By Niyi David/September 13, 2022

In the long run, everyone who comes to the ‘Smiling Coast’ ends up in Kololi, particularly on the famous

strip – the Senegambia Strip.

In truth, Kololi is the heart of tourism in The Gambia, the smallest country on mainland Africa.

Of course, the country is much more than Kololi. The Gambia certainly has quite a lot to offer the tourist

when it comes to attractions and activities.

The River Gambia plays a very important part in the tourism business in the country and boat cruises

upriver into the heart of the country are some of the popular choices.

But the thing about Kololi, which is really a suburb of Serrekeunda, the largest city in The Gambia is the

fact that most of the country’s best hotels and accommodations, coupled with restaurants, nightclubs,

and bars can be found there.

And that uniqueness makes Kololi the number one choice for the best night out in the whole of the

country.

In the day time, Kololi is still a lively spot and it offers some attractions like the Bijilo Forest, aka the

Monkey Park, which is towards the end of the famous Senegambia Strip. The Monkey Park is a good

spot to enjoy a hike and see some primates and birds.

The beach is another thing that draws people to Kololi and it is a bustling place to be. Different kinds of

interesting characters can be found at the beach, such as peddlers trying to sell you souvenirs.

If you don’t know the worth, they’ll rip you off. But you can make your purchases instead at the craft

market in town.

A couple of shacks on the beach have reggae music playing and you’ll see some rastas doing their thing.

Some may try to roll you a joint, if you’re given to that kind of fun.

You’ll also see a couple of young men keeping fit, trying to impress their potential targets, the white

middle-age female tourist – I suppose you know the gist by now about sex tourism in The Gambia.

In any case, you have nothing to fear on the beach from anyone, because the bumster issue has been

effectively resolved by the government with the creation of tourist police.

However, you should look out for the flag to see if it’s okay to take a swim in the ocean.

But for those who know, the real fun in Kololi starts after the sun retires from the sky and the night is lit

by electric stars.

No fear of sunburn or heat stroke as tourists walk the Strip in search of entertainment, fun, and good

food. There are bars, casinos and different kinds of restaurants, serving continental dishes to titivate the

senses.

They include oriental, Indian, Dutch, Italian, Danish, and of course African and many of them apart from

the meal, offer you a serene and soothing ambience to listen to and enjoy good music from a live band.

Hey! But that’s not where all the fun ends, particularly for the young at heart and those who enjoy

clubbing, Kololi is the destination to be if you’re in The Gambia.

The clubs start to fill late into 23:00 hours and they don’t stop until the early morn! Best believe it,

everything you’re looking for at the club is there in good quantity: music, drinks, and dancing bodies …

Niyi David explores the beautiful and enthralling continent of Africa with Afro Tourism West Africa Ltd, capturing colourful memories of places, cultures and events in words and images.