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Home > Holiday destinations > Gambia holidays

Gambia holidays

At a glance

Gambian Beach
Gambian Beach

Unspoilt and unforgettable, this little country gives you a taste of Africa's vibrant culture, incredible slave-trading history, exotic wildlife and friendly people all in one amazing holiday, with glorious golden sand the backdrop for each resort. On Africa's warm west coast, this narrow strip heads inland from the Atlantic Ocean, following the path of the River Gambia.

What's best for you?

  Free kids Best for families Best for adults All inclusive Premier Close to the beach Central location
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Free Kids

 

You can take your first child on holiday with us free of charge. If a Free Child Place is available on the holiday you choose, it’s yours – and your discount will be shown on the breakdown of your holiday price. Free Kids are generally found on holidays departing outside of 12 weeks.

 

We offer hundreds of Free Child Places on selected holidays and dates, but they won’t hang around forever! Book early to secure your Free Child Place and make fantastic savings online.

Best for Families

These accommodations are family-friendly, offering entertainment and facilities for both kids and grown-ups.

 

Some may feature their own kids’ club, crèche, kids’ dens, or sports and activities for families to enjoy together.

Best for Adults

These accommodations provide a holiday experience geared toward grown-ups. They’re best suited to couples, single travellers and groups of friends.

 

Although we can’t guarantee they will be child-free, these accommodations are more suited to those travelling without children.

All Inclusive

Our All Inclusive holidays cover all your essentials, so you can relax knowing that everything is already paid for while you’re on holiday with the UK’s ‘Best All Inclusive Tour Operator’.

What’s included?

  • Unlimited local alcoholic drinks
  • All meals and snacks
  • Unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee
  • Ice cream for the kids in many hotels
  • Sports and watersports facilities in most hotels
  • Daytime and evening entertainment and activities

Premier

An exclusive selection of quality four and five star hotels, our Premier range offers superior standards of comfort, service and dining, with luxurious facilities and fantastic extras. In-flight and in-resort benefits vary across our Premier Family, Premier Luxury and Falcon Premier holidays.

 

Benefits may include:

  • Free in-flight meal and reserved seating on First Choice Airways flights
  • Increased baggage allowance (up to 23kg per person)
  • Free day before check-in at London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham Airports
  • Priority airport transfers to your resort or return private taxi transfers
  • Premier Reps providing outstanding customer service and assistance
  • Complimentary children's’ pack with Premier Families

Close to the Beach

Choose one of these accommodations to ensure you are within 300 metres of the beach (1km for villas).

Central Location

These accommodations are guaranteed to be less than 200 metres from the centre of your resort, close to bars and restaurants.

Things to do

Gambia

Memorable moment...

Paddle dugout canoes in the glittering waters of Makasutu's winding mangrove creeks, glimpsing birds and monkeys as you glide past Gambian women picking oysters from the riverbanks.

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Things to do

See dolphins play in the River Gambia. Visit famous Juffureh, birthplace of Kunte Kinte, the slave immortalised in Alex Hayley's Pulitzer Prize winning book, 'Roots'; hear his tale and see Albreda's freedom flagpole and Fort James Island. Glimpse birds and wildlife in the beautiful Makasutu and Abuko nature reserves, visit village schools on the off-road Truck Safari and meet Charlie at Katchikally Crocodile Pool.
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Beaches

Gambia's beaches are beginning to flourish after years of coastal erosion, thanks to a renovation programme aided by the government and a First Choice representative agent. The programme assists the development of local schools and tourist guides. On many beaches, warm soft sand stretches for miles, scattered with drinks stalls and pretty shells.

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Explore your destination

Here's a little taste of what's on offer: for more excursion ideas, speak to your Rep. River Cruise
Enjoy a relaxing day cruising down the River Gambia, where you can soak up the sun, surrounded by beautiful wildlife and gorgeous scenery, and even take a dip in the river. Roots Tour
Follow in the footsteps of writer Alex Haley, who famously travelled to Gambia to meet descendents of his ancestor, Kunte Kinte. You'll see the old slave market and Fort St James, where they were imprisoned. Jeep Safari
A jam-packed day, on which you'll visit a local school, see Paradise Beach and travel through the Gambian jungle. Finally, you'll sample freshly made chocolate and banana liqueur at a local factory.

