Andre, ON7YK will be active as C5YK from Bijilo, Gambia, until 25 January 2026.
He will operate on 20 - 10m Bands, Digital modes, CW, SSB, Digital Modes .
QSL via home call direct, LOTW, eQSL.
Ads for direct QSL:
Andre Bourbon, Route de Xhoffraix 30, 4970, Hockai-Stavelot, Belgium.
Cultural contrasts, fresh produce, and amazing nature Gambia
Gambia is the smallest country on the African continent, named after the river that flows through its territory.
The country is located on the Atlantic coast and attracts tourists from all over the world, despite the lack of roads. The flat terrain, rich flora and fauna, and the way of life of the local people, as well as their traditions and beliefs, which have been preserved and passed down to the present day, are of great value to visitors.
Despite the pronounced rainy season, the climate in The Gambia is the most favorable compared to other countries on the African continent.
Washed-out roads and no bridges
Although tourists are offered a wide range of excursions around the country, it can be difficult to get from one place to another. There are no railways in the country, and the settlements on either side of the Gambia River are not connected by bridges.
The total length of roads for motor transport is only 2,700 km. Most of them are not paved and are unsuitable for motor transport during the rainy season. The country receives the highest amount of rainfall annually between June and October.
Waterways and ferries are an alternative to the lack of rail service. Boat trips on the river are popular with tourists. When embarking on such a journey, visitors should be cautious and bring all possible means of protection against insects and the scorching sun. It is also advisable to bring drinking water, as it is not available everywhere.
A friendly and illiterate population
The majority of the population of The Gambia is Muslim. The population is friendly and welcoming to visitors. However, in poor areas of the country and disadvantaged neighborhoods of cities, it is necessary to remain vigilant, as fraud and petty theft are commonplace here. This is facilitated by rampant unemployment and poverty.
It is also worth remembering one important national characteristic when interacting with the local population. In The Gambia, it is considered indecent to offer your left hand when greeting someone. This will cause great offense to your interlocutor.
Education in The Gambia is provided free of charge to residents, but the law does not oblige the population to receive it. As a result, a significant proportion of Gambian adults remain illiterate. However, even the less literate population speaks English and can easily communicate with visitors. English is the official language of The Gambia.
Peanuts - the head of everything
A country located on the Atlantic coast cannot help but be famous for its fish dishes. In addition to fish and seafood, Gambians generously add various types of peppers to their food, including particularly hot and spicy ones.
Meat is also in demand. It is mainly chicken. It is served with rice, vegetables, various types of mashed potatoes, and couscous. Onions, garlic, and various spices are used generously.
In addition to tea and local beer, the menus of cafes and restaurants are replete with freshly squeezed juices. Not only visitors to catering establishments but also shoppers at markets can try them.
The most famous market is located in the capital, Banjul. It is called Albert Market. The stalls here offer a variety of fresh fruits that are exotic to most visitors. At the request of the buyer, market vendors can prepare juice on the spot. They make it from pineapples, mangoes, bananas, etc.
Peanut-based side dishes and desserts are widely represented in the local cuisine. Peanuts are served with meat and fish in the form of a puree. The nuts are also roasted and eaten raw. This is not without reason. One of the important economic sectors, which brings 40% of the total budget revenue to the state treasury, is the cultivation and export of peanuts. Many representatives of neighboring countries come to cultivate plantations of this agricultural crop and harvest the crop.
Sacred crocodiles of The Gambia
The Gambia is a country with a great diversity of animal species. The fauna includes over 400 species of birds and many large wild animals, among which wild boars, hippos, antelopes, leopards, and crocodiles are worth mentioning.
Crocodiles in Gambia are sacred animals. The local population believes that the souls of deceased ancestors are reborn in them.
One of the country's attractions is the Kachikali crocodile pool. It is located near the city of Bakau. There are also many crocodiles in the river itself, but they are dangerous to humans.
The crocodiles in the pool are generously fed fish. When they are full, they are less aggressive, and visitors to the farm are allowed to pet some of the animals under the supervision of guides.
People come here not only to admire the crocodiles and see them up close. Locals bathe in the pool. The water is considered healing. According to beliefs, it helps to get rid of many problems, ranging from business troubles to infertility treatment
Miniature nature reserves and Baboon Islands
The flora of Gambia is no less rich than its fauna. The country's territory is covered with savannas with tall grasses. Evergreen tropical forests grow in the valley of the country's main river. There are also mangrove thickets here. Among the trees, there are many acacias and baobabs.
Despite its beautiful nature, it is preserved in its pristine form in the national parks. One of these, small in area, is the Bijolo Forest Park. It is located near the city of Kololi. The park is also notable for the fact that seedlings are grown on its territory, which are later used by the population to restore forest vegetation in areas affected by natural disasters or human activity.
Visiting Bijolo Park is completely free. It is open to all interested guests. However, the park known locally as Baboon Island is closed to the public. It covers an impressive area of more than 500 hectares and is home mainly to chimpanzees.
Another interesting park in the country is the Abuko Nature Reserve. It is the smallest in the country in terms of area, but one of the best in terms of the number of species represented. More than 300 species of birds can be found within its territory alone. Giraffes, elephants, hyenas, hippos, monkeys, etc. live in the natural environment of Abuko. Incidentally, elephants and giraffes in Gambia are officially classified as endangered species.
Cultural heritage of villages
A small village called Tangie is known not only in Gambia, but throughout the African continent. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country. Here you will find the Tangie Village Museum, which preserves the original household items, dwellings, and tools of the indigenous people. The latter lived on this land even before the arrival of the English colonizers. They built their huts from materials at hand.
In addition to dwellings, the local exhibition features handicrafts and artisan products. They are of considerable interest from the point of view of the country's history and national culture.
There is a small restaurant near the village. Its menu features exclusively national dishes, and folk music plays in the room.
Another unique place is the village of Jufre. It is located 25 km from the capital of Gambia. Every year, it hosts festivals of folk songs and dances. Many travelers strive to attend this exciting event. For those who arrive at other times of the year and miss the festivities, the local population will be happy to recreate them.
A fashionable resort in Africa
In Gambia, in addition to dangerous, exciting, and not always comfortable excursion routes, guests are offered beach holidays in first-class hotels with high-quality service.
All resort recreation facilities are located on the Atlantic coast in the area of the cities of Baka, Kololi, and Koto. There are chic white beaches, well-equipped swimming pools, diving and snorkeling centers, and even golf courses.