We spent four days and three nights traveling over 300 km along the Gambi river. The Gambia is the happiest country we have visited so far, and we didn’t want to simply pass through it. Unfortunately, we had other plans with some fellow travelers in South Senegal, so we couldn’t stay longer.

During our time there, we experienced the warmth and hospitality of the Gambian people, who welcomed us with big smiles and made us feel at home. It was especially exciting for Bettina as the country is an English-speaking nation. In just four days, we were able to immerse ourselves in the Gambian culture, eat local food, and talk with the locals. We enjoyed our stay so much that we would love to come back soon.

One overlanding tip for those visiting the Gambia is to avoid saying that you are just crossing to Senegal when the police stop you. Instead, show that you appreciate the country and its culture. They are happier when people spend time in the Gambia and not just use it as a pass-through to get to Senegal.