locals come to pray at the Kachikaly Crocodile Pool, as crocs are regarded sacred by some tribes in the country.

Fajara is just south of Bakau and the area around the two towns is home to many locals that work in the capital.

More to the south are Kotu and Kololi. The Bijolo Forest Park is at Kololi's southern tip. You can walk on well-marked trails through dense rainforest-like vegetation and there are various sorts of monkeys and birds. The Gambia's largest city of Serekunda is not far from Bakau.