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The wetlands in the Lower River Division are very scenic. We saw lovely lillies in the water.We really enjoyed this part of the route. We felt that the Gambia river was always near, allthough we never saw the river itself.Except if its flora the area is especially very very known because of its abundant birdlife. Even while driving along the highway we saw several birds.
The main road in the Lower River Division crosses a lot of mangrove forest and creeks.Even directly from the highroad itself you can have a close look at this ecologically interesting mangrove area with its tidal creeks and flats. It was easy to make several stops on the road, because there wasn't hardly any traffic.
Travelling from Soma to the east the Guinea savanna transforms into the more drier Sudan savanna with lower trees.After Pakali Ba we crossed the Sofoniama Bolong as eastern border of the Lower River Division. Before we entered into the Central River Divison we stopped here to have a look at this beautiful bolong, surrounded by palmtrees. If you are lucky, you can see all kind of waterbirds.
Soma is a lively cross-road town at the junction of the main road from the Atlantic coast to the east and the Trans Gambia Highway leading from north Senegal to the Casamance in the south of Senegal.North of Soma lies Mansa Konko, originally an important capital of a local chief and an administrative centre during the colonial era. The name Mansa Konko is meaning 'king's hill'.For more pictures have a look at the travelogue.
Th Lower River Division is the area around Soma at the south bank of the Gambia River. This area starts after crossing the Bintang Bolong north of Kalaji. The east border is the Sonfaniama Bolong east of Soma. The Bintang Bolong is a large meandering tributary of the Gambia River. This creek or bolong, meaning river in the Mandinka language, rises in Senegal. The Senegalese border is only 4 KM away from the place where the 100 M long bridge connects the banks of the Bintang Bolong.
In the co-operative garden we had a very informative walk with the interesting explanation of the people.After our walk the people of the co-operative garden were proud to show us the results of all their labour in the garden. They showed us their recent harvest of mangos, ready for shipping and the trade.
During our visit to the co-operative garden we could walk around and have a closer look at the crops.Being originallly an agricultural engineer, I liked it to learn about the different tropical crops in the garden, especially about the unknown ones. The people were very willing to tell us everything about it. These bright yellow and orange coloured peppers at the picture, I could recognize myself.
On our way back from Soma to Serrekunda we visited a co-operative garden along the mainroad.It was very interesting to visit this garden. The people, who worked in the garden, explained us how the system works, they told us also a lot about the crops, which were growing on the fields and they answered all the questions, we had. It was an very informative visit.
If you book a boattrip in Georgetown, it's not necessary to bring your own drinks and food.Everything is available at the boat.We had a great boattrip. The people of the boat were very friendly and also very willing to explain everything about we saw during the trip.
At the JangjangBureh camp in Georgetown it is possible to arrange a rivercruise. You can see the long tall boats in front of the camp. We made a boattrip of half a day from here to the west to Mansa Konko. This is the place where the Trans Gambia Highway ferry is crossing the river.It was a very relaxing trip in the open air. We didn't see hippo's or crocodiles, but many birds. And the natural surroundings were beautiful !
Kombo Beach Hotel Banjul
1 Review and 355 Opinions The Kombo Beach is the only hotel we have been to in The Gambia, we stayed here the first time and...
Kairaba Beach Hotel Kololi
2 Reviews and 304 Opinions well such an extraordinarily well run venue in Gambia. German influence, very efficient. What...
Sheraton Gambia Hotel Resort & Spa Serekunda
391 Opinions
Reviews and photos of The Gambia attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for The Gambia sightseeing.
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