C5T and C5I Team will be active from Gambia, 25 - 29 November 2024.
Team - EA3NT, EI5GM, EI9FBB, MM0NDX, MM0OKG.
Recent DX Spots C5T
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They will operate on HF Bands, including 60 and 6m Bands.
QSL via EA5GL, LOTW.
Ads for direct QSL:
PEDRO MIGUEL RONDA MONSELL, MAXIMILIANO THOUS 16-24, E-46009, VALENCIA, Spain.
They will use C5T call sign from mainland and C5I from Bijol Islands, IOTA AF - 060.
Gambia: the kingdom of chimpanzees and crocodile farms. Holidays with colour!
The Gambia is a colourful country in West Africa that offers exotic holidays, excursions to national parks and reserves, and interesting local dishes. This small country with an area of 11,300 square metres will appeal to connoisseurs of picturesque wildlife, safari enthusiasts and hunters of stunning photographs that turn out simply delightful.
Gambia. Author - Josep Blanch.
What to see and where to go
Gambia's attractions include cultural sites and ancient ruins, churches and cathedrals, sites of historical value, monuments and statues and, of course, nature reserves that allow you to get to know the country's flora and fauna. Connoisseurs of architecture are invited to visit the following cultural and religious sites:
- Arch 22;
- Roman Catholic Cathedral;
- Pipeline Mosque;
- King Fahad Mosque;
- Anthony's Catholic Church.
Historical sights are very popular. A visit to the National Museum, Fort James Island, Fort Bullen is highly recommended. And to get a better insight into the local culture and learn more about the lives of the residents, head to Tanji Fishing Village. Here you can get a taste (literally) of everyday life by ordering fish caught in the local waters. The smokehouses are located right inside the houses, so it's fun to watch the flavourful process unfold.
National parks and zoological gardens
The Gambia is famous for its rich nature. There is lush greenery, panoramic bespoke views and simply unique flora. Recommended for a visit are:
- Monkey Park;
- Makasutu;
- Lams Tours;
- Fathala Wildlife Reserve;
- Baboon Island.
Baboon Island is considered the kingdom of the chimpanzees. The magnificent nature and warm climate are advantages enjoyed every day by manatees, hippos, numerous species of monkeys and over 600 (!) species of birds. It is recommended to book a boat trip to see all the splendour of flora and fauna at arm's length.
Gambia. Author - Adrian Turner.
Snake farms
Love to observe animals in their natural environment? Head to Reptile Farm! The farm is also known as a ‘snake farm’ due to the large number of cold-blooded animals. Turtles, lizards, crocodiles, various snakes... The fauna is represented by many species of creepers, with which you can take a photo (you need the guide's permission!). The farm is a kind of open-air zoo. Tourists see animals in their habitat (natural environment). The photos are very spectacular.
On a side note! If you want to grab a bite to eat, Sambous Bar, Dodo's Riverside Bar and Restaurant are in close proximity. They offer delicious local cuisine based on national recipes.
Africa's Stonehenge
Although England is thousands of kilometres away, there is a piece of stone wonder in The Gambia. It is the stone circles of Wassu. The weight of a single stone is several tonnes and the height is between one and two and a half metres. The origin of the stone circles is unknown to this day, but some archaeologists believe that this is an ancient burial site. The estimated age of the landmark is about 1200 years.
Reserves and crocodile pools
When it comes to natural attractions, the Abuko Nature Reserve is the first to be mentioned. The lush nature with rich vegetation and clear, fish-rich waters are home to numerous animals. There are over 250 species of birds and about 52 species of mammals, including:
- crested duiker antelopes;
- colourful forest antelopes;
- caterpillar monkeys;
- western red colobus;
- vervet monkeys (green marmosets);
- gophers;
- galago;
- porcupines, etc.
