October is a busy month for Gambia because on this month
the annual Trade Fair Gambia is held at the Independence Stadium in
Bakau which is about 11 kilometres away from Banjul and can be reached through minibuses
or bush taxis. This is an international event which showcases West
African products. The average daily temperature is 270 C and an
estimated 9 hours of sunshine per day, ideal weather for browsing through the stalls in the
fair. Afterwards have a meal of shrimps caught fresh from the sea at the
fishing port of the local fish market in Bakau.
When you've had your fill of Bakau head to the Banjul Ferry
Terminal and take the ferry to Barra. The rate of taxi from Bakau to Banjul is between £3 - £5
and the ferry ride which takes between 45 minutes to an hour, costs less than £1.
Make sure to get a seat with a good view of the sea as dolphins might make an
appearance.
Upon arriving in Barra, go to Fort Bullen which was built by the British 1827 and served to complement the fort in Banjul in preventing the escape of slave traders. In World War II the fort was put to military use by the British Army as an observatory/artillery base. The entrance fee to the fort is less than £1. The fort may look barren but it is one of the few remaining historical sites that played an important role in putting an end to the slave trade of Africans. From Barra take a taxi and head toward Fass and go left into Kanuma at the Niumi National Park. The park is a fish breeding ground and a mangrove habitat. There are also crocodiles, hyenas and different bird species that can be found at the park.
