Gambia Link Tourism
Community-Based Tourism & Voluntary Tourism
in The Gambia
Gambia Link Tourism
Community-Based
&
Voluntary Tourism
Smiling coast of Africa
☀️ get away from the stressful life, live simply and happy 🌴
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Why Community-Based and Voluntary Tourism
The founder of The Gambia community-based & voluntary tourism has been living for more than seven years in Switzerland. On a daily basis she has experienced how wonderful the Swiss people are. Yet, some seem unsatisfied and do not see the huge privillege of living in such an organized and wealthy country. Many Swiss are comfortable with their lives and never needed to go out of their comfort zone.
Have you ever asked yourself, how it is for people to live and/or work in a third world country? Is there more out there then a five star beach and resort tourism - which many of us have done so many times already?
WELL YES THERE IS!
IT'S CALLED COMMUNITY-BASED OR VOLUNTARY TOURISM
With our tourism project we exclusively offer you an unique life experience, where you get to live with local host families in The Gambia. During your stay you will be part of the family, sharing home chores such as, going to the market for grossery, cooking in the local way, doing hand laundry, attending traditional wedding or naming ceremonies or simply enjoying the white sandy beaches of the smiling coast of Africa with a local barbecue, traditional music and tribal dances etc. Most importantly the host families will be earning during this time. We would like to creat jobs for the local communities through this community-based project.
Additionally we offer the unique possibilities for professionals to make meaningful life experience. In The Gambia we can arrange a voluntary job for you, while living with locals, in an private accomodation or in a hotel.
Our Services
1. Living with a host family
With our community-based tourism you will experience the typical daily life of a Gambian family and immerse yourself in a West African community. You start the day by getting up together with the host family. You will have breakfast together and go shopping for fresh food at the local market. You will help cook typical Gambian dishes and participate in traditional activities such as weddings or naming ceremonies, etc .
You will quickly notice that Gambians take a lot of time for their individual activities - and they enjoy them! This literally has a relaxing effect. There is always time for a chat with an acquaintance on the street or there are spontaneous visitors for lunch with lively discussions about anything and everything.
2. A day with a guest family and overnight in a hotel
This service gives you the opportunity to spend the days with a guest family and experiencing their daily life activities together. In the evening you would go back to stay overnight at your hotel or accomodation.
3. Volunteering in health professions and more
Are you a physiotherapist, nurse or other health personel looking to make a meaning life experience? The Gambia is the place. We can arrange a voluntary job for you, while living with locals or in an accomodation/hotel.
About The Gambia
The Gambia - a small African state
The Gambia is a republic in West Africa, located on the banks of the Gambia River of the same name. With the exception of a short stretch of coastline at the mouth of the river, The Gambia is completely surrounded by the state of Senegal. With a total area of about 11,000 km2, the country is the smallest state on the African mainland. Gambia has about 2 million inhabitants. As a former English colony, the official language is still English.
Population
The Gambia is home to more than ten different ethnic groups, which are mainly defined by their own languages. They often speak several languages fluently or can at least communicate in them. The Mandinka (40%) are the largest ethnic group, followed by the Fula (19%) and the Wolof (15%).
Culture, Religion & Clothing
The Gambian culture is very hospitable and open to tourists. Gambia's population is 90 percent Muslim, nine percent Christian and about one percent belongs to traditional indigenous African religions. There is no tension between the different religions - all coexist with mutual respect. Nevertheless, Islam is the dominant religion in the daily lives of the people. However, it can be described as moderate and is lived very individually and, in part, very liberally. There are no general dress codes, and alcohol is served in tourist areas. The Gambians like to wear colorful clothes. Their fabrics are thinly woven and dyed in the batik technique. In the streets of the coastal region around Serekunda, European clothing is mixed with traditional garments on an equal footing. Despite the often dusty and unpaved roads, the Gambians always strive to be clean and fashionably dressed.
Climate
The climate is tropical and the temperatures are pleasant and quite constant around 30 degrees all year round. In spring, temperatures in the interior can reach 43 degrees during the day, while temperatures on the coast rise to a maximum of 35 degrees. The Gambia has a distinct dry season (November - May) and rainy season (June - October). At the end of the rainy season, very little rainfall can be expected in October.
Flora & Fauna
The coastline is characterized by beautiful beaches lined with palm trees. The mangroves dominate in the coastal area of the river Gambia. In the interior there are fresh water swamps, dense shrubs and oil palms. The somewhat higher riparian areas are grasslands with isolated groups of trees (e.g. baobabs, cedars or mahogany). The fauna of The Gambia includes typical African riverine landscapes: numerous species of fish, crocodiles and hippos. The grasslands are home to antelopes, warthogs, monkeys, leopards, hyenas and jackals. With over 400 different bird species, Gambia is also considered a bird paradise.
Special local activities
There are more activities that you could do while in The gambia and below are few of them listed.
Traditional Wedding Ceremony
You can get a romantic beach wedding and on a beautiful and sandy Gambian beach. On top you can even experience our traditional wedding ceremonies.
Djembe Drumming
Djembe drumming afternoons are simply relaxing moments for some and a form of exercise for others. Well, whatever works for you - enjoy!
Bird Watching
Bird watching
A total of 550 species call The Gambia their home. If you are bird watching person, you are at the right place.
And many more activities...
Team
Here is your dynamic, young, reliable native Team. Do not hesitate to contact us at any time for a personal appointment.
Mariama Hiestand-Saho
Founder & Coordinator
I am born and raised in The Gambia. I am a wife and a mother and professionally, I am a physiotherapist living in Switzerland. Coming from Africa life has taught me tolarance, patience, respect, flexibility and so much more. I love travelling, meeting natives, expericencing their way of life from the grassroot level. It makes me reflect on my life and appreciate the opportunities that I have in Switzerland (e.g. good health system, quality education, etc.)
Saihou Sissoho
Coordinator
I am a young, dynamic and responsible Gambian man. I love sharing my culture with anyone willing to experience the real Westafrica. I love connecting local host families with community based tourists. Apart from coordinating your stay I work in the solar installation field as my second job.
Jabou Sowe
Coordinator
I am a young, charismatic and talented young Gambia lady. I love the idea of community based tourism because it attracts responsible and sustainable tourist. This is how we get to support local families, while you learn from one another.
For a free Zoom video consultation, contact us:
Zurich, Switzerland