What if your next winter getaway led you to the African sun? A destination on the continent has just clinched the top spot in a global ranking of the best places to enjoy warmth from December to February. With daytime maximum temperatures close to 32°C, more than eight hours of sunshine per day, and almost no rainfall, it has strong arguments to entice travelers seeking light. But its beaches are not its only appeal: between mangroves, fishing villages, bustling markets, and nature reserves, there is also plenty of escapism on offer.
The Gambia, Winter Sun Champion
It is The Gambia that wins this ranking compiled in October by the luxury travel agency Bailey Robinson. To differentiate 35 destinations worldwide, its teams studied four meteorological criteria: daytime maximum temperatures (40% of the score), sunshine (25%), precipitation (20%), and the number of rainy days (15%). The data come from the World Meteorological Organization’s climatological normals, established for the period 1991-2020.
With 90.2 points out of 100, it is therefore Banjul, the Gambian capital, that ranks first. Between December and February, daytime maximum temperatures reach an average of 32.2°C. The city also enjoys 8.5 hours of daily sunshine and only about 0.3 millimeters of monthly precipitation on average. Bailey Robinson’s team notes that it presents “one of the strongest combinations of heat, sunshine and dry weather in the ranking”.
The country has another advantage: its Atlantic coastline and long palm-fringed sandy beaches. Several seaside resorts cluster around Kololi, Kotu and Bakau, where travelers can enjoy the ocean, engage in water activities, or simply sit on a terrace facing the sea. But it would be a pity to limit a stay to these resorts. The Gambia is also crossed from west to east by a river that bears its name and shapes a large part of its landscapes. Its banks host mangroves, wetlands and villages accessible by boat. Another way to discover the country.
Behind The Gambia, Liberia, in Costa Rica, with 89.5 points, then Siem Reap, in Cambodia, with 85.4 points. Mombasa, in Kenya, and Zanzibar, in Tanzania, complete the top five.
Mangroves, Monkeys and Fishing Villages to Discover
To explore Gambian landscapes, a river excursion on the Gambia River is a must. Aboard a pirogue, visitors can head up the bolongs, these water channels lined with mangroves that snake inland. The spectacle changes as you navigate: the roots of mangroves dip into the water, birds alight on the branches, and fishermen move between the channels. In some areas, women also harvest oysters directly from the mangrove roots. Excursions departing from Lamin Lodge or the Denton Bridge allow visitors to discover these landscapes.
The wildlife is another draw of the country. About 25 kilometers from Banjul, the Abuko Nature Reserve offers a walk through a gallery forest where several species of monkeys live, including red colobus and vervets.
Birdwatchers also have plenty to do, as The Gambia is home to around 560 bird species, observable notably in the Abuko, Tanji and Kiang West reserves. Along the coast, the Tanji Ornithological Reserve extends over 612 hectares and encompasses mangrove zones, lagoons and coastal woodlands. Offshore, the Bijol Islands serve as a refuge for seabirds and constitute breeding sites for turtles.
In Bakau, near Banjul, the Kachikally Crocodile Pool offers another unique visit. Considered a sacred place by local communities, it houses a sizable population of Nile crocodiles
Another interesting stop, the Tanji fishing village. In the late afternoon, the colorful boats return from the Atlantic and unload their catch on the beach. The fish is then sold at the market or prepared in the smokhouses installed nearby. A lively scene of local life, very different from the atmosphere of the coastal resort complexes.
Finally, history enthusiasts can travel upriver to Kunta Kinteh Island, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place bears witness to the history of the transatlantic slave trade and the slave trade in West Africa.
All these discoveries give The Gambia a personality quite different from that of a mere beach destination.
