Come and explore some of the most outstanding areas of natural beauty in The Gambia. Stay at small, friendly lodges and remote bush camps and experience the real Africa. Embark on a fascinating voyage of discovery up-river in search of hippos, monkeys, baboons and chimpanzees. An outstanding variety of habitats makes this country a birdwatcher's paradise and a fertile playground for the sports fisherman.

The Gambia was for many years a British colony and is one of the smallest and safest countries in Africa. Flights from Europe generally cost £300 - £450 and often depart in the morning, so by mid-afternoon you can find yourself under a shady coconut palm enjoying a drink in the warm tropical sunshine. And this, after just 6 hours flight time - with no jet lag!

The Gambia coast offers miles of superb golden beaches and the vibrancy of Bakau, Serrekunda and the capital, Banjul, is as colourfully African as you might imagine. During the day, fish for Barracuda on the Atlantic Ocean, strike a bargain in one of the many markets and in the evening, sample the wide variety of Gambian and international cuisine.

However, if you only stay at the coastal beach resorts (as 95% + of visitors do!), you'll be missing out on much of what makes The Gambia so special...

Up-river, the broad 300-mile long river dominates life today as it has done for centuries. Hippos languish where previously slave traders plied their trade. Surprisingly perhaps for such an important waterway (and given the poor road infrastructure), you will find little other traffic on the river apart from the occasional fisherman in a dug-out canoe.

At Hidden Gambia we operate a unique weekly schedule of boats and vehicles which enables you to get the best of both worlds - the coast and up-river. If you have an independent spirit and want to get a real feel for the country, rather than being stuck in a package hotel, this may be just what you're looking for. You might also have a special interest:

• Birdwatching in The Gambia is amongst the richest in the world given the country's location as an international crossroads for migration, with over 540 species in such a small country! You will have access to some of the best local guides in the business who will ensure you get the most out of your holiday.

• There are boundless opportunities for wildlife photography on our tours. The guaranteed winter sunshine; the beautiful, diverse, wildlife-rich habitats you will visit; and our guides' expertise and patience will make it easy for you to return home with some really fantastic photos.
• Primates include 3 different types of monkey: Red Colobus, Green Vervet, Red Pathas as well as Dog-faced Baboons and chimpanzees.
• For the sport fisherman, sea/creek fishing can yield Barracuda, Trevally, Ladyfish and the mighty Tarpon. The freshwater parts of the river are also home to a number of noted fish including Tiger fish, Vundu Catfish, Threadfin Salmon and other localised species.
• West Africa has a strong tradition in music & dance and The Gambia is no exception. You will find plenty of opportunity for listening to Djembe rhythms as well as Kora music (a 21-string Senegambian harp-like instrument). If you have a keen interest in music, you might time your trip to co-incide with the Kartong festival (8th-10th February 2013).

Visit a local village and see how the rural way of life has remained almost unchanged by time. Try your hand at cooking Benachin or Domoda, learn to play the Djembe, kick up the dust around the campfire by a starlit night, meet the people and genuinely discover the Hidden Gambia...

Click here to start planning your adventure holiday on the Gambia river