Gambia Habitat Guide

The Gambia is situated on the beautiful West African coast, in between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. It is one of the smallest countries in Africa and is interestingly shaped like a crooked finger. It takes its name from the River Gambia that flows through it. Banjul, located on the southern side of the river estuary, is the capital. The country boasts of 25 miles of gorgeous unspoilt sandy beaches.

The coast and the riverbanks consist largely of mangrove swamps. The lower part of the river has steep banks that are covered with tropical forests with a predominance of bamboo. There is wooded grassland away from the river, for the Gambia is in the Savannah Region of West Africa.

Gambia is an ornithologist’s delight with over 400 species of birds by the riversides, lagoons and crocks near Banjul. Wild animals abound, including monkeys, baboons, hyenas, jackals, antelope, hippos and crocodiles. Dolphins can often be spotted in the river. The Abuko Nature Reserve is a popular tourist spot, 24 km from Banjul.