%uPotholes%u and other The Gambia Warning Or Danger Tips

Some of the roads I traveled in Gambia were the worst roads I have ever seen in my life. The main road between Janjangbureh and Tendaba was once paved, but the surface is now mostly potholes. It is so bad that, where the topography permits it, local drivers drive in the dirt next to the road to avoid the broken pavement. Broken-down cars and trucks with broken axles or other major damage are commonly encountered every few miles. Other lesser roads are almost as bad.

The drive between Janjangbureh is about 96 miles (155 kilometers), but it took over eight hours of bone-jarring travel to cover the distance.

Supposedly the government has promised to repair the roads, which would benefit the country greatly. However, many believe that these promises were made during election campaigns and will never be carried out.

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During the dry season (November through May), brush fires are relatively common in Gambia. Most are set by people to clear dead grasses and brush for cultivation. These fires are actually beneficial for the ecosystem, as many plants require fire to germinate, and the flames get rid of dead vegetation, allowing for faster growth of new plants when the wet season comes.

Brush fires burn hot and move across the country quickly. They rarely get out of control, but they do occasionally cross major roads, such as the one pictured here. It is at such a time that they can pose a hazard to travelers, especially since it is usually impossible to drive fast enough along the potholed and rutted roads to escape the flames.

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