Abuko is known for the presence of a large number of cold-blooded animals. The reserve is home to forest cobras, green tree mambas, pythons, and Nile crocodiles. Bird lovers will definitely love it here! There are so many diverse and beautiful birds in such a small park! Oriole warblers, yellow-billed cuckoos, African hawks, green pholidornis, nectarbirds... The list goes on and on!
It's interesting! Abuko is the only natural location where you will be able to see Western Blue-billed Astralids, African downy pogonis and purple banana-turquoise.
Another interesting forest park to visit is Bigilo. The 4.5 kilometre route involves an interesting walk through gallery forests and manicured lawns. There are over a hundred species of birds in the park, including ospreys, hornbills, wood doves and Caspian terns. There are also a large number of monkeys and great apes in the park. Don't forget your camera!
Do you want to go to the extreme? Visit Kachikali crocodile pool! For locals this place is sacred and for tourists it is one of the most attractive attractions. Let's answer the question why crocodiles are sacred to the local people. There is a belief that a prayer said at the shores of local waters helps a woman to get pregnant. Crocodiles in Gambia are a symbol of fertility.
On a side note. The crocodile pool has 80+ adults, plus many smaller crocodiles. The guide will point out the best locations to take photos with these exotic animals.
Gambia. Author - Gertjan van der Kooij.
What are some of the tasty ones? Let's go on a gastronomic tour!
Fancy a bite to eat? Welcome to the many local cafes, bars and restaurants! You can try both colourful local cuisine and European dishes. The food here is hearty and at quite reasonable prices. Most dishes are made of rice, couscous, peanuts, pork and chicken, fish and freshwater oysters. Hot pepper and herbs add spice and flavour to the dishes.
Soups
Colourful, delicious and with a twist. Among the most popular are: soupacaña, pepper soup, ebbeh and domoda. Domoda is a traditional stew soup that is made with peanuts. Additional ingredients used are meat or fish, carrots, and potatoes. The soup is flavoured with lemon juice.
Ebbeh will be an excellent choice for lovers of spicy soups: the main spice is chilli pepper, and the main ingredients are seafood (shrimps, crabs, fish). An indispensable component is manioc. Similar in spiciness will be pepper soup, which is more like a vegetable stew. Main ingredients: mutton or goat meat, seafood. The stew is a complete dish, but it is often served with rice.
Main courses
We should start with a peanut-based side dish, maafeh, which is similar in consistency to a stew. Caldo is a steamed whole fish that has been marinated in lemon juice. Similar in cooking method is jassa. This dish is a whole chicken marinated in spices (cloves, pepper). Chilli sauce or lime juice is often used. Chicken is served with rice.
Lamb lovers should try afra - lamb meat cooked on the grill with abundant use of spices. Olele is interesting in taste. It is beans pureed to the state of pudding. Pay attention to the interesting serving: the dish is served in banana leaves.
For those with a sweet tooth
You can't beat desserts! Be sure to try chakkers, a couscous pudding. This sweet and creamy dessert is served with berries, pineapple and nuts. A similar dessert, only without berries, is tiakri. The sweet is made from couscous, condensed milk with sugar and spices.
Below is a list of the best restaurants in The Gambia (as rated by tourists):
- Butcher's Shop (international cuisine).
- Ngala Lodge Restaurant (international cuisine and seafood).
- Sea Shells Bar & Restaurant (European cuisine and seafood).
- Scala Restaurant (European cuisine).
- Calypso Bar and Restaurant (local cuisine and bar).
Tiger prawns, steaks, salads, baked chicken and rice with peanut stew are recommended. There are also dishes for vegetarians on the menu.
A few words in conclusion
Gambia is a tiny country where the nature is rich, the locals are smiling and the cuisine is delicious. You will definitely not be bored here. The country is known for its natural parks and reserves, zoological gardens. The abundance of species of monkeys and birds amazes! Here live unique species of birds, which are not found anywhere else. Photos will be impressive and memories will be vivid!
Gambia is a colourful country with a spicy flavour.
