Western

Western Division is the most developed and visited part of The Gambia, home to the Atlantic coast resort strip — a string of beach towns including Kololi, Bakau, Fajara, Kotu, and Brufut. This is where most tourists stay, with beach hotels, restaurants, nightlife, and craft markets. Inland, Brikama is the largest town and a centre for woodcarving and traditional crafts. The division also includes important nature reserves: Abuko Nature Reserve and Tanji River Bird Reserve.

The dry season (November–May) is peak tourist season with sunny weather. The wet season (June–October) has afternoon showers but lower hotel prices.

Taxis are the main transport along the coast. Buses and shared taxis connect the coastal towns with Brikama and Banjul. The roads are paved and in good condition.

• Brikama — the largest inland town, famous for woodcarving and crafts
• Serekunda — the largest city in The Gambia, a busy commercial centre
• Bakau — a coastal town with the Kachikally Crocodile Pool
• Fajara — a residential suburb with embassies and restaurants
• Kololi — the main tourist strip with beaches, hotels, and nightlife
• Kotu — a quieter beach area with good birdwatching
• Brufut — a relaxed beach town with new resort developments
• Tanji — a traditional fishing village with a bird reserve
• Sanyang — a beautiful beach with a laid-back atmosphere
• Gunjur — a fishing town near the Guinea-Bissau border
• Kartong — the southernmost town, with a nature reserve
• Lamin — a village with a rice project and nature trails
• Abuko Nature Reserve — a small but excellent wildlife reserve
• Tanji River Bird Reserve — a protected wetland for birds

Fresh seafood is abundant — grilled fish, prawns, and lobster. Gambian dishes include benachin (jollof rice), domoda (peanut stew), and yassa (onion-marinated fish). The beachfront restaurants in Kololi and Kotu offer international and African cuisine.

The coast has a vibrant nightlife scene. Traditional music and dance performances are held in hotels. The Brikama woodcarvers produce excellent crafts. The Tanji fishing community offers insight into traditional fishing.

• Relaxing on the Atlantic beaches of Kololi, Kotu, and Sanyang
• Birdwatching at Abuko Nature Reserve and Tanji Bird Reserve
• Shopping for woodcarvings in Brikama
• Watching the fishing boats land at Tanji beach
• Visiting the Kachikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau
• Sunset cruises on the Gambia River