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Food and drink

The larger resorts offer Italian, Indian, British and traditional Gambian cuisine, rich in flavour and heavily based on fish and peanuts. Try Domoda, a meat and pureed nut stew, served with rice, or fresh Barracuda. Dine alfresco, sipping banana cocktails or Banjul's lager, JulBrew.

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Evening Flavour

Listen to drumbeats and watch colourful African dancing, as local groups in tribal dress spill onto the streets. Have a flutter in Kololi Beach's casino or head to its few friendly bars and clubs.

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Shopping

Gambia's vibrant markets are an unmissable experience. Barter for woodcarvings, including masks, bowls and traditional games crafted in front of you. Buy silver jewellery and beautiful batik. Official tourist guides are inexpensive and help you find bargains!

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Media

Fact File

Local weather

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Information

Language: English (and tribal languages). Currency: Dalasi. Debit cards are generally not accepted and credit cards only in limited places. Standard GMT: + 0 hrs. Gambian Tourist Office: 57 Kensington Court, London W8 5DG. Tel: 020 7376 0093. www.visitthegambia.gm NB: A £5 Tourist Tax, per person, may be payable upon arrival.

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Travel foundation

  • First Choice is supporting The Travel Foundation, the UK charity caring for places you love to visit. With your help, in the Gambia the Travel Foundation has

  • trained locals to set up well-run businesses, providing you with fresh juices and crafts, enabling Gambians to support their families and send their children to school

    Find out more at www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk

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Brochure download

Summer Sun Brochure Download

Summer Sun brochure

Select from the available dates below, then we will email your bespoke brochure straight to you.

To read your e-brochure you require Adobe Acrobat Reader Software, which you can download for free.

Sunstart Brochure Download

Sunstart brochure

Select from the available dates below, then we will email your bespoke brochure straight to you.

To read your e-brochure you require Adobe Acrobat Reader Software, which you can download for free.

Winter Sun Brochure Download

Winter Sun 08/09 brochure

Select from the available dates below, then we will email your bespoke brochure straight to you.

To read your e-brochure you require Adobe Acrobat Reader Software, which you can download for free.

Our best deals

Our Recommended Accommodations

 

Jerma Beach in Kololi Beach

Four sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

With white sands a few footsteps away, Jerma Beach is a perfect place to relax and unwind.

Sheraton Gambia Resort in Brufut Heights

Five sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

In an exotoc setting this hotel features contemporary and stylish interiors and a relaxing spa centre

Hotel Kairaba in Kololi Beach

Four sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

Along a fabulous stretch of beach, this Premier hotel is where Gambia’s VIPs choose to stay.

Ocean Bay in Cape Point

Four sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

Enjoy fabulous ocean views while you dine in this hotel’s excellent à la carte restaurant

Hotel Senegambia in Kololi Beach

Three plus sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

Giving you as lively or laid-back a holiday as you like

Sunbeach Hotel in Cape Point

Four sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

Almost entirely surrounded by sand, Sunbeach Hotel has a quiet setting on the tip of Cape Point, unmatched by any other hotel in the Gambia.

Kombo Beach Hotel in Kotu Beach

Four sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

If you’re looking for an attractive hotel in a good beachside location, Kombo Beach Hotel is a brilliant choice.

Corinthia Atlantic Hotel in Banjul

Four sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

On an oceanfront beach in Banjul, this hotel is an ideal spot for families and couples wanting to enjoy plenty of activities on their holiday.

Hotel Palma Rima in Kotu Beach

Two plus sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

Home to the Gambia’s largest pool, which comes with plenty of space around it for sunbathing.

Holiday Beach in Kololi Beach

Two sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

A simple and good-value setting for enjoying all the attractions of Kololi Beach.

Hotel Palm Grove In Banjul

Three sun rating (This accommodation rating is a First Choice Sun Rating)

in Gambia

With its beach on the banks of the River Gambia and a pool overlooking the water, the Palm Grove has a peaceful setting and laid-back entertainment.

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