As the prospect of snow, howling winds and sheeting rain continuing to batter the UK, the lure of sunshine, stunning beaches and stimulating new cultures beckons.

With a myriad of destinations from Mauritius to Mexico offering long haul packages and, closer to home, the Canaries, the Algarve and Cyprus vying for business, choices are driven by time and budget constraints.

The Gambia - a lesser known destination just a six-hour flight away - has proven an alluring winter escape for our Lifestyle and Leisure Editor, Sharon Cain, and her husband Steve, our Yorkshire Times Photographer.

Smiling Coast : Tempting Taste of Africa

Basking on a beach fringed with palm trees swaying in the breeze with temperatures at a comfortable 25 degrees while looking forward to a platter of sizzling fresh fish straight out of the sea…

What could be more deliciously decadent, especially when reading about the weather forecast of strong winds, possible snow and the obligatory rainfall to dampen even the brightest of moods?

February and March are ideal months to visit the Gambia, called the ‘Smiling Coast of Africa’ due to its friendly people, and how it cuts a swathe through the middle of Senegal, appearing like a smile on Africa’s map.

Beguilingly beautiful, the backdrop for the iconic book and TV series Roots is just a six hour hop from the UK (we flew from Manchester) with no time difference and no jet lag slowing down precious days of exploration and relaxation.

Eclectic Influences

While this country of just 2.5 million people may be mainland Africa’s smallest county, an enormous welcome is always assured along with exotic bird sightings at dawn - and a rich history of ancient civilisations.

Portuguese navigators who dominated trade across the 15th and 16th centuries were among the first explorers. Baltic Germans and the British also played a role in the lucrative slave trade which transported 6,000 slaves to the Americas annually.

Becoming self-governing in 1963, a year when the country embraced tourism, almost 207,000 tourists flock here every year for its climate, culture and affordability.

Bedlam: The Boat To Senegal

Not for the faint hearted is the short but incredibly overcrowded and totally chaotic daily ferry crossing from the capital Banjul to Barra in Senegal which has sadly resulted in fatalities over the years.

Heaving with locals laden with goods and animals ranging from goats, chickens and species which were unrecognisable, it is the only way to cross the river and has to be experienced to be believed.

Fortunately our trip was without incident as we watched backpackers trade their clothes and shoes for fruit, food and other provisions.

Deafened by the cacophony on board and staying vigilant for pickpockets, we fell off - trying to avoid standing on chickens in our path - and were taken by our guide to Senegal’s Fathala Wildlife Reserve.

Diverse Conservation And Wildlife

We were privy to a fascinating insight into the reserve’s 6,000 hectares of protected forest renowned for its diverse conservation and wildlife. It also boasts and abundance of birdlife including gannets, vultures and Pink-backed pelicans – the latter which hang out along the coast.

Animals included giraffes, zebra’s rhino, buffalo, warthog along with red colobus, green vervet and red patas monkeys.

Herds of rare West African giant derby eland, the world’s biggest antelope which can run at up to 70 km per hour rub along with fellow antelope species such as roan, waterbuck and bushbuck.

Visitors can also savour a magical experience of walking with lions who are tame enough to be stroked. There is also the option to stay over at the reserve, but we headed back on the boat for another bout of pandemonium.

UNESCO site and Roots Setting

A ‘must’ is a trip down the Gambia River to James Island - a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It is also the setting for the iconic TV series Roots based on Alex Haley’s 1976 poignant Pulitzer novel of how Kunta Kinte, a young boy who was enslaved there and taken to North America.

On the tour we met local tribes and haggled for exquisite life size wooden sculptures of traditional Gambian women which are beautiful but were challenging to transport home.

A country heavily dependent upon tourism, we donated notebooks and pens to a local school, and took sweets for the cute and cheeky children, feeling extremely humbled by the smiles of heartfelt appreciation for such small gestures.

The Gambia has a special place in my heart and my home where our unique handcrafted sculptures evoke fond memories and a smile.

Key Facts
The Gambia Experience provide various accommodation including direct flights from Manchester and Gatwick
Details on the Fathala Wildlife Reserve and activities available can be found here
Get Your Guide offers wide-ranging trips to James Island and additional activities
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the following vaccinations for Gambia: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza. For the latest travel advice check the website Government Gambia Travel Advice